Nebraska Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know

To become a licensed real estate salesperson in Nebraska, you need to pass the state licensing exam. As you can imagine, this exam requires much preparation, especially if you want to pass it on your first try. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Nebraska real estate exam. Here’s a list of what you can expect to gain as you read on:

• How to schedule the Nebraska Real Estate Licensing exam 
• The requirements to register for the exam
• The cost of the exam
• Where you can take the exam 
• What is covered on the exam 
• The difficulty level of the exam 
• Best tips to pass the exam 

How to Schedule the Nebraska Real Estate Licensing Exam

To qualify to schedule the Nebraska real estate salesperson exam, all aspiring candidates must: 

• Complete two approved pre-license courses that are a minimum of thirty hours in length each  
• Complete 6-hour Professional Practice Standards
• Be at least 19 years of age 
• Have, at a minimum, a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Submit an application to the Nebraska Real Estate Commission. Each application must contain the following: 
• A passport-type, head-and-shoulders photo of the applicant only, at least 2" x 2" in size, which was taken within the last year
• An application fee and an examination fee
• A copy of your GED (General Equivalency Diploma), if you have one 
• Verification of completion of pre-licensing courses 

Upon submission, your application will be reviewed by the commission. If approved, your file will be sent to Pearson VUE, and an authorization test will be sent to you via email. You will also receive an email confirmation from Pearson VUE or the Nebraska Real Estate Commission.

Once you get this confirmation, you can schedule your examination by visiting the Pearson VUE website. If you’re a first-time user, you’ll be required to create an account to create a candidate ID and be assigned a password. Follow the step-by-step instructions provided on the website to book your exam reservation. 

You can also make a reservation over the phone by calling 800-819-3966. All exam reservations must be made at least 24 hours before the desired exam date. You’ll be required to pay an examination fee of $150 and an application fee of $135 while sending out your application. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. 

Where Do You Take the Nebraska Real Estate License Exam?

Candidates for the Nebraska real estate licensing exam are to take their exams at any of the designated Pearson VUE test centers in the United States, Canada and US territories. These locations include: 

• Pearson Professional Centers-Lincoln NE, Lincoln
• Pearson Professional Centers-North Platte NE, North Platte
• Pearson Professional Centers-Omaha NE, Omaha
• Central Community College, Columbus
• Central Community College, Grand Island
• Central Community College, Hastings
• Central Community College, Lexington
• Southeast Community College, Lincoln
• McCook Community College, McCook
• Northeast Community College, Norfolk
• Mid-Plains Community College Area, North Platte
• Metropolitan Community College, Omaha
• Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff

For out-of-state testing, Find a Test Center close to you on the Pearson VUE website. 

Can You Take the Exam Online?

No, you cannot take the Nebraska real estate licensing exam online. Candidates for this exam will be required to go to Pearson VUE testing centers in the U.S. to take the exam.

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

On the day of your Nebraska real estate exam, you are expected to bring the following: 

Two forms of VALID, non-expired signature identification. This ID must contain your signature and photo and match the name you scheduled your exam with. The primary identification must be government issued, and can be any of the following: 

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

The secondary identification can be any of the following:

• U.S. Social Security Card
• Debit (ATM) or Credit Card
• Any form of ID on the Primary ID list

What is on the Nebraska Real Estate Exam?

The Nebraska real estate exam is made up of two sections, which are: 

• The national portion, comprising questions based on national real estate principles and practice
• The Nebraska state-specific portion, comprising questions based on laws, regulations, and practice of real estate in Nebraska

National Portion

Here are the topics you will come across in the national portion of the salesperson exam, with the number of questions you can expect from each topic:

• Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, and Property Use; 5 Knowledge, 2 Application, 2 Analysis 
• Forms Of Ownership, Transfer, and Recording Of Title; 4 Knowledge, 3 Application, 1 Analysis
• Property Value and Appraisal; 5 Knowledge, 5 Application, 1 Analysis
• Real Estate Contracts and Agency; 8 Knowledge, 6 Application, 2 Analysis
• Real Estate Practice; 9 Knowledge, 3 Application, 2 Analysis
• Property Disclosures and Environmental Issues; 5 Knowledge, 2 Application, 1 Analysis
• Financing and Settlement; 4 Knowledge, 2 Application, 1 Analysis
• Real Estate Math Calculations; 0 Knowledge, 4 Application, 3 Analysis

State Portion 

Here are the topics you will come across in the state portion of the salesperson exam, with the number of questions you can expect per topic

• Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission; 5
• Licensing; 7-8
• Statutory Requirements Governing the Activities of Licensees; 15
• Agency; 17-18
• Additional Topics; 5

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

Yes, there will be 7 math questions on the Nebraska real estate salesperson licensing exam. These math questions will be related to basic mathematical skills involved in real estate calculations, including.

• Property area calculations
• Property valuations
• Commission/compensation
• Loan financing costs
• Settlements and closing costs
• Investments
• Property management calculations

Keep in mind that solving these math problems could be difficult and time-consuming. It is, therefore, best to save these questions for later while you continue to answer the other questions unless the answers are easy. This allows you to answer more questions and maximize your allocated time. 

Is the Nebraska Real Estate Exam Hard?

As can be expected of any professional certification exam, the Nebraska real estate exam is hard and will only get harder for poorly prepared candidates. This is why studying hard and getting all the help you can before taking the exam is essential. 

How Many Questions Are on the Nebraska Real Estate Exam?

The Nebraska real estate salesperson exam has a total of 130 multiple-choice questions. 80 of these questions fall under the national portion, while the remaining 50 fall under the state-specific portion. Candidates are given 3 ½ hours to complete the exam: 2 ½ hours for the national section and 1 ½ hours for the state section.

Note that 5-10 ‘pretest’ questions may be added to a candidate's test. These questions are used to evaluate the quality of the exam and develop future licensing examinations. These questions will not be scored; neither will the time used to answer them count against the testing time.

To pass this exam, you need to have a passing score of 75%. After completing the exam, Once you submit the exam, you’ll receive an official report detailing your performance. If you fail, your score report will consist of a numeric score and diagnostic information about the examination, as well as information about reexamination.

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

The passing rate of the real estate exam in Nebraska is about 64% for first-time takers. Note that this passing rate may be affected over time due to changes in the exam content and its difficulty level.

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam?

Candidates who fail the exam must reapply to the NREC for authorization to retake the test. Salesperson candidates who passed only one portion of the exam must retake the failed portion. They have three subsequent attempts after the first failed exam, or six months, whichever comes first, to pass both portions of the exam. 

If both portions are not passed in the next three attempts or within six months, candidates must take the full examination until they pass all or one part, in which case the retention schedule restarts. 

Note that every attempt to take this exam–whether or not you’re taking both sections–will cost you an exam fee of $150. 

How to Pass the Nebraska Real Estate Exam

While the Nebraska real estate exam is hard, passing is not impossible. To pass the exam on the first trial, candidates must thoroughly study and understand all the topics listed above, from which questions will be set. While you can obtain most of the knowledge you need during the mandatory pre-educational program, there are also specific effective study tools that you can adopt in your preparation to increase your chances of passing. They include: 

Create a Study Schedule 

When preparing for an exam like the Nebraska real estate exam, creating a study schedule can be very helpful in helping you balance your study sessions with your other daily commitments. A well-planned study schedule will improve your daily time management by ensuring that every minute of your time is accounted for, and will also help you make the most of your study periods.

Ensure you input frequent breaks into your study schedule to prevent burnout. It's also best to set your study time to periods of the day when you are less busy or distracted, such as early in the morning and late at night. We recommend studying for a little bit every night or at least every other night.

Use Acronyms and Mnemonic Devices

Acronyms and mnemonic devices are memory aids that break down complex information into smaller and simpler chunks that are easier for the brain to process and remember. Acronyms are formed by taking the first letters of each word in a phrase and forming a word with it. A good example of a real estate acronym is CCIM, which stands for Certified Commercial Investment Member. 

Similarly, mnemonic devices are formed by associating a piece of information with something that can be easily related. A suitable mnemonic device detailing a property's four essential characteristics to have value would be “Don’t Utter Silly Things.”

• Don’t for Demand
• Utter for Utility
• Silly for Scarcity
• Things for Transferability

Join a Study Group 

Joining a study group can significantly increase your chances of success in the Nebraska real estate exam by improving your learning process. It provides like-minded people to be accountable to, boosts your motivation to study, and helps to breed a healthy competition within you that gears you to do more.

Get Guided Help

Studying for the Nebraska real estate exam could get difficult. That's why we assembled provenly powerful study resources into an online package for you.

With our affordable Nebraska exam prep package, you get comprehensive resources that will make studying quick and easy. You’ll get:

• 1,500 Nebraska real estate exam practice questions
• Customizable practice state exams
• Vocabulary flashcards
• Video explanations
• E-book study guide

With unlimited customizable practice exams and an e-Book study guide that comes with math formulas and everything you need to know, passing the first time will be simple!

Final Thoughts on the Real Estate Exam in Nebraska 

The Nebraska real estate exam is compulsory for all individuals who want to be licensed real estate salespersons. Passing this exam requires careful preparation and a solid understanding of real estate concepts and practices.