Making the most of your real estate exam prep before you take the test is essential — especially if your time is limited and you’re trying to score well.
Are you studying in the most impactful way? Are there ways to be more efficient with your time so you can spend more time planning your career switch to real estate?
Here are some of our favorite study tips that help you buckle down during your real estate exam prep and pass your real estate exam.
1. Use a flashcard app
If you’re short on time, a flashcard app on your phone can help you study on the go whenever you have small pockets of time. Use it during your commute (if you take the train), while you’re waiting in line or even when you catch yourself absentmindedly looking at your phone.
Here are a few popular flashcard apps:
- Studyblue: This app has a crowdsourced study library. You can make your own flashcards, share them, and search for flashcards others have made. The free version of the app, available for iPhone and Android, allows you to create your own quizzes and work without wifi.
- Quizlet: This app also allows shareable flashcards, what they call “study sets.” You can also add images from their library to help aid your memorization and understanding. If you’re more of a desktop person, you can create your flashcards from your computer and view them on your phone when you’re on the go.
- Cram: If you like to hold a piece of paper in your hand while you’re studying, Cram can help you do just that. They have a desktop and mobile version of their flashcard service but also allow you to print flashcards if that will make it easier.
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2. Use a real estate exam prep aid
While your real estate pre-licensing course will prepare you for your future career in real estate, a real estate exam prep aid will prepare you to pass the exam. One convenient option is our sister site’s Real Estate Exam Prep Master available here. You can purchase it on its own or in conjunction with a pre-licensing course, and you get your money back if you don’t pass the exam.
One of the benefits of this real estate exam prep helper is that you can choose between three different learning style formats. Here are the three delivery options you can expect from this tool:
- Coach format: You get questions one at a time, answers immediately and a complete explanation after every answer.
- Power format: This style replicates the exam atmosphere. You don’t see your answers until the end and you don’t get commentary as you move through the questions.
- Pace format: As you go through the exam, the pace increases. This could be great for you if you’re trying to learn how to take tests faster.
3. Get a distraction blocker for your computer
If you find it difficult to focus while you’re on your computer, install a program that will temporarily block websites so you can work. We all know there are just some sites that waste time — whether it’s quizzes, sports updates or social media. Tools like Cold Turkey and FocusMe will block out the websites of your choice for a set period of time. You can set a weekly recurring block if you need a lot of help being disciplined. That way you know you won’t be able to check your social media at a certain time each day or week!
4. Set a timer to help you focus
If you have a hard time getting down to work, setting a timer that gives you periods of intense focus followed by some periods of rest might help you fight through distractions or mental fog.
One of the most popular time management techniques is called the Pomodoro Method. In this method, you focus for 25 minutes followed by a five-minute break. That entire set is called a Pomodoro. After the fourth Pomodoro, you get a 15-minute break. You can set a Pomodoro timer, or customize your own timer using this online tool.
5. Set study goals
To make the most out of your study time it helps to set goals. This could be goals on how much material you want to work through in a certain session or even goals around how focused and attentive you’ll be when you’re at your workspace studying. At the end of your session, take a minute to review how well you did with your goals and set some new ones for your next study session. If you don’t monitor your progress it’ll be harder for you to know if you’re improving.
6. Ask friends for help
Friends can come in handy when you’re trying to pass your real estate exam. If you have other friends who are also preparing to take the exam, see if you can form a study group and work together. You can share notes, quiz each other, or get verification on tough concepts. It’s also helpful to talk to any friends who have already passed the real estate licensing exam. They can let you know of any tricky material you need to prepare for that they encountered.
7. Contact your testing center before the exam
Part of your real estate exam prep is taking care of the details of your testing experience so that you have a stress-free exam day. Get in touch with the testing center to verify the identification documents you’ll need and to go over any details like parking, the check-in procedure, materials you’ll need for the exam and any other tips they might have to make exam day smooth.
Real estate exam prep sets you up for success
Preparing diligently and thoroughly for your real estate licensing exam helps give you the best chance that you’ll pass it on your first try. Even if you find studying daunting, by accessing the right tools and breaking the work up into study goals you’ll most likely find that it’s manageable.
