Free real estate practice exam + 7 study hacks to ace the real estate exam

Vetted by HousingWire  |  Our editors independently review the products we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

From time management techniques to memory tricks and managing stress — we’ll share our study hacks to help you ace your state real estate exam. Hone and test your real estate knowledge using our free real estate practice exam.

As a lifelong educator, learner, and collector of advanced degrees in education and curriculum design, I know from experience which study habits and hacks really work, and I’ve researched the most effective ones for this article. We’ll help you supercharge your real estate exam study habits and launch your new real estate career with confidence.

Before we dive in, it’s helpful to understand the structure and content of your real estate exam. Real estate exams are typically:

The exam also covers a variety of topics including: 

Passing grades are determined by each state but typically hover around 70%, and you’ll need a passing score in both sections. Each state’s rules vary on retaking the exam, but you can usually retake only the portion of the exam you didn’t pass the first time. With our free real estate practice exam, you’ll be on your way to passing with flying colors. 

Ready to test your knowledge? Try our free real estate practice exam with some typical multiple-choice questions you might find on a state real estate exam. If you’re not ready yet, check out our study hacks, motivational tips, and other tools below.

SAVE 30% on all prelicensing courses with The CE Shop using promo code HW30. Click to learn more about their prelicensing course packages and Exam Prep Edge.

Licensee Mark has knowledge about all the issues related to a property. Which of the following property issues should be disclosed to potential buyers?

Which of the following examples below is of a fixture that is real property?

After a seller counters an offer, what happens to an initial offer from the buyer?

In a real estate transaction, if Sarah, acting as a broker for Blue Skies Realty, gives a portion of the commission earned from a sale to Emily, a buyer, what is this practice commonly referred to as?

A house on your street has built an addition, raising its property value. Now you notice your own property’s value has gone up. Which economic principle best describes this situation?

Ava, Jane, and Nora are joint owners of a vacation home. Unfortunately, Jane passed away. Consequently, Ava and Nora allowed Jane’s nephew, Eric, who inherited Jane’s share of the property, to join them at the vacation home. What type of ownership arrangement does this represent?

An example of this type of leasehold estate is a month-to-month lease.

A month-to-month lease is an example of what type of leasehold estate?

The homeowner tells their agent they’re in a rush to sell because they’re moving for a new job and they are open to offers below the asking price. The agent then tells a potential buyer that the seller could go for a $15,000 discount from the listed price. Which statement accurately represents the situation?

If the rate of transer tax is $.48 per $100, what will a seller pay on a property purchased for $280,000?

What best describes a deed?

There are proven strategies for studying for exams that will help you to retain information more effectively and efficiently. Let’s take stock of best study habits.

You’ll boost your chances of acing your exam if you make a study schedule and stick to it. But there are ways to get the most out of the schedule, too. Your best bet is to structure your studying around spaced repetition, the idea that you’ll retain more knowledge if your study sessions are spread out. 

So, set aside dedicated study time each day or week and make it a priority. Start by breaking down the topics you need to cover and allocate specific time slots for each topic. This will help you stay organized and ensure you’ve covered all the required material before the exam. Finally, take breaks to give your brain time to rest and process the information you’ve learned, and your memory will be primed for exam day. 

Not all study materials are cut from the same cloth. Having access to high-quality real estate practice exams, study guides, and texts from reputable sources is key. Ideally, you’ll want practice questions that most closely mirror the real estate exam so you have no surprises on exam day. 

Consider using a combination of different resources for a well-rounded understanding of the exam content. 

Check out our top picks for real estate exam prep offered by real estate schools, too. We vetted the top national real estate schools for their exam prep materials, pass rates, and more.

SEE ALSO: Real estate exam prep: The ultimate guide to acing your state’s real estate exam

Whether you’re studying from your car, on your commute or from home, let’s break down the study techniques backed by science and practiced by top students to help you ace your exam.

Active recall: Studies show over and over that quizzing yourself without looking at your notes improves your understanding.[2] So does teaching the material to yourself or others out loud.

Mix it up: Mix up different topics during your study sessions rather than focusing on one topic exclusively – it will help your brain determine what’s important to remember.[3]

Visualize to remember: Create visual aids or use mnemonic devices to associate complex information with images or easily memorable phrases, as these will significantly enhance memory recall.[4]

SAVE 30% on all prelicensing courses with The CE Shop using promo code HW30. Click to learn more about their prelicensing course packages and Exam Prep Edge.

Joining a study group is like unlocking a secret weapon to master the real estate exam. It brings in diverse perspectives, boosts your understanding as you talk things out, and bridges any gaps you might have in your grasp of the material. 

As an added bonus, being part of a group amps up your motivation and keeps everyone accountable, leading to better retention of tricky concepts. So, consider leveling up your studying by joining a study group or finding a buddy to learn with.

Try the PrepAgent Real Estate Exam Study Group on Facebook or check out The CE Shop Pre-Licensing Student Forum, also on Facebook.

When you’re preparing for the real estate exam, it’s completely normal to feel the pressure. Remember, taking care of yourself is just as crucial as hitting the books. Start by carving out moments for self-care amidst your study sessions. Take breaks to stretch, breathe deeply, or go for a short walk—whatever refreshes your mind.

Don’t forget to reach out to friends, family, or study buddies. Chatting with them can bring a fresh perspective or just the encouragement you need. You’ve got this—believe in yourself and don’t forget to celebrate your progress.

When you revisit your notes, you’re flexing your mental muscles. You aren’t just refreshing your memory, you’re strengthening the neural pathways that help you recall information during the exam. Plus, research shows that regular notes review boosts confidence and reduces anxiety.

Start by skimming through your notes to refresh your memory, then actively engage with the material by summarizing key points in your own words. Finally, quiz yourself or create flashcards to reinforce your understanding and test yourself. Soon, your exam jitters will take a backseat to your confidence. 

As you get closer to exam day, it’s crucial to simulate exam conditions during your study sessions. Find a quiet and distraction-free environment where you can focus. Set a timer and allocate specific time limits for each section of the practice exam. This will help you familiarize yourself with the time constraints and train your mind to work efficiently under pressure.

During the real estate practice exam:

With these study hacks, you’ll build a solid foundation of knowledge for your new career and boost your confidence for the real estate exam. Don’t miss out on our free practice real estate exam to check your progress and find ways to improve your studying. Embrace the challenge, stay focused, and set your course for a thriving real estate career!

Related

The Best Project Management Software for 2024

*Deals are selected by our commerce team

Let's say you build houses. It's a complex process, and some tasks must be done in a particular order. You can't install windows if you haven't put up the walls. You probably have dozens of specialists working on the buildings, and you have to know which days they're available to pour the foundation, lay the tile, and so forth. You also have to assign tasks so that they're done in the correct order. And what if it rains one day? The whole schedule may change. The way to manage task dependency in a complex project like this one is to use project management software.

PCMag has been testing project management apps since 2015. In that time, we've tested (and retested) more than 25 project management tools. Here, we tell you about those services that scored the highest in our ratings, with a few notes about what makes them different. Below our recommendations is more information on what project management software is and advice on how to shop for the right app for your business or team. If you manage less complex projects, you can save a lot of money and get a better tool for your needs by exploring the best collaboration software instead.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

With reasonable pricing, an interface that anyone can learn to use, and a good balance of features, GanttPro is one of the best project management tools. We also appreciate that it includes custom fields for tasks, a kanban board view, a critical path feature, and a save history that allows you to do multiple undos.

GanttPro is one of the best project management apps for beginners. That also means it's an excellent pick for teams, especially small teams, that need an expert in project management to run their projects. However, it does not have customizable reports and dashboards that larger teams may need.

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Before Teamwork became focused on organizations that take on client work, it was already a superbly designed project management platform. If you are new to project planning, you could spend a bit of time using Teamwork and watching some of its excellent video tutorials to learn enough to use it in practice.

If your small business takes on projects for clients, then Teamwork is one of the best project management apps you'll find. It comes with billing and invoicing included, so it's easy to track hours worked on a project and know what to bill.

PROS

CONS

SPECS

We picked Zoho Projects as one of the best project management apps because it offers excellent value. It's easy to set up and navigate, offers deep configuration options, and includes the option to track time worked. You can make your own project templates in Zoho Projects, but the app does not come with its own set of templates.

Zoho Projects is a low-cost project management app with an array of helpful features, which makes it an attractive option for small and growing businesses. Its tiered pricing, with attractively low rates, is also targeted at organizations that are on a budget and those that expect to grow quickly.

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Celoxis is reasonably easy to use with a short setup time. Medium to large businesses will like that it includes time tracking, budgeting, and resource management tools. Celoxis offers two plan types, a cloud-hosted one that starts at $25 per person per month (and costs less if you pay for a year or two upfront) and an on-premise option that comes with custom pricing. The company formerly sold the on-premise plan for a flat per-person-per-year rate but no longer does. We still believe Celoxis has the best value among project management apps for medium and large organizations.

Celoxis is one of the best project management apps for medium and large organizations. This app provides ample reports and other tools that give decision-makers and business owners value. For example, you can use Celoxis to not only work most efficiently by adjusting project schedules, but also to forecast revenue.

PROS

CONS

SPECS

LiquidPlanner is impressive at managing projects, tasks, workloads, and more. It can automatically and dynamically schedule work for your whole team, even as factors change—which may not be everyone's cup of tea. If you're open to what LiquidPlanner offers, this app can project best- and worst-case scenarios for projects and tasks, dish up rich management and insight tools, and give you the tools you need for time-tracking—as long as you opt for a Professional or Ultimate plan.

While LiquidPlanner can be a great project management app for teams of any size, we think it's especially well suited to larger enterprise teams working on complex projects. One reason is because LiquidPlanner's area of specialization is automated scheduling. If a pain point for your organization is scheduling people to take on certain tasks at specific times, then LiquidPlanner can help. This app comes with ample tools for automatically fixing project schedules when tasks slip or when workers are suddenly unavailable.

PROS

CONS

SPECS

ProofHub aims for simplicity without skimping on core project management features. It's also competitively priced for small teams. This app is surprisingly easy to use, making it great for teams that don't have dedicated project managers.

ProofHub is a project management app for teams that include proofing stages as part of their workflow. In other words, if your team evaluates or critiques visual materials—whether ad campaigns or mobile app designs—ProofHub has tools that other project management apps lack to help you through those processes. More specifically, it has markup tools you can use to draw on PDFs and image files while you give feedback or otherwise collaborate on them with your team.

PROS

CONS

SPECS

While Redmine isn't for everyone, we chose it as one of the best project management apps because it's free and open source, which is a rarity in the project management world.

Redmine is the go-to project management app for anyone who wants a free and open-source option—but you also need to have people on hand that know how to install and maintain it. Redmine is not an off-the-shelf project management app. It's focused on projects that include issue- and bug-tracking.

PROS

CONS

SPECS

If you're willing to put in the time to learn what Smartsheet can do and customize it to your needs, it's very powerful. It might become your go-to tool not only for project management but also for other collaborative business.

Smartsheet is the project management app for people who like to increase productivity through automations. That means you're willing to put in the time to set up "if this, then that" type commands that Smartsheet carries out for you automatically. For example, you might have an automation that says, "When someone marks a task as blocked, and the task status is 'in progress' or 'for review,' then alert the person assigned as the manager for that task." Most other project management apps don't have automation options built into them, though sometimes you can create them using third-party tools such as Zapier. One note about Smartsheet: Not all the tiers of service come with time tracking, budgeting, and resource management for free, though you can pay for the companion software that adds them.

PROS

CONS

SPECS

TeamGantt has lovely interactive Gantt charts that are incredibly easy to learn to use. The app has exceptional tutorial content to help you learn anything you don't know. We also love a feature that automatically corrects any errors created among dependencies.

TeamGantt is for beginners, because it's so easy and intuitive to use. If you don't know anything about Gantt charts, you will quickly and painlessly learn while using TeamGantt. We like this app best for small teams who may not have a dedicated project manager on hand. TeamGantt doesn't have budgeting or invoicing tools, which is another reason it's better suited to small teams rather than large ones.

PROS

CONS

Wrike is a powerful tool not only for project management but also for use as collaboration software. Now owned by Citrix, Wrike supports team collaboration, work management, and project management. It continues to grow by adding new work intelligence features that can, for example, predict when a project is at risk of falling behind and call attention to possible causes.

Wrike has a few paid plans targeted to very specific types of teams, namely marketing, creative industries, and professional service teams. Wrike is very good at what it does, so long as you put in some time to pick the right plan and learn its features—expect to work with Wrike's customer support on this process, rather than merely paying for an account and setting up the app on your own. In that sense, Wrike is for larger teams that have the time and resources to dedicate at least one person to work with Wrike during setup.

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Buying Guide: The Best Project Management Software for 2024

Project management software, sometimes called PM software, is a type of online collaboration tool. All the people who are working on a project log in and see what they're supposed to do and when. These workers also record their progress on those tasks and add relevant details, such as notes about any changes. With the appropriate permission level, people can also learn more about what everyone else is doing, what requirements must be met for them to get it done, and when.

For the project manager, the project management app provides a clear overview of each project's progress. Are all the tasks on track to be completed on time? If one task is late, how does it affect the projected deadlines of items on the task list? Is someone available to pick up an urgent task if the person assigned to do it is ill? Plus, if the project management app supports tracking finances, the app will also tell the people in charge whether the project is running on budget.

For this list of the best PM software, we evaluated and tested more than 25 project management platforms and have included here the products with the highest scores. Inclusion is based on PCMag's independent testing and evaluation. In determining scores, we consider the needs of a variety of business types, including small businesses on a budget and large organizations that need to manage many complex projects, people, and budgets simultaneously. We also look at ease of use, features, and value.

For this category, we stick to traditional project management apps only. These apps are specifically created to manage projects. A project is a set of work with a start date, an end date, and a deliverable. We don't include apps for managing ongoing work, such as answering support emails.

To be included in this list, the app must offer Gantt charts, which are a type of timeline view commonly used in project management. All the apps included here also have other standard tools in addition to Gantt charts for tracking, organizing, and scheduling project-based work.

While there are many excellent workplace collaboration apps and task management apps that are sometimes called "project management apps" (such as Trello, Basecamp, and Airtable), we don't include them here. Collaboration or work-management apps are very capable when it comes to managing certain kinds of work, but they aren't necessarily designed for juggling the complexities of dozens or hundreds of projects and their schedules simultaneously. Therefore, we don't include them here.

Zoho Projects' Gantt chart view (Credit: Zoho)

Project management apps let you track progress and manage nearly any kind of project, such as the creation of a new product, building a house or website, or launching a marketing campaign. Teams that use project management apps tend to track more than one project at a time. The software helps them figure out when to schedule work based on when things need to get done and the human resources available to do them.

The best project management apps detect problems before they happen through detailed task management. By tracking the progress of work and individual tasks (for example, having completed six hours of a task that's estimated to take a total of eight hours), project management apps can sound an alarm when a deadline is in danger of slipping, but before it actually happens. The most powerful project management apps also offer to automatically reflow the project schedule when tasks do fall off course. They generate reports that give project managers insight into which team members have too much or too little work assigned. Some let you track project budgets and log billable hours so that you can send invoices to clients for time worked.

TeamGantt's Gantt chart and workload view (Credit: TeamGantt)

A few of the best project management software systems have a free plan. The only one that made this list that is truly free is Redmine—more on that service momentarily. The free plan for most apps is severely limited in some way. For example, you might be allowed to manage only one or two projects at a time or invite only a handful of people to work alongside you. In the paid plan, you might get unlimited projects. Plus, you usually don't get all the most advanced features of the paid plan in the free plan. Still, if you have a small team and only need to manage one or two projects, it might work. Free versions also let you try out the app before deciding whether the paid plans meet your needs.

You can get a free account from Zoho Projects, Teamwork, Wrike, TeamGantt, ProofHub, plus a few others that did not make this list, such as AceProject. 

Redmine is a 100% free PM tool, but you have to install and maintain it yourself. It's not an off-the-shelf product but rather an open-source alternative that requires you to have your own tech support. If you're looking for something simple to start using right away, Redmine isn't it. For simplicity, you're better off with Zoho Projects, TeamGantt, or AceProject.

Teamwork's project management dashboard (Credit: Teamwork)

If you're new to project management and especially if your organization doesn't have a dedicated project manager, you need a project management app that's easy to use.

TeamGantt and GanttPro are the easiest project management apps to learn and use. They are both designed for beginners and other people who are inexperienced at project management.

Many of the project management apps we've reviewed are easy to use, provide good video tutorials, and work well for beginners, but after testing dozens of them, we believe GanttPro and TeamGantt are best.

In testing, we found that some rather popular and well-known project management apps, such as Microsoft Project, are not especially easy to use if you are new to them or not a professional project manager. While we have reviewed many of those tools, not all of them scored high enough to be included in this list of the best project management apps.

If your project team needs to manage and track a couple of projects, but you're less concerned with employee scheduling, collecting time sheets to bill clients, and comparing the progress of multiple projects in development, a low-cost tool such as Zoho Projects (starting at $5 per person per month for Premium) is your best bet. What we especially like about Zoho Projects is that it scales easily if your team ends up growing and needs more features. Zoho, the company, offers a wide range of other business apps that can connect to Zoho Projects to expand what you can do with it.

We also like GanttPro as a low-cost option. It's one of the easiest tools to use and is great for people with limited or no prior experience with project management.

There's no need to spend more than about $15 per person per month if you aren't going to use the tools that are unique to more expensive software, so stick with something inexpensive.

Large organizations have starkly different needs than small businesses. Organizations with hundreds or thousands of employees and hundreds of projects use project management apps for scheduling, insights into their resources, budget-tracking, revenue projection, and time-tracking for billing purposes, among other reasons.

For a large company, it's important to be able to manage not just individuals but also teams. If you have 15 hours of work for a junior designer, and it doesn't matter which junior designer does it, you want to see how much work each junior designer has assigned to them and whether you can free up one of them for the task.

For the same reason, all the managers and team leads in your company should be able to see what tasks are high-priority and which projects are in danger of slipping so that they can triage accordingly.

If your organization handles complex projects and has many team members collaborating on projects, we recommend Celoxis or LiquidPlanner.

Teams that are neither small businesses nor enormous organizations may have special needs that they want their project management software to address.

Our top pick in this category is Teamwork, which is specialized to handle client work. If your team primarily completes projects as billable work for clients, then Teamwork should be on your shortlist. It includes billing and invoicing, as well as the ability to create intake forms for new projects. Another app called Paymo, which didn't quite score highly enough for this list, also has built-in billing and invoicing tools.

There are other areas of specialization for project management software, of course. If you're looking for a tool that can manage both project and non-project work, we recommend Wrike or Celoxis. (LiquidPlanner is a good pick, too, but we think it's best for large groups.) If your team spends a lot of time discussing and iterating visual assets, ProofHub is a great choice. Smartsheet is good for building automation into your project management.

Choosing the right project management software can take time, but it's worth having as much nailed down as possible before rolling the solution out to an entire team. Project management apps typically have a significant setup cost. Even when they are simple to learn to use and let you import project data, it still takes time to fine-tune the app to do what you need it to do and then get everyone on board using it.

It's also important to consider what kind of work your team does, how many people are in the organization, and how you want to run your business. There are a lot of excellent options to fit every budget.

With a reliable project management solution in place, people can collaborate with greater ease on project work. Plus, small business owners and team managers can get useful insights into how their teams work, whether projects are on track, and how to guide them back to a successful place when they slip.