Written byKacie Goff
If you want to become a Florida real estate sales associate, you’ve got quite a few to-dos in front of you. You need to get fingerprinted, send in the fairly extensive application, and finish all 63 hours of required pre-license education. But that’s not even the most daunting part. You also have to pass a test.
Whether you’ve got lifelong test anxiety or just don’t want to go through the hassle of sitting for an hours-long exam, tough. There’s no getting around this requirement for Florida real estate sales associates. That’s a particular bummer because the average pass rate is a far-from-impressive 47%.
The good news? You can give your chances of passing a serious bump by taking some steps before you head to your exam appointment. Here are our top tips for passing the Florida real estate exam.
#1: Know what to expect
A lengthy exam is always going to feel a little stressful. And since the Florida real estate exam is three-and-a-half hours and covers 19 subject areas, you might feel a little overwhelmed about how much you need to learn before you take the exam.
Fortunately, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issues a very helpful Candidate Information Booklet. Not only does this walk you through all of the content you’ll need to know (pages 3-5), but it also gives you test-taking tips (page 8) and tells you what to expect on exam day. Reading that booklet can help you feel more confident and prepared on the day of your exam appointment.
Although it’s not as helpful, you might also want to look over the exam factsheet from Pearson VUE, the company that administers the exam for the DBPR.
#2: Aim for a C+
You don’t need to go in ready to write some excellent essay or score 100%. A 75% is enough to pass the exam. What’s more, all 100 of the questions on the exam are multiple-choice. As far as test formats go, this is probably as easy as it gets — so try not to be too stressed.
#3: Take an exam prep course
An exam prep course doesn’t just cover the topics you should know for your Florida real estate exam. It also gives you the opportunity to take practice exams. If you have test anxiety, knowing the format and getting familiar with it can make a big difference.
In fact, studies show that taking our Florida real estate exam prep course can boost your chances of passing on the first try by 18%. Long story short, if you want to feel as prepared as possible heading to your exam appointment, consider completing an exam prep course.
#4: Don’t panic if you fail
If you don’t pass the exam, take a deep breath. 24 hours later, you’ll be able to schedule another exam appointment. And since the exam costs less than $40 to take, it’s not a huge gut-punch to have to do it over. You can keep retaking the exam as many times as you need to get the 75% grade and pass.
As a seasoned expert in real estate education and licensing procedures, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to guide aspiring professionals through the intricate process of becoming a Florida real estate sales associate. Having closely followed the developments in real estate education and licensing, I can confidently share valuable information that goes beyond the surface level.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts covered in the provided article:
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Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Requirements: To become a Florida real estate sales associate, individuals need to fulfill various requirements, including fingerprinting, submitting an extensive application, and completing 63 hours of pre-license education. The article implies that these steps are prerequisites for taking the Florida real estate exam.
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Challenges of the Florida Real Estate Exam: The article highlights the challenges associated with the Florida real estate exam, emphasizing its duration (three-and-a-half hours) and coverage of 19 subject areas. Additionally, it mentions a pass rate of 47%, indicating the difficulty of the examination.
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Preparation Strategies:
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Understanding the Exam Content: The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) provides a Candidate Information Booklet, offering detailed insights into the exam content and test-taking tips. Additionally, Pearson VUE's exam factsheet is mentioned as a resource for candidates.
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Passing Grade: The article advises aspiring sales associates to aim for a minimum score of 75%, emphasizing that a passing grade is achievable without aiming for perfection. All questions in the exam are multiple-choice.
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Exam Prep Courses: Recommending an exam prep course, the article suggests that such courses cover relevant topics and offer practice exams. The mention of a specific course claims an 18% higher chance of passing on the first attempt.
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Dealing with Failure: Acknowledging the possibility of failure, the article encourages candidates not to panic if they do not pass the exam on the first attempt. It mentions a reasonable retest cost (less than $40) and a 24-hour waiting period to schedule another exam appointment.
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In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and strategies associated with the Florida real estate exam, offering practical advice to enhance the chances of success for aspiring real estate sales associates.
