Preparing for Tests

One of the most important steps in starting a real estate career is passing the licensure exam for your state. If you have already acquired a degree in real estate or have met the other qualifications, it is time to begin preparing. Exams are given frequently, even weekly in some states, but you should allow a couple of months to familiarize yourself with the exam.

The most important part of test preparation is familiarizing yourself with the exam. A good way to do this is by taking practice tests. There are free practice exams available online, but it might be worth investing in a set of materials that has been approved by the department of real estate in your state. Private companies sell books and CDs that not only contain practice exams, but also explain the material. In addition, classes are available online and in classrooms.

By the time you take a real estate licensure exam, you should know yourself as a student and you should allot yourself sufficient time to prepare. Organizing your study materials and managing your study time are crucial to passing the exam on the first try.

Practice Tests

It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with real estate license exams before you attempt them. A lot of information is available through licensing bodies such as your state’s department of real estate. They often have printable resources that cover the bulk of the curriculum covered on the tests. Occasionally, they post sample questions to give prospective test takers a taste of what they will face. There are also a variety of practice tests and exam preparation courses available online and in classrooms in your area. Some are useful, while others might not be worth the cost of admission.

When choosing a school to purchase practice tests or take classes from, first check a school’s accreditation. This is a seal of quality that shows a school is meeting the standards defined by their peers and the Department of Education. Accreditation shows that someone has rigorously checked the school’s curriculum to see it matches the exam it is testing to and that its teachers have the training necessary to deliver accurate information. Some schools offer a huge number of products, from flash cards to CDs, containing the relevant vocabulary and regulations you need to know.

Focus on the exam that is in front of you. Many schools have programs for multiple states and multiple tests. It might behoove you to go over the materials available from the licensing body first and then take a practice exam. A course in the exam is not necessary for all test takers. This is especially true of graduates of real estate degree programs who have seen the information and been tested on it before.

The Appraisal Foundation is the publisher of the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination. The Foundation publishes a great deal of information on the curriculum standards covered on the appraiser exam. It also has many practice materials available, including sample questions. This should be your first stop when researching the real estate license appraisal license exam. It is easy to find exam information through your state’s department of real estate. When you sign up for the exam, all of the materials should be easy to access.

Some schools offer a money back guarantee to students who fail to pass their exam on the first try. Buyers must beware of such claims and treat them with a healthy dose of skepticism. Many people pass these exams on the first try; check your public library first for materials before you invest in an educational product. Of course, passing the licensing exam is a prerequisite of your future career, so it does not hurt to pay for a little test insurance.

Study Tips

Those with the right training and preparation can pass the real estate license exam on their first try. In fact, scoring above a 70 or 75 percent, as the case may be, is just a matter of patience and effort. There are plenty of materials out there, both free and for purchase, for students to familiarize themselves with the exam. Following a few study tips will increase your chances to pass the exam.

Becoming familiar with the subject matter is the best way to feel confident before taking the exam.

Check your state’s department of real estate website and download the materials they provide. These should include a reference book that outlines the curriculum that the test makers follow. Look through sample questions if they are offered, so you can allot your study time appropriately. If the test allots 20 percent of its questions toward valuation of property, then you should allot a similar amount of time for practicing these questions. Signing up for a course or purchasing a practice test book might be a good investment, especially if it makes you more confident heading into the test. Make sure to find materials and courses approved by your state’s licensing body.

It is best to begin preparations for the test at least a month in advance.

If you suffer from test anxiety or feel unprepared in general, you should set aside more time. It is unwise to cram for the test. Studying for 48 hours straight is not as effective as studying for two hours a day for three weeks. Moreover, a sustained studying approach allows you to modify your study plan to bolster areas of personal weakness. Organize your materials to make sure you do a comprehensive review of all the subjects on the exam. Even areas of personal strength should be covered.

In the days leading up to the exam, prepare yourself mentally and physically. Good nutrition can improve intellectual performance. Exercise is a proven complement to concentration and alertness. Steady sleep habits will ease anxiety and increase alertness. Knowing where the exam site is can ensure you will not be late and can relax the morning of the test. Common sense rules like these can complement your performance.

Finally, keep in mind that the test can be taken again. There is no stigma attached to failure. In fact, if test taking is not your forte, taking the test several times will increase your familiarity with the test and the question types. This can only improve your chances on subsequent attempts. Once you have your license there is little to fret over or regret. Your license will not say how many times it took you to pass.

Test Anxiety

There are several standardized exams a real estate professional must pass before becoming licensed. There are, of course, the SAT, the ACT, and maybe the GRE, exams candidates for licensure have taken in pursuit of their real estate degree. In addition, there are all the non-standardized exams they have managed to get through during the course of a lifetime of education. The licensure exam should not be a particularly daunting obstacle. Many people, however, suffer from test anxiety to one degree or another and might fear choking on the licensure exam, which can delay or destroy their career aspirations. There are ways to overcome the stress that accompanies test taking.

Test anxiety is defined as an irrational amount of stress and fear over an upcoming test.

Students who feel anxious because they have not prepared for an exam are not suffering from test anxiety. Their stress is rational and based on a probable outcome. Test anxiety is fear of failure divorced from past results or amount of effort put into studying. It can affect a student’s sleeping habits, ability to concentrate, and, ultimately, ability to succeed on the test.

The first key to defeating test anxiety is knowing the test.

Familiarity with the licensure exam for your state and specialty is easy to acquire. There are a variety of practice tests available online and in publications available at libraries and bookstores. Visualizing the day of the test and treating practice exams like real events can help on the test day itself. Knowing what to expect in terms of time limits and breaks will create a sense of comfort with the test day. Even driving to the test site beforehand will ease fears of arriving late or getting lost.

Because being prepared will help offset the negative effects of test anxiety, it is important to study in an organized manner. Instead of cramming all the material at one time, students should prepare a schedule of information and calmly digest it over a matter of months. Students who suffer from test anxiety should allow themselves extra time to prepare for the test.

Students should follow some common sense rules for the time leading up to the test. Good nutrition, exercise, and regular sleep are all cures for anxiety. A regular routine established in the week leading up to the test can ease the worries of a test taker, as test day is just like any other day.

For extreme cases of test anxiety, professional help is available. Many schools have counselors and professionals who can help students manage their stress. Returning to your alma mater to receive such help is a good idea for those who cannot overcome the panic associated with tests by themselves. Stress management is also available from therapists in private practice. It might be worth the cost of therapy, as life is full of tests and your licensure exam might not be your last.