If you need help studying for the national Real Estate Sales exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free Real Estate Sales practice test!
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the exam, you’ll need to contact your state licensing board to see what requirements they have.
For instance, most states require some amount of pre-licensing education and that you be sponsored by a state broker.
If you meet the necessary requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 85 multiple-choice questions total, but only 80 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The five unscored questions on the exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
Each question falls under one of the following three cognitive levels:
- 🧠 Knowledge: The recall questions test your ability to recall/recognize information.
- 🛠️ Application: The application questions test your ability to apply knowledge to given situations.
- 🔍 Analysis: The analysis questions test your ability to analyze and evaluate solutions.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the national exam.
1. Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Property Use
11 scored questions
- Real property vs. personal property
- Characteristics of real property
- Legal descriptions
- Public and private land use controls
2. Forms of Ownership, Transfer, and Recording of Title
9 scored questions
- Ownership, estates, rights, and interests
- Deed, title, transfer of title, and recording of title
3. Property Value and Appraisal
11 scored questions
- Concept of value
- Appraisal process
- Methods of estimating value and broker price opinions
4. Real Estate Contracts and Agency
16 scored questions
- Types of contracts
- Required elements of a valid contract
- Contract performance
- Sales contract
- Types of agency and licensee-client relationships
- Creation and termination of agency
- Licensee obligations to parties of a transaction
5. Real Estate Practice
10 scored questions
- Responsibilities of broker
- Brokerage agreements between the broker and principal
- Fair housing
- Risk management
6. Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues
10 scored questions
- Hazardous substances
- Clean Air and Water Acts
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Environmental and property disclosure obligations and liability
7. Financing and Settlement
7 scored questions
- Financing concepts and components
- Lender requirements
- Federal financing regulations and regulatory bodies
- Settlement and closing the transaction
8. Real Estate Math Calculations
7 scored questions
- Property area calculations
- Property valuation
- Commission/compensation
- Loan financing costs
- Settlement and closing costs
- Investment
- Property management calculations
Math Calculations
There are a few important things to note about math calculations.
First, you are allowed to use a calculator on the exam! You’ll have to bring your own, so be sure your calculator complies with the testing center’s regulations.
Second, there are two main conversions that you should memorize:
- 43,560 square feet = 1 acre
- 5,280 feet = 1 mile
Lastly, if a question requires the calculation of prorated amounts, the question will specify one or both of the following:
- Whether you should calculate on the basis of 360 or 365 days a year
- Whether the day of closing belongs to the buyer or seller for proration purposes
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam.
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application to your state licensing board. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things).
When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the testing fee, which varies from state to state.
Once your application is approved, you’ll be sent information on how to register your exam with Pearson VUE.
Real Estate Sales Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
Each state has its own passing score requirements. You’ll have to answer a certain number of national questions correctly AND a certain number of state-specific questions correctly in order to pass.
For example, in Texas, you have to correctly answer at least 56 national questions and 21 state-specific questions to pass.
FAQs
How many questions are on the Real Estate Sales exam?
The national exam contains 85 questions.
What is the time limit for the Real Estate Sales exam?
The time limit varies from state to state, but the test usually lasts 3-4 hours.
What is the passing score for the Real Estate Sales exam?
The passing score varies from state to state, though most states require a score of at least 70%.
How much does the Real Estate Sales exam cost?
The testing fees vary from state to state, ranging anywhere from $40 to $200.