What order should I take the CeMAP exams?

September 22, 2026 by Brendan O'Neill

CeMAP

The CeMAP course was created by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF). It is considered to be the standard mortgage advisor qualification. The course consists of three modules and exams, but a common question is what order they should be completed in. The LIBF does not specify any order, so it is a matter of choice.

Most people complete it in sequence though, starting with CeMAP Module 1 (Units 1 and 2), continuing with CeMAP Module 2 (Units 3 to 6), and concluding with CeMAP Module 3 (Unit 7). This is also the order that is recommended by a CeMAP training provider when you sign up for the course. This is because there are practical arguments in favour of it.

Starting with CeMAP 1

This module is called Introduction to Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics (FSRE). It consists of two exams: FRE1 and FRE2. Both contain 50 multiple-choice questions plus 3 case studies with five relevant questions. The advisable order is to complete FRE1 and then FRE2.

The reason most people do the CeMAP 1 exams first is because they are the most difficult. They contain a lot of theoretical information about financial industry principles and mortgage sector regulation. Passing these exams makes the remaining ones simpler.

Continuing with CeMAP 2

This module is called Mortgages (MORT) and covers day-to-day knowledge of mortgage law, products and applications. The exam can be made up of four separate units or two one-hour exams with 100 multiple choice questions. What you have learned from CeMAP 1 should make passing this one easier.

Finishing with CeMAP 3

Called Assessment of Mortgage Advice Knowledge (ASSM), this really has to be completed last. This is because it is about applying what you learn in the first two modules to real-world situations. The exam lasts for two hours. It contains six case studies about which you must answer 10 multiple-choice questions.

At Beacon Financial Training, we offer an online CeMAP training course that includes all three modules. You can sign up on our website.