When taking the California Real Estate Broker’s Exam, it is important to understand the structure of the test so there are as few surprises as possible. The exam is five hours of testing–2 1/2 hours in the morning, and 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon. There is a break in between the two sessions, during which the examinees have to vacate the testing room. This is important to know because you will want to utilize the halftime break wisely.

I suggest you bring some nutritious food with you to eat during the break. Do not waste your time going to a fast food restaurant and satiating on whatever you can find. Bring some quality protein, a slice or two of quality whole wheat, grainy bread, and some fruit and veggies. This will provide fuel and energy for you in the afternoon without making you drowsy. Bring something to drink that is not loaded with sugar. You do not want a big surge in your blood sugar level, only to crash in the afternoon. Also bring some of your best study materials to peruse during the halftime break. Don’t just let the time fritter away. Make it as useful as possible. The first half of the test will alert you to the kind of questions you can expect in the afternoon.

The test is randomly distributed within all topical areas. That is to say, you do not exhaust all of the “appraisal” questions in the morning so that you will not see any in the afternoon. All topics are randomly distributed throughout the day, and are likely to be seen on both halves of the test. There are a total of 200 questions on the exam; 100 in the morning, 100 in the afternoon. It is like two 100/question tests, but it is graded as one 200/question test. A score of 75% must be obtained to pass, or 150 correct answers out of 200. Restroom breaks are permitted, but you are probably better off not having to utilize them. You will need to show a picture ID and you should have the authorization letter from the state. You may bring a pencil and a simple four-function calculator into the examination room. Bottled water, purses, and cell phones will be kept in another room, so for many, it is better to leave them in the car. Their security is not guaranteed. Knowing this framework will assist in keeping you comfortable, and having a successful experience with the exam.