Texas Real Estate Exam Passing Score: 70% on Both Portions
FOLLOW US
The Texas real estate exam passing score is 70% on each portion. Sales agent candidates must answer at least 56 of 80 scored national questions and 28 of 40 scored Texas state questions correctly. The exam includes pretest questions, so you may see 125 total items if you take both portions together: 85 national items and 50 state items.
If you’re planning to take the Texas real estate exam, you’re probably wondering: what’s the passing score? Is Texas particularly demanding when it comes to passing the real estate exam? Here’s everything you need to know about the passing requirements and what it takes to succeed.
Texas Real Estate Exam Passing Score
As you may know so far, the exam consists of two portions: the National Portion and the Specific State Portion. And the passing score for the Texas Real Estate Exam applies to both portions of the state licensing examination:
- National portion: 70% or higher required.
- State portion: 70% or higher required.
The Texas real estate exam is passable, but it is not an exam to take lightly. TREC publishes provider exam passage rates based on candidates who pass both the national and state portions on the first attempt. Recent public summaries of TREC-based data commonly place the Texas first-time pass rate in the high-50% range, which means a large share of candidates need to retake at least one portion.
That is why your study plan should focus on two things: getting above 70% consistently on practice exams and spending extra time on Texas-specific topics such as agency, contracts, standards of conduct, TREC rules, and state disclosures.
National Portion
The national section contains 80 questions covering general real estate principles, including property ownership and land use controls, valuation and market analysis, and financing principles, among others.
Texas State Portion
The state-specific section includes 25 questions focusing on Texas real estate law, TREC rules and regulations, Texas Property Code and State-specific disclosures and forms.
You must pass both sections with a minimum score of 70% to obtain your Texas real estate salesperson license.
Texas’s 70% passing threshold on both portions makes it a mid-range exam in terms of difficulty. Some states have significantly easier exams, with higher passing rates, fewer questions, and lower thresholds. But remember: Texas does NOT offer reciprocity with any state, so if you want to practice in Texas, you must pass the Texas exam specifically.
Whether you’re preparing in Texas or considering neighboring states, the broker requirements differ significantly. Missouri, for example, requires only 48 hours of broker education compared to Texas’s 900 hours. North Dakota has one of the lowest barriers to entry for brokers in the country. The Missouri real estate broker exam and North Dakota real estate broker exam reflect those lighter requirements.
Texas has a first-time pass rate of approximately 57%, which means nearly half of candidates need to retake at least one portion. For comparison, first-time pass rates range from 46% to over 75% across all states, Texas falls in the middle nationally. Knowing where your state ranks helps you calibrate how seriously to prepare.
What to Prioritize on the Texas State Portion
The Texas state portion is not evenly weighted. More than 70% of the scored state questions come from three areas:
| Texas State Topic | Scored Questions |
|---|---|
| Agency / Brokerage | 11 |
| Contracts | 9 |
| Standards of Conduct | 9 |
Together, those three areas account for 29 of the 40 scored state questions. That makes agency, contracts, and standards of conduct the highest-priority Texas-specific topics when you study.
Exam Scoring and Results
Understanding how your Texas real estate exam is scored helps you prepare effectively and know what to expect on test day.
How Scoring Works
The Texas real estate exam has two separately scored portions: the national portion and the Texas state portion. You must pass both portions to move forward with your sales agent license.
| Portion | Scored Questions | Pretest Questions | Total Items | Time Limit | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National portion | 80 | 5 | 85 | 150 minutes | 56 correct |
| Texas state portion | 40 | 10 | 50 | 90 minutes | 28 correct |
| Both portions together | 120 | 15 | 125 | 240 minutes | Must pass both |
Pretest questions are not counted toward your score, but they are not identified during the exam. That means you should treat every question as if it counts.
Score Reporting
Your Texas real estate exam results will show:
- Pass/fail status for each section.
- Scaled score (not raw score).
- Performance breakdown by content area.
- Next steps for retaking if needed.
Want to know exactly where you stand before exam day? Start with our free Texas real estate practice exam to benchmark your readiness, then go deeper with our Texas real estate sales agent exam prep for full coverage of both the national and state portions.”
What Happens if You Don’t Meet the Passing Score?
Don’t worry if you don’t pass on your first attempt, many successful real estate professionals need multiple tries. TREC provides clear guidelines for retaking the exam and improving your performance for future attempts.
Texas Real Estate Exam Retake Policy
If you do not pass one portion of the Texas real estate exam, you only need to retake the portion you failed. Pearson VUE requires candidates to wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake, and each attempt costs $43.
Texas also has a strict retake limit. You have three attempts to pass each portion during your one-year eligibility period. If you fail either the national or state portion three times, you must complete 30 additional hours of qualifying real estate education before you can test again. If you fail both portions three times, you must complete 60 additional hours.
This should completely replace:
No limit on the number of attempts within the eligibility period.
That line is factually wrong and should not be published.
Score Improvement Strategies
- Review the detailed score report.
- Focus study time on weak areas.
- Consider additional prep courses.
- Practice with sample exams.
- Study Texas-specific materials thoroughly.
How does the Texas passing score compare to other major markets? Florida requires 75% overall on 100 questions, a higher threshold but fewer total questions. See our guide on how to pass the Florida real estate exam for a detailed comparison. Agents who plan to work in both states will face different exam structures, passing scores, and time limits.
Preparing for Success: Meeting the Passing Score
Getting that 70% passing score on your first try comes down to good preparation. When you have quality study materials, effective strategies, and full-scale prep resources like Lexawise‘s Texas real estate exam platform, you’re setting yourself up to pass the exam and get your real estate career started without delays.
Essential Study Materials
- TREC-approved pre-licensing course materials.
- Texas Real Estate Commission handbook.
- Practice exams and questions.
- State law and regulation updates.
- Flashcards for key terms and concepts.
Effective Study Strategies
- Complete required education: 180 hours of approved real estate education.
- Take practice tests: Simulate actual exam conditions.
- Focus on weak areas: Use diagnostic results to guide study time.
- Review Texas-specific content: State laws, forms, and procedures.
- Time management: Practice completing sections within time limits.
Texas Real Estate Exam Statistics and Success Rates
Let’s be honest about what you’re up against:
- Not everyone passes on their first try, but your prep method makes a huge difference.
- People who take comprehensive prep courses usually do much better than those who just wing it.
- The Texas state section trips up a lot of test-takers because it covers laws specific to Texas.
- If you’re consistently doing well on practice exams, that’s a good sign for the real thing.
My advice? Don’t leave your success to chance. Invest in solid preparation, especially for those Texas-specific laws, and take plenty of practice tests. It’s better to over-prepare and pass confidently than to underestimate the exam and have to retake it.
Texas is one of only two large states with no state income tax, the other being Nevada. If you’re comparing markets, our Las Vegas housing market forecast for 2026 covers the other major no-income-tax market and how it compares to Texas in terms of inventory, pricing trends, and agent opportunity. Both markets attract heavy out-of-state migration, which drives demand for licensed agents.
Common Mistakes That Affect Passing Scores
Even well-prepared candidates can fall short of the 70% passing score due to avoidable mistakes. Learning from common pitfalls that trip up test-takers can significantly improve your performance.
Platforms like Lexawise help identify and address these typical errors through targeted practice questions, study guides, and detailed explanations, ensuring you’re fully prepared to avoid these costly mistakes on exam day.
Content Knowledge Gaps
- Insufficient understanding of the Texas Property Code.
- Weak grasp of agency relationships.
- Limited knowledge of financing principles.
- Inadequate contract law preparation.
Test-Taking Errors
- Poor time management.
- Not reading questions carefully.
- Second-guessing correct answers.
- Rushing through state-specific questions.
Already Licensed in Another State?
Texas does not offer license reciprocity with any state. However, if you already hold an active license in a state that participates in ARELLO’s national exam accreditation, you may be exempt from the national portion of the Texas exam. In that case, you would still need to pass the Texas state portion. TREC says applicants should submit a license history with the application to request the exemption.
Conclusion
Achieving the 70% passing score on your Texas Real Estate Exam requires thorough preparation, focused study, and understanding of both national principles and Texas-specific regulations. With proper preparation and dedication, you can successfully pass both portions of the exam and begin your rewarding career in Texas real estate.
Remember that the passing score is the first milestone. Our real estate exam prep covers Texas and all 50 states, with practice questions calibrated to the actual passing threshold for each portion.
Once you pass, the work doesn’t stop at the score report. If you’re also considering Florida, see our guide on what to do after passing the Florida real estate exam the post-exam activation process differs significantly between states, and knowing the steps in advance saves weeks of delays.
