Are you preparing for the real estate exam and feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! In this blog post, I’ll share the exact strategies I used to pass my real estate exam in just four days. Yes, you read that correctly—just four days!
Let’s dive in!
Tip #1 Listen To Your Director And Your Teacher to pass the Real Estate Exam.
During my real estate course, I did it via Zoom, which I don’t necessarily recommend. While the convenience of studying from home was a bonus, it was sometimes difficult to hear what the instructor was saying. I realized that the real learning began after class ended. If you’ve already taken the course and feel confident with the material, giving yourself four days to study might be enough. But if you’re struggling with the material, be sure to get extra help.
One crucial tip I learned was from the program director. They shared exactly how they believed I could efficiently pass the exam. At first, I thought I had my own plan, but when I overheard other students talking about their plans (which didn’t align with the advice of the director), I realized how important it was to trust the experts. So, if your director offers advice, listen up!
Tip #2 Forget the Flashcards; Embrace Quizzes
This was the most important piece of advice from my director. Initially, I thought I would feel more comfortable reading the textbook page by page and making flashcards. But when I decided to focus solely on doing as many practice questions as possible, everything clicked. It wasn’t about memorizing the questions; it was about increasing the volume. I would do questions, and then immediately look up the answers, not to memorize, but to get used to the format of the questions.
Quiz sources:
The back of every chapter in my textbook
YouTube practice videos
Practice books from my school
Real estate exams often feature tricky wording, and it’s important to get comfortable with that. When you take the test, you might think you know the material, but the way questions are phrased can throw you off. That’s why getting familiar with question formats and practicing how to interpret them is just as important as knowing the content.
So, the goal is clear: the exam isn’t about mastering real estate knowledge just yet, it’s about passing the test.
Tip #3 Write Things Down for Better Memory Retention
I had tried flashcards, but what really worked for me was writing things down. I discovered that writing out concepts and vocabulary by hand helped me retain information better than using flashcards. Taking pen to paper forces your brain to engage with the material on a deeper level.
To make it even more effective, I turned this into a fun activity. I used colored markers and made my charts visually appealing. I found that linking ideas and seeing the bigger picture in a more artistic way helped my brain absorb and retain the information better.
Tip #4 Optimize Your Cognitive Thinking
This tip comes from my background as a Craniosacral practitioner, where I focus on improving the nervous system. When I was studying for my real estate exam, I noticed that my concentration was slipping. I found it harder to focus and memorize, and I was frustrated by my performance on quizzes.
But after one intense self-care session of Craniosacral therapy, I saw an immediate improvement. After just one session, I could retain longer sequences of letters and felt much more alert. By the next day, I was more focused, and my brain was functioning at a higher level. I realized that taking care of my body—getting enough sleep, exercising, and using techniques like Craniosacral therapy—made a huge difference in how my brain processed information.
Tip #5 Optimize Your Time with Multitasking
We all have those moments when we’re studying so hard that our brains just shut down. That’s when I switched my strategy. Around 7 PM every day, my brain would hit a wall. I was still determined to get more study time in, so I switched gears. I’d listen to practice videos while cooking dinner or even while lying in bed, exhausted. Sometimes I’d close my eyes and listen to audio content just before falling asleep.
I found that absorbing information through audio and video was easier for my brain when I was too tired to read. This strategy helped me get in a few extra hours of studying without burning myself out.
Tip #6 Use Movement to Boost Your Learning
This tip is something I didn’t do until after the course was over, and I really wish I had done it sooner. I was sitting for hours studying, which resulted in back pain and fatigue. My body was struggling. I eventually got a standing desk with a treadmill, and it completely changed my study routine. It wasn’t a fancy setup—I bought it as cheaply as possible off Amazon—but it made a huge difference.
Walking while studying kept me moving and improved my posture. Poor posture can cause brain fog, cognitive issues, and fatigue. When you’re hunched over, it restricts blood flow to your brain. So, getting up and moving around can really help boost your cognitive function.
Tip#7 Stop Wasting Time on Unnecessary Memorization
Here’s a little secret: not everything needs to be memorized. I approached vocabulary terms with three questions in mind:
Is this a simple word that’s easy to recall? Flashcards are fine for this.
Is this a core concept that impacts other areas? I’d dive deeper into the textbook and take notes on these.
Is this self-explanatory? Skip the flashcards—you’ll figure it out on test day.
By categorizing terms as I studied, I was able to focus my energy on the most important concepts, saving time and avoiding over-complicating things.
Tip #8 Follow the Test Content Outline
This tip might be the most important!
At least in Idaho, they provide the test "Content Outline". This tells you the percentage of each topic on the test. I spent 3 of my 4 days studying the highest percentage topics. For example, based on the pic above, spending a lot of time studying "Duties and Powers" that is only 5% of the test would be a huge waist! Base your studying off the highest percentage topics and you'll be studying very efficiently.
Final Thoughts
The real estate exam may feel daunting, but remember this: “The only way is through.” Keep pushing forward and remind yourself of all the progress you’ve made. Every time you think you can’t do it, remember how far you’ve come.
Good luck on your journey—and if you have any questions or tips to share, feel free to comment below! Also, if you’re new to real estate, join my agent referral map for extra support!
Take care, and happy studying!
Take care.
p.s. If you are new to Real Estate, feel free to reach out for more on business strategies.
Comments