Georgia real estate exam: format, content, and study guide

The Georgia real estate exam is a two-part, computer-based licensing test administered by PSI Services LLC under contract with the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC). Candidates who complete the required pre-licensing education must pass both a national portion and a Georgia state portion, each scored independently. The exam is offered at PSI test centers across the state, and the content areas, study materials, and practice resources below apply to the real estate exam GA uses for salesperson licensure.

Georgia real estate exam overview

The Georgia real estate exam is the licensing examination that prospective salespersons must pass to qualify for a salesperson license. GREC contracts with PSI to administer the exam, which tests both national real estate principles and Georgia-specific laws and practices in a single session. GREC also contracts with PSI to administer broker and community association manager exams, which follow separate content outlines.

Exam format and structure

The exam consists of 152 scored multiple-choice questions divided into two independently scored portions, plus up to 5 unscored pretest questions that may appear without identification, according to the GREC Candidate Handbook^[1]. Candidates have 4 hours total to complete the exam: 150 minutes for the 100-question national portion and 90 minutes for the 52-question state portion.

Questions from both portions are intermixed, so candidates cannot identify which portion a given question belongs to. Each question offers four answer choices. An on-screen calculator is provided for math questions; personal calculators are not permitted.

Up to 5 pretest questions may be distributed across either portion and do not count toward the final score.

Exam content and subject areas

The national portion tests general real estate knowledge across 11 content areas, with the heaviest emphasis on contracts, agency, and the practice of real estate. The Georgia state portion covers three areas: real estate practice in Georgia, state laws and rules, and finance and closing. Both national standards and state-specific regulations are tested, as described in the PSI real estate exam content guide^[2].

National portion content areas

Georgia state portion content areas

The state portion does not include math questions. The national portion includes real estate calculation questions covering area and volume, prorations, commissions, and interest. Useful formulas to memorize include 43,560 square feet per acre and 5,280 feet per mile.

Passing score requirements

Candidates must score 75% on each portion to pass, according to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin^[3]. That means answering at least 75 of 100 national questions correctly and 39 of 52 state questions correctly. Both portions must be passed independently; a high score on one portion does not offset a failing score on the other.

Under GA Admin Code Rule 520-1-.04(3)^[4], the passing score is "determined by psychometrically sound criterion-related methods associated with assessment of minimal competence," and the minimum passing score is published before exam administration. Candidates receive a printed score report immediately after completing the exam.

Exam cost and scheduling

The exam fee is $175 per attempt as of July 2026, according to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin^[5], payable to PSI when scheduling online or by phone.

After completing the required pre-licensing education, candidates register through PSI's online scheduling system. Test centers are located throughout Georgia.

What to expect on test day

Candidates should arrive early and bring identification for check-in, which includes fingerprinting for identity verification, according to PSI's exam overview^[6]. Two forms of identification are required, one of which must be government-issued with a photo.

The exam is computer-based. An on-screen calculator appears on the testing screen for math questions; personal calculators, cell phones, and reference materials are not permitted in the testing room. Scratch paper is provided by the test center and collected at the end.

Candidates receive a printed score report immediately after completing the exam. The report shows whether each portion was passed or failed and may include diagnostic feedback on performance by content area.

After the exam: retakes and score validity

Candidates who fail one or both portions only retake the failed portion or portions; passing scores on the other portion remain valid. There is no set limit on the number of retake attempts. Each retake requires the full $175 exam fee, and candidates cannot schedule a retake on the same day as a failed exam.

Under GA Admin Code Rule 520-1-.04(5)(a)^[4], candidates who pass the exam must apply for an active or inactive license within 3 months of the exam date. After 3 months, a penalty fee equal to twice the original application fee applies. Candidates who do not activate a license within 12 months of the exam date must retake the exam.

The activation fee for original licensure is $45, which includes $20 for the Real Estate Education, Research, and Recovery Fund, and the four-year renewal fee is $125 for paper filing or $100 for online filing, per GA Admin Code Rule 520-1-.04(1)(a)^[4]. Both the activation fee and renewal fee are due when a candidate first activates a license.

Study strategies for the Georgia real estate exam

Effective Georgia real estate exam prep combines a structured review of content areas with repeated practice testing under timed conditions. Contracts, agency, and the practice of real estate carry the heaviest weight on the national portion, so those topics deserve the most study time.

The Georgia-specific portion deserves separate study attention. State laws and rules, real estate practice in Georgia, and finance and closing procedures differ from national norms and require memorization of Georgia license law, trust account rules, and closing disclosure requirements.

Practice tests and prep resources

Practice tests help identify knowledge gaps and build familiarity with the exam's multiple-choice format. Several resources offer Georgia-specific practice materials, from the exam administrator's official prep book to free online question banks.

The PSI exam prep book^[7] is available for purchase through PSI's online store. Beyond PSI's materials, test preparation websites offer free Georgia real estate practice tests and real estate practice questions covering topics such as listing and agency, sales contracts, finance, fair housing, and GREC organization. Using a real estate exam sample test under timed conditions helps gauge readiness for the full exam session.

Next steps after passing the exam

After passing both portions of the exam, apply for your salesperson license through GREC within 3 months to avoid the penalty fee. You must affiliate with a sponsoring broker to activate your license and complete the required post-license education within the first year of licensure under GA Admin Code Rule 520-1-.05(1)^[4].