The Real Estate exam is your first step toward becoming a licensed real estate agent.
The exam itself can vary from state to state, but we’ve outlined everything you need to know.
Summary: Learn what is on the real estate exam. To begin practicing, take our real estate practice test.
What is the Real Estate Exam?
Anyone who wishes to be a real estate agent must first earn their license, and this can only happen by passing the exam and becoming certified in your state.
Generally, you first take pre-licensing classes, and then sit for the exam itself.
What is on the Real Estate Exam?
The real estate exam consists of two main sections.
The first section will test you on your general real estate knowledge (applicable on a national level), and the second section will test your knowledge on real estate laws specifically targeting the state you’ll be practicing in.
You can expect there to be around 100-150 multiple-choice questions (depends on your state). 60-80 questions will be state-specific while 80-100 questions will be universal (national level) questions.
Practice these questions by taking our free real estate practice test.
Topics Tested
Here are the major topics you will come across, all of which you will want to study and become familiar with prior to the exam:
- Brokerage responsibilities
- Agency creation and disclosures
- Commissions and fees
- Contracts and deeds
- Broker agreements
- Promissory notes
- Offer and purchase contracts
- Financing
- Loans
- Credit laws
- Taxes & assessments (relative to your state)
- Practice & Disclosures
- Fair housing laws
- Ethics
- Inspections
- Disclosure requirements
- Closings
- Property & Ownership
- Government and personal land rights
- Environmental laws
- Property Valuation
- How to describe and appraise property
- Common real estate math
How Many Questions are on the Real Estate Exam?
The number of questions on the exam vary from state to state, but you can expect about 100 to 150 multiple-choice questions. The 100-150 questions will be broken down something like this:
- State-Specific Questions: 60-80 Questions
- Universal (National Level) Questions: 80-100 Questions
How Long is the Real Estate Exam?
Once again, the exam time limit will vary depending on the state you’re in.
The time can vary from 1.5 hours to 4 hours.
How is the Real Estate Exam Scored?
The scoring of the real estate exam is fairly straightforward. You need to earn 70-75% in order to pass.
If you do not pass, you are allowed to take the exam again – but you will have to pay the exam fee each time you take it.
In addition, certain states will only allow you two “retakes.”
What are the Requirements to Take the Real Estate Exam?
One big requirement to take the real estate exam is a high school diploma or GED.
Before you can sit for the actual exam, you will also need to take pre-licensing classes, which will teach you what you need to know to pass and become licensed in your state.
How Much is the Real Estate Exam?
You can expect to pay about $100 to sit for the exam.
Pre-licensing programs will vary in price, but they generally range from $200 to $600.
Preparing for the Exam
Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve had to study for an exam, or you just want to make sure you do the best you can. Either way, it’s important to study hard and study smart.
By using real estate practice tests, you will familiarize yourself with how it feels to take the real exam, getting a feel for the time limit, question styles, and topics you need improvement on.
Real Estate Exam FAQs
Is the test the same for all states?
No. Some information will remain relevant no matter where you take the exam, but a large portion of the test will assess your knowledge on specific state laws and practices.
Do I need to take a course before I can take the exam?
Yes. Before you sit for the real estate exam, you will need to take pre-licensing classes.
Who needs to take the real estate exam?
Anyone who wants a career in real estate – whether as a real estate agent or broker – needs to start by passing this exam.
