Becoming a North Carolina real estate agent opens up a world of opportunities for financial freedom in a booming industry. During the pre-license course, you’ll enhance your knowledge of the area and learn how to excel as a real estate agent. Unfortunately, no matter how badly you want to become a real estate agent, it’s not possible without passing the North Carolina Real Estate exam.
If you’re pursuing your real estate license, you may already know the requirements needed before you can sit for the exam. But if not, here’s a quick refresher – schedule your exam after completing the pre-license course (this is a 75-hour mandatory education course), complete your background check (with fingerprints taken), and send in your application to the (NCREC) North Carolina Real Estate Commission. Once you receive your approval, you can schedule your exam and get studying.
For the best chances of passing the North Carolina real estate exam, make sure you schedule your test well in advance. You must give yourself enough time to prepare so you’re ready by the test date. Consider the following information for more tips on studying for the NC real estate exam.
Get to Know the North Carolina Real Estate Exam
To do well on the exam, set yourself up for success and get to know the layout of the North Carolina real estate exam and the kinds of questions that will be included. Your North Carolina real estate licensing exam consists of 120 questions. You have 3.5 hours to answer all of them.
For the national portion, expect to answer 80 multiple-choice questions. For the state portion, you’ll answer the remaining 40. To pass, you need to receive a 72% or higher on the national section and at least a 73% on the state section. You’ll pass if you get 57 of the national section questions and 29 of the 40 state questions correct.
Keep in mind that if you don’t pass on your first try, you can retake the test after waiting 24 hours to reschedule between exams. You must also pay the registration fee every time you retake the test. The only strict requirement in retaking the North Carolina real estate exam is that you must pass the exam within three years from when you completed your pre-licensing course.
Take Plenty of Practice Exams
It is recommended that you study flashcards and take multiple practice tests for the North Carolina real estate exam. Also, if you take an online real estate course, you’ll be given practice tests, a prep course, and other resources to improve your chances of passing.
The more familiar you are with test questions and answers, the better you’ll do on the exam. As is true for learning any skill, the more you practice, the more prepared and proficient you become. While creating your own study guides can be helpful, do not overlook the importance of utilizing practice exams. You want to be aware of info you may have accidentally skipped over.
Time Yourself When Taking Practice Exams and Prep Courses
When you take your practice exams for the North Carolina real estate exam, time your progress and see how long it takes you to complete the test each time. The exam is not a race, but remember that you have 3.5 hours to complete the test.
If you’ve studied, this should be more than enough time. See if you can improve your times as you practice and if you notice your scores going up. For any incorrect answers, go back and review to find the correct answers, and study those questions so you get them right the next time.
Write Down as Much Information as Possible
The North Carolina real estate exam comprises real estate law, mathematics, and principles and practices of North Carolina real estate. By breaking up critical information into these stated subcategories, you can digest the learning materials thoroughly and increase your chances of doing well on the exam.
Once you’ve done some studying, write down a list of the test specifics to conceptualize the general concepts on a deeper level.
Here’s some additional information to know for your exam:
- Property management in North Carolina
- North Carolina Commission Rules
- Marketing regulations in the State
- North Carolina-specific laws and practices
Beyond these concepts, ensure you’ve reviewed the general real estate topics that every aspiring agent should know, regardless of where you’ll practice professionally.
Try to Get a Real Estate Mentor
If you really want to increase your chances of passing the North Carolina real estate exam, then try to find a mentor. You may know someone who already practices real estate in North Carolina or who is an agent in another state.
Utilize your resources and ask this person to mentor you in preparation for your North Carolina real estate exam. Getting advice can’t hurt, so take the initiative and improve your understanding of real estate.
Study Right Before Bed
Permeate your subconscious with the information you need to know for the North Carolina real estate exam. In addition to your regular studying hours, take 30 minutes to study the materials before bed.
You can even listen to recordings of test concepts you make yourself or find some online to follow along with. By doing so, you allow test knowledge to seep into your subconscious while you sleep and maximize your learning potential.
Relax While You’re Studying
Have you ever had a hard time retaining information when you were stressed? It can be anxiety-provoking to study for a test that influences your future career. Everyone learns better in a relaxed state.
When we are emotionally tense, we can become physically tense too, which slows down logical processing. So, to supercharge your learning, don’t let your emotions cloud your logic. Stay relaxed while studying for the North Carolina real estate exam.
Keep These Tips in Mind
If you give yourself enough time to prepare and take the real estate practice exams seriously, you’re already in a great position to do well. To excel, go the extra mile and follow the tips above to increase your chances of passing the North Carolina state exam.