Hoping to pass your real estate agent exam on the first try?

You’re not alone. It’s a huge milestone for any aspiring real estate agent, but not everyone is so lucky. But if you pass your test, you’re one step closer to the career you’ve been dreaming of.

Fortunately, there are ways to boost your chances of passing the real estate agent test. With some smart planning and dedicated focus, you can do it on your first try.

Here are some tips to help you get prepared.

Get Yourself a Test Date

It might be nerve-wracking, but giving yourself a definitive testing date will help you kick your study habit into gear. Even if you don’t feel like you’re ready to take the test today, schedule your exam and get it on the calendar.

Psychologically, this gives you a huge advantage. Now you know exactly how long you have to study for the exam, which will help you create the roadmap you need for success.

A good rule of thumb for most future realtors is to book your test several weeks in advance. Not too soon, but not too far away, either.

Fearing failure? That’s normal. Take a deep breath, meditate for a few minutes, or even write about it. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen if you fail the first time?” and answer honestly. Chances are, the answers you come up with won’t be too bad.

All these traits to consider about good real estate agents are involved when you set a date: organization, thoroughness, passion, and creativity.

Take Practice Exams

Practice exams should be your best friend during this process. When it comes to real estate agent test preparation, there’s nothing more helpful than mentally going through the test in a no-stakes environment to see where you stand.

Taking practice exams can also help you narrow down the key information to really study. The sheer amount of information you’re supposed to know alone can be overwhelming. This can alleviate some anxiety by helping you figure out what to focus on.

Most exam books come with free practice tests online, but you can also buy them and find free ones all over the internet. Just make sure the ones you take align with your state’s questions.

Take Care of Your Body

Don’t let stress destroy your ability to perform. Even though the test is soon (or just on the calendar), key healthy habits like eating good food, sleeping enough, and drinking plenty of water still matter.

Working out before an exam (and during the process) helps pump fresh, oxygenated blood to your muscles and brain. It’s been linked with better performance on exams and with improved levels of energy, which could come in handy.

Similar studies have found people perform better when they’re hydrated. This makes sense, considering our bodies contain so much water.

Above all, though, sleep is especially important. Not only do scientists link quality sleep to higher test scores, but it’s also a key way to improve concentration and focus. Studying will be more enjoyable with a good night’s rest.

Talk to Friends and Mentors

Here’s one of the simpler real estate agent exam tips: talk to someone who’s been there. Ask a realtor you know to grab a coffee or for ten minutes of their time. Or call a local realtor in the area—if you don’t know any yet—and see if he or she has any advice.

This is a key habit of successful people. Going to someone who’s already achieved what you hope to is a great way to set yourself up for a great end result. Plus, you might gain a friend or a mentor out of the process.

Being a realtor is so much about your network. Here’s a good way to start developing your chops in this area.

Read and Re-Read Every Question

While you’re preparing for your real estate exam, practice good test-taking habits. One of those is to read every question twice before answering.

With more than 150 questions to answer, it’s important to really make sure you know what’s being asked before you choose an answer. So make it a habit now to read, then re-read each question. Take your time!

If it helps, look away after every three to five questions. Take a deep breath then refocus your attention. This is another good way of resetting your mind so you approach each question with fresh eyes.

Increase Your Odds on Multiple Choice Questions

There are some ways to “game” the multiple-choice section, of course. The likelihood of you knowing every single answer on the real estate agent exam isn’t 100 percent—so knowing how to play the game could be helpful.

Start by reading all four answers. Never select an answer until you’ve read all four in your head. 

If you get stuck on a question, eliminate the answers that definitely aren’t options. You may not know what the answer is, but you can increase your chances of guessing correctly.

Finally, don’t play mind games. For example, if four answers in a row are “B,” that doesn’t necessarily mean one of them is wrong. The computer might have just generated it that way. Go with what you think is correct.

The Real Estate Agent Exam

With a little preparation, the real estate agent exam is definitely something you can pass on your first try.

The key is to approach it with good test-taking habits in mind. Schedule the exam, take care of your health, talk to people who have been there before, and don’t rush on test day.

We wish you the best of luck on your exam!

For more real estate tips, check out some of our other articles.