Hi to all.
I'm trying to acquire my license in California. I've already taken the exam once, and barely failed, nevertheless failed.
So I am here asking those that passed for advice on how and what to study to help me pass this exam. Is there a certain method that helped you, or what specific kinds of materials (books, videos, etc) did you use?

I really want to pass my next time, I have to drive at least 3 hours to take the test, and I am starting school again this month, so I need as much advice as I can get to help me pass this next time.

Thanx alot.
Peter

When I took the state exam I had used Allied ( http://www.realestatelicense.com ) for my coursework. I didn't buy their "Exam Cram" video or workbook, but they might be worthwhile. I found that reading the books helped me.

Did you just purchase the one course? Or have you done all three so that you can get a non-provisional license? There is more to the test than just the principles course.

I got this book (Forgot which one - Good Stuff)
read it and re-read it like 3 times.

went to the test, saw about 20 people who had taken the test like 5 times already and I was lucky to come out passing the first time.

Trust me, I came out of those doors knowing I got only like 15 answers correctly. lol

Auburn, I have already taken the RE Principles, RE Practices courses, and from what I have heard one of my business classes from college will fulfill the other elective. So once I can pass this final exam, I can move onto being an agent. I live on the centrall coast and it just sucks that I can't take the exam whenever I want to, and recieving alot of mail from real estate companies that I can't take.

For my last exam, I studied this book by Barrons that I bought at a Barnes and Nobles, and it seemed to be very out of date, only recognized like 3 questions from those practice exams and the format was totally different.

Kthor, haha yea I know what you mean, I was in a bit of confusion after the exam.

Thanx again
Peter

go to www.alliedschools.com

Buy their practice exam booklet.

Take the exams until you are getting 80% or better on them.

You will then pass.

This worked for both my salesperson and brokers exams.

R

Sounds like you could have possibly pass the exam if you take it again. This is how I structured my exam:

1. Answer all questions 99 percent sure of

2. Skip the math, long paragraph questions, and questions you are 50 percent sure of

3. At the end of the test, go back and do the long paragraph questions, 50 percent assured questions, and math in that order.

Make sure you write down the number on the scratch piece of paper with the the categories. Then after you are done go through them and use up every minute to go over them. When I did this I found I had 90 questions I was sure of, 10 math questions which 8 were easy, 40 questions I used my best judgement to answer, 5 with very very long confusing sentences and 5 questions not covered in my book or exam prep.

It sounds like you were close, so I would just restudy the book a week before the test.

First off thanks to all. I think I am going to go with the one of the courses offered by Allied.
Has anybody tried their cram courses? Like the one on video or audio?
They are a bit more pricey than the normal practice book, but if its worth it I think I might just go with it. After all, I'd rather take it once instead of having to drive and stay in hotels a few more times.

thanx again
Peter

Where on the central coast are you?

I was in San Luis Obispo until early this year.

Always apply to take your test in Fresno - they offer tests every day and they are never full. The Santa Maria testing site is only open 4 days a year - so if you choose Santa Maris you might not be able to retest until next year.

Glad you started this thread. I checked out the websites that some of you provided, but unfor,,I live in Illinois. Do anyone know of any other great websites that includes illinois as well? I am taking the broker's exam. I don't have my sales license either, so this will be my first time taking the test all together. I am taking the exam this Saturday and I need all the help I can get!!!!

Auburn, Yea I live in San Luis Obispo right now. Going to school at Cal Poly. Were you working in SLO till earlier this year? If so, how was it?

Hmmm... how far is Fresno from SLO, I'm going to have to look into taking it there, seeing that I have a couple of weeks before school starts, I'm sure I could make a trip or two that way.

As for Santa Maria, I remember earlier this year on the DRE website it listed Santa Maria as a test site, but by the time I was ready to take it that option wasn't available. Do you know when or how often they test in SM? It would be so awesome to be able to test in SM, but nothing's ever that easy.

Thanx again
Peter

My opinion may differ from most
I used Allied for my course completion and bought their Exam Cram. unfortunately I found it useless at least for my taste. Someone else suggested that I use Real Estate Excellence (www.realestateexcellenceinc.com). I bought their material and passed on the first try.

This sounds strange however it works. Take all the book and practice tests and put each question on an index card. One side for the question, the other for the answers. Now for the curveball. Study the answers not the questions. Get so you can look at the 4 answers and say the question. Your mind reacts better this way. I know it doesn't make sense, however I took my CA exam in under a half hour and passed.

Try using the course offered by Real Estate Trainers, it worked for me, I pass the test the first time.
http://www.retrainers.com/

I bought all the allie stuff too. Exam cram, video... the works.

Ended up not even using the damn things.

The ONLY thing worth the effort is their practice exam book. They are constantly updating their practice exam book with the latest questions.

I can recall questions on my exam being EXACTLY the same as the ones I had on the practice exam.

R

Hey Rebel,
Do you know what the difference between the book, cd, and the online super prep exam questions are? I figure you used the book version, but do they keep all 3 of their materials up to date?

thanx
peter