Does taking an exam make you nervous? You are not alone. Taking any test can be nerve-wrecking. To become a licensed real estate agent in South Carolina, you must take and pass the state licensing exam. Taking a high-stakes test can be stressful. However, there are steps you can take to relieve your anxiety.
Know What to Expect
Learn everything you can about the test, the process, the rules, and the testing center before you get there. The texting company, PSI, provides an
informational bulletin for license candidates that includes:
- Application guidelines
- Exam prep tips
- Exam study materials
- Exam content outlines
- Sample questions
- Scheduling and registration procedures
The South Carolina salesperson licensing exam contains 110 multiple choice questions total, with 180 minutes allowed to complete it. You’ll have 120 minutes to answer the 80 national questions about general real estate topics and 60 minutes to answer the questions about state real estate laws.
Review What Will be on the Test
The information covered on a real estate exam is extensive. But nothing should come as a surprise if you were paying attention during your
pre-license course. The licensing exam covers the topics and concepts explained in the real estate course you were required to complete.
The candidate bulletin provides an exam content outline that tells you exactly what is on the test and how many questions per topic. Subject areas include:
- Property ownership
- Land use controls
- Valuation and market analysis
- Financing
- Agency
- Property condition and disclosures
- Contracts
- Title
- Real estate calculations
- South Carolina statutes governing the activities of licensees
Review the pre-license course materials, taking notes and highlighting key concepts. Study frequently in 45 to 60 minute chunks before taking a break.
Use Your Real Estate Exam Preparation Guides
Take advantage of the study guides available to help you pass the exam. Exam preps or practice tests are particularly helpful because you can get feedback about your strengths and weaknesses and which sections of the test you need to focus on more. Taking the practice tests will also allow you to familiarize yourself with the types of questions on the exam and how they’re worded.
Also, just a word of advice: Memorize the math formulas.
Math is consistent. It never changes. While practicing, carefully read the question to determine exactly what is being asked. Regardless of the specific numbers and scenarios in the question, if you use the correct formula, then your answer will be correct. Real estate exam preparation
guides are instrumental in passing your exam.
Study with a Friend or Colleague
Sometimes, studying with someone who is also preparing to take the test will put you at ease and keep you motivated. Studying with others can be mutually beneficial for all involved. You can learn from each other and help each other, while being accountable to each other. You will be motivated to not only do well on the exam, but to make certain that the others do well, too.
Get Plenty of Rest
Of course, maintaining your health is important, both in general and specifically before taking an exam. Make certain you get a full eight hours of sleep before the big day. Also, eat a well-balanced meal before taking the exam. Do not do practice tests on the day of your real estate exam; it will likely increase anxiety and tension. Relax. Remain calm. Concentrate only on the material presented on the exam. And, ace it.
Be Thorough
Do not rush through the exam. Be aware of the time allotted and manage your time wisely. Read every sentence and every word carefully. Your odds of answering correctly are greatly reduced if you’ve misunderstood the question. Words such as “all” and “none” can be easily overlooked in your haste and the words “is” and “if” can be mistaken for each other. Test makers are also testing for attention to details and are aware of common mistakes and assumptions. They may even include an answer that would be correct for the misconstrued question, so watch out.
Be Detail-Oriented
It is easy to miss a detail when you are overwhelmed by taking an exam. Frequently check that your question number corresponds to the number on your answer sheet. One mistake will jeopardize the entire test, and you may not have time to fix it. If you don’t know an answer, guess. Answer all of the questions and don’t leave any empty spaces on your answer sheet.
Passing the South Carolina real estate exam is not as hard as you think if you are prepared, calm, and thorough. Commit to the steps above, and you should pass the test.
