You have studied for days and days. You think you understand real estate and you head out to take the test. Sitting in front of the computer screen it feels like your mind has become a blank and you never heard of anything the test is asking! “Are you kidding?”, you ask yourself silently. Take heart, dear student, you do have a chance to pass the test. The key is peeling the question apart just like you peel an onion - layer by layer.

Most questions are missed because you didn’t READ it carefully and with a purpose. A purpose? Yes, a purpose. You want to get to the under layer of what the question is truly asking of you and what is FLUFF. When you take this exam you need to read each one 3 (count em’ 3) times. The first time is to get a handle on what TYPE of question is being asked. Read both the question and the answers. And here is what to look for when reading.

Common types include:

  • Most Important - Look for the key word or concept that makes one more important
  • Most Likely or Least Likely - what would normally happen in this situation
  • Least - Might say Least Influence or Least Likely. It is asking what is the less probable outcome
  • Not - One of theses things is NOT like the others
  • Best - What is the better answer of all the answers. The trick is in the answers
  • Difference - Often asking for the MAJOR difference so that you have to compare. Again you need to analyze the answers you have to choose from carefully.
  • Except -You are looking for the opposite of what you think
  • Situational - They tell you a story with two yes and two no answers. Make sure you analyze the ANSWERS carefully
  • True - So you have 3 wrong answers and ONE right answer
  • False - Now you have three true answers and 1 FALSE. Pick the different one.
  • Have in common - A group of words will revolve around one concept. For example Possibility of Reverter, Right of Reentry of Remainder are all words about Life Estates.
  • Application - They want to see if you truly understand the concept and can apply it to the real world
  • Accountable - Now the story wants to know who is responsible at the end of the day

Now you need to read the question for the 2nd time. This time you are reading to pull the key words and concepts. Use your scratch paper to jot down the words that have the meaning. Here is a key AHA - You can use the scratch paper for more than math. Answer the question in your mind but GET YOUR HAND OFF THE MOUSE! It is not time to answer the quesion yet. Even if you feel that you don’t have enough time - TRUST ME you have plenty. Do what I do and SIT on your hands. Look for the important words that are in both the questions and the answers. It is just as important to read the answers as it is to read the question. Pace yourself.

Now is the time to read the question for the third and final time. Make sure you understand EXACTLY what they are asking. Look for the hidden trick so you come out victorious. If you KNOW the answer - go ahead and click the button. If you are still not sure, book mark it so that it comes back to you at the end of the test. A secret key is to trust your GUT. Most likely your first answer will be right. You must resist the insanity of going back and changing answers. You don’t have to double guess yourself. Make sure you answer all the questions in the end. After all if you really don’t know it, you might as well guess since you were going to get it totally wrong for not answering.

So now you are armed with testing knowledge of how the write the questions to trick you up. Take the upper hand and peel that onion of a question apart so you won’t have any tears when you receive your passing grade!

Interested in a career in real estate? The Real Estate Class is the place to start.