How Hard Is the Illinois Real Estate Exam and How to Pass It the First Time?
This article is your go-to guide for everything you need to know when taking the real estate license exam in the state of Illinois.
You get an in-depth answer to the question, how hard is the real estate exam in Illinois, with details on how the exam works, tips for making study hours count, and pointers for test day.
So, continue to read to discover what the exam is like for an entry-level license in The Prairie State, which comes with the title of Real Estate Broker.
Best Way to Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam
How to Study for the Illinois Real Estate Exam
You need a specific knowledge base to get your license. The way to gain that is through the required pre-licensing education, which covers the book learning you need to know.
There are two courses in the preparatory studies that state-approved education providers teach:
- 60 hours on the principles and practices of the real estate profession
- 15 hours in an interactive session with case studies and real-life scenarios
You can pick between various formats to complete the coursework. You can attend school in a virtual classroom, participate in live classes, study online, or go for a self-study option.
Once you’ve finished the classes, consider taking an exam prep course. It can help reinforce your learning and give you an edge in passing the exam by focusing on key concepts.
Providers tailor these courses to the Illinois exam and generally include interactive study aids, dynamic practice tests, and assessment tools to gauge your progress objectively.
The mock exams help you overcome exam anxiety, fine-tune your test time management, and familiarize yourself with the actual real estate exam difficulty level and structure.
You can take the prep course over the internet. Or, opt for a live review session if preferred and available nearby.
Additionally, here are some time-tested study strategies that can help you succeed:
- Join a study group to help keep you on track.
- Plan set study sessions to avoid procrastination.
- Pick a distraction-free space as a study spot.
- Regularly review material so you won’t have to cram.
- Use association techniques to improve recall.
Survey of Experts
Did you take your pre-licensing real estate course online or in person?
Do you think taking a real estate pre-licensing course online can save students time compared to in-person courses?
What is the name of the school where you completed your pre-licensing course?
Expert Insight
Do you see any advantages of taking an online course over the in-person class?
If you are focused and are able to commit to studying every day, then you can do it faster than if you took the class in person.
But you have to ask yourself if you are disciplined enough to commit 6+ hours every day of self-guided studying.
I can learn at an accelerated rate. I didn’t have to wait for others in class to get the concept, or do things on a predetermined schedule by the instructor.
Online courses are nice because they normally can be done at your own pace. In a remote-first world, you have the freedom to take a break and relax before moving on in your courses.
What to Study for the Illinois Real Estate Exam
With 75 hours of material to review, you need a strategic approach for your study time. Otherwise, you could spend countless hours trying to give everything equal attention.
So, how do you figure out what to focus on?
One suggestion on where to get an idea of what is on the real estate exam is to glean helpful hints from your course instructor.
Pay heed to the topics they highlight and give more in-depth coverage. That content is likely covered on the exam. You can also ask for their general thoughts on structuring your efforts.
How you learn can make a lot of difference when studying for the real estate exam. So, you have to know if you learn better in a traditional classroom setting or virtually.
Weigh the pros and cons of real estate classes online vs. classroom courses and pick the best method that can help you absorb the lessons faster.
Another excellent study resource is the Candidate Information Booklet. It’s published by PSI Services, the company conducting the test, and contains up-to-date details on the exam’s content.
You can use these outlines to allot time based on the weight given to each topic.
For example, over half your score on the real estate fundamentals portion comes from four areas: contracts, practice, financing, and agency. So, plan to devote more time to these.
As for the portion of the test dealing with real estate regulations for Illinois, here’s the breakdown for those content areas:
- Laws and Rules (20 questions)
- Licensing Requirements (10 questions)
- Disclosures (10 questions)
As you can see, both these resources help you figure out how to pass the Illinois real estate exam by shedding light on what’s on the test, thus allowing you to create the best study plan.
7 Tips for Passing the Illinois Real Estate Exam
Even if you prepare well, your hopes for first-time success may be dashed if nerves get the best of you, or you don’t use good test-taking techniques.
Here are seven things you can do to help ensure you perform your best on the day of the exam. For more tips, read my article on how to pass the real estate exam the first time.
1. Have a plan going in.
Decide how you’re going to work through the test. A helpful strategy is to answer what you know first. Skip what you don’t. That gives you time to circle back and tackle the tough questions.
2. Set a time limit for each question.
By knowing the maximum amount of time you can spend on each item, you can avoid running out of time at the end.
3. Pay attention to the wording.
Attentively read the questions. By doing so, you’ll catch absolute language like “none” and “except,” which makes the difference in your answer.
4. Watch for cues.
Sometimes a word or phrase in the question can be a hint. Or, a subsequent question may trigger a thought that leads you to an answer you couldn’t recall earlier.
5. Narrow the choices whenever you can.
By eliminating the answer options you know are wrong, you increase your chances of picking the correct one.
6. Take a guess.
You have zero chance of getting points for questions you don’t answer. But if you guess, you have at least a one in four chance of getting it right.
7. Stay focused on the test.
Don’t waste time or mental energy worrying about your score, or how quickly other test takers are finishing. Instead, stay zeroed in on the exam.
Expert Insight
Tips to help future agents pass the real estate exam.
You know how YOU learn best. So, take time to defend your study time and hunker down.
Make sure you are dedicating the time to focus. It’s going to be important that you take a moment before you begin and truly understand how you comprehend and retain information.
Write down three key ideas from each chapter and make sure that you understand them.
I would also highlight all the key terms from every chapter and review them before you go in to take your exam.
YouTube can be extremely helpful, but don’t rule out good, old-fashioned networking and human interaction to get valuable clarification or insight.
Study, study, study. The test is not written to make you fail, so as long as you have the correct knowledge, then you should be able to pass on your first try.
Utilize the practice exams provided by the school or online with your state board.
What Is the Cost of Taking the Illinois Real Estate Exam?
When estimating expenses for your Illinois real estate license exam, your cost figures should include your Illinois real estate classes and fingerprinting fee. Both are required to take the exam.
Courses can run from $300 to $600, with the price varying by the school and access type. Fingerprinting is around $15.
Speaking of fingerprinting, it is essential that you complete this part of the licensing process to know if any past violations affect your chances of obtaining a license.
Refer to our guide on getting an Illinois real estate license with violations on your record for more information on this topic.
How much is the Illinois real estate exam registration fee? The broker examination costs $58 per attempt.
Read our article on Illinois real estate license fees so you can plan your licensing budget more efficiently.
How Hard Is It to Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam?
What Is the Illinois Real Estate Exam Pass Rate?
In the Real Estate Brokerage Board meeting minutes, you’ll find data on how many people pass the real estate exam on their first try.
The numbers vary over time. But recently, the pass rate for the national portion of the exam has averaged 43 percent. First-timers fare better on the state portion, with 56 percent testing successfully.
These percentages suggest that the state-specific questions may be less challenging, but both portions are relatively difficult.
The pass rates also place Illinois among the states with a rigorous entry-level broker or real estate salesperson exam, as the case may be.
How Many Questions Are on the Illinois Real Estate Exam?
Incoming real estate agents in Illinois taking the real estate exam can expect at least 140 questions.
Most of those (100) test you on basic principles and practice. The remaining items focus on Illinois real estate laws.
Don’t be caught off guard if there are 5-10 more questions than that. It simply means the test developer is piloting questions.
They may include items to measure their quality before using them for scoring purposes. So, those questions won’t affect your score, but they count against your exam time.
In terms of time allowed, how long is the Illinois real estate exam?
You have 150 minutes to finish the national/general questions and 90 minutes for those on state rules and laws. You must complete both portions in the same sitting.
Another related question you may have is, can you take the Illinois real estate exam online? That is an option. You’ll have a remote proctor and there are specific protocols to adhere to.
How Many Math Questions Are on the Illinois Real Estate Exam?
One of the topics covered on the national portion of the exam relates to math formulas.
It has ten questions which include calculations for transactions such as seller proceeds of the sale, property taxes, and prorations.
You’ll also be tasked with applying fundamental real estate math concepts such as discount points, down payments, equity, and loan-to-value ratios.
What Score Do You Need to Pass the Illinois Real Estate Exam?
The two portions of the exam are scored separately, each with a different threshold for passing it. The percentage and number of questions you must answer correctly are listed below.
- National portion: 70 percent (70 questions correct)
- State portion: 75 percent (30 questions correct)
Survey of Experts
How difficult was it for you to study and pass the Illinois real estate license exam?
How many attempts did it take you to pass your real estate license exam?
Expert Insight
What would you recommend real estate students to invest extra in to ensure passing the exam on the first try?
Don’t skimp on your study materials. Purchase the best available books and also devote the time to study.
A comprehensive course with interactive classrooms to answer your questions.
What Happens if You Fail the Real Estate Exam in Illinois?
How Many Times Can You Fail and Retake the Illinois Real Estate Exam?
Four is the maximum number of times you can take the Illinois exam in an attempt to pass it. Remember, you only have to repeat the portion(s) that you failed.
If you pass one part, your score is valid for up to one year from that date. Therefore, you must get a passing score on the remaining portion and apply for your license before then.
You’ll have to retake the entire exam if you exhaust your attempts. You must also repeat the pre-licensing education courses, unless you’re an Illinois lawyer or applying via reciprocity.
How Long Do You Have to Wait to Retake the Illinois Real Estate Exam?
A couple of days may be as long as you have to wait, assuming a reservation is immediately available.
The first 24 hours after the failed exam is the mandatory wait time before you can contact the test administrator. After that, you can book the first possible time slot, starting the next day.
Before scheduling, consider whether you need to study more. For instance, ask yourself, is the Illinois real estate exam about as hard or harder than you thought?
Also, look at your score. How close did you come to passing? And did you fail one part or both?
Your real estate exam results will include information on where your performance fell short. You can use it to focus your efforts if you decide to put in more study time.
For the estimated timeline to complete the licensing process, read our guide on how long it takes to get a real estate license in Illinois.
Do You Have to Pay to Retake the Illinois Real Estate Exam?
Yes. The retake fee is $58.
Hopefully, the information in this guide will reduce surprises on exam day and help you better prepare with well-organized, focused study efforts.
After passing the exam, make sure to complete all the other requirements for getting an Illinois real estate license.
One such requirement is choosing a broker to work for. You can pick one from our directory of the best real estate brokerages in Illinois.
Once your license application gets approved, you can focus on devising a good plan on what to do after passing the real estate exam.
I would also recommend learning from experienced realtors on how the industry works. They have valuable insights on the pros and cons of being a real estate agent.
Joining a real estate team can give you an opportunity to meet industry veterans and can even give you helpful pointers on how you can get your real estate career off to a great start.
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.