By the Numbers
What Score Do You Need to Pass the Real Estate Exam?
The passing score for state real estate exams ranges from 70% to 75%, with 75% being slightly more common. Some states score the exam as a single overall threshold; others require you to pass national and state portions separately, sometimes at different thresholds.
Knowing your state's exact passing score matters for study planning — and so does understanding why aiming for the minimum is the wrong target.
Passing Scores in Major States
Always confirm with your state real estate commission for current rules. Below are typical thresholds as of 2026.
Florida
75% overall (75 of 100). Single combined score, no separate portions.
California
70% overall (105 of 150). Single combined score.
Texas
70% national AND 70% state (must pass both portions separately).
New York
70% overall (53 of 75). Single combined score.
North Carolina
71% national AND 75% state (different thresholds per portion).
Georgia
75% overall (113 of 152). Single combined score.
Arizona
75% overall (135 of 180 scored). Combined exam.
Colorado
75% national AND 75% state (must pass both portions).
Pennsylvania
75% overall. Combined score.
National vs. State Portion Scoring
Most state exams split into two scored portions: a national section covering broad real estate concepts and a state-specific section covering your state's license law.
Some states combine them into a single overall score. Others require you to pass each portion separately — meaning you can fail one while passing the other and only retake the failed portion at a reduced fee.
If your state requires separate passing, study planning has to account for both. You can't lean too hard into national content and expect a strong state score to carry you (or vice versa).
Don't Target the Minimum
If your state requires 70%, do not study to a 70% target. Aim for 80% or higher on full-length practice exams.
Real-exam scores typically come in 5 to 10 percentage points lower than your practice scores. Pressure, unfamiliar wording, and topics you happened not to drill all chip away. A practice average of 80% gives you a buffer; a practice average of 72% leaves you exposed.
Where Do You Score Right Now?
Take the free 25-question diagnostic. You'll see your baseline percentage across every major topic — then you can study what you need, not what you already know.
Related State Data
Passing Score FAQ
Is 70% or 75% the most common passing score?
75% is slightly more common, but both are widely used. The threshold is set by each state's real estate commission and tends to remain stable over time.
What's a scaled score?
A few states convert raw exam scores to a scaled value (often using a 100-point scale) using statistical equating. This adjusts for slight variations in question difficulty across exam forms. The state sets a minimum scaled score for passing.
Will my exact score be on the report?
Most testing centers print a score report immediately. You'll see whether you passed and (in most states) a topic-level breakdown showing your percentage in each major content area.
What practice score predicts a real-exam pass?
A consistent 80% or higher on full-length, timed practice exams is the strongest predictor. Below 75% on practice typically signals you need more study time before scheduling.