Maine Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know

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November 22, 2023
10 min.

Are you ready to take your Maine real estate exam, or are you thinking of becoming a real estate agent in Maine? Well, you’ll be joining a group of 5,500 other Mainers who are navigating the exciting world of real estate every day.

We’re here to help you navigate the Maine real estate exam with this guide, where you’ll learn: 

  • How to schedule your Maine 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

Let’s get started!

How to Schedule the Maine Real Estate Licensing Exam

If you’ve completed your pre-licensing courses, you’ll be officially eligible to register for the Maine real estate exam! The state has contracted with Pearson Vue to administer the test, so all registrations and test-taking will be done through their company. 

Walk-in exams aren’t allowed, so you’ll have to plan ahead to schedule your exam. You can go to Pearson Vue’s website to make a reservation and find a suitable time and location to take your exam. 

When you register, you’ll need to submit your legal name, phone number, birth date, and your original course completion certificate and pay the $85 exam fee. Keep in mind your certificate is only valid for one year, so you’ll need to schedule your exam by then, or you’ll potentially have to retake your pre-licensing courses. 

Where Do You Take the Maine Real Estate License Exam?

When you go to register for your Maine real estate exam, you’ll have to select which Pearson Vue test center you’d like to take the test at. Luckily, Pearson Vue offers several locations throughout the state and surrounding areas to provide several options, including:

  • Bangor, ME
  • Presque Isle, ME
  • Westbrook, ME 
  • Boston, MA 
  • Concord, MA 
  • Woburn, MA

You’ll be able to see available testing dates for each test center during the registration process to see what your options are.

Can You Take the Exam Online?

If you're planning to take the Maine real estate exam, you'll need to go to a Pearson Vue testing center to take the test in person. Unlike some other states, Maine doesn’t currently allow for online testing.

When you show up at the test center, you'll be supervised by a proctor, which ensures the test environment will be secure. You'll take the test on a computer, just like you would if you were taking it online, but you'll do it in a physical testing center.

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

When exam day rolls around, you want to be fully prepared, so you have no issues getting admitted to the test center. You’ll need a handful of documents to be admitted: 

  • A primary ID like a Passport or Driver's License. It must include your legal name, signature and photograph.
  •  A secondary ID like a debit card or another form of ID with your name and signature.
  • Your original certificate of completion for your pre-licensing courses

Pearson Vue suggests you show up at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time so you can check in and ensure all of your documents are valid. Since the test center is a secure environment, you won’t be allowed to bring any personal belongings into the facility with you. That means you should leave your phone, purse or other items in the car or at home. 

What is on the Maine Real Estate Exam?

As you sit down on the big day, you want to be sure you’re familiar and comfortable with all of the material you’ll be tested on. The Maine real estate exam is composed of two sections: the general portion of the exam and the Maine-specific part. 

In the general portion, you’ll have 2.5 hours to answer 80 questions about the general practice of real estate, and you understand important real estate principles. The breakdown of this category includes: 

  • 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)

On the state-specific portion of the exam, you’ll be given 90 minutes to answer 40 questions about Maine real estate law, with the topics covering: 

  • Maine Real Estate Commission (2 questions) 
  • Maine Laws And Rules Governing Activities Of Licensees (15 questions)
  • Law Of Agency/Brokerage (10 questions)
  • Maine-Specific Principles And Practices (8 questions)
  • Maine Land-Use Law (5 questions)

In order to do well and successfully pass the exam, it’s crucial to have a strong understanding of every section you’ll be quizzed on. This will help you to focus and plan your study time effectively, especially on the areas that you feel less comfortable with so that you will be fully prepared for the day of the exam.

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

As part of the national section of the real estate exam, you will be tested on seven questions about real estate math calculations. But don’t worry! These questions are really designed to measure your understanding of basic calculations that are related to your role as a real estate agent, like figuring out the total area, calculating loan-to-value ratios, and determining down payment amounts. 

Even if it seems intimidating or math isn’t your strong suit, just try your best or make an educated guess. It's only a small portion of the exam! The goal is just to confirm you’re able to use the basic calculations that you will use in your new career.

Is the Maine Real Estate Exam Hard?

Every profession has its own set of challenges and requirements — and unfortunately, real estate is no different! However, the real estate exam is designed to assess your knowledge and skills to determine if you have what it takes to become a successful real estate agent. It's not meant to be an easy test, but with careful preparation and dedication, you’ll more likely pass on the first attempt. 

How Many Questions Are on the Maine Real Estate Exam?

The Maine real estate exam consists of 120 questions that cover both national and state-specific topics, and you’ll have a total of 4 hours to complete it. When you submit your exam, you’ll see whether you passed or failed. 

In Maine, the scoring system is based on a scale where you must achieve a minimum score of 75 out of 100 to pass. If you score below 75, it indicates how close you were to passing rather than the percentage of questions answered correctly. 

If you fail the exam, you’ll receive a diagnostic report that outlines where your areas of weakness are and how to reschedule to take the exam again. But, if you pass, you won’t get a diagnostic report —only instruction on officially applying for your license!

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

Maine doesn’t release how many people have passed or taken the exam. However, our students have a 90% rate after using our RE State Exam Prep courses to prepare for their state’s real estate exams. And with our pass guarantee, you can get your money back if you don’t pass on the first time!

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam?

If you don’t pass the exam, the good news is you can schedule a retake in 24 hours! You can go to Pearson Vue’s website and register to retake the exam, but keep in mind you’ll have to pay the $85 examination fee again, which can become costly. You also must pass the exam within one year of your pre-licensing course completion, or you will no longer be eligible. 

How to Pass the Maine Real Estate Exam

As you approach the final hurdle for your Maine real estate license, effective study strategies can help you pass the Maine real estate exam without any issues. To help you pass and get your real estate license, here are some useful tips and tricks to help as you prepare for the upcoming exam.

Create a Study Schedule

If you're getting ready for the Maine real estate exam, it's important to set up a study schedule that works for you. While it's great to study every night, we understand that everyone has different schedules and life can get in the way.

But if you can find some time to study every other night for a few weeks, you'll be better prepared for the exam. Even if you only have a short amount of time to study each day, a consistent routine can help you remember what you've learned. Sit down and outline a calendar with each of the categories based on how many questions are in each section. The more questions in a section, the more time in that section. 

By the time you take your exam, you’ll have covered everything, thanks to thoughtful preparation!

Use Acronyms and Mnemonic Devices

Are you getting hung up on the terminology and processes you need to know for the exam? There are a few fun techniques you can use to make it easier – mnemonic devices and acronyms. Mnemonic devices are catchy phrases or acronyms that can help you remember important words. 

Join a Study Group

Tired of studying alone? Looking for some accountability to help you prepare for the exam? Try joining a study group! Meeting up (either virtually or in person) with other students in Maine who are studying for their real estate exam can be a great way to meet new people, learn new studying tactics and add some accountability to your study schedule. 

And, of course, you’ll get to make new friends in the process. Don’t forget that real estate is all about networking and relationships, so joining a study group is a great way to start building connections with other people working towards getting their licenses.

Get Guided Help

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or alone as you study for the real estate exam, consider using our real estate exam prep.

Our Maine exam prep package is designed to guide you through everything you need to know to pass on your first attempt. It comes with mock state exams, flashcards, and a comprehensive e-book study guide with math formulas.

The best part is it’s extremely affordable. With packages starting at just $49.99, our state exam prep package is a cost-effective solution for everyone. With exam retakes costing $85, this is an easy investment to help you pass.

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

  • 1,500+ Maine 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 Maine

If the final real estate exam is looming over you, let us help. With the right preparation, practice and focus, you can ace your exam and become the Maine real estate agent you’ve been striving for!

TL;DR: The exam itself consists of two sections: a national part with 80 questions covering various real estate topics, and a Maine-specific section with 40 questions focusing on state laws and regulations. The passing rate is not disclosed, but the article suggests using study strategies, such as creating a study schedule, using acronyms, joining study groups, and considering guided exam prep resources, to increase the likelihood of passing.

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