Getting ready for a career in real estate? Well, before you can become a certified real estate agent, you’ll have to pass the real estate exam first.
Now, because the real estate licensing exam covers a lot of topics, it’s not something you can study for overnight.
You’ll have to familiarize yourself with national rules and regulations, real estate terms, agency relationships and contracts, real estate math, and real estate laws, among others.
However, as long as you have the right study plan and the right mindset, you’ll definitely do well. Keep reading for our real estate exam tips to help you ace that test!
Real Estate Exam Study Tips
1. Start Early
Just like with any other test, sufficient exam prep is required for success.
The best way to make sure you comprehensively cover the topics is to start early.
Depending on your own study habits and learning style, you should allocate anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to study all the required real estate courses.
Instead of cramming the courses in one go, it may help to set aside a few hours each day so you can study slowly and process the information more effectively.
It will also be more efficient if you outline specific tasks and deadlines beforehand. This way, you’ll be less likely to procrastinate.
2. Get the Best Real Estate Exam Prep Materials
Even the best students will have a hard time on the real estate license exam without the right study materials.
A good guide gets you to your goal faster, so it’s definitely worth it to invest in a tried and tested prep course, program, or real estate school.
They will typically include condensed prep course information and real estate practice exams so you’ll feel more confident during test day.
While you can certainly crack open a real estate business book and study on your own, this isn’t the most efficient method, nor will it guarantee a pass on your first try.
When you’re running short on time, it’s better to consult study materials that are made specifically for the licensing exam.
3. Study Efficiently and Effectively
Speaking of efficiency, another trick is to focus on topics that are most likely to appear on the exam.
It may seem like common sense, but many people waste time reading thick real estate books from cover to cover, trying to blindly absorb as much information as they can.
Instead, you should check your testing service’s outline with the number of questions per section. Since the state requires them to publish this publicly, anyone taking the exam can have access to it.
With this information, you can now direct your attention towards areas that make up the bulk of the real estate licensing exam.
You should also focus on things you find challenging. For instance, if math questions intimidate you, spend more time practicing them.
Remember, you want to get the most points possible to pass the exam, so you have to learn to study smarter—not necessarily harder! This strategy separates great test-takers from amateur ones.
4. Take Practice Tests
There’s no better way to get a feel of the real estate exam than to take an actual practice test.
Our practice exams contain questions about topics within the exam coverage, and they’re formatted similarly, so you can gauge how ready you are before test day.
Our advice is to simulate exam conditions exactly while doing these—set a timer, remove all distractions, and pretend you’re taking the real thing. This way, you know what to expect.
Practicing frequently will help you loads too!
Afterward, don’t forget to go over all the questions you missed, so you don’t make the same mistakes when you take the exam.
5. Review With Other Students
Another tip is to have a regular study group. The thing is, this really depends on your personal learning style, but it may help to have a trusted team around for accountability.
As long as you’re all focused and committed to studying for the exam, you’ll accomplish more than you’d be able to alone.
Other people can point out things you’ve missed, add on to the information you know, and help clarify concepts that you aren’t so sure about.
Plus, they make studying more enjoyable too!
6. Consult Real Estate Agents
For more difficult topics, or if you need expert knowledge, you should consult a real estate broker.
With actual experience in the field, the agent will be able to explain both conceptual and practical information so you’re better equipped for the exam (and your future career).
If you know any real estate brokers personally, you might even be able to get one to mentor you while you get your license!
Real Estate Exam Tips
Now that you’ve adequately studied and prepared, all that’s left to do is take the exam!
1. Prepare All Necessary Materials Beforehand
To reduce stress during test day, make sure to prepare the things you need the night before.
This includes your registration documents, identification, writing materials, and calculator. Check your individual state exam requirements so you know what you need to bring.
Another important tip is to look up where the test will take place. It’ll be much easier to focus on the exam when you’re not worrying about directions, traffic, and parking space. It’s always best to minimize any and all distractions on test day.
2. Answer Questions Strategically
Answer all the easier questions first, and don’t spend too long on a difficult one! Since each multiple choice question has the same weight on your final score, it’s not worth wasting time on ones that trip you up. You can always go back to the numbers you skipped after you’ve finished answering everything else.
However, remember to read and analyze each question thoroughly. Test takers are prone to making careless mistakes because they’re trying to speed through the exam. Don’t be one of them!
3. Trust Your Instincts
When you really don’t know the answers and nothing comes to mind, sometimes it’s best to go with your gut.
After all, you studied hard for this real estate exam, so all the information you need is in your head. Try to connect keywords from the test to concepts you remember—this could help you arrive at logical answers.
If all else fails, don’t be afraid to guess! You’ll still have better odds than if you left the number blank.
4. Stay Calm
Oftentimes, confidence is the key to doing well.
Don’t stress out over a few difficult items; stay calm and move on so you don’t lose the momentum you’ve gained. Anxiety and nerves can mess with a clear mind, so try to relax throughout the whole real estate exam.
Bottom line is, a calm test taker is more likely to pass the exam!
5. Be Positive and Don’t Get Discouraged!
Lastly, stay positive.
After sitting the real estate exam, stop worrying about it. There’s no point in dwelling over something that has already happened, so be optimistic and hope for the best! Chances are, you performed better than you thought.
Now, if you really feel you’ve failed, don’t get discouraged!
Even if you don’t pass on your first try, you’ll have many opportunities to take the exam again. A single bad test won’t take away your chances of getting that real estate license!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What Does the Real Estate Exam Cover?
The real estate licensing exam has a national and a state-specific portion, so there’ll be a few differences from state to state. However, the bulk of the coverage should be the same.
Make sure to review our real estate exam prep course comprehensively. Brush up on your real estate math, vocabulary, and terms, as these will appear many times on the real estate exam.
Q2: How Long Is the Real Estate Exam?
Usually, you’ll have around three hours and fifteen minutes to complete the real estate exam, but this can vary per state.
Now, this may seem long, but time will fly by much quicker than you expect, so manage it well!
Q3: What’s the Average Pass Rate?
The average pass rate varies from state to state, so it’s difficult to ascertain how many people succeed their first time taking the test.
However, you can take the test multiple times (up to three times a year), so don’t put too much pressure on yourself! In addition, you can retake just the national or state portion if you only passed one of them.
Ultimately, the pass rate and numbers don’t matter. Just focus on studying the subject matter well, and the rest will follow.
Q4: How Much Does the Real Estate Exam Cost?
Again, the cost depends on your home state, but fees are usually below $100. For example, while the Texas real estate exam costs only $54, Louisiana charges $85.
This can quickly add up if you take the license exam multiple times, though, so don’t be too lax about it either.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a real estate broker or agent may seem daunting, but as long as you work hard and follow these tips, nothing will stop you from reaching your career goals.
