North Dakota Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know

The North Dakota real estate exam requires a lot of preparation. That’s why, in this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the North Dakota real estate exam. Here’s a list of what you can expect to gain as you read on:  

• How to schedule the North Dakota 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 North Dakota Real Estate Licensing Exam

To schedule the real estate exam in North Dakota, all aspiring candidates must meet the following requirements: 

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have successfully completed at least ninety hours of pre-licensing real estate education, with proof 
• Submit an online application form with the correct documents and fees to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC)
• Complete your fingerprinting and submit fingerprints to NDREC, with a fee for analysis.

The NDREC will review your application and notify you of approval or denial. If approved, you can go ahead to schedule your exam through the following means: 

1. Visit the PSI website and follow the step-by-step instructions to choose your examination program and register for it.
2. Call PSI at 855-834-8747 to schedule an examination appointment. The number is toll-free and available at the following hours: 
3. Complete all sections on the registration form found in the Candidate Information Handbook. Mail this form, alongside a cashier’s check or money order for the examination fee, to the following address: 

PSI
North Dakota Real Estate Examination
18000 W. 105th St.
Olathe, KS 66061-7543

7 to 10 days after mailing the form, call PSI at 855-834-8747 to schedule your examination. 

When scheduling the exam, these are the fees you will be required to pay:

• Application fee: $150
• Credit history fee: $9.60
• Fingerprinting fee: $41.25
• Examination fee: $131

Where Do You Take the North Dakota Real Estate License Exam?

Candidates for the North Dakota real estate licensing exam are to take their exams at any of the designated PSI test centers located in the state. These locations include: 

• Bismarck
• Fargo 

The exam can also be taken in PSI test centers in regions across the United States. Simply enter your zip code during registration, and the closest site to you will appear.

Can You Take the Exam Online?

No, you cannot take the North Dakota real estate licensing exam online. Candidates for this exam will be required to go to PSI testing centers located in North Dakota or other regions around the US. The addresses of these locations have been provided above. 

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

On the day of your North Dakota real estate exam, you are expected to bring the following.

Two forms of identification. The primary ID must be government-issued, current, and contain your name, signature and photograph. Examples of accepted primary ID include: 

• Driver’s license with photograph
• State identification card with photograph
• Passport
• Military Identification card with photograph

The secondary form of identification must contain your name and signature. Examples include:

• Credit card with signature
• Social security card with signature
• Employment/student ID card with signature
• Silent non-programmable calculator

You are advised to show up for your appointment at least 30 minutes early on the day of the exam. This additional time is for identification and sign-in, as well as to familiarize yourself with the examination procedure. If you show up later than 15 minutes after your scheduled time, you will not be allowed to take the exam. 

What is on the North Dakota Real Estate Exam?

The North Dakota real estate salesperson licensing examination is made up of two sections: 

• The national portion, comprising questions based on national real estate principles and practice
• The state portion, comprising questions based on North Dakota real estate laws, rules and regulations 

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 per topic: 

• Agency Relationships and Contracts; 28
• Real Property Ownership/Interest; 13
• Finance; 14
• Real Property; 14
• Marketing Regulations (purchase and rental); 10
• Property Management; 8
• Real Estate Calculations; 13

State Portion 

Here are the topics you will come across in the state portion:

• Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission
• Licensing Requirements
• Statutory Requirements Governing the Activities of Licensees
• Statutory Requirements Governing Subdivided or Out-of-State Land Sales (Registration Requirements, Disclosure Requirements)
• Real Estate Education, Research, and Recovery Fund

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

Yes, there will be 13 math on the North Dakota real estate licensing exam. These math questions will be found in the general portion and will be related to:

• Basic math concepts
• Calculations for transactions
• Calculations for valuation

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 make the most of your allocated time. 

Is the North Dakota Real Estate Exam Hard?

As can be expected of any professional certification exam, the North Dakota real estate exam is hard and will only get harder for candidates who are not well prepared. This is why it is important to study hard and get all the help that you can before taking the exam. 

How Many Questions Are on the North Dakota Real Estate Exam?

The North Dakota real estate salesperson exam has a total of 140 questions. 100 of these questions fall under the national portion, while the remaining 40 fall under the state-specific portion. If you take both portions of the exam on the same day, the questions will be intermixed, and you’ll be given 3 1⁄2 hours to complete the exam. If taken on separate days, you’ll have 2 ½ hours for the national portion and 2 ½ hours for the state portion. 

Note that about 5-10 experimental questions may be added to a candidate's test. These questions will not be scored, nor will the time taken to answer them count against candidate testing time. These questions are used to evaluate the quality of the exam and develop future licensing examinations. 

To pass the exam, you must answer 70 questions correctly on the national portion and 30 questions correctly on the state portion. After completing the exam, you will be instructed to report to the testing supervisor to receive your score report. If you fail, your score report will indicate your scores and reapplication instructions. Note: you will not be able to know your score if you pass the exam.

What is the Passing Rate for the Real Estate Exam in North Dakota?

The passing rate of the real estate exam in North Dakota is above 60% for first-time takers. Note that this passing rate may be affected over time due to changes in the content of the exam and its difficulty level.

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam?

You can take the North Dakota real estate exam as many times as you need to pass it. If you pass one or two of the portions, you are allowed to retake only the failed portion(s) within 12 months of the first attempt. If the failed portion is not passed within 12 months of the first attempt, you will be required to submit a new application and fees to the NDREC. 

Note that you’ll be required to pay an exam fee of $131 at every attempt to take any portion of the exam.

How to Pass the North Dakota Real Estate Exam

To pass the North Dakota real estate exam on the first try, candidates must study hard for the exam, drilling themselves on all the topics in both sections of the exam from which questions will be set. This section will review a few tried and true ways to study.

Create a Study Schedule 

When preparing for an exam like the North Dakota real estate exam, creating a study schedule may be just what you need to 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.  

Do not forget to 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 to it. A suitable mnemonic device detailing the four essential characteristics a property must possess 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 exam by improving your learning process. It provides you with like-minded people to be accountable to, helping you to be more intentional. Studying in a group can also boost your motivation to study and pass, born out of healthy competition.

Get Guided Help

You might have already realized that there’s a lot you need to review to pass the North Dakota real estate exam. But, don’t worry. There is a quick and easy way to study and pass on your first try.

We offer an online real estate exam prep package that comes with practice exams, vocab flash cards, and an e-Book study guide (including math formulas on the exam!) It also comes with:

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

Our exam prep package starts at $49.99, which makes it an affordable investment to help you avoid retaking the exam and paying an additional $131.

Final Thoughts on the Real Estate Exam in North Dakota 

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

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