The Ultimate Study Schedule Planner for the Korea Licensed Real Estate Agent Exam

Last updated: April 2026

Preparing for the South Korean real estate licensing exam is a marathon, not a sprint. Administered annually in late October by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRDKorea) via Q-Net, the exam demands a deep understanding of complex legal frameworks, tax codes, and brokerage practices. Without a meticulously crafted study schedule planner, candidates often find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material. This guide will walk you through creating an optimized, EEAT-compliant study plan designed to help you conquer both Level 1 and Level 2 of the exam. For a foundational understanding of the entire process, be sure to read our Complete Korea Licensed Real Estate Agent Exam Exam Guide.

Understanding the Exam Structure for Your Planner

Before drafting a study schedule, you must understand what you are up against. The exam is divided into two parts, usually taken on the same day. To pass, you must achieve an average score of 60 points or higher across all subjects in a level, with no single subject scoring below 40 points (a failing grade known in Korea as gwarak, or 과락).

To properly allocate your time, you need to familiarize yourself with the exam format and structure overview. Level 1 consists of Real Estate Introduction and Civil Law. Level 2 covers the Licensed Real Estate Agent Act & Brokerage Practice, Real Estate Public Law, and Real Estate Disclosure Act & Tax Law. Because Civil Law and Public Law are notoriously dense, your planner must allocate disproportionately more time to these subjects.

The 10-Month Master Study Schedule

Most successful candidates dedicate 8 to 12 months to preparation, logging between 800 and 1,000 total study hours. Below is a highly effective 10-month phased study planner.

Phase 1: Building the Foundation (Months 1-3)

During the first three months, your primary focus should be on Level 1 subjects, particularly Civil Law (민법). Civil law forms the bedrock of Korean real estate transactions and heavily influences Level 2 subjects.

• Months 1-2: Devote 70% of your time to Civil Law and 30% to Real Estate Introduction. Focus on understanding basic concepts, legal terminology, and precedents (판례).
• Month 3: Introduce the Level 2 Brokerage Act. This is generally considered the easiest subject and serves as a confidence booster while you continue to drill Level 1 concepts.

Phase 2: Expanding into Advanced Law (Months 4-6)

Once you have a solid grasp of Level 1, it is time to tackle the most challenging subject: Real Estate Public Law (부동산공법). Regulated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), this subject involves massive amounts of memorization regarding zoning, urban planning, and building codes.

• Month 4: Begin Public Law. Maintain Level 1 retention by dedicating weekends to reviewing Civil Law.
• Months 5-6: Integrate the Real Estate Disclosure Act and Tax Law. Tax law requires a strategic approach, as policies frequently change. Always ensure you are studying the tax codes applicable to the current exam year.

Phase 3: Application and Problem Solving (Months 7-8)

Transition from reading textbooks to solving problems. Analyzing past papers (기출문제) from HRDKorea is the most accurate way to understand the pass rate statistics and difficulty of the exam.

• Complete at least 5 to 7 years of past exam papers.
• Identify your weak areas. If you are consistently scoring below 50 in Public Law, reallocate your weekday evening study sessions to focus purely on zoning regulations and urban development acts.

Phase 4: Final Review and Mock Exams (Months 9-10)

The final two months are about stamina and time management. The actual exam requires you to sit for hours, reading lengthy legal scenarios.

• Take full-length mock exams every Saturday under strict timed conditions.
• Create a "mistake note" (오답노트) to review questions you frequently get wrong.

Strategic Time Allocation

Not all subjects are created equal. The chart below illustrates the recommended distribution of a 1,000-hour study plan across the five main subject areas.