Passed my test! Some recommendations for studying.

[Jeff Brower]

Happy Monday all! Well I finally passed my state and national test on Saturday. Having finished the required courses 7 months ago, I am glad that I finally quite procrastinating and got the test done. I will be working with Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast. I just wanted to share some pointers for those who are thinking about it or are gearing up for the state and national exams.

-compucram.com - I highly recommend signing up for this and taking the practice exams. It had been 7 months since I finished schooling and I forgot a lot of information. The compucram exams helped out tremendously. I took it about 8 times and studied the ones I got wrong. I went from 60% and averaged about 90% when I was done.

-Know your fees!- There were many questions about the fees for license renewal, name changes, etc. Even though this may not have any effect in real estate day to day, there are several questions on the exam about it. Know the fees.

- Penalties, commission, superintendent, etc- Similar to above, there are several questions are investigations, reprimands, suspension, and roles. Who appoints a new commissioner if one dies, who handles appeals, etc. Know the structure of your state's real estate decision makers.

-Math- There are usually 3 of 4 answers that are in the ballpark. Of those, there may be two that have similar sequences as they may be trying to trick you. The answer is usually one of these two similar sequenced numbers. There was a built in calculator on my exam, not sure if that is available at every test center.

- Section 1, 2, or 3- Agency disclosure statements (1 if between two different brokerages, 2 if 'in house', 3 if agent is a principle in the deal)

-Agency Relationships- There were a lot of questions on exclusive right to sell vs exclusive agency. They will give you scenarios of relationships and ask what type of relationship this would be. Carefully read if they are referencing a buyer or seller. They will switch these and try to trick you.

- These terms came up a lot - land contract, appurtenance, condominium, deed, stock, lease, hypothecation, superfund, exclusive agency, exclusive right to sell, asbestos, lead paint addendum, administrator vs executor, abstract of title, fair housing, civil rights act, ernest money, common law.

Many people will stress out right before the test, I was somehow quite relaxed because I went in prepared. I knew that I would pass as my average score on the practice exams was in the 90%'s. I highly recommend the compucram software as I think I learned as much from the practice tests as I did in all of my 40 hours of classroom courses.

Breath.... Slow down and read the question.... you can do it!!

[Jeff Brower]

@John Thedford Sorry for the delay. Yes, as stated, there are two portions that must be passed in Ohio. If you pass one and not the other, you may retest on the portion that you failed only. Once both are passed, then you are done.

@James Wise thank you very much! I was debating reaching out to you when interviewing brokers. I know you focus on the west side. The KW office in Mentor was just a good fit and their office is right down the road from me. I think it will work out fine... If not, then I may contact you in the future. If I can ever be of assistance to you out here in my area please do not hesitate to ask!

Thank you all!