CeMAP 1 pass mark and exam format
The CeMAP 1 pass mark is 70% in each unit. Each of the two units, FRE1 and FRE2, is worth 40 marks, so you need at least 28 out of 40 in both. Each unit is a one-hour exam of 40 multiple-choice questions.
CeMAP Module 1 is the Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics qualification, known as FSRE and usually called CeMAP 1. It is the first part of the licence to practise qualification for mortgage advisers. It has two mandatory units, and you must pass both.
CeMAP 1 exam format at a glance
| FRE1 | FRE2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unit name | Industry, Regulation and Key Parties | Skills, Principles and Ethical Behaviours |
| Exam length | 1 hour | 1 hour |
| Questions | 40 | 40 |
| Marks | 40 | 40 |
| Pass mark | 70% (28/40) | 70% (28/40) |
Across both units the module is worth 80 marks. Each unit is passed or failed on its own, so your marks in one unit do not make up for the other.
How the 40 marks in each unit are made up
Every unit has the same two parts:
- Part 1: 25 standalone multiple-choice questions, worth 25 marks.
- Part 2: 3 case studies, each with 5 linked multiple-choice questions, worth 15 marks.
Every question is multiple choice with four options, where you select one answer, and each correct answer earns one mark. There are no written answers.
CeMAP 1 grade boundaries
The qualification is graded pass or fail overall, but each unit result also shows a level:
| Result | Percentage | Marks out of 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | 70–79% | 28–31 |
| Pass at merit level | 80–89% | 32–35 |
| Pass at distinction level | 90–100% | 36–40 |
How you sit the exam
Each unit exam is delivered through Brightspace, the same platform that holds the course materials. You can take it at any time with remote invigilation, and there is no need to book in advance. Before you start, you scan your testing space through a laptop or webcam, so your equipment needs to be in full working order.
What happens if you fail a unit
You resit only the unit you did not pass. The qualification has a twelve-month registration period. For each unit you are unsuccessful in, you can make up to three exam attempts in a week and up to ten overall in any 12-month period. A resit fee applies, so check the current amount with LIBF before you book.
What each unit covers
FRE1 covers the structure of the UK financial services industry, the legal concepts relevant to advice, and how the FCA and PRA regulate firms. FRE2 covers the advice process and client skills, regulatory principles that deliver fair outcomes for customers, and ethics and professional behaviour. For a plain-English breakdown of the two units, read our CeMAP 1 FRE1 vs FRE2 guide.
Wondering how difficult the exam really is? Read Is CeMAP 1 hard? for what makes it tricky and how to prepare.
CeMAP 1 pass mark FAQ
What is the CeMAP 1 pass mark?
The pass mark is 70% in each unit. Each unit is worth 40 marks, so you need at least 28 out of 40 in FRE1 and at least 28 out of 40 in FRE2.
How many questions are in the CeMAP 1 exam?
Each unit has 40 questions: 25 standalone multiple-choice questions plus 3 case studies with 5 linked multiple-choice questions each. Across FRE1 and FRE2 that is 80 questions.
How long is the CeMAP 1 exam?
There are two exams, one for each unit, and each lasts one hour.
Do I need 70% overall or in each unit?
In each unit. Both FRE1 and FRE2 are mandatory and each must be passed at 70% or above.
Can I resit CeMAP 1 if I fail a unit?
Yes. For each unit you do not pass, you can make up to three exam attempts in a week and up to ten overall in any 12-month period. A resit fee applies.