You have completed all 135 hours of your pre-licensing coursework through an accredited California real estate school. You’ve submitted all the required licensing information to the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). The only thing standing between you and your new career as a licensed California real estate agent is the 150 questions in the state’s real estate licensing exam.
If you’re like most aspiring agents at this stage of the game, you’re ready to get the exam over with and start the next phase of your journey. But, not everyone passes the exam on the first go around. Though it varies from year to year, DRE statistics reveal that, on average, only 40% of those who take the California real estate licensing exam pass on their first try.
In this article, we’ll offer tips and tricks to help you pass the CA real estate exam on your first try in 2024.
How Difficult is the California Real Estate Exam
To obtain a California real estate license, applicants must complete 135 hours of licensing coursework and pass the state’s real estate salesperson exam. You can consider it your final exam, designed to test your knowledge of real estate principles, practices, and laws.
The licensing exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that you must complete within three hours with a score of at least 70%.
It consists of questions in the following categories:
- Property Ownership and Land Use Controls and Regulations (approximately 15% of the exam)
- Laws of Agency and Fiduciary Duties (approximately 17% of the exam)
- Property Valuation and Financial Analysis (approximately 14% of the exam)
- Financing (approximately 9% of the exam)
- Transfer of Property (approximately 8% of the exam)
- The practice of Real Estate and Disclosures (including specialty areas) (approximately 25% of the exam)
- Contracts (approximately 12% of the exam)
The exam’s level of difficulty depends on the individual. While some students may find it relatively easy, others may find it harder to pass. Generally, students who have focused significant effort on exam preparation are more likely to pass the California real estate exam on the first try.
CA Real Estate Exam Preparation
When you attend an accredited real estate school, the required coursework will lay the foundation you need to prepare for the California real estate licensing exam.
For example, at Licensing Solution, each course features interactive chapter quizzes to test your understanding as you go, keeping you engaged and focused, and culminates in open-book final exams consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions. These tests will come in handy as you prepare for the state exam, and the coursework provided represents a great starting point for your journey.
However, while some students complete the required real estate courses and go on to successfully complete the licensing exam without any structured preparation work, others need additional help to ensure that they pass the exam on their first try. At License Solution, we offer DRE-approved course packages tailored to the different needs of our students.
For example, while our bronze package, which is our most affordable, offers all the required coursework required by the California DRE, it does not include any exam preparation tools. For that, students should consider either our silver or gold package.
License Solution “Silver” Real Estate Course and Exam Prep Package
Our “silver” course package not only offers enhanced course materials, such as audio versions of all your courses, but it also includes exclusive California real estate exam preparation tools like online exam prep flashcards and interactive exam prep opportunities.
Best of all, students enrolled in the License Solution California real estate school silver program can access our “pay until you pass guarantee.” We guarantee that you will pass your California licensing exam on your first attempt, or we will pay the state’s $60 testing fee for each additional attempt until you pass.
License Solution “Gold” Real Estate Course and Exam Prep Package
For anyone who needs even more help to pass the California real estate licensing exam on the first try, our “gold” real estate licensing package includes a useful video crash course and over 100 engaging video enhancements throughout your classes to help you retain important information. At the same time, you gain a solid foundation as you study for your exam.
Additional features include:
- audio exam prep
- video exam prep review
- a video exam crash course
- additional practice exams
5 Tips to Pass the California Real Estate Exam on the First Try
In addition to building a solid foundation through the course packages offered by License Solution, here are five tips to help ensure that you pass your CA real estate licensing exam on the first try:
#1. Focus on maintaining a proper sleep schedule.
With License Solution, you can complete your DRE-required coursework in as little as 18 days. However, it’s hard to learn well if you aren’t getting enough sleep. Rest well between classes and study periods to remain sharp and focused.
You must also get a good night’s sleep the night before you take the California real estate license exam. Having enough rest brings clarity and helps with your overall performance.
#2. Create a study routine and stick to it.
Established study routines are essential to stay organized throughout the learning process. It will help you stay focused, remain on track, and motivate you to achieve your goals.
Creating a written study schedule will make you better prepared to prioritize and complete tasks. Get into this habit early in your coursework, and you will reap the benefits when it comes time to study for the state licensing exam.
#3 Adopt good test-taking and study habits.
When you adopt good test-taking and study habits, you will be better able to retain the information needed to pass your exam.
Consider the following suggestions:
- Practice spaced-out studying. Rather than studying right before your exam, briefly review any course material you have learned weekly. This method helps you to retain information in the long term.
- Leave any exam questions that you are unsure about blank. You can come back and review them later.
- When struggling with an exam question, work backward and eliminate wrong answers. Then, you can choose the best possible answer from the remaining ones. This increases your odds of correctly answering the question.
- Read exam questions and their answers carefully and slowly. Stay alert and pay attention to small words like most, all, can, could, best, must, not, should, might, and may. These words can significantly change the question’s meaning and the answers and can easily confuse the test-taker.
- Focus on practicing calm breathing and positivity. A lack of oxygen can hinder your natural ability to recall what you’ve learned. So, remember to practice breathing before taking the exam and, on the day of, remember to breathe. Deep breathing can quell anxiety. You worked hard to prepare for the exam. It can help to have a positive mantra to recite in your head, like “I deserve this” or “I can do this.”
#4 Practice, practice, and practice some more.
You know the old saying, “Practice makes perfect.” It applies to many areas of our lives, including if you want to pass the California real estate exam on your first try.
At License Solution, we recognize the importance of practice. That’s why we offer a full suite of real estate exam prep tools to help you succeed, from online test prep flashcards and practice exams to exam prep videos.
#5 Avoid cramming before the test.
Cramming has got to be one of the most ineffective ways to study for an exam. Whenever you try to cram new information into your brain, especially right before an exam, there isn’t sufficient time for information from the short-term to the long-term memory bank.
Our long-term memory bank needs time to retain new information so that you can access it when needed most, which, in this case, is on the day of the exam. If you created and maintained a study routine as part of your coursework, there is no need to cram the night before. Get some rest instead.
California Real Estate Exam Prep FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions associated with California real estate licensing exam preparations:
Are online real estate schools the same as in-person real estate schools?
If the real estate school you choose is accredited by the California DRE, it does not matter whether the coursework occurs in a classroom setting or online. For many students, online real estate courses are preferable because they allow you to study at your own pace. They are especially beneficial for anyone working full-time or dealing with other pressing obligations.
What’s the application process to take the exam and get my license?
Once you have completed your coursework, you can apply for the state exam and your California real estate license through the same application process. Your online application is submitted through the California DRE’s eLicensing portal. In addition to your application, you must provide your course certificates, a Live Scan Form 237 application for fingerprinting and a background check, a $60 exam fee, and a $245 license fee.
How long will it take the California DRE to process my application?
It can take up to four weeks for the California DRE to process your application. Once the application is approved, you can log on to the DRE website to schedule your exam time, date, and location.
How do I find a California real estate brokerage to work with?
California law requires that all real estate agents work under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker. The broker provides the agent with support, resources, and guidance to help them succeed.
There are several ways to find a brokerage:
- Search online for brokerages in your area and read reviews or check ratings from previous clients.
- Network with other agents or attend real estate events and conferences to meet potential brokers in person.
- Ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have recently bought or sold a property.
- Check with your local association of REALTORS® or the California DRE to find a list of licensed brokers.
Some factors to consider when choosing a brokerage include the company’s reputation, training or support programs, commission structure, and culture.
How long does it take to complete California real estate courses?
At License Solution, you can complete all required coursework in as little as 18 days. However, we give you up to a year of course access. So, you can feel free to learn at the pace that is right for you.
How many questions are on the California real estate licensing exam?
There are 150 multiple-choice questions on the California real estate licensing exam.
How long do I have to complete the California real estate licensing exam?
You will have three hours to complete the California real estate licensing exam.
What score is required to pass the California real estate licensing exam on the first try?
A score of 70% is required to pass the California real estate licensing exam on the first try.
License Solution California Real Estate School: Your Partner for Success
Passing the California real estate licensing exam on the first try is easy when you partner with License Solution, a leading real estate education provider, helping students excel in their careers since 1999.
Our online real estate packages utilize a cutting-edge approach to licensing that includes everything you will need to become a successfully licensed California real estate agent. At License Solution, our curriculum goes well beyond the 135 hours of learning required by the DRE to include interactive, online test preparation tools to ensure that you pass the California licensing exam on your first try.
Beyond ensuring you pass the California real estate licensing exam on the first try, our courses are designed to help you master the craft. With training from License Solution, you’ll be a real estate agent with the knowledge and integrity necessary to build a successful career.
Contact License Solution today for the fastest and easiest way to become a real estate agent in California.
