The real estate exam: questions, time limits, passing and scheduling

How many questions are on a real estate exam?

Many states use a national portion plus a state portion, each scored separately. In Texas, the national portion has 80 scored questions and 5 pretest questions, and the state portion has 40 scored questions and 10 pretest questions. Pretest questions do not count, but you cannot tell which ones they are, so answer everything.

• Texas sales agent: 80 national + 40 state scored questions (Pearson VUE handbook, September 2026)
• South Carolina associate: 80 national + 40 state scored questions (PSI bulletin, updated 27 August 2026)
• Washington broker: 100 national + 30 state scored questions (PSI bulletin, 28 March 2024)
• California salesperson: 150 questions; broker: 200 (California DRE)
• Florida sales associate: 100 questions (Florida DBPR booklet, January 2025)

Source: Pearson VUE — Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook (September 2026). Checked 19 October 2026.

How long is the real estate exam?

In Texas, candidates get 240 minutes in total: 150 for the national portion and 90 for the state portion. California allows 3 hours for the salesperson exam and 4 hours for the broker exam; Florida gives three and a half hours; New York allows 1.5 hours; South Carolina allows 120 plus 80 minutes.

How long does the real estate exam take on the day? Add check-in time. California asks candidates to arrive 30 minutes early, and Texas requires two forms of current signature identification whose name exactly matches your registration.

Source: Pearson VUE — Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook (September 2026). Checked 19 October 2026.

Passing real estate exam portions: scores and results

Passing real estate exam portions is measured separately. Texas sales agents need 56 correct answers on the national portion and 28 on the state portion. California requires 70% for salespersons and 75% for brokers; Florida requires 75 points; Washington requires a scaled score of 70.

Results usually come at once. California gives electronic exam results on completion, PSI’s Washington bulletin shows your score on screen and emails a report, and New York reports only pass or fail. In Texas, TREC says results for each section are valid for one year from the passing date.

Source: California Department of Real Estate — Taking the Exam. Checked 19 October 2026.

Real estate exam pass rate: what is published

There is no official national real estate exam pass rate. Texas is a useful example of what states do measure: TREC is required by law to set an exam pass rate benchmark for approved education providers, and defines the sales agent pass rate as the share of students who passed on their first attempt within the past two years, counting only those who passed both portions.

When we checked, TREC’s table showed no values, and California’s exam page published no statistics. So the real estate exam passing rate for your state is only reliable if it comes from your own commission.

Source: Texas Real Estate Commission — Provider Exam Passage Rates. Checked 19 October 2026.

How to schedule real estate exam appointments

The real estate exam schedule is not a fixed calendar of dates. Exams are computer-based, and you pick an open appointment once your state approves your application. In Texas you reserve online at least 24 hours ahead, walk-ins are not available, and after a failed attempt you wait 24 hours before scheduling again. You have three attempts within one year of filing your application.

Florida says candidates can schedule within 72 hours after approval. In South Carolina, PSI’s internet registration is available 24 hours a day, and if you fail you may retest on an unlimited basis during the one-year period.

Source: Florida DBPR — Examination Information. Checked 19 October 2026.

Schedule NYS real estate exam appointments through eAccessNY

To schedule NYS real estate exam appointments, New York’s Department of State requires salesperson candidates to book online. In eAccessNY you choose Apply to Take an Exam from the main menu and accept the exam policies. You can reschedule up to 6 days before your exam date; after that you must wait until the date has passed and make a new appointment.

Results appear in the same account as Pass or Fail. If you fail, you register for real estate exam retakes through eAccessNY again.

Source: New York Department of State — Real Estate Salesperson FAQ. Checked 19 October 2026.

Timed practice before exam day

Knowing the format is half the job. Certsqill’s real estate exam practice questions are expert-developed, explain every answer option and give you a readiness score per content area, so you can book your appointment when your weakest area is ready.

Real Estate Exam exam: questions people ask

How many questions on real estate exam day are unscored?

In Texas, 5 national and 10 state pretest questions are unscored, on top of 80 and 40 scored questions. Source: Pearson VUE Texas handbook, checked 19 October 2026.

How long is real estate exam time in Texas?

240 minutes for both portions: 150 national and 90 state. Source: Pearson VUE Texas handbook, checked 19 October 2026.

How long is the New York real estate salesperson exam?

1.5 hours, multiple choice. The Department of State does not state the number of questions. Source: NY Department of State, checked 19 October 2026.

What is the real estate exam pass rate?

No official national figure exists. TREC defines a first-attempt pass rate for Texas education providers but showed no values on the page checked, 19 October 2026.

How do I register for the real estate exam?

Apply to your state agency first, then book with its test provider online or by phone. New York uses eAccessNY; Texas and Florida use Pearson VUE. Checked 19 October 2026.

How many times can I retake the real estate exam?

It depends on the state: three attempts within one year of applying in Texas, unlimited during the two-year period in California, unlimited within one year in South Carolina. Checked 19 October 2026.