Passing the Arizona real estate exam is a major milestone on your path to becoming a licensed agent. This guide covers everything you need to know about preparing for exam day—from logistics and what to bring, to how the test works and what to expect afterward.
Step 1: Pre-Exam Requirements and Scheduling
Before you can take the exam, you’ll need to:
Complete a 90-hour pre-licensing course from an ADRE-approved provider
Pass your school’s final exam
Receive your certificate of completion, which you’ll need to schedule the state exam
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll book your exam through Pearson VUE, Arizona’s official testing partner.
Where to schedule: Pearson VUE – Arizona Real Estate
Fee: $75, payable when you book
Test locations: Chandler, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma
For a full breakdown of Arizona licensing requirements, see How to Get Your Real Estate License in Arizona.
Step 2: What to Bring on Exam Day
Pearson VUE testing centers follow strict ID and security policies. Bring only the essentials:
Required Items
Two valid forms of identification
Primary ID: Government-issued, with a photo and signature (e.g., driver’s license, passport)
Secondary ID: Must include your signature (e.g., Social Security card or signed debit/credit card)
A basic calculator
Must be silent, non-programmable, and free of alphabetic keys
Prohibited Items
You’ll be asked to store the following items in a locker before entering the testing room:
Phones and smartwatches
Bags, wallets, and purses
Food, drinks, and gum
Study materials or notes
Non-religious headwear
Step 3: Exam Day Timeline
Understanding the exam-day process can help ease nerves and avoid surprises. Here’s what happens:
1. Arrive Early
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Late arrivals may be turned away and required to reschedule.
2. Check In
You’ll present your IDs, sign a Candidate Rules Agreement, and receive a locker to store your personal belongings.
3. Security Screening
You’ll be asked to empty your pockets and may be required to roll up your sleeves or show your ankles. This is standard procedure to maintain test integrity.
4. Biometric Verification
The test administrator will take a digital photo and may collect a signature or palm vein scan for identification purposes.
5. Enter the Testing Room
Once verified, you’ll be escorted to a computer station. A short tutorial will show you how the system works. After that, your timer begins.
Step 4: Understanding the Exam Structure
The Arizona Real Estate Salesperson Exam is computer-based and consists of:
195 multiple-choice questions total
180 scored questions
15 unscored “pretest” questions randomly distributed
Time limit: 300 minutes (5 hours)
Question Categories
National portion: General topics like property ownership, contracts, financing, and agency
Arizona portion: State-specific laws, licensing requirements, and ADRE regulations
You won’t know which questions are pretest, so take every question seriously.
Step 5: Scoring and Results
To pass, you’ll need a scaled score of 75% or higher. Scaled scoring ensures fairness across multiple exam versions with varying levels of difficulty.
You’ll see your result—pass or fail—immediately after completing the exam, and you’ll receive a printed score report on-site.
If You Pass
You’ll receive the Salesperson License Application and instructions for the next step. You have one year to submit your application, which includes:
Fingerprint clearance
Background check
Proof of completed education and passing score
Once approved, the ADRE will issue your real estate license number.
If You Don’t Pass
If you don’t pass on your first try, you’re not alone. Many candidates need multiple attempts. Your score report will outline how you performed in each content category so you can refocus your study time where it matters most.
You can retake the exam after 24 hours, and there’s no limit on the number of attempts within your one-year eligibility window. Each retake costs $75.
If you don’t pass twice, you may qualify for a 30-minute review session to view the questions you answered incorrectly. No note-taking is allowed, and the session must be scheduled within 14 days of your second failed attempt.
For additional support, including practice exams and test-taking strategies, explore the full real estate exam prep program from AceableAgent.
Test Day Strategies for Success
Passing the exam requires more than memorization—it’s about mindset and pacing too. Use these tips to stay calm and focused.
The Day Before
Don’t cram—do a light review of your weak areas
Pack your IDs and calculator ahead of time
Get a full night’s sleep
The Morning Of
Eat a high-protein, low-sugar breakfast
Arrive early to avoid unnecessary stress
Stay positive—you’ve prepared for this
During the Exam
Use the flag feature to revisit tough questions
Keep an eye on the timer—about 90 seconds per question
Eliminate obviously incorrect choices
Don’t overthink—your first instinct is often correct
Practice & Review Checklist
In the final week before your exam, it’s a good idea to work through a few Arizona-specific sample questions to check your understanding and build confidence. Use your performance to guide any last-minute review.
The Week Before
Confirm exam date, time, and location
Prepare your required IDs and materials
Take at least one full-length timed practice test
Review topics that appeared most challenging
The Day Before
Do a brief review of your weakest topic areas
Pack everything you need and set your alarm early
Get a full night of rest
The Morning Of
Eat a balanced breakfast
Arrive 30–45 minutes early
Walk in confident and prepared
Test Your Knowledge Before Exam Day
Want to see how ready you are? A quick practice test is a great way to check your understanding and get into the test-day mindset.
The following sample questions are similar to what you’ll see on the Arizona real estate exam. Take a few minutes to work through them and assess where you feel confident—and where you may need a little more review before the big day.