Vermont Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know

After you’ve put in the work and completed your pre-licensing coursework, one of the last things standing in your way of becoming a Vermont real estate agent is passing the final exam. 

If you’re curious about becoming a real estate agent or are preparing to take the Vermont real estate exam, we’re here to help guide you through every step.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• How to schedule your Vermont 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 

Before you know it, you’ll be placing “Sold” signs in front yards! Keep reading to get the insights you need. 

How to Schedule the Vermont Real Estate Licensing Exam

When you’re ready to take your Vermont real estate exam, you will register with PSI Exam — the official third-party test administrator for the state’s exam. Once you create an account, you’ll have to supply the following: 

• Your Social Security or Sponsor-issued I.D. Number.
• Phone number
• Email address where you’ll get your score report or other important information emailed.
• Eligibility information

You will be able to review the testing centers located near you and pick the location and date to schedule your exam. You’ll also need to pay the $110 for each attempt at the exam, so make sure to have a method of payment ready to go when you register. 

While you can register by paper, this can take up to 2 weeks and slow down the process of getting your license. By scheduling via PSI’s website, you’ll be able to quickly see testing availability and pay with a credit card online. 

PSI offers testing centers in the state and around the area where you can take the Vermont licensing exam, including:

• Burlington, VT
• Concord, NH
• Manchester, NH
• Nashua, NH
• Portsmouth, NH
• Clifton Park, NY
• Charlestown, MA
• Lawrence, MA
• Springfield, MA

When you schedule your exam, you’ll be able to select the location most conveniently located to you and see their specific availability for your exam. 

Where Do You Take the Vermont Real Estate License Exam?

If you're planning to take the Vermont real estate licensing exam, you'll need to do so at one of the approved testing centers that have proctor supervision. To locate the nearest testing center in your area, you can either visit the PSI Exams website or review the candidate bulletin. There are several locations available, so the goal is to find a PSI exam center that is conveniently located for you.

Can You Take the Exam Online?

Currently, examinees who are hoping to take the Vermont real estate exam are required to take the test in person at a PSI testing center. While some states offer online testing, Vermont does not. 

By administering the exam in a live, proctored setting, PSI can make sure that everyone is provided with a secure testing environment that is free from any unfair advantages or unethical test-taking practices. While you’ll be taking the exam in person, you’ll still take it virtually on a computer at the test site. 

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

When exam day comes, make sure you’re prepared with the right documents and materials to gain admittance into the testing center. 

You’ll need two forms of ID: 

• one must be government-issued current and include your name, signature and photograph
• a debit card or another form of ID with your name and signature. 

Make sure your name on these documents exactly matches the name you registered with, or else you should bring a name change form with you. 

Time is of the essence on exam day, and remember to give yourself plenty of time to arrive and check in! Anyone who arrives more than 15 minutes after the scheduled testing time will not be admitted into the exam, and you’ll unfortunately lose your exam fee and have to reschedule.

It’s also recommended to leave most of your personal belongings at home on exam day. Most things like cell phones, purses and other items will have to be left in the car or at home since they’re not admitted into the test center.  

What is on the Vermont Real Estate Exam?

The Vermont real estate exam has two key sections — a national portion that includes 100 questions over seven main topics related to real estate and a state-specific portion with 36 questions about the specifics of Vermont real estate laws and regulations. 

For the national portion, you can expect the categories as follows:

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

On the Vermont-specific question, you’ll be quizzed on the following categories: 

• Property Ownership
• Land Use Controls
• Valuation
• Financing
• Contracts
• Agency
• Transfer of Title
• Practice of Real Estate
• Real Estate Calculations

After knowing the type of content that will be covered in the exam, you can begin to focus your studying efforts on areas where you are weaker and based on the number of questions in each category. Remember, the more questions in a category, the more important it is to have a good understanding of that topic!

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

As part of the exam's national section, you will be required to answer a handful of math questions that will assess your knowledge of basic calculations that are related to your role as a real estate agent. 

In the national section of the real estate exam, you will have to answer 13 questions about real estate math calculations. You’ll likely also see some of these questions in the Vermont-specific section of the test. 

Don't worry if you're not good at math! Even if you can't answer all the questions, just try your best or make an educated guess — it’s only a small portion of the exam!

Is the Vermont Real Estate Exam Hard?

Any test is meant to judge just how well you know the material and how equipped you are for a career as a real estate agent. If the real estate exam was easy, everyone would be a real estate agent! That’s why taking the time to thoughtfully prepare can ensure you ace it on the first try.

How Many Questions Are on the Vermont Real Estate Exam?

The Vermont Real Estate Exam consists of a total of 136 questions across both the national and state-specific portions of the exam. You’ll have 4 hours in total to complete the exam, with 2.5 hours for the national portion and 90 minutes for the Vermont section. 

To pass and get your license, you’ll need to get 75% of the questions right. Since the majority of the questions are in the national portion, it’s crucial to really spend time studying that content and ensure you feel comfortable with the material. 

Once you submit your exam, you’ll immediately be able to see if you passed or failed and receive a score report. If you pass, the test proctor will pass along instructions to formally apply for your license. However, if you fail, you’ll have to reapply to take the exam. 

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

Vermont doesn’t release passing rates for their examinations, so it’s hard to gauge exactly how many students pass on the first try. But, with the right preparation and focus, you can set yourself up for success and get the 75% or higher needed to pass the exam. 

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam?

If you fail the exam, you’re able to reschedule and retake the exam. Keep in mind though you’ll have to pay the $110 in examination fees every time. That’s why it’s important to study and pass on the first try, so you can get your license and get on with your career as a real estate agent. 

How to Pass the Vermont Real Estate Exam

Preparing for your real estate exam is all about using the right tips and strategies that work for you. Here are a few things we suggest to ensure you pass your Vermont exam with flying colors on the first try.

Create a Study Schedule

While it might seem tedious, a well-structured study schedule is a must-have in your exam prep. It might be tempting to leave everything until the last minute,  but preparing for the real estate exam isn't something you can ace overnight.

You should try to sit down with your study materials pretty often — this could be every night or at least every other night. Even just 15 minutes of small, manageable study sessions can help you and be more beneficial in the long run than trying to cram everything in. 

In each of your study sessions, try to list the topics you want to cover and set goals for each study session. Before you know it, you’ll be through your material and ready for the exam!

Use Acronyms and Mnemonic Devices

There's a common study strategy that’s been used for decades to help remember complex topics — acronyms and mnemonic devices. An acronym is a word formed from the first letters of other words and is a great tool to recall a list of facts. Additionally, a mnemonic device uses a rhyme or phrase to assist in recalling information.

Join a Study Group

Joining a study group can be an incredibly impactful step in your preparation journey for the Vermont real estate exam. When you join forces with other real estate examinees, you’ll get insights and understanding from a new perspective. Your group might even have someone who's particularly good with mnemonics or has discovered an effective study technique that could benefit others!

The other great thing about a study group is the accountability that comes with it. If you’re struggling to stick with a studying schedule or need someone else to help motivate you, this is a way to stay accountable and stay on track. 

Plus, don’t forget that real estate is all about relationships! And what better way to start networking than with other students who are getting their licenses too?

Get Guided Help

When preparing for an exam as major as your real estate licensing exam, the more resources and help you have, the better. That's where things like our state-specific real estate prep courses can be a game-changer.

Our Vermont real estate exam prep package comes with practice questions, mock exams, and a comprehensive study guide that lets you preview test topics while also identifying your strengths and weaknesses.

Worried about the investment? Retaking the Vermont real estate exam after you’ve failed costs $110, while our state exam prep packages start at just $49.99. Remember, if you follow our study recommendations, you will pass on your first attempt or your money back!

When you sign up for our Vermont prep package, you’ll get:

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

Final Thoughts on the Real Estate Exam in Vermont

Our exam prep packages are designed to help you study effectively and ace the Vermont real estate exam — the first time around. 

We're here to support you every step of the way. With our free three-day trial you can sign up today and see for yourself how our exam preparation tools can help you pass your Vermont real estate exam exam!

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