How Long Does the California Real Estate Exam Take? Complete Guide

How Long Does the California Real Estate Exam Take?

If you’re planning to become a real estate agent in California, one of the key steps is passing the California real estate exam. Knowing how long the exam will take helps in preparing effectively and managing your time on the day of the test. This article will cover everything you need to know about the duration of the exam and how to approach it efficiently.

Total Duration of the Exam

The California real estate exam is designed to test your knowledge in various real estate topics, including property ownership, laws, valuation, financing, and contracts. For the sales license exam, it consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, and you are given up to 3 hours to complete it. This means you have about 1 minute and 11 seconds per question on average. It’s a manageable pace if you're prepared, but rushing or spending too much time on a single question can impact your ability to finish the exam.

For those taking the broker exam, it is longer, consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions with 4 hours allotted to complete the exam.

Breakdown of the Exam:

• Sales License Exam:

• Number of Questions: 150 multiple-choice questions.
• Time Allotted: 3 hours (180 minutes).

• Broker Exam:

• Number of Questions: 200 multiple-choice questions.
• Time Allotted: 4 hours (240 minutes).

Key Considerations

Here are some tips to manage your time during the exam:

• Practice Time Management: When practicing for the exam, completing practice tests within the time limit is crucial. This builds comfort with the pacing and prepares you for the actual test day. Our blog on Effective StudyTechniques for the Real Estate Exam offers additional insights and strategies.
• Skip and Return to Hard Questions: If you encounter a tough question, it’s often better to move on and come back to it later. This approach ensures you don't waste too much time on any single question and that you cover more ground.
• Read Questions Carefully: While keeping an eye on the clock, make sure to read each question thoroughly. Misreading can lead to easy mistakes.
• Watch the Clock: Monitoring your time can help adjust your strategy on the fly, ensuring you answer as many questions as possible. Our additional resources provide tactics on maintaining a good pace throughout the test.

What Happens After the Exam?

Once you’ve completed the exam, the next step is to wait for your results. The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) typically provides results at the time the test is concluded, but sometimes it could take a few days.

The California real estate exam is a comprehensive test that requires thorough preparation and good time management. With different durations for the sales license and broker exams, it’s important to practice completing sample exams within the time limits to ensure you’re comfortable with the pacing. By preparing effectively, you’ll increase your chances of passing the exam and moving closer to your goal of becoming a licensed real estate agent.