Massachusetts Real Estate Practice Exam
(Free Questions & Answers)
The Massachusetts real estate exam is administered by the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons and requires only 40 hours of pre-license education — one of the shortest requirements in the country. Massachusetts requires a licensed attorney to conduct real estate closings, which shapes how agency and escrow questions are presented. The state portion focuses on Massachusetts buyer representation disclosure (required before showing property), Chapter 21E environmental liability disclosure, and Massachusetts fair housing protections.
Administered by: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons · 120 questions · Passing score: 70%
Start Free Practice Exam →No credit card · No signup · Instant access
Massachusetts Exam Study Resources
Everything you need to pass — in one place.
Free Massachusetts Real Estate Practice Exam Questions
Test your knowledge with these Massachusetts real estate practice questions. Each question is based on topics from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons exam and includes detailed explanations.
Q1. Which agency regulates real estate licenses in Massachusetts?
Explanation
The Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, operating under the Division of Professional Licensure, is the Massachusetts agency that licenses and regulates real estate professionals.
Q2. Massachusetts law requires buyer agents to provide buyers with a written agency disclosure:
Explanation
Massachusetts mandates that licensees provide the 'Massachusetts Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Relationship Disclosure' at the time of first substantive contact with a prospective buyer or seller.
Q3. In Massachusetts, a real estate purchase and sale agreement is typically executed:
Explanation
Massachusetts real estate practice commonly uses a two-step process: first an Offer to Purchase, then a more formal Purchase and Sale Agreement (P&S) is executed after the offer is accepted and due diligence is completed.
Q4. A Massachusetts buyer obtains a $350,000 mortgage at 6.5% interest. What is the approximate first month's interest payment?
Explanation
Monthly interest = Principal × Annual rate ÷ 12 = $350,000 × 0.065 ÷ 12 = $350,000 × 0.005417 = $1,896 (approximately). This is the interest-only portion of the first payment.
Q5. In Massachusetts, when two or more persons hold title as joint tenants with right of survivorship, upon the death of one owner:
Explanation
In joint tenancy with right of survivorship, a deceased co-owner's interest passes automatically to the surviving co-owners, bypassing probate.
Q6. Which appraisal approach is most appropriate for valuing a single-family residence in a neighborhood with many recent sales?
Explanation
The sales comparison approach (market data approach) is the most appropriate method for valuing residential properties because it directly reflects what buyers are willing to pay based on recent comparable sales.
Q7. The federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination based on all of the following EXCEPT:
Explanation
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. Sexual orientation is NOT a federally protected class under the FHA, although Massachusetts state law does protect it.
Q8. In Massachusetts, an attorney must typically be present at a real estate closing because:
Explanation
Massachusetts is an attorney-state for real estate closings. A licensed attorney must conduct the closing, examine the title, and certify that the seller has good and marketable title.
Q9. A home sells for $525,000. The buyer pays a 20% down payment and finances the rest. The lender charges 1.5 discount points on the loan. How much will the buyer pay in discount points?
Explanation
Loan amount = $525,000 × 80% = $420,000. Each point = 1% of the loan. 1.5 points = 1.5% × $420,000 = $6,300.
Q10. Massachusetts requires the deleading of residential properties built before 1978 when:
Explanation
Under Massachusetts lead paint law (M.G.L. c. 111, §197), owners of pre-1978 properties where a child under age 6 lives must delead or bring lead paint to a lower-risk condition.
Q11. In Massachusetts, the primary tool used by cities and towns to regulate land use is:
Explanation
Massachusetts cities and towns regulate land use primarily through zoning bylaws or ordinances adopted under M.G.L. c. 40A, the Zoning Act, which establishes permitted uses and dimensional standards for each zoning district.
Q12. A property manager in Massachusetts who collects rents and negotiates leases for multiple owners must:
Explanation
In Massachusetts, activities such as leasing, renting, managing, and collecting rents for others for compensation constitute real estate brokerage and require a real estate license.
1,500+ questions · Timed mock exams · Detailed explanations
Massachusetts Real Estate Exam — What to Expect
What Is On The Massachusetts Real Estate Exam?
The Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam is administered by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons and tests both national real estate principles and Massachusetts-specific laws and regulations. The exam contains 120 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 Massachusetts — including regulations set by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, Massachusetts agency disclosure requirements, and state-specific contract and closing practices.
Topics covered on the Massachusetts exam include: Property Ownership, Agency Law, Contracts, Finance, Massachusetts License Law. Candidates who struggle on the MA exam typically underestimate the state-specific portion — the national content is well-covered by most study materials, but Massachusetts law questions require targeted preparation.
How Many Questions Are On The Massachusetts Exam?
The Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam has 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into a national section covering general real estate principles and a state section covering Massachusetts-specific laws administered by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. You have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Massachusetts Real Estate Exam Passing Score
You need a 70% to pass the Massachusetts real estate exam. The first-time pass rate in Massachusetts is approximately 55%, which means preparation is essential — most candidates who fail do so because they focused on national content and underestimated the MA-specific portion. Our Massachusetts practice exam is built specifically around the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons exam outline.
Most Difficult Topics On The Massachusetts Exam
These are the areas where Massachusetts candidates most commonly lose points.
Massachusetts requires a licensed attorney to conduct real estate closings. Understanding the attorney's role in title examination, closing procedures, and how this differs from escrow states is critical for the MA state exam.
The Massachusetts Board's specific requirements — including the 40-hour pre-license course (one of the shortest in the country) and the continuing education mandates — are tested on the state portion.
Massachusetts requires disclosure of buyer representation before showing any property. The timing, content, and form of this disclosure under Massachusetts law are tested on the state exam.
Massachusetts Chapter 21E governs environmental contamination liability and disclosure. Questions on when Chapter 21E requires disclosure, who bears liability, and buyer protections are specific to Massachusetts and appear on the state exam.
Massachusetts Real Estate Math
The Massachusetts 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 MA 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.
How To Get Your Massachusetts Real Estate License
- 1Complete 40 hours of state-approved pre-license education covering topics required by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.
- 2Submit your application to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons and pay the required fees (exam fee: $54).
- 3Pass the Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam (120 questions, 70% to pass).
- 4Complete a background check and fingerprinting as required by Massachusetts law.
- 5Find a licensed sponsoring/employing broker to activate your license.
- 6Complete any required post-licensing education within the timeframe set by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.
Best Study Strategy For The Massachusetts Exam
Start with Massachusetts license law first. State-specific regulations administered by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons make up a significant portion of the MA exam and are not covered in most national study materials.
Master the math early. The Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts exam has 120 questions within a 3 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 MA exam. Understand the difference between seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agent, and transaction broker in the context of Massachusetts law.
Review Fair Housing thoroughly. Federal Fair Housing Act protections apply in all states, but Massachusetts may have additional protected classes. Know both federal and Massachusetts-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.
Massachusetts Real Estate Exam — Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to practice? Start free.
Join thousands of Massachusetts students who used our practice exam to pass on their first try.