Exam format

The Texas real estate sales agent exam is a closed-book, computer-based licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE. It has two separately-scored portions and you must pass both. Pearson VUE’s handbook lists the combined sales appointment as 125 total items in 4 hours, with 120 scored items: 80 National/General and 40 Texas State Law. In the content outlines, the national portion shows 80 scored plus 5 pretest items (85 total), and the Texas state portion shows 40 scored plus 10 pretest items (50 total). Pretest items are mixed in and not identified, so answer every one. Pearson lists the appointment total and the outline breakdown in separate documents, so the 125 does not equal the portion subtotals exactly. The exam covers 14 content areas (8 national + 6 Texas state). For a section-by-section breakdown, see the Texas exam format guide or how hard the exam is.

01Use the weights

Brokerage, contracts, mortgages, property rights, and appraisal deserve more time than one-question topics.

02Separate math

Computation points are easier to save when formulas, units, and setup are drilled outside mixed practice.

03Simulate timing

The national portion gives you 150 minutes. That is generous only if you flag stalled questions and keep clean points moving.

  • Question format: multiple-choice questions based on Texas real estate law, principles, practice, and mathematics, split into a national and a Texas state portion.
  • Time: the national portion allows 150 minutes, the Texas state portion allows 90 minutes, and candidates taking both portions have 240 minutes total.
  • Passing score: sales agent candidates must answer at least 56 National questions and 28 State questions correctly. You must pass both portions.
  • Testing location: Texas candidates take the examination in a physical Pearson VUE test center.
  • Exam result: candidates receive an official, photo-bearing result report immediately after the exam. Check it before leaving the test center.
The practical read

This is not a trivia exam. A large share of points comes from applying a rule to a situation. When your study plan is mostly passive reading, you may recognize terms but still miss the question under timed pressure.

What to study first

Pearson VUE publishes the official Texas content outline in 14 weighted areas across the national and Texas state portions. The table below converts each percentage into approximate question counts so you can decide where your next study hour should go.

First repairContracts and agency, Texas agency and intermediary
Then stabilizeProperty characteristics, value and appraisal, practice, ownership and title
Then protectMath, disclosures, standards of conduct, TREC duties, licensing
#
Topic and next action
Priority
~Qs
Weight
01
Real Estate Contracts and Agency
Contract validity, classification, breach remedies, agency creation and duties
Start here. The heaviest national topic. Drill contract classification, breach remedies, and agency scenarios until the rule triggers feel automatic.
Critical
16
13%
02
Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions & Property Use
Physical and legal characteristics, legal descriptions, encumbrances, land use
Build a vocabulary map for estates, encumbrances, and legal-description methods, then test scenarios.
Critical
11
9%
03
Property Value and Appraisal
Approaches to value, adjustments, depreciation, income value logic
Pair method recognition with math setup. The exam often tests which approach fits the property.
Critical
11
9%
04
Real Estate Practice
Listings, advertising, commissions, fair housing, brokerage operations
Drill listings, advertising, commissions, and fair-housing scenarios until the rule triggers feel automatic.
High
10
8%
05
Forms of Ownership, Transfer & Recording of Title
Estates, co-ownership, deeds, title, recording, notice, transfer
Make a deed and title vocabulary map, then test voluntary vs. involuntary transfer scenarios.
High
9
8%
06
Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues
Seller disclosures, environmental hazards, lead-based paint, material facts
Study disclosure triggers and environmental-hazard language in short, repeated passes.
High
9
8%
07
Financing and Settlement
Notes, mortgages, loan programs, foreclosure, federal lending and settlement rules
Separate note, mortgage, foreclosure, and loan-program vocabulary before timed practice.
Core
7
6%
08
Real Estate Math Calculations
Commission, proration, area, loan-to-value, capitalization, closing math
Use math drills until the setup is faster than the arithmetic.
Core
7
6%
09
Commission Duties and Powers (TREC)
TREC structure, rulemaking authority, investigations, enforcement
Small weight, but easy points if you know TREC structure and its rulemaking and enforcement authority.
Support
3
3%
10
Licensing
Eligibility, education, application, renewal, and license status under TRELA
Memorize eligibility, education, application, and renewal rules with Texas-specific TRELA wording.
Support
3
3%
11
Standards of Conduct
Trust account handling, advertising, deceptive practices, ethical duties
Focus on trust account handling, advertising rules, and what each ethical or deceptive-practice term means.
High
9
8%
12
Agency / Brokerage (Texas)
Intermediary, agency relationships, the IABS disclosure, brokerage duties
Highest-weight Texas topic. Use scenario drills on intermediary status, agency duties, and the IABS disclosure.
Critical
11
9%
13
Contracts (Texas Promulgated Forms)
TREC promulgated forms, addenda, completion rules, contingencies
Know the TREC promulgated forms, common addenda, and completion rules cold.
High
9
8%
14
Special Topics (Texas Law)
Property tax, homestead, special Texas statutes and disclosures
Learn the Texas-specific statutes, property tax, and homestead language, then keep it alive in mixed practice.
Support
5
4%

How scoring works

The Texas exam is scored as two separate portions, and you must pass both. You need at least 56 correct answers out of 80 scored National items and at least 28 correct answers out of 40 scored Texas State Law items. Passing one portion does not make up for failing the other. Every answer matters, so there is no reason to leave a question blank.

90 to 100
Strong command
PASS
80 to 89
Ready, with review room
PASS
70 to 79
Passing, but close
PASS
0 to 69
Below the cut score
RETAKE

If you do not pass a portion, use any topic-level or performance information your result report provides. Then build your next plan around the weak topics in the portion you failed, not around rereading the entire course from page one.

Booking your exam

Candidates must apply to TREC for license eligibility before making an exam reservation. Once you are authorized, you can schedule through Pearson VUE online or by phone, subject to availability.

  1. Complete the required 180 classroom hours of Texas qualifying education: Principles I, Principles II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms, and Real Estate Finance. For the full licensing path, see how to get your Texas real estate license.
  2. Submit the TREC application and complete the required fingerprinting and background check process.
  3. Wait for authorization from TREC and Pearson VUE before trying to reserve an exam seat.
  4. Create or log into your Pearson VUE account using your legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID.
  5. Pick a physical test center and appointment time, then check the change or cancellation deadline. Pearson VUE requires at least 48 hours of notice to change or cancel without forfeiting the fee.
Do not treat booking as studying

A test date creates urgency, but it does not create readiness. If your timed mixed practice is not close to passing, use the readiness calculator or try five questions before spending another exam fee.

Exam day

The official instructions are strict because the exam is secure. Plan your morning around admission, not just the first question.

  • Arrival: report 30 minutes before the scheduled exam time.
  • Identification: bring two valid signature IDs. One must be government-issued and match the name used for licensure.
  • Calculator: Pearson VUE recommends bringing a calculator, since the test center does not provide one. Acceptable calculators are hand-held, battery or solar-powered financial calculators used in real estate, finance, accounting, and business; they may have storage capabilities but must not contain alpha (letter) keys. Calculator rules can change, so confirm the current Pearson VUE Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook before test day.
  • Closed book: reference materials, notes, books, papers, phones, bags, and personal study materials are not allowed in the test room.
  • Leaving the room: you need the test center manager’s permission to leave and lost time is not restored.
Tactical tip

Dress comfortably and bring a layer. Testing rooms are climate controlled but may not suit every candidate. That is fair reason to avoid being cold for a long appointment.

After the exam

You receive an official result report immediately after completion. If you pass both portions, follow TREC and sponsoring-broker activation instructions before performing licensed real estate services. Passing the test and being able to practice are connected, but they are not the same step.

If you do not pass a portion, do not make the next attempt a replay of the last one. Start with the score report, identify the weak topics in the portion you failed, repair the miss type, then test readiness with timed mixed practice.

Retake checklistTurn the result report into a 14-day action plan.Exam day checklistConfirm IDs, calculator rules, prohibited items, and arrival.Exam content areasStudy the official content areas with more detail.Math formulasRepair calculations before they cost easy points.Free practice testTake a timed mock and review every miss to test readiness.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Texas real estate exam?

The Texas sales agent exam has two separately-scored portions. Pearson VUE's handbook lists the combined sales appointment as 125 total items and 240 minutes, with 120 scored items: 80 National/General and 40 Texas State Law. In the content outlines, the National/General portion is 80 scored plus 5 pretest items (85 total) and the Texas State Law portion is 40 scored plus 10 pretest items (50 total). Pretest items are not identified and do not affect your score, so answer every item and pass both scored portions.

What score do you need to pass the Texas real estate exam?

For the Texas sales agent exam, Pearson VUE reports the pass mark as a raw score: 56/80 National and 28/40 State. You must pass each portion separately.

How much does the Texas real estate exam cost?

The Pearson VUE exam fee for the Texas sales agent exam is $43 per reservation. You pay the same fee when you schedule a retake.

Is the Texas real estate exam online or at a test center?

Texas candidates take the exam in person at a physical Pearson VUE test center. Report 30 minutes before your appointment and bring two valid signature IDs, one of which is government-issued and matches the name used for licensure.

Can you use a calculator on the Texas real estate exam?

Yes. Pearson VUE recommends bringing a calculator, since the test center does not provide one. Acceptable calculators are hand-held, battery or solar-powered financial calculators used in real estate, finance, accounting, and business; they may have storage capabilities but must not contain alpha (letter) keys. Calculator rules can change, so confirm the current Pearson VUE Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook before test day. The exam is closed-book, so notes, phones, and study materials are not allowed in the test room.

What happens if you fail the Texas real estate exam?

You receive an official result report immediately at the test center. If you fail one portion, you retake only the failed portion as long as you do so within the application period described in the Candidate Handbook. Pearson VUE says candidates must wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake, and the sales exam fee is $43.

Sources and methodology

Official exam facts on this page come from TREC and Pearson VUE materials checked on June 19, 2026. Study order, priority labels, and pacing advice are Pass Texas coaching guidance, not TREC rules.