How Hard Is the Connecticut Real Estate Exam and How to Pass It the First Time?

This post will help you create a blueprint for success as you plan for how to pass the CT real estate exam with no retakes required.

You’ll get suggestions on how to study most effectively, pertinent particulars on exam content, and insight into the test format. Good test-taking practices are also discussed.

This information will bring you one step closer to starting your real estate career in Connecticut. So, let’s jump into it.

How to Study for the Connecticut Real Estate Exam

Studying includes a required pre-licensing course that helps prepare you for the real estate exam and for working in the industry.

This state-approved Principles and Practices course is 60 hours long and taught by various education providers, including the following:

• Real estate schools
• Community colleges
• Internet-based schools
• Realtor associations

In addition to different learning environments, you can also choose how you access the coursework. Options include traditional in-classroom instruction and live online learning.

To know which method can help you learn better, refer to our A-to-Z guide comparing real estate courses online vs classroom courses.

When completing those 60 hours of education, make it a habit to review your notes and course material the day after each class. The repetition will help you retain the information more easily.

Also, take advantage of any practice tests the instructor provides. Consider adding an exam prep course to your study plan, too.

Online prep courses are easy to come by, and taking one can help you internalize the information you need to know to pass the test. Plus, you can do more practice exams.

Mock exams are an excellent way to get used to the time limit, the real estate exam difficulty level, and the question format.

You can also accelerate your learning by studying with classmates. You get to talk through topics and compare notes. Others can help you as well to fill in understanding gaps.

To boost the effectiveness of all your efforts, here are five strategies for studying smarter:

• Set a pace that works for you so you’ll stick with it.
• Make a to-do list to avoid getting overwhelmed.
• Allow time between sessions to give your brain a rest.
• Pick several study spots so you can rotate settings.
• Use flashcards and study guides to learn actively.

What to Study for the Connecticut Real Estate Exam

Preparing is significantly easier when you know where to get an idea of what is on the real estate exam and use those resources to make a study plan.

That being said, one of the most useful sources of information for the Connecticut real estate salesperson exam is the associated Candidate Information Bulletin published by the test proctor PSI Services.

You can use the Exam Content Outlines in this booklet as a basis for your studies. These not only describe the areas covered, but they also tell you the number of questions for each topic.

The exam is split into two parts. The outline for the general portion, which tests you on the fundamentals of real estate, details ten knowledge areas you should give attention to.

As you do, consider that over half the questions concentrate on these four topics:

• Contracts (14)
• Practice (10)
• Agency (10)
• Financing (8)

The state-specific section has questions in four subject areas: licensing requirements, licensee laws, real estate agency, and Connecticut principles and practices.

The most heavily weighted topic is licensee law, accounting for one-third of the items. Add CT agency questions to that, and the total comes up to 60 percent of this section’s score.

7 Tips for Passing the Connecticut Real Estate Exam

Mastering the course material is just one part of positioning yourself to test successfully. You also need to perform at your peak during the exam.

What can you do on test day to help ensure that happens? In addition to being well rested, making healthy food choices, and dressing comfortably, follow these seven tips to pass the real estate exam the first time:

1. Set an on-target pace.

Be aware of how much time you spend on each question and how much you have left, so you can stay on pace to finish before the allotted time is up.

2. Loosen up.

Try to stretch in your chair periodically to relieve muscle tension and increase blood circulation to your brain. Also, sit comfortably straight to improve concentration.

3. Don’t be afraid to skip around the test.

The computer lets you move forward and backward through the questions. So, answer what you know first to get those points. Mark the questions you’re unsure of and come back to them.

4. Avoid overreacting to patterns in the answer letters.

Choose the answer you’re confident is right, even if you notice that you’ve picked the same letter several times in a row. There’s no reason this can’t happen, and it can be correct.

5. Read questions slowly, sentence by sentence.

Make sure you read every word, so you catch cues for the answer or negatively worded questions that include language like “not” or “except.”

6. Trust your knowledge and your instincts.

Worriedly second-guessing yourself can be a slippery slope. Therefore, once you’ve picked an answer, go with it unless you realize you’ve made a mistake.

7. Guess rather than leave questions unanswered.

You’re not penalized for wrong answers, so guess based on what you know. Use the process of elimination to make it easier. Avoid answers with information that you’ve not seen before.

You must complete your Connecticut real estate classes and be pre-approved by PSI to be eligible for the exam. Consequently, you’ll incur these expenses in addition to the exam fee.

You will likely spend at least $400 to enroll in the 60-hour course, whether you attend class in person or virtually via a web conferencing platform.

If you take classes at a community college, the cost can be $600 plus.

The fee to submit your salesperson application for PSI review and eligibility approval is $80.

Once you get the green light to take the exam, you can register and pay the $59 exam fee.

We outline all the licensing expenses you will incur in our article — How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Connecticut?

What Is the CT Real Estate Exam Pass Rate?

With the pass rate reportedly at 60 percent, it’s fair to say that the Connecticut real estate salesperson exam is challenging.

How does that compare nationally?

The national average is around 50 percent, so Connecticut’s pass rate is higher. However, having four of ten candidates requiring a retest speaks to the exam not being particularly easy.

Of course, preparation also affects how many people pass the real estate exam on the first try. Therefore, you should definitely be prepared knowledge-wise.

How Many Questions Are on the CT Real Estate Exam?

There are 80 scored questions on the national portion of the test. The section covering Connecticut real estate laws contains 30 questions that are assigned a point value.

PSI may also administer a few unscored questions to candidates taking the real estate exam. Usually, there are five to ten of these experimental items.

Piloting these questions allows PSI to gather statistical data on test-taker performance before introducing the items on a future proctored exam.

You don’t have to worry about the pilot questions taking away from the 165 minutes allowed. The time you take to answer them does not count against your exam time.

How Many Math Questions Are on the CT Real Estate Exam?

You’ll have eight math questions to answer, all on the national part of the exam.

These questions require you to solve math-related problems you may face in your day-to-day practice as a Connecticut real estate agent, such as the following:

• Commission and commission split
• Prepaid mortgage interest
• Mortgage payment calculations
• Buyer closing costs
• Insurance and tax prorations

What Score Do You Need to Pass the CT Real Estate Exam?

Getting 70 percent or more of the questions right will earn you a passing score report. That percentage applies to both parts of the exam.

Specifically, that translates into 56 questions correct on the national portion and 21 on the state-specific section.

How Many Times Can You Fail and Retake the Connecticut Real Estate Exam?

Connecticut doesn’t place restrictions on the number of times you can take the exam. However, there is a time window within which you must pass the test.

Your eligibility for unlimited tries runs for one year from when PSI pre-approves you for the exam. You must reapply if you don’t get a passing score on both portions before that year is up.

How Long Do You Have to Wait to Retake the Connecticut Real Estate Exam?

You may be able to retest as soon as the second day after the failed exam.

It will take at least a couple of days because you have to wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake to allow PSI time to process and report real estate exam results.

If you can get a test slot the day after that, your wait will be around 48 hours. Otherwise, the wait time for your appointment depends on test center space availability.

To get an idea of the time it takes to complete all the steps in the licensing process, read our guide on how long to get a Connecticut real estate license.

Do You Have to Pay to Retake the Connecticut Real Estate Exam?

PSI charges a registration fee for each attempt to pass the exam, including retakes. You get a modest discount for the re-examination. The cost is $51 versus $59 for the initial registration.

Are you feeling motivated to get started? When you’re ready, put this information into practice to boost your confidence and preparedness for the big day.

To learn about the complete requirements for becoming a CT real estate salesperson, refer to our article on how to get a real estate license in Connecticut.

This includes getting sponsorship from a licensed Connecticut real estate broker. Know what to look for by reading our article on choosing the right real estate brokerage to work for.

Our guide on getting a Connecticut real estate license with violations, meanwhile, provides everything you need to know for acquiring a license with a criminal record.

When you get your license, prepare your action plan for success that details what to do after passing the real estate exam.

Want to know what it’s like to work as a real estate agent? We have an article that compiles industry insiders’ insights into the pros and cons of being a real estate agent as a career.

Don’t forget to join a real estate team to gain relevant knowledge about the industry from experienced agents.

To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.

It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.

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About the Author

Kristina Morales is a REALTOR® with over 20 years of professional experience. She actively practices real estate in Ohio but also has practiced real estate in California and Texas. Conducting her real estate business in three states has allowed her to gain unique experiences that make her a well-rounded realtor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Prior to real estate, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking and treasury. She ended her finance career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX.