Kansas Real Estate Exam Course Guide: Format, Scoring, and Prep
The Kansas real estate salesperson exam is a two-part computer-based test administered by Pearson VUE that candidates take after completing pre-licensing education. The exam has 110 scored questions across a national portion and a Kansas state portion, plus 15 unscored pretest questions, and requires a scaled score of 70 on each section to pass. Preparing with a real estate exam course gives candidates the knowledge and practice needed to pass the real estate certification exam on the first attempt.
Kansas real estate exam structure and format
The Kansas real estate licensing exam is a computer-based test administered by Pearson VUE with two portions: a national (general) section and a Kansas state section. The salesperson exam has 110 scored questions (80 national plus 30 state) with 15 additional unscored pretest items, while the broker exam has 120 scored questions (80 national plus 40 state). Candidates have 4 hours total and must achieve a scaled score of 70 on each portion; the scaled score is not a percentage of correct answers. The exam fee is $70 when both portions are scheduled together, or $70 per portion if scheduled separately, paid directly to Pearson VUE. Exam scores are valid for 6 months from the pass date.
Beyond the 110 scored items, the salesperson exam includes 15 unscored pretest questions that bring the total to 125. According to the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook (effective April 2025), the national portion has 85 questions (80 scored + 5 pretest) and the state portion has 40 questions (30 scored + 10 pretest). Pretest items are not identified during the exam and do not affect the score; Pearson VUE includes them to evaluate questions for future forms. The KREC FAQ[1] reports 80 national and 30 state scored questions, consistent with the scored counts but without mentioning pretest items.
| Portion | Scored questions | Pretest questions | Total questions | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 5 | 85 | 2.5 hours |
| Kansas state | 30 | 10 | 40 | 1.5 hours |
| Total | 110 | 15 | 125 | 4 hours |
The broker exam uses the same national portion but has a larger state section: 40 scored questions plus 10 pretest, for 50 total state questions and 135 total exam questions.
Exam scoring and results
Each portion is scored independently, and candidates must achieve a scaled score of 70 or higher on both to pass. According to the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook (April 2025, rev 7/25), raw scores are converted to scaled scores through equating, a statistical process that adjusts for differences in difficulty across exam forms. The passing score of 70 does not represent a percentage of correct answers or a fixed number of correct responses.
Some secondary sources describe the threshold in percentage terms, but the Pearson VUE handbook explicitly states that the scaled score is neither the number nor the percentage of questions answered correctly.
Results appear on screen immediately after completing the exam. A candidate who passes one portion but fails the other retains the passing score and retakes only the failed section.
Exam content areas
The questions on a real estate exam in Kansas cover two distinct sets of topics. The national portion tests general real estate principles, while the state portion tests Kansas license law and regulations. The Pearson VUE content outlines detail the specific topics within each area.
National portion topics
The national portion has 80 scored questions across eight content areas covering property characteristics, ownership forms, contracts, financing, and math.
| Content area | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| Real property characteristics | 11 |
| Forms of ownership, transfer, and recording | 9 |
| Property value and appraisal | 11 |
| Real estate contracts and agency | 16 |
| Real estate practice | 10 |
| Property disclosures and environmental issues | 8 |
| Financing and settlement | 8 |
| Real estate math calculations | 7 |
| Total | 80 |
Contracts and agency is the most heavily weighted area. Math calculations cover commission calculations, loan-to-value ratios, proration, and area measurements.
Kansas state portion topics
The state portion has 30 scored questions across five content areas focused on Kansas license law, including the Brokerage Relationships in Real Estate Transactions Act (BRRETA).
| Content area | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| Duties and powers of KREC | 2 |
| Licensing requirements | 4 |
| Requirements governing activities of licensees | 5 |
| Prohibited acts | 8 |
| BRRETA | 11 |
| Total | 30 |
BRRETA is the most heavily weighted area on the state portion, given the importance of brokerage relationship disclosure in Kansas practice.
Preparing for the Kansas real estate exam
Effective preparation combines content review with active practice testing. Research on test-enhanced learning shows that retrieving information through practice questions produces better retention than passive re-reading. Starting intensive practice two to three weeks before the exam date allows time to identify and address weak areas.
Study resources and content review
Pearson VUE provides a Candidate Handbook and Content Outlines as free PDF downloads that detail the topics on both the national and state portions of the Kansas real estate exam. Pearson VUE also offers Broker and Sales practice tests for $19.95 each covering general real estate topics, with 30 days of access after purchase. The salesperson exam has 110 scored questions (80 national and 30 state) with a passing scaled score of 70 on a 0-100 scale.
Download both the handbook and content outline documents from the Pearson VUE Kansas real estate page[2] to see the full topic breakdown for each portion. Use these as the foundation for study sessions.
A real estate exam prep course can provide structured review of both national and state content areas. When choosing a real estate exam prep class or real estate license exam prep course, look for one that covers both portions and explains Kansas-specific license law. These real estate exam classes may also reinforce math skills and test-taking strategies.
Practice tests and sample questions
Pearson VUE, the official exam administrator for Kansas, offers Broker and Sales practice tests for $19.95 covering general real estate topics, though state-specific practice tests are not available. Once purchased, test-takers have 30 days to start the practice test, which is self-administered online through a separate account from the licensure exam. The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook and Content Outlines are also available as free PDF downloads and detail the topics covered on both the national and state portions of the exam.
Real estate exam practice questions help candidates become familiar with the format and pinpoint weak areas. Taking a real estate salesperson practice exam under timed conditions builds confidence and develops time management. Shorter real estate practice quizzes can reinforce individual topics like math calculations or BRRETA provisions.
A real estate exam sample test taken under exam conditions helps assess readiness before test day. Real estate test practice questions reveal patterns in incorrect answers and guide further study.
Key math topics to master include commission calculations, loan-to-value ratios, proration for taxes and closing costs, and area measurements. Flashcards help with vocabulary, and a study group provides accountability.
On exam day, read each question carefully, answer every question since there is no penalty for wrong answers, and pace yourself across the 4-hour testing window.
Scheduling the Kansas real estate exam
Pearson VUE administers the Kansas real estate licensing exam for both salespersons and brokers. Candidates must create a Pearson VUE account using their Candidate ID beginning with "PL" from the Authorization to Test email sent by the Kansas Real Estate Commission. Appointments may be scheduled up to one calendar day before the desired test date, subject to availability. Pearson VUE also offers practice tests for $19.95 covering general real estate topics, though state-specific practice tests are not available.
Before scheduling, candidates register in the KREC Public Portal[3] to obtain a PL number, which is needed for Pearson VUE account creation. After completing the 30-hour Principles of Real Estate course, candidates receive an Authorization to Test email from Pearson VUE. The KREC salesperson requirements page[4] confirms that exam authorization is sent only after the Principles course is completed.
Pearson VUE customer service can be reached at 800-274-4971. Exams are taken at Pearson VUE Professional Centers or authorized third-party testing locations in Kansas and nationwide.
Kansas real estate exam cost
The Kansas real estate licensing exam costs $70 when both portions (state and national) are scheduled together. If the state and national portions are scheduled separately, the fee is $70 per portion. This fee structure applies to both first-time exams and retakes. Exam fees are paid directly to Pearson VUE at the time of reservation and are separate from the $70 background check fee and the license application fees paid to the Kansas Real Estate Commission.
This fee applies to both first attempts and retakes, according to the KREC FAQ[1]. Payment is made directly to Pearson VUE at reservation.
Some older secondary sources cite $82 for the initial exam and $75 for retakes. These figures are superseded; the current Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook (rev 7/25, effective April 2025) and KREC both confirm the same $70 charge for all attempts when taken as a combined appointment.
What to expect on exam day
No, the Kansas real estate licensing exam cannot be taken online. The exam must be taken in person at a Pearson VUE Professional testing center, and appointments may be scheduled up to one calendar day prior to the desired test date, subject to availability. Pearson VUE administers the exam at locations across the state, including testing sites in Overland Park, Topeka, and Wichita.
Candidates should arrive early to allow time for check-in. Two forms of identification are required, both non-expired, with matching names and valid signatures. One must be a government-issued photo ID. A basic, non-scientific calculator is permitted. Personal items, including phones and study materials, must be stored in a provided locker.
The exam is computer-based, and results appear on screen immediately after completion. A printed score report is provided before leaving the testing center.
Digital fingerprint services are available at the Overland Park, Topeka, and Wichita Pearson VUE testing sites, per Pearson VUE[2].
Failing and retaking the Kansas real estate exam
Candidates who do not pass can retake the exam with no maximum attempt limit. The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook requires only a 24-hour waiting period before rescheduling.
If a candidate passes one portion but fails the other, only the failed portion needs to be retaken. The passing score for the passed portion remains valid.
Exam scores are valid for 6 months from the pass date, per the KREC FAQ[1]. The Commission must receive the license application within 6 months of the earliest pass date, or the exam must be retaken.
The practical limit on retakes is time-based, not count-based. The Principles of Real Estate course certificate expires 12 months from the course date, and the Kansas Practice Course certificate must be submitted within 6 months of completion, per KREC pre-license education requirements[5]. These overlapping windows determine how long a candidate can continue retaking before repeating education.
The retake fee is the same as the initial exam fee.
Kansas real estate exam pass rates
The Kansas Real Estate Commission does not publish a statewide pass rate for the real estate licensing exam. KREC publishes exam passing rates by school on its pre-license education page but does not aggregate these into a single statewide figure. No authoritative statewide first-time pass rate has been identified from either KREC or Pearson VUE.
Individual school pass rates are available on the KREC pre-license education page[5], but these figures are listed by provider, not combined into a statewide average.
One secondary aggregator lists Kansas at 59% first-time pass rate, but this figure cannot be verified against primary sources. Candidates evaluating pre-licensing providers can compare by-school outcomes, though pass rates reflect many factors beyond course quality, including study habits and prior knowledge.
Next steps after passing the exam
After passing both portions, submit the license application to KREC. The application fee is $125, and KREC processes applications within 7-10 business days, per KREC salesperson requirements[4]. Broker affiliation must be in place before the license is issued, since an original license cannot be issued on inactive status.
Begin the search for a sponsoring broker while waiting for application processing. Once licensed, complete any required post-licensing education and start practicing under your broker's supervision.
Sources
- KREC — Kansas RE Commission FAQGovernmentMay 2026
- Pearson VUE — KS Real Estate ExamsGovernmentAugust 2026
- KREC — KS Applicants HubGovernmentMay 2026
- KREC — Salesperson RequirementsGovernmentAugust 2026
- KREC — Pre-License EducationGovernmentMay 2026