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California Real Estate Q&A Discussion Forum

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Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
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is the california real estate exam open book?

Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
Posted Jun 23 2016, 22:25

I'm getting ready for my exam, woman from the school I went to says test is open book. Two people who took the exam last year told me it's not. I don't think the woman would lie to me. Thinking maybe the rules changed. Just checking.

Thanks 

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Mark Pedroza
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Mark Pedroza
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Replied Jun 23 2016, 22:50

@Renee Harris no, it's not open book but RE Trainers has a 2 day weekend state exam crash course you might be interested in. They're located in Anaheim. Contact them for further info..

Good luck,

  • Real Estate Agent CA (#01858403)

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Polar Prutaseranee
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Polar Prutaseranee
  • Flipper/Rehabber
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Replied Jun 23 2016, 22:50

Not open book.

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Arthur Fuller II
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  • Los Angeles, CA
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Arthur Fuller II
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Replied Jun 23 2016, 23:01

the test you take to get the cert from the school you're using is open book... when you sit for the state test it is not

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David Faulkner
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David Faulkner
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  • Orange County, CA
Replied Jun 23 2016, 23:02

It is not open booked, but it is open minded.

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Renee Harris
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Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
Replied Jun 23 2016, 23:05

omg! Why is this woman telling me the test is open book?

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Renee Harris
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Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
Replied Jun 23 2016, 23:06
Originally posted by @Mark Pedroza:

@Renee Harris no, it's not open book but RE Trainers has a 2 day weekend state exam crash course you might be interested in. They're located in Anaheim. Contact them for further info..

Good luck,

Mark (N-CA)

Sac/Placer county

Thank you! 

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Thomas Kulinski
  • New to Real Estate
  • Murrieta, CA
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Thomas Kulinski
  • New to Real Estate
  • Murrieta, CA
Replied Jun 23 2016, 23:07

Hi Renee. I had the same concern and was told that all exams, including the online courses, were open book. It seems there was a miscommunication here. This is a state exam which is overseen by state officials at a facility that provides it. I have already taken a state exam for a life insurance agent and am pretty sure the RE exam is done the same way. I am too currently studying for it. Best of luck to you!

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Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
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Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
Replied Jun 23 2016, 23:07
Originally posted by @Arthur Fuller II:

the test you take to get the cert from the school you're using is open book... when you sit for the state test it is not

 I see.

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Renee Harris
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Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
Replied Jun 23 2016, 23:14
Originally posted by @Thomas Kulinski:

Hi Renee. I had the same concern and was told that all exams, including the online courses, were open book. It seems there was a miscommunication here. This is a state exam which is overseen by state officials at a facility that provides it. I have already taken a state exam for a life insurance agent and am pretty sure the RE exam is done the same way. I am too currently studying for it. Best of luck to you!

 So it's not open book? Was the life insurance agent exam open book?

I went to calBRE and I didn't see anything about open book. They don't let you bring anything into the room. 

Good luck to you too! Let's get this money baby! 

Sorry to post so much in one thread. This iPad is not making it easy. 

PS.

I need life insurance. :)

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Thomas Kulinski
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  • Murrieta, CA
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Thomas Kulinski
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  • Murrieta, CA
Replied Jun 23 2016, 23:20
Originally posted by @Renee Harris:
Originally posted by @Thomas Kulinski:

Hi Renee. I had the same concern and was told that all exams, including the online courses, were open book. It seems there was a miscommunication here. This is a state exam which is overseen by state officials at a facility that provides it. I have already taken a state exam for a life insurance agent and am pretty sure the RE exam is done the same way. I am too currently studying for it. Best of luck to you!

 So it's not open book? Was the life insurance agent exam open book?

I went to calBRE and I didn't see anything about open book. They don't let you bring anything into the room. 

Good luck to you too! Let's get this money baby! 

Sorry to post so much in one thread. This iPad is not making it easy.

 
Unfortunately, it is not. The life insurance exam I took was not open book either. Just a multiple choice exam on a PC and all they give you is a pencil and a scratch paper. You are right, when I took my life insurance exam I had to empty all my pockets and I believe they even make you take your watch off. Anyway, please make sure you go over the practice exams several times. I have heard the exam is quite difficult. Just make sure you are prepared. Good thing is that the RE license is good for 4 years.

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Carrianne Mucho
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Carrianne Mucho
  • Lender
  • Roseville, CA
Replied Jun 24 2016, 07:34

To the lady's benefit, she may have misunderstood your question. The online course likely has an open book exam. The state test however, will not be open book and restricts items that can be brought into the testing area. Just check out the pass rate for the state exam... It certainly would be much higher if it were open book!!

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Penny Clark
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Penny Clark
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Replied Jun 24 2016, 08:18

@Renee Harris, State exam is not open book,but your course exams are. If your course materials included practice exam questions, study those, and put emphasis on studying real estate ethics questions. I remember there were a lot of those when I took the exam last year. Remember, you only need 70 percent to pass.

Good luck!

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Drew Wie
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Drew Wie
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  • Irvine, CA
Replied Jun 24 2016, 09:56

As others said, not open book.
What really helped me was studying the sample questions from past exams (or very similar to) which many vendors offer.

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Jay Hinrichs#1 All Forums Contributor
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Jay Hinrichs#1 All Forums Contributor
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Replied Jun 24 2016, 12:00

@Renee Harris  NO state licensing in any category is OPEN book.. why have an exam at all then if you simply can read from the book.

what is open book though is your CE  continuing ed.

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Jamal Wilson
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Jamal Wilson
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Replied Jun 24 2016, 13:51

Good Luck@Renee Harris

@Jay Hinrichs I have a difference of opinion on open book test. Ideally, you would want more extensive answers on open book tests. Whereas, traditional testing is merely memorizing information. This is especially for those folks who can't really grasp the certain material. State Exams should be pragmatic. I can see how this can be difficult on a real estate exam, though. 

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Renee Harris
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Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
Replied Jun 24 2016, 21:50

Thank you all for the replies, advice and well wishes. 

@Jamal Wilson: I would have never assumed it was open book until she said it was.

 Where can I check the pass rate? Maybe I don't want to. 

Anyway, thanks for all the replies. I am glad I asked. I would have failed!!!!!!!!!!

@Drew Wie: Where did you find past exams?

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Jesse Sasomsup
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Jesse Sasomsup
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Replied Jun 24 2016, 23:29

No, it is not open book. In fact, the workers at the exam facility will even make you roll up your sleeves to make sure you are not trying to cheat.

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Clyde Allen
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Clyde Allen
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Replied Jun 24 2016, 23:36

I am a California Licensed Real Estate Agent. I studied the required courses through Allied Real Estate School and those test were open book but the State Exam is not. Good Luck!

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Robert L.
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Robert L.
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Replied Jun 25 2016, 13:28

Renee Harris I concur with Mark Pedroza about the 2 day cram exam. It helped both my wife and I pass the first time.
Before that, we took Duane Gomer's training (books & online).

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Renee Harris
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Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
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Replied Jun 25 2016, 15:03

Where can I find a place to do a crash course in los angeles, anaheim is kinda far. Thanks

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Drew Wie
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Drew Wie
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Replied Jun 25 2016, 20:23

Renee Harris I used Duane Gomers course as well, his coursework when I took it came with a sample test booklet. He also talks about the real estate investing arena on his renewal license coursework!

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Sue K.
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Sue K.
  • San Jose, CA
Replied Jun 25 2016, 20:28
Originally posted by @Renee Harris:

Where can I find a place to do a crash course in los angeles, anaheim is kinda far. Thanks

 Renee, you really need to become more resourceful.  If you want answers regarding the licensing requirements, then contact the board who licenses people.

If you want to know where you can take courses, learn how to use Google.  You've really got to become more self-sufficient and resourceful, if you are going to be successful.

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Renee Harris
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Renee Harris
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Los Angeles, CA
Replied Jun 26 2016, 18:36

I was actually just asking where to go or wanting to know about where others went as a chance to have a dialogue.