Why is the real estate exam so difficult?
Some people believe that the real estate exam is difficult or WILL be difficult. But, is it really that hard?
I mean, wasn’t applying for the exam hard enough?
There is a valid reason why individuals believe the exam to be difficult. When you take the big test yourself, don’t let that bother you.
In fact, I’ll demonstrate WHY people find the exam challenge as well as some strategies you can use to make it less difficult for yourself.
Table of Contents
Topics Covered On The Texas Real Estate Exam
Basically, the exam will cover everything that was covered in the pre-licensing courses. Those topics are:
- Real property characteristics
- Property use
- Forms of ownership
- Property values and appraisals
- Environmental issues
- Commission duties and powers
- Real estate licensing in Texas
- Ethics and Conduct
- Community property
- Landlord-tenant issues
- Homeowners associations
Real Estate Exam Study Tips
1. Start Early
A sufficient amount of exam preparation is necessary for success, just like with any other test.
Starting early is the best way to guarantee that you cover all of the topics.
You should allot anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to studying all the necessary real estate courses, depending on your own study habits and learning preferences.
Set aside a few hours each day to study so you can do so slowly and more effectively, as opposed to cramming the courses all at once.
Additionally, it will be more effective if you set up front-specific tasks and due dates. By doing this, you’ll be less likely to put something off.
2. Get The Best Real Estate Exam Prep Materials
Without the proper study materials, even the best students will struggle on the real estate license exam.
It is undoubtedly worthwhile to spend money on a tried-and-true preparation course, program, or real estate school because a good guide gets you to your goal more quickly.
For your comfort on test day, they typically include real estate practice exams and condensed versions of the information from the prep course.
Even though you can certainly open a book on real estate business and study on your own, this isn’t the most effective strategy and won’t ensure a pass on your first attempt.
In a pinch, it’s preferable to refer to study guides designed especially for the licensing exam.
3. Take Practice Tests
Taking a practice test in person is the only way to truly get a sense of the real estate exam.
In order to help you determine your readiness before test day, our practice exams include questions on subjects the actual exam will cover in a similar fashion.
Our recommendation is to mimic exam conditions exactly while completing these tasks; set a timer, eliminate all outside distractions, and act as though you’re taking the real thing. Because of this, you are prepared.
The more you practice, the more you’ll benefit.
Don’t forget to review all the questions you missed afterward to ensure that you don’t commit the same errors on the exam.
4. Study Efficiently And Effectively
Speaking of effectiveness, another tip is to concentrate on the subjects that are most likely to come up on the test.
While it might seem obvious, many people waste time reading dense real estate books from beginning to end in an effort to assiduously take in as much information as they can.
Instead, you should review the section breakdown in the outline provided by your testing service. Anyone taking the exam will have access to it because the state mandates that they publish this information publicly.
You can now focus your attention on the topics that make up the majority of the real estate licensing exam after learning this information.
Additionally, pay attention to things that are difficult for you. Take math questions as an example; if you find them intimidating, practice them more.
Remember, you need to learn to study more effectively rather than just harder if you want to pass the test. Great test takers and amateurs are distinguished by this method.
5. Consult Real Estate Agents
You should speak with a real estate broker if you need assistance with more complex issues or if you require specialized knowledge.
In order to better prepare you for the exam, the agent will be able to explain both conceptual and practical information because they have actual experience in the field.
If you have any personal connections with real estate brokers, you might even be able to arrange for one of them to serve as your mentor as you pursue your license!
6. Review With Other Students
Having a regular study group is a further suggestion. However, having a trusted team nearby for accountability may be beneficial depending on your personal learning preferences.
You’ll achieve more than you could individually as long as you’re all committed to studying for the test and remain focused.
Others can fill in the gaps in your knowledge, supplement what you already know, and provide clarification on ideas that you aren’t entirely certain about.
Additionally, they increase the fun of studying!
Real Estate Exam Tips
All that’s left to do is take the test now that you’ve studied and prepared enough.
1. Prepare All Necessary Materials Beforehand
Make sure to get everything ready the night before so that test day won’t be as stressful.
This includes your identification, registration paperwork, stationery, and calculator. So that you know what to bring, check the specific state exam requirements for your exam.
Find out where the test will be administered as another crucial piece of advice. If you don’t worry about getting lost, getting stuck in traffic, or finding a parking spot, it will be much simpler to concentrate on the exam. Any and all distractions should be kept to a minimum on test day.
2. Answer Questions Strategically
Don’t take too long on a difficult question; instead, finish all the simpler ones first. Given that each multiple-choice question counts equally toward your final score, it is not worthwhile to waste time on questions that are difficult for you. Once you’ve answered all the questions, you can always go back to the numbers you missed.
Just be sure to read each question carefully and consider it in depth. In an effort to finish the exam quickly, test-takers are more likely to make careless errors. Don’t be one of them!
3. Stay Calm
Gaining success frequently requires confidence.
To avoid losing the momentum you’ve gained, keep your composure and move on rather than getting worked up over a few challenging issues. Try to remain calm throughout the entirety of the real estate exam because anxiety and nerves can cloud one’s judgment.
In the end, a composed test-taker has a higher chance of succeeding!
4. Trust Your Instincts
Sometimes it’s best to follow your gut when you really don’t have any ideas and don’t know the answers.
The knowledge you require is already in your head; after all, you worked hard to prepare for this real estate exam. In order to come up with logical answers, try to link words from the test to ideas you remember.
Don’t be hesitant to guess if all else fails! Even so, your chances will be better than if you left the number empty.
5. Be Positive and Don’t Get Discouraged!
After passing the real estate exam, put an end to your concern. Be positive and wish for the best because there’s no point in dwelling on what has already occurred. Most likely, you did better than you anticipated.
What Makes The Real Estate Exam Hard
It will be difficult to pass the real estate exam due to both internal and external factors. That is to say, you’ll discover that another obstacle to getting your real estate license exists in addition to the exam.
Tricky Worded Questions
You’ll encounter tricky-worded questions on the test. Double negatives, unclear wording, or other literary devices will likely be used in these inquiries to deceive you. To beat the test, read every question carefully. Keep an eye out for double negatives!
Questions With Unnecessary Information
To confuse test takers, some questions include extraneous information. You might be asked to use a concept in a particular situation as part of the question. While explaining the scenario, the question will give you too much information. This is information that is unnecessary to the solution.
This is done on purpose to assess how well you can apply concepts to actual situations. Being able to distinguish between information that is useful and that is not is a great exam skill.
Memorizing Concepts And Terminology
People who have trouble remembering terminology or concepts may also find the exam challenge. Someone may want to memorize as many terms as they can while studying. It doesn’t help to store ideas and vocabulary in your short-term memory. In actuality, it may harm you.
You can better tailor your knowledge to the question by becoming familiar with the terms and concepts you’ll encounter on the real estate exam. This will come in handy if you are asked a question that is poorly phrased or contains extraneous information.
Time Limit Pressure
The real estate exam will take three hours. You might think that’s a long time. However, 3 hours might not seem like enough time after seeing all 150 questions and how difficult they can be to understand. People will therefore succumb to exam panic due to the time pressure. When it does, take a few deep breaths, respond to the simple inquiries first, and then take on the complex ones.
Putting Pressure On Yourself To Pass
In fact, overcoming your own pressure may be more difficult than the test itself. People might experience insecurity or put pressure on themselves to succeed. You will become more stressed out as a result and be taken away from the exam.
The Atmosphere Of The Testing Center
Finally, the environment you’re in is tense. Each and every one of us aspires to pass the real estate exam and work as an agent. But not everyone will succeed. The stakes are high, and the atmosphere is tense.”
Achieve the right frame of mind before the exam by believing in yourself. To ace the real estate exam, step forward, strong, and optimistic. There’s a chance you’ll discover the exam is simpler than people claim.
The Remaining Steps Of Licensure
The two steps we just discussed are typically the most difficult for new agents. The following steps, which include: are generally a little simpler.
- passing a background check If you don’t have any serious criminal convictions on your record, such as those for tax fraud, tax evasion, or burglary, this step should be simple. Finding a spot at the nearby fingerprinting facility will be the most challenging part of this situation.
- submitting your application This step is fairly straightforward, aside from the mountain of paperwork that you and your new broker will need to complete. It’s challenging because the state may require you to wait several weeks or even a full month to receive your license.
After passing your real estate exam, you’ll essentially be coasting toward a new career in real estate. Thank your lucky stars that the most difficult parts came first.
If you make it difficult, the California real estate exam can be difficult. Information will be easier for some people to understand than others. Some people will study more thoroughly and for longer periods of time than others. Some people will sign up for our real estate crash course or state exam preparation.
These factors will all help to simplify the real estate exam. This article and our real estate exam prep and crash courses both provide a tried-and-true study strategy that has assisted thousands of students in passing the test and becoming real estate agents.
