Before you can become the successful realtor that you have always dreamed of becoming, you must pass the important Salesperson Exam. Although preparing for any test can seem stressful and tedious, it is important to be up to date on the latest tips and test taking strategies, especially when it comes to preparing for the real estate exam.

Like any test or exam that you have taken in the past or will take in the future, studying is the key to giving you a chance to pass with flying colors. Many people think that cramming as much information as you can the night before the exam will help you remember the most during the actual exam, or that this is the only feasible solution if you’ve procrastinated. This has been proven false for a vast multitude of reasons. In reality, you should rest the night before your exam and not over-work your brain by cramming information at the last minute. By trying to memorize as much as you can the night before a big exam, you will most likely be doing more harm than good. The night before the exam, you should go to bed early and try to get a good night’s rest.

Cramming information the night before may not be the best solution for passing the real estate exam however, we recommend taking a weekend crash course the weekend before you are scheduled to take the exam. Consider this a last crash course; with peers, you can review all of the possible questions that could appear on the exam and discuss them. In a perfect world, these sessions should last 2 days for about eight hours each day.

Although you may be antsy and ready to just get all of your thoughts out as soon as you begin the exam, it is important to take your time and to not rush yourself during the test. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and you have over three hours to complete the exam. Reading the questions carefully and thoroughly will be your best bet when it comes to answering the questions correctly. Reading all of the possible answers slowly is just as important as reading the question carefully. If you get stumped on a question, it is okay to come back to that question later on. Answering the questions you know right off the bat is usually a good method and then returning to the questions you aren’t too sure of later will prove to be helpful. Being able to slow down, take a breath, and read each question thoroughly will help you to weed out the questions that you know for sure from the questions that you may need some more time to think over. It is also important to take deep breaths throughout the exam because your brain will be able to work much better with the more oxygen that you breathe in.

Prior to the exam date make sure you know exactly where the test site is, how to get there, and what time you need to arrive. The night before the test make sure you set multiple alarms around your house so that you do not wake up late. Make sure you have everything you need before the test, such as an extra pencil, eraser, identification card, a watch to keep track of time just in case there is not a clock in the room, etc. Depending on the location, the items needed might vary. Lastly, make sure to get to the test site at least 30 minutes before, to get yourself physically and mentally ready. All these important factors will help you have an easy and stress free morning come test time.

Eating a good breakfast the morning before you take an exam has proven to increase test scores. What you eat and drink before an exam can affect your exam performance. Drinking a cup of coffee before the test has been proven to give you more energy and boost your mental focus throughout the test. If you normally skip breakfast in the morning, it is important to eat a well-balanced breakfast the morning of your big exam so that you can replenish your blood sugar from the night before. You need to keep your mental focus on your exam and not on how hungry you may be while taking the test if you end up skipping breakfast. Protein-rich foods can lead to greater mental alertness. Another way to create an “intelligence” boost is to chew gum 20 minutes before the hardest section in the test. This creates an increase in mental alertness that will help you focus throughout the most difficult, brain stumping kind of questions.

As soon as you’re finished with your test, think again, you’re not! Stay the full length of the exam; even if you cannot recall any more information, sitting there can bring back some information that you did not remember throughout the test. Take a quick glance at the clock to make sure you have time to go over your answers. Double check that you did not make any tedious mistake such as bubbling in the wrong answer or skipping a question. During the last couple of remaining minutes, look through your hardest question before you officially turn in your test. The most important things to remember to do? Learn how your body works and what kind of environment, food and study habits work best, because what might work for others might not work for you.