How Hard Is the Kansas Real Estate Exam and How to Pass It the First Time?
In this article, we take a look at Kansas real estate exam difficulty and how you can pass the test on your first attempt.
We will discuss how best you can study, the topics covered on the test, and what to do next should you fail the exam.
Ready to dig in? Let’s start with the best way you can pass the real estate exam in Kansas.
Best Way to Pass the Kansas Real Estate Exam
How to Study for the Kansas Real Estate Exam
Your pre-licensing education is the first step to getting all the information you need to study for the real estate exam.
You are required to complete two real estate courses at 30 hours each to pass this part of the licensing process and get an idea of the type of topics which will be covered in the test.
You get to take these courses via remote learning or through traditional classroom instruction.
Choosing the right format to take your real estate classes impacts how well you will be able to absorb all the information needed to pass the exam.
Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of online real estate classes vs classroom courses before you enroll.
Thirty hours will touch on the Principles of Real Estate, while the remaining 30 hours is on Kansas Practice Course.
Not only do you need to complete all the pre-licensing education requirements to prepare for the exam, but also you should devote the right amount of time to studying.
Whatever that amount of time is totally up to you, but in order to feel ready, there are a few different ways to study:
- Take detailed class notes in your pre-licensing courses.
- Read any supplemental materials recommended by your instructor.
- Create study materials like outlines and flashcards for more efficient study time.
- Reach out to classmates to form a study group if you struggle with focusing on your own.
Doing any combination of these can help you study productively, allowing you to get yourself ready for the exam.
What to Study for the Kansas Real Estate Exam
The first thing you may think about when confronted with studying for the real estate exam is where to get an idea of what is on the real estate exam.
The best place to get this information is your Pearson VUE Kansas Real Estate Candidate Handbook.
This is such a great resource because it contains detailed outlines for each section of the exam, as well as the number of questions you’ll have to answer within each topic.
Key topics covered in the national portion of the exam include:
- Real property characteristics, legal descriptions, and property use
- Forms of ownership, transfer, and recording of title
- Property value and appraisal
- Real estate contracts and agency
- Real estate practice
- Property disclosures and environmental issues
- Financing and settlement
- Real estate math calculations
On the state portion of the exam, key topics include:
- Duties and powers of the Kansas Real Estate Commission
- Licensing requirements
- Requirements governing activities of licensees
- Prohibited acts
- Brokerage Relationships in Real Estate Transaction Act
Getting the best real estate exam results your first time taking the test means giving adequate attention to reviewing each of these topics.
6 Tips for Passing the Kansas Real Estate Exam
Once you have the right resources and understand what topics are covered on the exam, the last thing you’ll need to do is to formulate a study plan.
This will help you streamline your efforts to prepare for the test and build your confidence to do your best on exam day.
Here are some tips:
1. Be a Good Note Taker.
Once you begin your Kansas real estate courses, it’s essential to take good notes in each class.
This information is definitely what you need to know, so make sure to write down all the key points to make it easier to study later.
2. Transform your Notes into Topic Outlines.
After you’ve finished your pre-licensing education requirement, it’s best to go back through your notes, combining coverage of the same topics into topic outlines.
This ensures all related material is in the same place, on a single study sheet. It also puts the material into a format that’s simple to review.
3. Sort Out the Facts.
For all the information in your notes that are hard facts — like dates and Real Estate Law — make flashcards.
They’ll not only make memorization go smoother, but give you a fast way to quiz yourself each day as you ramp up to the test.
4. Pick a Study Location.
In order to do all this studying well, you’ll need a spot you can get to regularly that’s quiet, with little risk of distraction or interruptions. Try to study there each day.
If your quiet place stops feeling like a productive study spot all the time, consider forming a study group with some of your classmates to change things up.
5. Schedule Down Time.
Yes, you’ll need to study a lot to do well on the Kansas real estate exam, but your brain also needs time to rest and process all you’ve learned.
Make sure you have time away from studying, where your brain can have a break and recharge.
6. Make a Plan for Taking the Test.
Your study plan should also include a streamlined way to approach the exam when test day finally does roll around.
This will help you be a more efficient test-taker.
Begin by reading each question, and all the answers, completely. Take your time selecting the right response, but if a question feels hard, leave it and come back to it later.
Answering the easier questions first will help you get through the test faster without having to rush at the end.
Once easy questions are done, circle back to the harder ones and approach them using a process of elimination.
Narrow down your answer choices to only those you aren’t sure of, then make an educated guess.
What Is the Cost of Taking the Kansas Real Estate Exam?
You’ll pay an $82 fee in order to take the real estate license exam in Kansas. This is the fee whether it’s a salesperson or broker exam.
You only pay this fee for your first attempt. The retake fee is slightly less at $75.
To register for the real estate exam, you’ll need to contact Pearson VUE at 800-274-4971 or set up an online account.
For a complete breakdown of licensing expenses, read — How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Kansas?
How Hard Is It to Pass the Kansas Real Estate Exam?
What Is the Pass Rate for the Kansas Real Estate Exam?
The odds are pretty good in Kansas when looking at how many people pass the real estate exam on a first attempt. The average is 70 percent.
However, if you want to get real-time statistics on pass rates for the real estate salesperson exam, Pearson VUE releases monthly results.
With this you can see who, in the previous month from when you’re taking your test, passed and who failed.
How Many Questions Are on the Kansas Real Estate Exam?
Taking the real estate exam in Kansas is a four-hour process. You’ll have 2.5 hours for the national section, and 1.5 hours for the state portion.
For both the broker and the salesperson exams, there are 80 questions in the national section, plus five pretest questions.
The pretest questions are mixed in and will look no different than the other questions even though they won’t count toward your score. Make sure to answer everything.
In the state portion, there are 30 questions on the salesperson exam and 40 on the broker exam.
There are also 10 pretest questions in the state portion mixed in regardless of exam type.
How Many Math Questions Are on the Kansas Real Estate Exam?
There are a total of seven math questions on the Kansas real estate agent exam. You’ll find them in the national portion of the test.
The math calculations section consists of questions in:
- Property area calculations
- Property valuation
- Commission/compensation
- Loan financing costs
- Settlement and closing costs
- Investment
- Property management calculations
There’s one question per each category.
The broker exam has eight math questions within the same topics, but two questions are in the property valuation category.
What Score Do You Need to Pass the Kansas Real Estate Exam?
Regardless of which test you’re taking, or which section, the passing score for each is 70.
This is a scaled score and does not reflect the number or percentage of questions answered correctly.
What Happens if You Fail the Real Estate Exam in Kansas?
How Many Times Can You Fail and Retake the Kansas Real Estate Exam?
You have the ability to retake the Kansas real estate exam as many times as necessary, but be aware that your eligibility expires after six months to get your Kansas real estate license.
After that, you’ll need to go back and redo certain pieces of the licensing process and reapply.
How Long Do You Have to Wait to Retake the Kansas Real Estate Exam?
Pearson VUE has a 24-hour waiting period between when you fail the real estate exam and when you schedule your next test.
You’ll need to have your failing score report available when you make your next appointment.
Once you can schedule your retake, you can typically get a new test date within seven days.
To understand how much time you will need to complete all the steps in the licensing process, refer to our article on how long it takes to get a real estate license in Kansas.
Do You Have to Pay to Retake the Kansas Real Estate Exam?
You will have to pay a retake fee each time you take the exam, whether you’re redoing one or both parts.
The fee is the same for both the salesperson and the broker exam, and the cost is $75. This is slightly less than the fee you’ll pay the first time you test.
Apart from preparing for the real estate exam, you will also be required to get a sponsoring broker as part of the licensing process. You have to choose the right broker to work for.
Our vetted list of top real estate brokerages in Kansas can help you pick a reputable real estate company to start your career with.
If you have a past violation on your record and worry that this will impact your eligibility, refer to our article on getting a Kansas real estate license with violations on your record for steps to take.
When you passed the exam and completed all the requirements, what’s left is to wait for your license to be approved. Use this time productively to learn about the ins and outs of being a real estate agent as a career.
Additionally, the following resources will be helpful as you build your real estate business in the state:
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.