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

Your chances of passing the New Hampshire real estate salesperson exam go up with proper preparation and knowledge of what to expect.

Lucky for you, this article is packed with information on study strategies, relevant resources, and exam composition. You also get to brush up on test-taking best practices.

So, read this post from beginning to end to learn how to prepare for exam success.

How to Study for the New Hampshire Real Estate Exam

The bulk of your studies for the salesperson exam takes place in real estate school.

You have 40 hours of pre-licensing classes to complete that teach you the principles and legal aspects of the profession and prepare you for the licensing test.

You’re required to participate in live classes. You have a couple of ways to do that:

• A face-to-face course in a physical classroom
• Live-streamed classes led by an instructor

Compare the pros and cons of online vs in-person real estate classes to know which method will allow you to learn better and faster.

To get the most out of the course, you must be actively engaged in class and also outside of it. For instance, complete all assignments and regularly review classwork to help it sink in.

Also, studying with others can boost your performance. It can help you to stay motivated, gain clarity on concepts and learn faster, and enhance your study skills.

A prep course is a great way to focus your efforts as you head for the exam home stretch. This online study experience can give you an edge by zeroing in on the topics covered on the test.

Additionally, these courses come with mock exams and assessment tools that provide immediate feedback on what you’ve mastered and what you need to put more time into.

The adage “practice makes perfect” also applies to studying for the test. Taking practice tests will familiarize you with the NH real estate exam difficulty level and how questions are phrased.

Other study strategies that can make a difference in how well you do on the exam include:

• Blocking off study time and having goals for each session.
• Setting up or picking a study space that fits your learning style.
• Using memorization tools like acronyms and association.

What to Study for the New Hampshire Real Estate Exam

Creating an effective study plan requires knowing where to get an idea of what is on the real estate exam.

The most helpful place to look is the New Hampshire Candidate Information Bulletin. It’s published by PSI Services, the company that conducts the state’s real estate examination program.

The information in this booklet is based on the current salesperson licensing exam. So, you get the up-to-date scoop on what content the two portions of the test cover.

The details are presented in a descriptive outline of the topics you’ll be tested on. You’ll also see how many questions come from each area.

That enables you to divide your study time among the exam topics proportionally.

While ten topics demand your attention for the national portion, consider that the following four areas are the most heavily weighted, accounting for more than half of your score:

• Contracts
• Real Estate Practice
• Principles of Agency
• Financing

Another 20 percent is focused on title transfer, property ownership, and valuation.

The New Hampshire content outline lists five areas and also specifies which statute pertains to each topic, further facilitating your studies.

Half the questions cover regulations for licensee and agency conduct. A quarter of them test your knowledge of real estate principles and practices specific to the state.

The remaining questions are about licensure and the powers of the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission.

The PSI bulletin also includes a list of specific study resources. You can use it in preparing for the national questions.

7 Tips for Passing the New Hampshire Real Estate Exam

Nothing takes the place of studying. However, having a test-taking strategy can help you feel less anxious, more confident, and to do well when it counts—on exam day.

That said, here are seven savvy test-taking tips. You can also check out more tips by reading our article on how to pass the real estate exam the first time.

1. Mellow out.

Do things that help clear and calm your mind before the exam. That could be exercising, listening to music, or doing some light reading, whatever works for you.

2. Avoid panic with a plan.

An effective strategy is to do 2-3 passes, answering questions in order of progressive difficulty. That helps you score points and keeps you from panicking or getting stuck.

3. Go with what’s in the question.

Assume that all information you read in the question is true. So, don’t read anything more into it. Use only the information provided to arrive at the answer.

4. Read complex questions in parts.

Some longer questions can be challenging to follow. Break it into sections or phrases to better understand what’s being asked. Then choose an answer.

5. Consider all the answer choices.

Read all the options even if you quickly see the one you think is correct. Remember, you’re looking for the best answer to the question. Take time to be sure before you pick.

6. Have a good reason for changing answers.

Avoid talking yourself into an incorrect choice. Trust your knowledge and change an answer only if you’re confident you picked the wrong one the first time.

7. Keep your focus.

Don’t concern yourself about how quickly others finish the exam. Focus on pacing yourself for the time allowed. Avoid wasting time trying to tally your score as you take the test.

As pre-licensing education is a prerequisite for initial applicants, you’ll need to include the enrollment fee in the cost of taking the exam.

You will spend at least $250 for your New Hampshire real estate courses. If you purchase a package that includes exam prep and allows you to retake live classes, the price tag is around $500.

The registration fee for the exam is $67. And if you get the background check done before you sit for the exam, add $25 to cover that cost.

For a complete breakdown of license-related expenses, read our guide on real estate license costs in NH.

What Is the NH Real Estate Exam Pass Rate?

The pass rate for the NH real estate salesperson exam is reportedly around 70 percent.

That’s a relatively high success rate, indicating that the exam is challenging but manageable with adequate preparation.

A comparative look at the national numbers on how many people pass the real estate exam on the first attempt shows that New Hampshirites tend to fare better.

How much so? The national average hovers around 50 percent.

How Many Questions Are on the New Hampshire Real Estate Exam?

The combo exam (both portions) is 120 questions long. It’s a multiple-choice test.

The questions are distributed across the two portions as follows:

• National – 80 scored items
• State – 40 scored items

There may also be 5-10 additional questions to answer when taking the real estate exam. These pilot questions don’t affect your score or the time you have to take the exam.

PSI looks at the response patterns of these questions to determine their quality and difficulty, and whether they are ready for inclusion in exams being developed for future use.

How Many Math Questions Are on the New Hampshire Real Estate Exam?

You can expect eight questions on the national portion of the exam to be math-related.

So, you’ll have to call on your knowledge of mathematical concepts, including:

• Calculations like equity, commission split, and down payment amount
• Formulas such as property tax, simple interest, and loan-to-value ratio

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

A passing score on the New Hampshire real estate agent exam is 70 percent or above, which means you must answer at least 84 questions correctly.

As each section is scored individually, that total consists of the following:

• National portion: 56 correct
• State-specific section: 28 correct

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

You’re allowed up to eight attempts within six months to get a passing score. The six months are counted from the date you first take the exam.

You’re only required to retake the portion that you failed.

If you exhaust all eight tries or have yet to pass both parts of the exam by the deadline, you must start over with the accredited pre-licensing course.

You’ll also have to retake the entire exam even if you initially passed one portion.

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

Depending on the availability of test slots, you can retake the exam as soon as 48 hours later.

The first 24 hours following a failed exam is PSI’s required wait time for scheduling a retake. They need that time to report real estate exam results for that given day to the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission.

Refer to our article on how long to get a New Hampshire real estate license to understand how much time you need to commit to complete the licensing process.

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

PSI charges a $65 fee for each repeat, whether you retake one exam portion or both.

This information should serve you well in planning and carrying out your study approach. For more information about the licensing process, read our guide on how to get a real estate license in New Hampshire.

This process includes picking a broker to work for as a new agent. Our vetted directory of the best real estate brokerages in New Hampshire can help you find one.

If you worry that a past violation may derail your application, read our guide on getting an NH real estate license with violations to know which steps to take to be eligible to obtain a license.

As you build your network, keep these resources top of mind to put your brand front and center while building your credibility as a realtor in the state:

• What happens after you pass your real estate exam
• Is being a real estate agent worth it?
• Joining a real estate team

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.