Real Estate Exam Study Guide
Prepare for your real estate salesperson or broker license exam with free practice tests and study guides covering principles, contracts, agency, and finance.
- 3 Topics
- Free, online
- Plain-English explanations
Curriculum Structure
3 modules
Module 1 Real Estate Principles
FreeStudy real estate principles for your licensing exam. Covers property ownership types, legal descriptions, fair housing law, and appraisal approaches.
Start with Module 1Module 2 Contracts and Agency
FreeStudy contracts and agency for the real estate exam. Covers contract elements, void vs voidable, fiduciary duties, dual agency, and purchase agreements.
Module 3 Real Estate Finance
FreeStudy real estate finance for your licensing exam. Covers mortgage types, FHA and VA loans, TILA, RESPA, LTV, PMI, and loan amortization basics.
About this Exam
The real estate licensing exam tests your knowledge of real estate law, property ownership, contracts, agency relationships, financing, and the federal and state regulations that govern real estate transactions. Every state requires a passing score on a licensing exam before you can legally represent buyers or sellers.
The Salesperson (also called Sales Associate in some states) exam is the entry-level license. It covers real estate principles and practices, property types, contracts, agency, financing, fair housing law, and state-specific regulations. Most states divide the exam into a national portion and a state-specific portion.
The Broker exam is the advanced license that allows you to operate your own brokerage and supervise salespersons. It covers all salesperson topics plus advanced business management, broker supervision requirements, escrow and trust account management, and deeper coverage of real estate investment and valuation principles.
ExamsLib provides free practice questions and study guides covering the core subject areas tested on real estate licensing exams nationwide, with plain-English explanations grounded in standard real estate law and practice.
Guides for this Exam
Practical articles that go deeper than a single topic page.
- Real Estate Proration Practice Questions and AnswersWork tax, HOA, and rent prorations with buyer/seller debits and credits, closing-day rules, 360-day conventions, and an answer key.7 min read
- Real Estate LTV, Down Payment, and Cash-to-Close PracticeSolve loan-to-value, low-appraisal, down-payment, and cash-to-close exam questions with formulas, worked examples, and independent practice.7 min read
- Real Estate Appraisal Adjustment Practice QuestionsPractice comparable-sales adjustments with add/subtract examples, a complete grid, net versus gross adjustments, and a checked answer key.7 min read
- Texas Real Estate Exam Retakes: Failed Portions and DeadlinesFailed the Texas real estate exam? Separate national/state retakes, third-failure education, application deadlines, and passed-section validity.5 min read
- California Real Estate Exam Retakes: Fees and DeadlinesCalifornia salesperson exam retakes explained: eLicensing, the two-year window, re-exam vs. rescheduling fees, and how to use a failed score report.5 min read
This guide is for study purposes only. Always confirm current exam content and requirements with the official licensing authority in your state.
Frequently asked questions
What topics are covered on the real estate salesperson exam?
Most state real estate salesperson exams cover real estate principles and practices, property ownership types, contracts, agency relationships, financing concepts, appraisal basics, fair housing law, property disclosure requirements, and state-specific licensing law.
Does the real estate exam have a national portion and a state portion?
Yes. Most state real estate licensing exams are divided into a national portion (covering general real estate principles and federal law) and a state-specific portion (covering your state's licensing statutes, regulations, and practice standards). Both portions must be passed, sometimes on the same sitting, sometimes separately.
What is the passing score for the real estate exam?
Most states require a score of 70 to 75 percent to pass. Some states score the national and state portions separately, each with its own passing threshold. Confirm the current passing requirements with your state real estate commission.
How many questions are on the real estate licensing exam?
National portions typically contain 80 to 100 questions. State portions vary from 30 to 50 questions depending on the state. Total exam length is usually 120 to 150 questions. Verify the current exam format with your state licensing authority.
Do I need to take a pre-licensing course before the exam?
Yes. Every state requires completion of a state-approved pre-licensing education course before you can sit for the licensing exam. Hour requirements vary widely by state, typically ranging from 40 to 180 hours for a salesperson license. Confirm current requirements with your state real estate commission.
