Are you getting ready to start your real estate career in Washington? Before you can sell homes, you’ll have to pass the Washington real estate exam and get licensed. If you're feeling a bit nervous about it, we've got your back. Here are some tips to help you ace the Washington real estate exam so you can start this exciting new chapter in your life asap!
What Might Show Up on the Washington Real Estate Exam?
The Washington real estate exam has two parts — national and state. However, the questions from both sections are all mixed together, so you’ll answer them at the same time.
The national part of the test consists of 100 multiple choice questions on a wide range of topics, including:
Real property
Real estate calculations like commission and the loan-to-value ratio
Leases, property management, and tenants’ rights
Marketing regulations including fair housing laws
Financing instruments and types of loans
Agency relationships
The state section of the exam features 30 multiple choice questions on a smaller number of subjects:
Licensing requirements
Washington-specific statutes and rules
Closing and settlement
Managing brokerage relationships
You’ll have 3.5 hours to complete your exam and answer all the state and national questions. Then, your test will be scored right after you complete it, so you’ll leave knowing your results. To pass, you need to score at least 70% on both sections of the test.
How Can You Prepare for the Washington Real Estate Exam?
The best way to prepare for the real estate exam is to enroll in a pre-licensing course. Washington requires you to complete 90 hours of education before you can get your license. But not all real estate classes are created equal, so make sure you choose one that’s well-designed and state-approved.
At Aceable Real Estate School, our online class meets WA requirements and breaks down the information you need to know in a fun way that's easy to digest. It also comes with practice tests to reinforce the material you’ve learned.
Further, while you’re taking your course, it can be helpful to write down notes that you can reference later when studying for the exam. You can also make flashcards to help you remember important real estate terms and facts.
Tips on What to Do During the Washington Real Estate Exam
Even if you’re prepared, taking a big test can be anxiety-inducing. But there are some test-taking strategies you can use to lower your stress levels and perform better on exam day.
Skip hard questions: Instead of answering all the questions in order, skip over ones you’re not sure about. Your computer will have a bookmark function that makes it easier to come back to certain questions later.
Build your confidence: Answering the questions you know first will help build your confidence so you can tackle the more challenging material. Your subconscious will also be able to work on the tough questions in the background while you complete the rest of the exam.
Look for context: If you get stuck on a question, go back and look at related questions throughout the test. They may have information that can help you answer the one you’re having difficulty with.
Finally, if you have trouble remembering something, try visualizing yourself in the place where you learned the material. Although this exercise may seem silly, experts say it can actually help improve your recall!
Get your WA Real Estate License
It’s normal to have some anxiety about taking the Washington real estate exam. But with the right preparation, you’ll be able to go into test day feeling confident. Our pre-licensing course at Aceable Real Estate School can take the guesswork out of studying for your exam. It covers everything you need to know to ace the test in a way that’s fun and easy to understand. Sign up today to start your career in real estate!