Texas Real Estate Exam: Format, Pass Rate and Prep
The Texas real estate sales agent exam has a national portion and a state portion, taken with Pearson once TREC has reviewed your education. TREC counts a pass only when both portions are passed. From Dec 2023 to Nov 2025, 56.1% of first-time takers passed on the first attempt (16,824 of 29,980).
Texas real estate exam format
The sales agent exam as described in the Pearson Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook:
| Portion | Questions | Scored | Correct answers to pass | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National | 85 | 80 | 56 | 150 minutes |
| State | 50 | 40 | 28 | 90 minutes |
| Both portions | 240 minutes |
Questions that are not scored are pretest items: they are mixed in and not marked, so answer every question. Your score is the number of questions you answer correctly, and you leave with a score report marked pass or fail.
Booking and sitting the exam
- The exam has a national portion and a state portion, and you must pass both.
- You schedule it only after TREC has reviewed your education: TREC then emails instructions from no-reply@notices.trec.texas.gov.
- The name on your government-issued photo ID must match the name on your license application, or you cannot test.
- Pearson posts the candidate handbook and content outlines on its Texas real estate page.
Exam fee and retakes
The exam fee is $58, paid to the exam provider (TREC fee schedule). If you fail either portion three times, you must complete additional education before you can test again.
Results for each portion are valid for one year from the passing date. TREC's FAQ says that if you reapply within that time, you do not retake a portion you already passed. Both portions must be passed before your application expires.
How hard is the Texas real estate exam?
The most direct measure is TREC's own count: 56.1% of first-time takers passed both portions on the first attempt from Dec 2023 to Nov 2025. Among schools with 30+ takers, rates range from 21.5% to 86.6%.
| Statewide pass rate | 56.1% |
|---|---|
| Takers counted | 29,980 |
| Takers who passed | 16,824 |
| Highest school rate (30+ takers) | 86.6% (Learn Texas Real Estate Online) |
| Lowest school rate (30+ takers) | 21.5% (Train Agents Inc.) |
| Schools above the statewide rate | 4 of 16 |
Source: trec.texas.gov, checked Texas Real Estate Commission data, first-time takers, Dec 2023 to Nov 2025.
Where each school stands: all Texas schools ranked by pass rate.
Exam prep options
- Practice tests from Pearson. Pearson sells broker and sales practice tests for $19.95 on its Texas real estate page. They cover the general portion of the exam; state-specific practice tests are not available.
- Exam topic reports. TREC posts quarterly reports from Pearson on success rates by exam topic, which show where success rates are lower: TREC exam topic reports.
- School exam prep. Some course packages include exam prep; check what each package includes on the school's site. The national schools below have TREC pass rates of their own, and the Texas schools page compares every school.
| School | First-time takers | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Aceable | 8,516 | 65.8% |
| Colibri Real Estate | 534 | 56.7% |
| The CE Shop | 1,077 | 56.5% |
| Kaplan Real Estate Education | 1,280 | 53.2% |
Source: trec.texas.gov, checked Texas Real Estate Commission data, first-time takers, Dec 2023 to Nov 2025.
After the exam
Passing the exam does not make you active: you also need a passed background check and a sponsoring broker. See the full Texas licensing steps.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the Texas real estate exam?
From Dec 2023 to Nov 2025, 56.1% of first-time takers passed both portions on the first attempt, according to TREC.
How much does the Texas real estate exam cost?
$58, according to TREC's fee schedule, paid to the exam provider.
What happens if I fail the Texas real estate exam?
You can test again. After three failed attempts on either portion, TREC requires additional education before your next attempt.
Is there an official Texas real estate practice test?
Pearson sells practice tests for $19.95 that cover the general portion only; it offers no state-specific practice test.
What is the total cost of getting licensed?
$750 to $1,420 with a course at list price and all fees, including fingerprints, if required. See the cost breakdown.