Kansas Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know

We know studying, preparing, and getting certified for your Kansas real estate license can feel like a big hurdle. But you’ve got this! We're here to walk you through everything you need to know to pass your Kansas real estate exam and get your license. 

If you’re preparing to take your Kansas real estate licensing exam, keep reading to discover:

• How to schedule your Kansas real estate licensing exam 
• What you need to know for the test
• How difficult the exam is
• Study tips and tricks for passing the exam 

How to Schedule the Kansas Real Estate Licensing Exam

If you’ve completed your prelicensing education, the next step is to make it official and register to take the Kansas real estate exam! 

To register for the exam, you must apply online through Pearson Vue, which is a third party company contracted by the Kansas Real Estate Commission. Pearson Vue is responsible for scheduling and proctoring the real estate exam. After creating your account, you will submit the required paperwork through your Pearson Vue account as well as schedule your exam date.

Where Do You Take the Kansas Real Estate License Exam?

The Kansas Real Estate Commission requires all applicants to take the real estate licensing exam in person at a Pearson Vue test center. Luckily, there are testing sites available across the state, including: 

• Hays, Kansas - Pearson Professional Test Center
• Overland Park, Kansas - Pearson Professional Test Center
• Topeka, Kansas - Pearson Professional Test Center
• Kansas City, Missouri - Pearson Professional Test Center
• Emporia, Kansas - Flint Hills Technical College
• Fort Riley, Kansas
• Garden City, Kansas - Garden City Community College
• Pittsburg, Kansas - Labette Community College
• Salina, Kansas - Salina Area Technical College 

When you register and schedule your exam, you will indicate which location you want to test at and confirm the available spots.

Can You Take the Exam Online?

The Kansas real estate exam cannot be taken online. Instead, applicants will have to make the proper arrangements to go in person to the closest test center to take the test. 

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

You want to show up with the right materials and information so there aren’t any hiccups getting admitted into the exam room. 

On the day of the exam, make sure you show up at least 30 minutes early so you can check in and show your proper identification. You’ll need to bring two forms of ID on the exam day. One must be a primary ID issued by the government with your photo, signature and non-expired. 

Some examples of acceptable documents for the primary ID include: 

• Government-issued Driver’s License
• U.S. Dept of State Driver’s License
• U.S. Learner’s Permit (plastic card only with photo and signature)
• National/State/Country Identification Card
• Passport
• Passport cards
• Military ID
• Military ID for spouses and dependents
• Alien Registration Card (Green Card, Permanent Resident Visa)

The other must also have your signature and be valid. This can be a Social Security Card, debit card, or any form of ID on the primary list.

Aside from your ID, you’ll also be required to show your certificates of completion for the required pre-licensing courses. All other personal belongings should be left at home, since they won’t be allowed into the test center. 

Make sure you have all of these items ready to show the proctor, or else you won’t be admitted into the exam! You’ll forfeit your exam fee and will have to reschedule at least 24 hours later. 

What is on the Kansas Real Estate Exam

The exam comprises two sections — a national portion that’s meant to test you on general knowledge of real estate and the industry and a Kansas-specific section on the state’s laws and guidelines. 

In the national section, you’ll have 80 questions that are broken down as follows: 

• Real property characteristics, legal descriptions, and property use (9 questions)
• Forms of ownership, transfer, and recording of title (8 questions)
• Property value and appraisal (11 questions)
• Real estate contracts and agency (16 questions)
• Real estate practice (14 questions)
• Property disclosures and environmental issues (8 questions)
• Financing and settlement (7 questions)
• Real estate math calculations (7 questions)

Then you’ll get to the 40 Kansas specific questions to make sure you fully understand the topics that relate to being a real estate agent in the state. That section will include: 

• Duties and powers of the Kansas real estate commission (2 questions)
• Licensing requirements (4 questions)
• Requirements governing activities of licensees (5 questions)
• Prohibited acts (8 questions)
• Brokerage Relationships in Real Estate Transactions Act (BRRETA) (11 questions)

While the majority of the questions will be focused on general topics, each section is equally important! That’s why understanding the breakdown between sections can help you prepare and focus your studying efforts. 

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

If math isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry! There are only a few math questions on the Kansas real estate exam — 7 to be exact. With 120 questions, only 7 math questions shouldn’t send you into a panic. On top of that, the content of the math questions will be focused on real estate topics that you’ll use in your daily career, like square footage, acreage, calculating loan to value and different fee structures. 

If you encounter a problem you’re not sure how to solve, take a guess or just skip it. It’s only a small portion of the exam! Don’t spend too much time on it when there are easier questions to answer. You can always come back to it!

Is the Kansas Real Estate Exam Hard?

The Kansas real estate exam is not meant to be a walk in the park — otherwise, everyone would be a real estate agent. That being said, with the right preparation and studying, you can pass the real estate exam!

How Many Questions Are on the Kansas Real Estate Exam?

There are a total of 120 questions on the Kansas real estate exam across two key sections — general and Kansas-specific. You’ll have 4 hours in total to complete the exam, with 2.5 hours for the general section and 1.5 hours for the state-specific questions. 

What is the Passing Rate for the Real Estate Exam in Kansas?

The Kansas real estate exam has a passing rate of 64%, meaning that the majority of students who take it become real estate agents.

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam?

If you fail the exam, remember that you are able to schedule a retake of the exam, but you’ll have to pay a $75 exam fee and wait 24 hours to reschedule the test. The good news, though, is that if you pass one section, you’ll only have to take the section you failed again.

Additionally, if you fail, you’ll get a specific numeric score that can help you determine how close you were to passing or what material you might need to study a bit deeper. 

How to Pass the Kansas Real Estate Exam

Now that you know exactly what to expect on exam day, it’s time to study and prepare for the exam! Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ace the exam on your first attempt.

Create a Study Schedule

Practice makes perfect. To set yourself up for success, develop a regular study schedule that has you studying every night, or at least every other night. Creating a well-planned studying schedule is a very helpful step towards effectively preparing for your exams. 

With a clear study schedule in place, you'll have more time to absorb the material and get ready — even if you only have 15 or 30 minutes to study. Establishing and maintaining a consistent study routine can significantly improve your ability to remember the material. 

Use Acronyms and Mnemonic Devices

If you find it difficult to recall complex real estate jargon or procedures, using mnemonic devices such as acronyms or memorable phrases can be helpful. This method, which has been utilized in classrooms for many years, involves creating rhymes or phrases that aid in the retention of vocabulary by the brain. 

A well-known example is "Roy G. Biv" to recall the colors of the rainbow. Don't hesitate to use your imagination and come up with a unique study acronym that helps you. When you come across that material on exam day, you’ll have a simple way to recall what you learned. 

Join a Study Group

Real estate is all about networking, right? By joining a study group, you’ll not only learn new ways to remember the material, you’ll also get to network and meet new friends. It's a wonderful way to share different tips and techniques with others and discover new ways of studying that you might not have thought of on your own. Extra support can help hold you accountable and improve your chances of passing!

Get Guided Help

Just like your pre-licensing course work, your exam prep can make all the difference when it comes to passing your exam. That’s why courses like our exam preparation package can give you added resources to study and help you pass the exam — the first time around. 

Incorporating an exam prep course not only gives you additional material to study from. It’s specifically tailored to the content on your exam, so you can rest assured that you’re studying from the most relevant and up-to-date content that you’ll see on the Kansas real estate exam. 

When you sign up for our Kansas real estate exam prep package, you’ll get practice tests, flashcards and more to help identify your strong and weak areas of content and where you can focus in your studying efforts.

This package gives you access to:

• Over 1,500 Kansas real estate exam practice questions
• Customizable practice state exams
• Vocabulary flashcards
• Video explanations by real estate experts

Not sure if you want to enroll just yet? You can try our platform with a free three-day trial to see how our program is structured and how it can help you with your exam prep. There’s no obligation to sign up, and you can see how our study materials can benefit you as you prepare for the exam.

Final Thoughts on the Real Estate Exam in Kansas

With the right tools, focus, and work hard, you can pass the Kansas real estate exam and get started on your new career as a real estate agent. With the right preparation and a little belief in yourself, you’ll head into exam day ready to go.