The current syllabus, question counts, timing, passing scores, difficulty evidence, study-time split, readiness targets, and the Texas rules that replace a general National answer.
The Texas Sales Agent exam has two separately scored parts. The National portion has 80 scored questions, and you need 56 correct. The Texas State portion has 40 scored questions, and you need 28 correct. National is broader. State is shorter but more exacting because it tests Texas law, TREC rules, brokerage practice, and forms. In TREC's January and February 2026 first-time group data, 66% passed National and 49% passed State.
Verified through August 22, 2026. This page covers the Sales Agent exam. Broker State item counts and content are different. Group pass rates do not predict an individual result.
A strong combined score cannot rescue a failed portion. Treat each side as its own exam and build a buffer above 70% on each.
In TREC's January and February 2026 report, the first-time State pass rate was 49%, compared with 66% for National.
Agency/Brokerage, Standards of Conduct, and Contracts make up 72.5% of the scored State portion. They deserve focused study without crowding out the other three areas.
Pearson's current content outline and May 2026 candidate handbook separate scored questions from unidentified pretest questions. Only scored questions count toward the raw passing mark.
| Measure | National | Texas State | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scored questions | 80 | 40 | You earn a separate result for each portion. |
| Unscored pretest questions | 5 | 10 | They are mixed in and not identified, so answer every question. |
| Time when booked alone | 150 minutes | 90 minutes | A combined Sales Agent appointment is 240 minutes. Pearson lists 125 combined items, although its separate rows total 135. |
| Official passing raw score | 56 of 80 | 28 of 40 | Both are 70% of the scored questions, but they are passed separately. |
| Current outline effective date | March 1, 2025 | January 1, 2026 | These are the current Pearson VUE Salesperson and Texas Sales Agent outlines. |
| Latest first-time group pass rate | 66% of 810 candidates | 49% of 815 candidates | TREC data for January and February 2026. It describes a group, not your odds. |
The combined appointment count is 125, not 135. Pearson's handbook lists 85 National questions, 50 State questions, and 125 when both portions are booked together. Follow the handbook for the appointment total and the outline for the scored allocation.
These are the official scored-item weights for Sales Agent candidates. The National outline is effective March 1, 2025. The Texas State outline is effective January 1, 2026.
National tests general principles and federal rules. It also classifies questions by knowledge, application, and analysis, so definitions alone are not enough.
State tests TRELA, TREC rules, Texas brokerage practice, contracts, forms, and special Texas law. Agency/Brokerage is the largest area at 11 questions.
| National area | Scored items | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Real property characteristics, legal descriptions, and property use | 11 | 13.75% |
| Forms of ownership, transfer, and recording of title | 9 | 11.25% |
| Property value and appraisal | 11 | 13.75% |
| Real estate contracts and agency | 16 | 20% |
| Real estate practice | 10 | 12.5% |
| Property disclosures and environmental issues | 9 | 11.25% |
| Financing and settlement | 7 | 8.75% |
| Real estate math calculations | 7 | 8.75% |
| Texas State area | Scored items | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Duties and Powers | 3 | 7.5% |
| Licensing | 3 | 7.5% |
| Standards of Conduct | 9 | 22.5% |
| Agency/Brokerage | 11 | 27.5% |
| Contracts | 9 | 22.5% |
| Special Topics | 5 | 12.5% |
For the latest first-time candidate group tested on the current State outline, State had the lower pass rate. TREC reported 49% for State among 815 candidates and 66% for National among 810 candidates in January and February 2026.
It covers eight broad areas, includes calculations, and uses application and analysis questions. Contracts and Agency is the largest National area, but weak points can come from almost anywhere in the 80-question outline.
Texas answers can turn on precise wording, who may act, which disclosure or consent is required, and when a form or rule applies. A generic rule learned for National may be incomplete or wrong under Texas law.
The pass-rate comparison is aggregate evidence, not a personal probability or proof that every State form is harder. Course quality, preparation, candidate mix, and testing period all affect the result. See How Hard Is the Texas Real Estate Exam?
If your diagnostic scores are close, start with 55% State and 45% National. Do not copy the exam's two-to-one scored-question ratio into your calendar. State has fewer questions, but the latest first-time pass rate was lower.
| Your diagnostic result | State time | National time | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| No diagnostic scores yet | 50% | 50% | Learn both outlines, then take one fresh timed set for each portion. |
| Scores are within 10 percentage points | 55% | 45% | Give State a small edge because the current first-time group pass rate is lower and its rules are Texas-specific. |
| State trails by more than 10 points | 65% | 35% | Repair Agency/Brokerage, Contracts, and Standards of Conduct first, then retest all six State areas. |
| National trails by more than 10 points | 35% | 65% | Prioritize your two weakest National areas while keeping short Texas rule reviews in the schedule. |
This split is an editorial study recommendation, not a TREC or Pearson VUE rule. Recalculate it after every two fresh timed sets. Shift time toward the weaker portion, but keep at least one short maintenance session for the stronger portion.
The official passing line is 70%, but scraping past 70% once is a fragile signal. Build a practical 10-point buffer on fresh, outline-matched questions before exam day.
Score at least 80% on three fresh timed National sets. Review the rule and reasoning behind every miss, including lucky guesses.
Score at least 80% on three fresh timed State sets, with no major weakness hidden inside Agency/Brokerage, Contracts, or Standards.
Repeated questions can inflate a score. Use new questions under time, explain why each distractor fails, and track results by area.
The 80% targets are preparation buffers, not official cutoffs or a guarantee. The official raw passing scores remain 56 of 80 National and 28 of 40 State.
Search or filter the comparison. Each card shows a general National concept, the Texas-specific rule, and the distinction a candidate needs to notice.
Showing 14 differences.
National materials discuss single agency, subagency, and disclosed dual agency as concepts. State law decides what is allowed.
Texas law does not permit dual agency. A broker representing both parties must follow the statutory intermediary process and obtain the required written consent.
TrapDo not relabel the Texas relationship as dual agency. The tested Texas term is intermediary.
Agency disclosure form and timing vary by state.
The IABS notice is given at the first substantive communication about a specific property.
TrapIABS is a disclosure, not a representation agreement.
A dual agent represents both, often with limited duties.
With the parties' written consent, the intermediary broker may appoint separate associated license holders to work with and advise the respective parties.
TrapWithout appointments, the intermediary and associated license holders cannot give either party opinions or advice in the negotiation.
Agents often use association forms; attorney involvement varies by state.
A license holder must use a TREC form approved for mandatory use when it fits the transaction, unless an exception in Rule 537.11 applies.
TrapA license holder may fill blanks and add factual statements or business details, but may not practice law or give legal advice.
Varies: state associations, attorneys, or agencies.
The Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee drafts and revises standard contract forms, and TREC adopts them.
TrapThe committee prepares forms and TREC adopts them. The Texas Legislature enacts TRELA.
The mortgage (a two-party instrument) is common.
The deed of trust (three parties, including a trustee) is the norm.
TrapThe deed of trust adds a trustee with a power of sale, the key Texas difference.
Many states require judicial foreclosure through the courts.
A deed of trust with a power of sale can be foreclosed nonjudicially after the lender follows the governing documents and Texas notice and sale requirements.
TrapA foreclosure sale is generally held on the first Tuesday of the month. Do not assume every foreclosure bypasses court.
Most states follow common-law (separate) property rules.
Texas is a community-property state; property acquired during marriage is generally community.
TrapCommunity property changes who must sign: both spouses for the homestead.
Homestead protection is limited or absent in many states.
Texas has strong homestead protection from forced sale by most creditors.
TrapHomestead protects against most creditors, but not a purchase-money loan, taxes, or a properly executed home-equity lien.
Many states charge a real estate transfer or documentary stamp tax.
Texas has no statewide real estate transfer tax.
TrapAdding a transfer/stamp tax to a Texas closing is a classic out-of-state trap.
Often expressed in mills (per $1,000 of value).
Stated per $100 of taxable value; the current school-district homestead exemption is $140,000, voter-approved in 2025.
TrapUse the per-$100 rate for Texas; the homestead exemption reduces taxable value first.
Attorney-closing states are common in parts of the country.
Title companies and escrow officers commonly handle closing in Texas.
TrapTexas is not an attorney-required closing state for typical residential sales.
Each state has its own commission and license act.
TREC regulates under TRELA (Occupations Code Ch. 1101) and the TREC Rules (22 TAC Ch. 535).
TrapTREC enforces the law and adopts rules; the Legislature writes TRELA.
Sponsorship and activation rules vary.
A sales agent must be sponsored by an active Texas broker to act; an unsponsored license is inactive.
TrapPassing the exam does not let you practice. You must be sponsored by a broker first.
Review all six areas in the Texas State exam study guide, then take the free 40-question State practice test. For focused lessons, study intermediary and IABS, promulgated forms, foreclosure and short sales, community property, and property taxes and exemptions.
The National portion tests broad real estate principles and federal rules across eight areas. The Texas State portion tests TRELA, TREC rules, Texas brokerage practice, promulgated forms, and other Texas-specific law across six areas. Sales Agent candidates pass the two portions separately.
The National portion has 80 scored questions plus 5 unidentified pretest questions. The Texas State portion has 40 scored questions plus 10 unidentified pretest questions. Pearson's combined appointment row lists 125 items, while its separate portion rows total 135. Pearson does not explain that difference, so confirm the count displayed in your reservation.
A Texas Sales Agent candidate needs 56 correct scored answers on the 80-question National portion and 28 correct scored answers on the 40-question State portion. Each passing line is 70%, and each portion is scored separately.
The latest TREC report using the current State outline points that way at the group level. For January and February 2026, 49% of first-time candidates passed State and 66% passed National. That does not predict an individual result. Your own timed diagnostics are the better guide.
After one timed diagnostic for each portion, a practical default is 55% State and 45% National when the scores are close. Move to 65% for whichever portion trails by more than 10 percentage points. This is study guidance, not an official TREC or Pearson formula.
A useful readiness buffer is at least 64 of 80 on National and 32 of 40 on State on three fresh, timed, outline-matched sets. Review every miss and avoid memorizing repeated questions. These targets are not a guarantee of passing.
Pearson's current handbook says you retake only the failed portion, as long as you do so within one year from the date the application was filed with TREC. The handbook also explains the three-attempt rule and additional education required after a third failure.
Start with agency. Texas law does not permit dual agency. A broker representing both parties must follow the statutory intermediary process, including the required written consent. Keep the IABS disclosure separate from a representation agreement.
