What Is the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam Pass Rate and How to Pass It the First Time?
In this article, we discuss how hard the real estate exam in PA is.
We walk you through the entire process — from what’s on the test to how to properly prepare to get the real estate exam results you’re aiming for.
Read on so you can have a solid idea of what you need to know to figure out how to pass the PA real estate exam.
Best Way to Pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam
How to Study for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam
In PA, real estate license exam difficulty depends in part on what’s on the exam, and in part on how well you study. Studying is a must, but there are a lot of helpful tools available.
Your first and best source are the notes you’ll take in your pre-licensing education course.
This commitment totals 75 hours for a salesperson license and 240 hours (or 16 credits) for a broker license.
Taking comprehensive notes throughout this class time will help you have the right information for the exam. Your instructor may also provide a list of additional resources to help you study.
After you’ve assembled your notes, you should also check out the PSI Candidate Bulletin. Here you’ll find specifics on what topics will be covered in the exam.
Using the exam outline in the candidate bulletin to help organize your notes by topic can make studying easier and more efficient.
You may even want to create flashcards and topic outlines to improve your study efficiency even more.
Should you need help staying focused during study time, consider forming a study group with friends from class. You can then quiz each other and keep each other accountable.
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?
Absolutely. As a family woman, the flexibility that came with an online course was a big deal for me.
It provided me with the opportunity to juggle family commitments effectively and still pursue my education without the constraints of fixed class schedules and at my own pace.
I think students can certainly get more out of in-person classes and depending on the teacher.
If they teach above and beyond the test (meaning, if they’re teaching not only to pass the test but to actually learn things they’ll use in the field), it can really pay off.
A quicker path is definitely an online course, where students can work at their own pace.
Yes, if they have time to hammer it out in a few days or weeks, but the courses are for a definitive amount of time, 8 weeks say, so it definitely would’ve forced me to finish faster.
Go at your own pace. Don’t get bogged down with anecdotes from windy instructors.
What to Study for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam
The best source for where to get an idea of what is on the real estate exam in Pennsylvania is the PSI Candidate Bulletin.
Thorough content outlines not only give you all the primary topics covered, but tell you the number of questions in each area to expect on the exam.
This can help you prioritize what to study and weed out any notes that are superfluous.
The primary topics on the real estate license exam in Pennsylvania, regardless of license type are:
- Property ownership
- Land use controls and regulations
- Valuation and market analysis
- Financing
- General principles of agency
- Property disclosures
- Contracts
- Leasing and property management
- Transfer of title
- Practice of real estate
- Real estate calculations
- Real estate commission
- Licensure
- Regulation of conduct of licensees
The last three topics are on the state portion of the exam, which consists of 40 total questions.
The rest are on the national section, consisting of 80 questions for the salesperson exam and 75 for the broker exam.
6 Tips for Passing the PA Real Estate Exam
While the answer is ‘yes,’ to the question, is the PA real estate exam hard, you can make things easier for yourself by having a solid study and test prep strategy.
Using any or all of these six tips can help you feel better prepared come test day.
1. Take Notes
Taking good notes in your pre-licensing education classes lays the foundation for a good study strategy. It’s how you make sure you study the right stuff.
Jot down at least a few lines on each topic covered in class just to be safe. You can always root out information you don’t need later.
The method by which you choose to take your pre-licensing education can also make a big difference come study time.
Make sure to weigh the pros of cons when picking between taking real estate school online vs classroom courses.
2. Make Outlines
Once class is over, it’s best to start organizing your notes into topic outlines. This ensures you keep all the essential information and gives you a more streamlined way to study.
It also allows you to combine notes from different classes so everything on any particular topic is now all in one place.
3. Create Flashcards
Among all the information you’re now prepared to study, there will definitely be an assortment of hard facts like dates, laws, and vocabulary.
To make it easier to memorize these particular bits, create flashcards you can use to quiz yourself. They make it possible to review information quickly.
4. Form a Study Group
While it’s essential you set aside time to study on your own for the real estate license exam, it’s also beneficial to form a study group.
Working with your peers to prepare for the exam can help you stay focused and motivated to study. The group also ensures nothing gets forgotten when it comes to topics of importance.
5. Schedule Breaks
A good study strategy is mostly focused on studying, but it should also factor in your need to take breaks.
Giving your brain a little time to rest throughout your studying process can make it easier for you to absorb more information overall. It also prevents burnout.
6. Develop a Testing Strategy
Although not a part of how you study, as you prepare for the exam, it’s a good idea to think through the best way to actually take the test.
There are methods to use that will make you a more efficient test taker, so remember to:
- Read each question and all the answer choices thoroughly before picking an option.
- Tackle easy questions first and go back to hard ones on your second pass.
- For the hard questions, use a process of elimination to get closer to the answer. Eliminate the options you know are wrong first.
- If you really aren’t sure what the right answer is to a question, it’s okay to guess. You’re prepared enough that any guess will be an educated one.
Read more tips in my other article discussing how you can pass the real estate exam the first time.
Expert Insight
Tips to help future agents pass the real estate exam.
Take practice tests!
This cannot be overemphasized! Practicing regularly with practice questions, tests, and exams will help familiarize you with the exam format and the time limitation.
Study the local exam more than the national exam. Questions tend to be more specific on the local portion of the licensing exam.
Learn the vocabulary. It’s just rote memorization.
What Is the Cost of Taking the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam?
PSI provides all the necessary instructions on how to register for the PA real estate exam. You can go online or call PSI directly at 855-746-8175.
Either method will break down exactly how to schedule the PA real estate exam and allow you to select your date before requiring you to pay the test fee.
You’ll also be able to look through the real estate exam locations and pick your testing site. You can take the exam in any of the following test centers:
- Allentown
- Bristol
- Butler
- Erie
- Greensburg
- Harrisburg
- King of Prussia
- Bala Cynwyd
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Clarks Summit
How much is the PA real estate exam? In PA, real estate exam costs are always the same at $49.
Apart from the test fee, you should also prepare for other licensing expenses, such as costs for background checks. Read our article on getting a Pennsylvania real estate license with violations on your record for more information.
How Hard Is It to Pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam?
What Is the PA Real Estate Exam Pass Rate?
In Pennsylvania, the real estate salesperson exam has a 75 percent pass rate. This is a decent statistic, but some schools will guarantee a much higher success rate.
Certain real estate schools in Pennsylvania, with their pass rate guarantee, up the success rate to as high as 95 percent.
What ultimately determines how many people pass the real estate exam on their first try is the amount of preparation they put into the process.
How Many Questions Are on the PA Real Estate Exam?
While you can take the PA real estate exam online or in person, you’re looking at a three-hour test in total.
The time limit is the same regardless of license type, but taking the real estate exam involves different question totals when it comes to the national section.
For the salesperson exam, you have 120 minutes to answer 80 questions in the national section. There are only 75 on the broker exam.
Both exams give you 60 minutes to answer 40 questions in the state section.
How Many Math Questions Are on the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam?
Within the national section of the real estate licensing exam, there are a set amount of math questions. These vary based on license type, though.
Ten percent, or eight questions, are on math in the salesperson exam. Eight percent, or six questions, cover math on the broker exam.
Math topics include basic math concepts, calculations for transaction, and for brokers only, calculations for valuation and rate of return.
What Score Do You Need to Pass the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam?
In PA, the real estate exam passing score is 75 percent.
This means incoming Pennsylvania real estate agents must answer 60 questions correctly in the national section of the salesperson exam. For the state portion, they must answer 30 questions correctly.
Survey of Experts
How difficult was it for you to study and pass the Pennsylvania 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?
I would highly recommend real estate students to invest their extra money in practice tests to increase their chances of passing the exam on the first attempt.
These practice tests not only help you become familiar with the format and content of the exam but also enable you to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Additionally, they provide an opportunity for practical application of your knowledge and can significantly boost your confidence.
Moreover, consider investing in comprehensive study materials, such as textbooks, online courses, or exam prep guides.
These resources can provide in-depth coverage of the subject matter and ensure you’re well-prepared for the exam.
There are practice exams in many states. In Pennsylvania, these help students anticipate what type of questions to expect when they take the licensing course. If you do a little digging, you’ll find them.
Buy the study guide and practice test.
What Happens if You Fail the Real Estate Exam in Pennsylvania?
How Many Times Can You Fail and Retake the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam?
If you fail one or both sections of the Pennsylvania real estate license exam, you are given an unlimited number of retakes.
You must schedule each retake through PSI using the same process you did initially.
How Long Do You Have to Wait to Retake the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam?
You must wait 24 hours before contacting PSI to schedule an exam retake. Based on availability, this could allow you to retake in as little as two days.
For example, if you failed the test on Monday, you could call on Tuesday to schedule your retake and test as early as Wednesday. This is subject to availability, though.
If you want to know the estimated timeline to complete all the other steps in the licensing process, read our guide on how long it takes to get a real estate license in Pennsylvania.
Do You Have to Pay to Retake the Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam?
In PA, real estate exam requirements include paying the test retake fee should you fail the exam the first time.
Each time you take one or both sections of the Pennsylvania real estate license exam, you’ll have to pay the same fee. It doesn’t go down if you’re only taking one part.
The testing fee is always $49.
For a complete breakdown of all licensing fees, read — How Much Does a PA Real Estate License Cost?
After passing the real estate exam, you can then focus your attention to all the other requirements in getting a real estate license in Pennsylvania.
Among the prerequisites is choosing the right broker to work for as a new agent. It is essential that you pick one from the best real estate brokerages in Pennsylvania to have a good start in your career.
As you begin your real estate business, learning from experienced agents is also a must to ensure success. You will be able to meet them when you join a real estate team.
From them, you can learn more about the real estate profession and the pros and cons of being a real estate agent so you can be a step ahead.
Don’t forget to devise a good plan that enumerates what happens next after you pass your real estate exam. This should include the steps you want to take to gain more visibility for your business.
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.