Arkansas Real Estate Practice Exam
(Free Questions & Answers)
The Arkansas real estate exam is administered by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) and places heavy emphasis on commission rules around broker supervision, advertising standards, and trust account management. Arkansas is also known for its oil and gas question bank — the state has active mineral rights activity in the Fayetteville Shale region, and questions on severed mineral interests, surface rights, and royalty agreements appear regularly on the state portion.
Administered by: Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) · 110 questions · Passing score: 70%
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Updated May 2026 · Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) exam outline
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Free Arkansas Real Estate Practice Exam Questions
Test your knowledge with these Arkansas real estate practice questions. Each question is based on topics from the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) exam and includes detailed explanations.
Q1. Which state agency is responsible for regulating real estate licensees in Arkansas?
Explanation
The Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) is the state agency that regulates real estate licensees, enforces license law, and protects the public in Arkansas.
Q2. In a traditional seller agency relationship, the licensee's fiduciary duties run primarily to:
Explanation
In a seller agency relationship, the broker and their licensees are the fiduciary agents of the seller, meaning their primary duties — loyalty, confidentiality, obedience, disclosure, accounting, and reasonable care — are owed to the seller.
Q3. Under Arkansas's Statute of Frauds, real estate purchase contracts must be:
Explanation
The Statute of Frauds requires real estate contracts to be in writing and signed by the parties to be enforceable. Oral real estate contracts are not enforceable in Arkansas.
Q4. Arkansas is a 'lien theory' state. This means that when a borrower takes out a mortgage:
Explanation
In a lien theory state like Arkansas, the borrower retains legal title to the property. The lender does not hold title — instead, the mortgage creates a lien (security interest) on the property until the loan is paid off.
Q5. In Arkansas, a homestead exemption may reduce a property's assessed value for tax purposes by up to:
Explanation
Arkansas allows a homestead exemption of up to $2,500 off the assessed value of a qualifying owner-occupied primary residence, reducing the property tax burden.
Q6. Which appraisal approach estimates value by analyzing recent sales of comparable properties?
Explanation
The sales comparison approach (also called the market data approach) estimates a property's value by comparing it to recently sold similar properties in the same market, making adjustments for differences.
Q7. The Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination based on which protected classes?
Explanation
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on 7 protected classes: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability (handicap). Additional classes may be protected at the state or local level.
Q8. Title insurance protects against:
Explanation
Title insurance protects the policyholder against losses arising from defects in title that existed before (and were undiscovered at) the time the policy was issued — such as prior liens, forged documents, or undisclosed heirs.
Q9. A property sells for $175,000. The commission rate is 6%. The listing broker and selling broker split the commission 50/50. How much does each broker receive?
Explanation
Total commission = $175,000 × 0.06 = $10,500. Split 50/50: $10,500 ÷ 2 = $5,250 each. To solve this, multiply the relevant values: $175,000 at 6%.. The correct answer is $5,250.. This is a common calculation on the Arkansas real estate exam.
Q10. A property owner wants to use their residentially zoned land for a small office. They apply for and receive approval for a use that doesn't conform to current zoning. This is called a:
Explanation
A variance is official permission granted by a zoning board to deviate from current zoning requirements due to unique hardship. A conditional use permit allows a use that is not standard in the zone but is permitted under specific conditions.
Q11. Federal law requires that sellers of residential property built before 1978 disclose:
Explanation
The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X) requires sellers and landlords of pre-1978 housing to disclose known lead-based paint hazards and provide the EPA pamphlet 'Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.' Buyers receive a 10-day period to conduct a lead inspection.
Q12. How many hours of pre-license education must an applicant complete before sitting for the Arkansas salesperson exam?
Explanation
Arkansas requires 60 hours of approved pre-license education for salesperson applicants before they are eligible to take the state licensing exam.
Q13. Which type of agency allows a single broker or brokerage to represent both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction?
Explanation
Dual agency occurs when a broker (or brokerage) represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction. In Arkansas, dual agency is permitted only with written informed consent from all parties.
Q14. Which of the following is NOT an essential element of a valid real estate contract?
Explanation
Notarization is not required for a real estate contract to be valid (though it is required for deed recording). The essential elements are: offer and acceptance, consideration, legal capacity, legal purpose, and in Arkansas, written form.
Q15. Arkansas uses which security instruments to secure a real estate loan?
Explanation
Arkansas uses both mortgages and deeds of trust as security instruments for real estate loans. Deeds of trust involve three parties: borrower (trustor), lender (beneficiary), and a neutral trustee.
Q16. Two unmarried people purchase a property together with equal, undivided interests and the right of survivorship. They hold title as:
Explanation
Joint tenancy includes the right of survivorship — when one owner dies, their interest passes automatically to the surviving co-owner(s) without going through probate.
Q17. The cost approach to value is MOST appropriate for appraising:
Explanation
The cost approach is most useful for special-purpose properties (churches, schools, government buildings) where there are few comparable sales, or for new construction. It estimates value as land value plus depreciated cost of improvements.
Q18. Steering is an illegal fair housing practice that involves:
Explanation
Steering is the illegal practice of guiding (steering) buyers or renters toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race, religion, or other protected characteristics.
Q19. A lender's title insurance policy protects:
Explanation
A lender's (mortgagee's) title insurance policy protects the lender up to the outstanding loan amount if a title defect emerges. It does not protect the buyer's equity; a separate owner's policy is needed for that.
Q20. A seller wants to net $150,000 after paying a 6% commission. What must the property sell for?
Explanation
Net = Sale Price × (1 − commission rate). $150,000 = Sale Price × 0.94. Sale Price = $150,000 ÷ 0.94 = $159,574 (rounded to the nearest dollar).
Q21. A property that was legally built before a zoning ordinance changed and now does not conform to current zoning is known as a:
Explanation
A legal nonconforming use (also called a grandfathered use) is a property use that predates current zoning regulations and is allowed to continue even though it no longer conforms, typically subject to the condition that it not be expanded or rebuilt if destroyed.
Q22. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that enters buildings through foundation cracks. The EPA action level at which mitigation is recommended is:
Explanation
The EPA recommends mitigating radon when levels reach 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or higher. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Q23. The Arkansas real estate licensing exam consists of how many questions, and what is the time limit?
Explanation
The Arkansas real estate exam has 130 questions with a 4-hour time limit. Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher.
Q24. Which of the following is NOT a fiduciary duty owed by an agent to their client?
Explanation
Full disclosure to the opposing party is not a fiduciary duty — in fact, an agent must protect confidential information about their client. Fiduciary duties include loyalty, obedience (to lawful instructions), confidentiality, disclosure (to the client), accounting, and reasonable care.
Q25. A buyer submits an offer with an earnest money deposit. The seller makes a counteroffer changing the closing date. The original offer is now:
Explanation
A counteroffer legally rejects the original offer and creates a new offer. The original offer is extinguished; the buyer is now free to accept, reject, or counter the seller's new proposal.
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Arkansas Real Estate Exam — What to Expect
What Is On The Arkansas Real Estate Exam?
The Arkansas real estate salesperson exam is administered by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) and tests both national real estate principles and Arkansas-specific laws and regulations. The exam contains 110 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 70% to pass.
The national portion covers topics that apply in every state: property ownership, land use controls, valuation and market analysis, financing, agency law, contracts, leasing and property management, transfer of title, fair housing laws, and real estate calculations. The state portion tests knowledge specific to Arkansas — including regulations set by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC), Arkansas agency disclosure requirements, and state-specific contract and closing practices.
Topics covered on the Arkansas exam include: Property Ownership, Agency Law, Contracts, Finance, Arkansas License Law. Candidates who struggle on the AR exam typically underestimate the state-specific portion — the national content is well-covered by most study materials, but Arkansas law questions require targeted preparation.
Official Arkansas Exam Content Areas
Source: Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) · Updated June 2026
| Content Area | Questions |
|---|---|
| Property Ownership | 6 |
| Land Use Controls and Regulations | 4 |
| Valuation and Market Analysis | 6 |
| Financing | 8 |
| General Principles of Agency | 10 |
| Property Disclosures | 5 |
| Contracts | 14 |
| Leasing and Property Management | 2 |
| Transfer of Title | 6 |
| Practices of Real Estate | 11 |
| Real Estate Calculations | 8 |
| Arkansas State Section (AREC regulations, licensing, Arkansas-specific license law) | 30 scored |
- ▸Administered by Pearson VUE; national and state sections registered and scored separately
- ▸Passing score is a scaled 70 (on a 0–100 scale) for both sections
- ▸As of August 2024, the Arkansas state section was reduced from 40 to 30 scored questions — older prep materials showing 40 state questions are outdated
- ▸National section question counts are from the official Pearson VUE content outline (pub. #099913, effective August 2024)
- ▸Source: Pearson VUE Arkansas Candidate Handbook (July 2024, pub. #090400) and AREC (arec.arkansas.gov)
Practice Arkansas questions by topic — start with Arkansas License Law, Agency, and Contracts to build your foundation, then work through remaining topics.
How Many Questions Are On The Arkansas Exam?
The Arkansas real estate salesperson exam has 110 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into a national section covering general real estate principles and a state section covering Arkansas-specific laws administered by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC). You have 4 hours to complete the exam.
Arkansas Real Estate Exam Passing Score
You need a 70% to pass the Arkansas real estate exam. The first-time pass rate in Arkansas is approximately 58%, which means preparation is essential — most candidates who fail do so because they focused on national content and underestimated the AR-specific portion. Our Arkansas practice exam is built specifically around the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) exam outline.
Read our complete Arkansas exam study guide — state-specific topics, 5-week study plan, and what to focus on before exam day.
Most Difficult Topics On The Arkansas Exam
These are the areas where Arkansas candidates most commonly lose points — and a key reason why some states produce harder real estate exams than others.
Arkansas Real Estate Commission rules on broker supervision, continuing education, and license renewal have specific timeframes and requirements that differ from national standards and are heavily tested.
Arkansas's Fayetteville Shale activity means mineral rights, surface rights, and royalty agreements are frequently tested. Candidates who studied only national material often have no framework for these questions.
Arkansas has specific requirements around agency disclosure timing, content, and form. The point at which disclosure is required and what must be disclosed under Arkansas law trips up many candidates.
AREC's advertising standards — including what must be included in all advertising and what constitutes a misleading advertisement — are specifically tested areas where candidates lose points.
Arkansas Real Estate Math
The Arkansas real estate exam includes math questions covering commission calculations, loan-to-value (LTV) ratios, property tax prorations, area and volume, and appreciation/depreciation. A common example: if a property sells for $350,000 and the total commission is 6%, split equally between listing and buyer's broker, each side earns $10,500. Proration questions — such as calculating how many days of property taxes a seller owes at closing — are also common. On the AR exam, you will not need a calculator for most math questions, but you do need to understand the formulas. Practice the "T-bar" method for commission splits and the 360-day banker's year for prorations.
🧮 See all exam math formulas →How To Get Your Arkansas Real Estate License
- 1Complete 60 hours of state-approved pre-license education covering topics required by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC).
- 2Submit your application to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) and pay the required fees (exam fee: $75).
- 3Pass the Arkansas real estate salesperson exam (110 questions, 70% to pass).
- 4Complete a background check and fingerprinting as required by Arkansas law.
- 5Find a licensed sponsoring/employing broker to activate your license.
- 6Complete any required post-licensing education within the timeframe set by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC).
Best Study Strategy For The Arkansas Exam
Start with Arkansas license law first. State-specific regulations administered by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) make up a significant portion of the AR exam and are not covered in most national study materials.
Master the math early. The Arkansas real estate exam includes questions on commission calculations, prorations, loan-to-value ratios, and area calculations. Set aside dedicated math practice sessions — don't leave it until the last week.
Take timed practice exams. The Arkansas exam has 110 questions within a 4 hours time limit. Simulate exam conditions to build stamina and identify weak topics before exam day.
Focus heavily on agency law. Agency relationships, disclosure requirements, and fiduciary duties are consistently among the most-tested topics on the AR exam. Understand the difference between seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agent, and transaction broker in the context of Arkansas law.
Review Fair Housing thoroughly. Federal Fair Housing Act protections apply in all states, but Arkansas may have additional protected classes. Know both federal and Arkansas-specific protections cold — this topic appears on virtually every exam.
Use active recall, not passive reading. Instead of re-reading notes, quiz yourself. Use flashcards or practice questions to test retention. Research shows active recall improves long-term retention significantly compared to passive review.
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