How to Pass the Texas Real Estate License Exam
About the Author: Nicole Schnell
To be a real estate agent in Texas, you first need to complete pre-licensing courses, submit an application to TREC, and pass a background check. The final step before getting your sales agent is to pass the Texas real estate license exam. We’ll break down all you need to know about the exam, including how to sign up, what’s covered, how you can pass on the first attempt, and more.
How to Sign Up for the Texas Real Estate Exam
After completing a few initial steps (complete pre-licensing courses, submit application, pass background check), TREC will assign you an ID number to register for the exam. The Texas real estate exam must be taken in person at an approved testing location and with proctor supervision. Sign up at PearsonVUE and choose a testing center and date that fits your schedule. There is a $43 non-refundable, non-transferable fee (per attempt) to register.
How Is the Exam Structured?
The Texas real estate exam is divided into two portions, one covering national content and one covering state content. The national portion consists of 80 scored questions plus 5 pretest (non-scored) questions to assess performance. The state portion has 30 scored questions and 5 to 10 pretest questions. You won’t be able to recognize the pretest questions, so it’s best to answer every question as if it will be scored.
All questions are multiple-choice style and cover scenario concepts, common terminology, and math problems. You will have 4 hours total, starting from the moment you look at the first question on the exam computer. You are shown one question at a time and have the ability to flag and come back to questions you’re struggling with. There will be access to a basic calculator on the exam computer, or you may bring one that does not contain alpha characters.
What Is Covered on the Exam?
Let’s look at what’s covered in each portion of the exam and how many questions will be included for each topic. These are the areas you will want to study in depth to prepare.
National Portion:
- Real property characteristics, legal descriptions, and property use (9 questions)
- Forms of ownership, transfer, and recording of title (8 questions)
- Property value and appraisal (11 questions)
- Real estate contracts and agency (16 questions)
- Real estate practice (14 questions)
- Property disclosures and environmental issues (8 questions)
- Financing and settlement (7 questions)
- Real estate math calculations (7 questions)
State Portion:
- Commission duties and powers (2 questions)
- Licensing (2 questions)
- Standards of conduct (7 questions)
- Agency/Brokerage (8 questions)
- Contracts (7 questions)
- Special topics (4 questions)
When Do I Find Out My Score?
You will be shown a pass-or-fail statement on screen or via a paper printed by the proctor immediately following your exam. If you fail, you will receive a report of which portions were unsuccessful, so you can use this when studying for another attempt. A passing score will automatically be shared with TREC to continue your license approval process.
What Is Required to Pass the Texas Real Estate Exam?
You must get at least 70% of the answers correct to pass the Texas real estate exam. If you fail one portion of the exam, you only need to retake that one portion within a year of applying with TREC. After 3 failed attempts, you must take additional qualifying education courses before retesting or submitting a new application.
You’ll need 30 additional hours if one portion is failed, while 60 hours are required if both portions are failed. Once completed, you will need to submit course completion documents with a copy of your third failed score report to TREC. When they approve that, you may sign up for another attempt with PearsonVUE. And don’t feel discouraged; many agents failed the exam multiple times and went on to be successful in real estate.
How Do I Pass on the First Attempt?
Choosing the right materials to prepare for the exam is vital to your success, given the passing rate and additional education requirements for failing. That’s why License Classroom is dedicated to providing the resources needed to help our students pass on the first attempt!
Our online pre-licensing courses are designed to be easy to use at your own pace with interactive elements for engaged learning. They’re filled with interesting, relevant material to effectively prepare you for both the exam and a career in real estate. When you purchase our 180-hour pre-license course package, you’ll receive our Exam Prep course at no additional cost. You can also purchase our Exam Prep course separately. The exam prep includes feedback and unlimited practice exams and is structured to help you pass the Texas real estate exam on the first attempt.
