Texas Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know

Quick Answer: The Texas real estate exam has 125 questions total — 85 on the national section (80 scored and 5 unscored) and 40 on the state section. You need a 70% to pass both sections. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, costs $54, and takes up to 4 hours. About 57% of candidates pass on their first attempt.

Passing the Texas real estate exam is the final milestone before you can practice as a licensed agent in the state. This guide covers everything you need to know to walk in prepared: how the exam is structured, what score you need to pass, how to schedule through Pearson VUE, what to bring on exam day, and the study strategies that actually move the needle.

Here's what we'll cover:

• How to schedule your exam through Pearson VUE
• How the Texas real estate exam is structured (questions, time, passing score)
• What to bring on exam day
• How difficult the exam is — and what the data says about pass rates
• Study strategies proven to help candidates pass on the first try
• Frequently asked questions

How to Schedule the Texas Real Estate Licensing Exam

After you’ve completed the 180 hours of Texas pre-licensing education requirement, you can start the process of scheduling your exam. 

The first step is to submit your official application to become a sales agent. You can do this online or apply by mail using a paper application. You’ll be required to pay a $205 application fee during this stage.

As part of your application, you’ll have to submit your course completion documents to the Texas Real Estate Commission, proving that you’ve met the required number of hours and courses. 

Once you’ve gotten the approval from the Texas Real Estate Commission confirming your eligibility, you can officially schedule your real estate exam! Texas contracts with Pearson VUE, a third-party testing company, to administer its exams.

You can go to their website or call Pearson VUE to schedule your exam. When you schedule your exam, you’ll be required to pay a $43 test registration fee. 

If you’ve received your letter of eligibility, you are also now allowed to schedule your fingerprint appointment.

All Texas real estate agents must have their fingerprints on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and a background check will be performed.

In order to complete this requirement, you’ll have to go in person to an IdentoGo by IDEMIA location. There are dozens of locations across the state that allow you to complete this process. 

Can You Take the Exam Online?

The Texas Real Estate Commission does not allow for the real estate licensing exam to be taken online. While you will take the exam on a computer, the test can only be taken in person at one of Pearson VUE’s test centers. 

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

Make sure you show up 30 minutes early to the test center so you can check in and get situated for the exam. 

It’s crucial to make sure you are equipped with the right forms of ID and materials so you can be admitted to the exam without any issues. You’ll need to bring two non-expired forms of identification that include your signature.

One must be a primary government-issued and photo-bearing ID with a signature, while the other must just have your signature. Some examples of valid primary IDs include:

• Government-issued Driver’s License
• U.S. Department of State Driver’s License
• U.S. Learner’s Permit (plastic card only with photo and signature)
• National/State/Country Identification Card
• Passport or Passport card
• Military ID
• Alien Registration Card
  

Your secondary ID can be a Social Security card or Credit Card. 

It’s also advised to bring a calculator for some of the math questions on the exam. The test center doesn’t provide calculators, so we recommend bringing a small handheld calculator. 

Take a Free TX Real Estate Exam

Here is a short 10-question Texas 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 Texas Real Estate Exam?

The Texas Real Estate exam is composed of two sections — a national section that covers the knowledge and skills required to be a real estate agent and a Texas-specific state section that will cover all local laws and regulations that real estate agents should know. It’s important to prepare for both, as all examinees will be required to pass both to get their licenses. 

The national section is broken into 8 sections: 

• Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, And Property Use (11 questions)
• Forms Of Ownership, Transfer, And Recording Of Title (9 questions)
• Property Value And Appraisal  (11 questions)
• Real Estate Contracts And Agency (16 questions)
• Real Estate Practice (10 questions)
• Property Disclosures And Environmental Issues  (9 questions)
• Financing And Settlement (7 questions)
• Real Estate Math Calculations (7 questions)

For the state-specific section of the exam, you’ll be tested on: 

• Commission Duties And Powers (3 questions)
• Licensing (4 questions)
• Standards Of Conduct (9 questions)
• Agency/Brokerage (10 questions)
• Contracts (8 questions)
• Special Topics (6 questions)

What is a passing grade?

To earn your license, you must pass both the national and state sections with a score of 70% or higher. These sections are graded independently. If you pass one section but fail the other, you only need to retake the portion you failed. However, you must pass both within one year of your application approval from the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

You’ll be asked around seven questions on the national portion of the licensing exam about math calculations that relate to real estate.

Some common topics include property area calculation, how to calculate property value, settlement and closing costs, return on investment and more. 

You won’t be given any guidelines for conversion, so it’s important to remember some basic calculations like there are 43,560 square feet in an acre and 5,280 feet in a mile.

Memorizing these formulas can ensure you can properly solve any calculations for those metrics. However, make sure to bring your own calculator, as they won’t have any at the test center for you to use.

Is the Texas Real Estate Exam Hard?

The Texas Real Estate Exam is designed to be challenging so that not just anyone can become a real estate agent. As of April 2025, 57% of test takers passed on the first try.

This further proves that it’s important to take the time to study after you complete your education requirement so you don’t have to take the test more than once. 

Our guided exam prep courses will help you study for the Texas Real Estate exam, providing you with practice tests, vocabulary flashcards, and more so you have all the necessary resources to pass. 

How Many Questions Are on the Texas Real Estate Exam?

For the salesperson licensing exam in Texas, you’ll have 240 minutes, or four hours, to complete the full exam. The exam is broken into two timed parts for the state and national sections. The national section includes 85 questions, and you’ll have 150 minutes to complete it. For the Texas section of the exam, you’ll have to answer 40 questions within 90 minutes. 

What is the Passing Rate for the Real Estate Exam in Texas?

Once you’ve submitted your exam, you’ll immediately see whether you passed or failed. To pass, you must answer at least 56 questions correctly on the national portion and 21 correctly on the state portion.

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam?

Don’t worry - you can schedule another exam session if you fail the exam. One reason to focus on passing the first time is that you’ll have to pay the $43 fee every time you take the exam.

Also, if you fail, you won’t be able to schedule your retake at the test center and will have to wait 24 hours to schedule a re-examination. 

However, Texas now runs on a strict “one-year, three-strike” testing policy, so plan your calendar and budget accordingly.

After TREC approves your application, you have exactly 12 months to pass both exam portions.

You get only three tries per portion within that year—fail a single portion three times and you’ll be assigned 30 hours of remedial coursework (or 60 hours if you miss the mark on both).

Your score report breaks down how you performed in each content area, so use that diagnostic feedback to sharpen your next study sprint and avoid extra fees, extra classes, and the headache of re-filing a brand-new application.

How to Pass the Texas Real Estate Exam

The one question everyone wants to know: “How do I pass the Texas real estate exam?” The answer? Preparation and commitment.

Enrolling in a guided exam prep course is one way to elevate your studying and prepare for the exam.

While your pre-licensing coursework will give you the foundation for the exam, a guided exam prep course can arm you with the helpful study tools and resources to pass the exam on the first try. 

Here are some tips and tricks we suggest for passing the exam. 

Create a Study Schedule

Consistency is key to setting yourself up for success and passing the Texas real estate exam. Try to create a study schedule several times a week and stick to it.

With a specific routine in place, you’ll have the structure needed to set a dedicated time to study for the exam. 

While every night is ideal, studying every other night for several weeks can give you the time necessary to really learn and prepare for the exam.

Even small 15 or 30-minute time blocks can make a huge difference in your study schedule. You'll appreciate taking the time to schedule and maintain a consistent exam prep routine in the future!

Use Acronyms and Mnemonic Devices

One study strategy that helps with memorization is acronyms or mnemonic devices. Try developing a phrase or acronym that relates back to a real estate vocabulary word or process.

This strategy has been used in classrooms for decades and utilizes rhyming words or phrases to help your brain remember vocabulary words. A common example is the phrase Roy G. Biv to remember all the rainbow colors. Have fun with it, and create your own study phrase that is specific to you. 

Join a Study Group

There’s strength in numbers! While some people focus better by studying alone, joining a study group allows you to build connections with fellow students and learn new methods of studying and retaining information.

You’ll be able to collaborate with others to discuss ideas and solve problems and have some extra accountability to get your studying done. 

Get Guided Help

Want to make studying for the real estate exam easy? Join our real estate crash course and exam prep program.

When you join, you get 8+ hours of video content designed to teach you the concepts, vocabulary, historical events, and laws you’ll see on the national real estate exam.

Our exam prep package comes with unlimited practice exams, vocabulary flashcards, an eBook study guide, thousands of question and answer videos, and video explainers.

Get both program together or individually. You can access the real estate crash course videos and prep package using the US Realty Training app.

To join the program, click the button below. Let’s make studying easy!

FAQs

Q: What exactly happens after my third failed attempt?

If you fail either the National or State portion three times, your TREC authorization to test is suspended. You must complete 30 additional hours of qualifying education for each failed portion (e.g., if you fail only the state portion, you take one 30-hour course like Law of Contracts or Law of Agency). Once completed, you must email your certificates to TREC and wait 5-7 business days for a new authorization before you can reschedule.

Q: How long do I have to find a broker after passing?

Passing the exam doesn't make you an "Active" agent yet. You will be issued an Inactive License. There is no immediate deadline to find a sponsoring broker, but your license will remain inactive (meaning you cannot practice or earn commissions) until a Texas Broker files a sponsorship request for you through the TREC portal.

Q: Do you have to pass both sections of the Texas real estate exam on the same day?

‍Yes. Both the national and state sections are taken in the same sitting. They are scored independently, so if you pass one section but fail the other, you only need to retake the section you did not pass.

Final Thoughts on the Real Estate Exam in Texas

Passing your exam is one of the last hurdles you’ll have to pass to become a Texas real estate agent. When you’re so close to the finish line, giving yourself the time and resources to prepare for your final licensing exam with the help of a guided prep course is essential. 

If you’re looking for a cost-effective, reputable and proven way to ace your exam, try our crash course and exam prep program.

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