Texas Real Estate Exam Day: What to Expect

The Texas real estate exam is administered by Pearson VUE. Here's what to expect at the testing center.

What to Bring

- Two government-issued IDs with your legal name matching your registration - One must have a photo - Both must have your signature - Acceptable: driver's license, passport, military ID, state ID - Confirmation number from Pearson VUE

Do not bring: study materials, phones, calculators, watches. All personal items go in a locker provided by the testing center.

The Two-Section Format

The Texas exam has two sections — you can take them together in one sitting or separately:

National Section: - 85 questions - 150 minutes (2.5 hours) - Passing: 56 correct (66%)

State Section: - 65 questions - 90 minutes - Passing: 53 correct (81%)

If taken together, you get a combined 4 hours (usually managed as one block). You can take a short break between sections.

If you fail one section and pass the other, you only retake the failed section — you don't lose your passing score on the section you passed.

At the Testing Center

Arrive 30 minutes early
Check in with ID
Palm scan or fingerprint for identity verification
Personal items stored in locker
Seated at computer workstation with scratch paper/pencil
Onscreen calculator available — no personal calculators

Pacing

National section: 150 minutes for 85 questions = 1:45 per question. Comfortable.
State section: 90 minutes for 65 questions = 1:23 per question. Still comfortable.

Use the flag function to mark questions you're unsure about and return to them. Most candidates finish both sections with 20-40 minutes to spare.

Score Reporting

Your score appears on screen immediately after you submit. You'll see PASS or FAIL for each section, plus your score.

For any failed section, the score report shows which content areas to strengthen. Study that report carefully before retaking.

If You Fail

No mandatory waiting period — reschedule when ready
Retake fee: $43 (national) or $30 (state)
You can retake each section independently
Review your section score breakdown from the fail report

Exam Strategy

National section priorities: Financing (TRID, loan types, LTV), valuation (cap rate formula), agency, fair housing.

State section priorities: TREC rules, intermediary relationship, promulgated contract forms, DTPA, option period, disclosure requirements.

On any question you don't know: eliminate obviously wrong answers, then choose the answer that best protects consumers and upholds professional standards — TREC exam questions consistently favor license holder accountability.

[Take a full practice exam at CARealestate.com/states/texas](https://carealestate.com/states/texas)