Scoring
Real Estate Exam Scores Explained: What You Need to Pass
Real estate exam scoring is simpler than most people expect — but understanding exactly what 'passing' means, how the score is calculated, and what your score report tells you can help you prepare and recover from a failed attempt.
How Passing Scores Work
Most states require a score of 70–75% to pass each portion of the real estate exam. Some states use a fixed number of correct answers (e.g., 'you must answer 56 out of 80 questions correctly') while others express the standard as a percentage.
Many real estate exams use scaled scoring — your raw score (number of questions correct) is converted to a scaled score that accounts for slight variations in exam difficulty between different test versions. This is why the 'passing score' is expressed as a specific scaled number (like 75 on a 0–100 scale) rather than just a percentage.
You must pass each portion — national and state — independently. A very high score on one portion does not compensate for a failing score on the other.
Passing Score Standards
Most States
70–75% (or equivalent scaled score) required to pass each portion. Check your state's candidate handbook for the exact standard.
California
California requires 70% on the salesperson exam and 75% on the broker exam.
Florida
Florida requires 75% (score of 75 on 0–100 scale) on its single-portion exam.
Texas
Texas requires 70% on both the national and state portions of its licensing exam.
Scoring FAQ
Do some questions count more than others?
Generally no. Most real estate exams use equal weighting for each question. However, some exams include unscored pilot questions (typically 5–10 questions) that don't count toward your score but are used to develop future exams. You won't know which ones are pilot questions.
What does my score report show if I fail?
Most PSI and Pearson VUE score reports include a section-by-section performance breakdown showing how you did in each content area (e.g., Agency 80%, Contracts 60%, Finance 55%). Use this to target your study for the retake.
Is there a minimum number of questions I need to answer?
You must answer all questions or flag them. You cannot submit the exam with unanswered questions on most platforms. Flagged questions you return to and don't answer will be counted as incorrect.
Can I see which questions I got wrong?
No. Exam security requirements prevent candidates from seeing specific questions or the answers to questions they answered incorrectly. You only receive a section-level performance breakdown.