South Dakota Real Estate Exam Pass Rate (2025)
South Dakota's exam has a ~60% first-attempt pass rate. Here's why candidates fail and how to prepare.
South Dakota's salesperson exam has a first-attempt pass rate of approximately 60%.
The Numbers - **First-attempt pass rate**: ~60% - **Passing score**: 70% (84/120) - **Total questions**: 120 (80 national + 40 state) - **Time allowed**: 3 hours - **Administered by**: PSI
Why Candidates Fail
Post-license education requirement: SD's 40+76 hour structure confuses candidates. The 40 hours gets you to the exam, but you must complete 76 more hours within your first year. Exam questions test this unusual structure.
SDCL Chapter 36-21A specifics: Commission composition, violations, and specific licensing rules are all tested in the state section.
No transfer tax: While the absence of a transfer tax is simple, candidates sometimes guess that SD has one. Knowing which states have no transfer tax (SD, Montana, and a few others) is tested.
How to Prepare 1. Know the 40+76 hour education structure cold 2. Know SDREC (5 members) and SDCL Chapter 36-21A 3. Know that SD has no state transfer tax (and no state income tax — context for buyers) 4. Score 78%+ on practice exams before scheduling
[Practice South Dakota questions at CARealestate.com/states/south-dakota](https://carealestate.com/states/south-dakota)
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