Indiana Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know

Indiana Real Estate Exam: Quick Answer

If you’re looking for the fast facts on the Indiana Real Estate Broker Exam, here is the essential data:

• Exam Provider: Pearson VUE
• Exam Fee: $55 per attempt
• Total Questions: 145 (80 National, 50 State, 15 Pre-test)
• Passing Score: 75 (Scaled) on each section
• Time Limit: 4 Hours total

The Indiana real estate exam is the final "boss" standing between you and your career as a licensed broker. It’s designed to test more than just your memory; it tests your ability to apply complex property laws, financial calculations, and ethical standards to real-world scenarios.

While the prospect of a 145-question exam can be daunting, the secret to passing on your first try isn't just studying harder—it's studying smarter.

By understanding exactly how the test is structured, what the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) expects from you, and how to navigate the registration process, you can walk into your testing center (or log into your online proctoring session) with total confidence.

In this guide, we’ll break down the logistics of scheduling your test, the specific topics you need to master, and the proven strategies our students use to ace the exam.

How to Schedule the Indiana Real Estate Licensing Exam

To schedule the Indiana real estate exam, all aspiring candidates must first successfully complete the Commission-approved Indiana 90-hour pre-licensing course. After meeting this requirement, you can register for your exam. The fastest way to do this is by visiting the Pearson VUE website. 

You’ll be asked to create an account if you're a new user. You can do this by inputting your email address and full name as written on your identification. After registration, you can choose your desired date and test location to schedule your exam. 

Aside from online registration, you can also register over the phone at (800) 274-2717 at the following hours: 

• Monday through Friday between 6:30 am and 9:00 pm
• Saturday-Sunday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Central Time

While scheduling the exam, you must pay a non-refundable exam fee of $55. Note that this fee is only for one exam and valid only for a year from the payment date. 

Where Do You Take the Indiana Real Estate License Exam?

Candidates for the Indiana real estate licensing exam are to take their exams at any designated Pearson VUE test centers around the state. The Indiana real estate exam locations include: 

• Indianapolis
• Evansville
• Fort Wayne
• Merrillville
• Terre Haute

Can You Take the Exam Online?

No. Unlike some other states, Indiana requires all real estate broker candidates to take their licensing exam in person at an official Pearson VUE test center. While you may see mentions of Pearson VUE’s "OnVUE" online proctoring system for other certifications, it is not currently an option for the Indiana real estate exam.

To take your test, you must schedule an appointment at one of the approved physical locations.

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

On the day of your Indiana real estate exam, you are expected to bring the following.

• To be admitted to the testing center, you must present two (2) forms of valid, unexpired identification. Both must include your signature, and the name on the IDs must exactly match the name you used to register for the exam

For your primary form of identification, you can choose one out of the following:

• State-issued driver’s license
• State-issued identification card
• US Government Issued Passport
• US Government Issued Military Identification Card
• US Government Issued Alien Registration Card
• A state-issued temporary paper license is only acceptable if accompanied by a state-issued unexpired permanent license.

For your secondary identification, you can choose one out of the following: 

• Credit Card (must be signed)
• Debit Card (must be signed)
• Wholesale store card (COSTCO, Sam’s, etc.)

Calculators: An online calculator will be provided within the exam software. You may bring a silent, hand-held, solar or battery-operated, non-programmable calculator, but it must not have a paper tape printer or an alphabetic keyboard.

You are advised to attend your appointment at least 30 minutes early on the exam day. This additional time is for identification and sign-in and for you to become familiar with the examination procedure.

Take a Free IN Real Estate Exam

Here is a short 10-question Indiana exam to test your real estate knowledge. This exam mimics our practice exams featured in our exam prep package. If you want the full package, tap the button below.

What is on the Indiana Real Estate Exam?

The Indiana real estate broker licensing exam is made up of two sections, namely: 

• The general portion, comprising questions based on national real estate principles and practice
• The Indiana state-specific portion, comprising questions based on Indiana real estate laws, rules, and regulations 

National Portion 

Here are the topics you will come across in the national portion of the broker exam, with the percentage of questions you can expect per topic: 

• Property ownership; 10%
• Land use controls and regulations; 5%
• Valuation and market analysis; 7%
• Financing; 10%
• General principles of agency; 13%
• Property disclosure; 6%
• Contracts; 18%
• Leasing and property management; 5%
• Transfer of title; 6%
• Practice of real estate; 13%
• Real estate calculations; 7%

State Portion 

Here are the topics you will come across in the state portion, with the number of questions you can expect per topic:

• The Indiana Real Estate Commission; 4
• Licensing; 8
• Statutory & Regulatory Requirements; 18 
• Statutes & Rules Governing Licensees; 16 
• Real Estate Office Procedures; 4

Resource: Indiana real estate candidate handbook

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

Yes, there will be math on the Indiana real estate licensing exam. These math questions will be found in the general portion and will be related to:

• Basic math concepts, such as
• Loan-to-value ratios
• Discount points
• Equity
• Down payment/amount to be financed
• Calculations for transactions, including 
• Property tax calculations
• Prorations
• Commission and commission splits
• Seller’s proceeds of sale
• Buyer funds needed at closing
• Transfer fee/conveyance tax/revenue stamps
• PITI payments
• Calculations for valuation, rate of return
• Net operating income
• Depreciation
• Capitalization rate
• Gross Rent and gross income multipliers

Keep in mind that solving these math problems could be difficult and time-consuming. It is, therefore, best to save these questions for later while you continue to answer the other questions unless the answers are easy. This allows you to answer more questions and make the most of your allocated time. 

Is the Indiana Real Estate Exam Hard?

As can be expected of any professional certification exam, the Indiana real estate exam is hard and will only get harder for poorly prepared candidates. This is why it is important to study hard and get all the help that you can before taking the exam. 

How Many Questions Are on the Indiana Real Estate Exam?

The Indiana real-estate broker exam now presents 145 multiple-choice questions in total. Of these, 80 scored questions make up the national portion and 50 scored questions cover Indiana-specific law. An additional 15 un-scored “pretest” items (about 5 embedded in the national section and 10 in the state section) are mixed in to pilot future questions; they do not affect your score.

You’re given four hours of seat time—roughly 150 minutes for the national portion and 90 minutes for the state portion—to finish everything.

To pass, Indiana uses a scaled score of 75, which works out to about 60 correct answers out of 80 scored national questions and 38 correct out of 50 scored state questions (≈75 % on each part). ‍

When you click “End,” your screen instantly shows “Pass” or “Fail.” A passing candidate receives an official score report for licensure; a failing candidate receives a diagnostic print-out highlighting strengths and weaknesses in each exam section—so you’ll know exactly where to focus before your retake.

How Many Times Can You Retake the Indiana Real Estate Exam?

You can take the Indiana real estate exam as many times as you need to pass it, as far as it is within one year of completing the required prelicensing education. Candidates who pass one portion of the exam and fail the other need to retake only the portion they failed.

Note that you’ll be required to pay an exam fee of $55 at every attempt to take the exam, whether you’re taking both sections or just one section. 

How to Pass the Indiana Real Estate Exam

To pass the Indiana real estate exam on the first trial, candidates must study hard for the exam. There are some proven strategies that you can implement to feel ready to ace the exam on your first try. They include: 

Create a Study Schedule 

When preparing for an exam like the Indiana real estate exam, creating a study schedule may be just what you need to balance your study sessions with your other daily commitments. A well-planned study schedule will improve your daily time management by ensuring that every minute of your time is accounted for.  

Do not forget to input frequent breaks into your study schedule to prevent burnout. It's also best to set your study time to periods of the day when you are less busy or distracted, such as early in the morning and late at night. We recommend studying for a little bit every night or at least every other night.

Use Acronyms and Mnemonic Devices

Acronyms and mnemonic devices are memory aids that break down complex information into smaller and simpler chunks that are easier for the brain to process and remember. Acronyms are formed by taking the first letters of each word in a phrase and forming a word with it. A good example of a real estate acronym is CCIM, which stands for Certified Commercial Investment Member. 

Similarly, mnemonic devices are formed by associating a piece of information with something that can be easily related to it. A good mnemonic device detailing the four essential characteristics a property must possess to have value would be “Don’t Utter Silly Things”

• Don’t for Demand
• Utter for Utility
• Silly for Scarcity
• Things for Transferability

Join a Study Group 

Joining a study group can significantly increase your chances of success in the exam by improving your learning process. It provides you with like-minded people to be accountable to, helping you to be more intentional. Studying in a group can also boost your motivation to study and pass, born out of healthy competition.

Get Guided Help

When you’re studying for the exam, you have a lot of ground to cover. It might be overwhelming for some.

That’s why we created a real estate exam prep package. This online package consolidates all the information you need to know and provides study resources to help you learn the information.

You’ll get access to the following at a very affordable price:

• 1,500 Indiana real estate exam practice questions
• Customizable practice state exams
• Vocabulary flashcards
• Video explanations
• E-book study guide

You can add real estate crash course videos. It's 8+ hours of video content that teaches you the concepts, vocabulary, historical events, and more. Led by our head instructor, Robert Rico, our crash course videos teaches you everything you need to know to pass on your first try.

Final Thoughts on the Real Estate Exam in Indiana 

The Indiana real estate exam is compulsory for all individuals who want to be licensed real estate brokers in the state. Passing this exam requires careful preparation and a solid understanding of real estate concepts and practices. To increase your chances of succeeding on this exam, follow the tips provided above, as well as enroll in a reputable real estate school.