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NJ Real Estate Exam Prep: How to Pass on the First Try

Sep 29 / Desireé L. Burgos

NJ Real Estate Exam Prep Tips and How to Pass the First Time

The NJ real estate exam is no joke! Nearly 45% of test takers fail on their first try. Every delay is time you’re not making money — but with the right strategy, you can beat the odds and pass with power.

This guide will break down exactly what’s on the NJ real estate exam, the proven study methods that actually work, and insider tips to help you avoid the common mistakes that trip up nearly half of test takers.

By the end, you’ll know not only how to prepare but also how to perform on exam day — so you can get licensed and step into real estate with clarity, confidence, and power.

Blog Table of Contents

NJ Real Estate Exam: How To Pass On Your First Try

  • Summary: NJ Real Estate Exam Tips and Passing on 1st Try
  • Intro: Real Estate isn't your typical career
  • 1. Why Passing on the First Try Matters
  • 👋🏾Hey…Future Real Estate Agent: Your Strategic Guide Into the Business and Beyond..
  • 2. Breaking Down the NJ Real Estate Exam
  • 3. Six Study Strategies That Actually Work
  • My Real-Tea☕
  • 4. Mindset & Test-Taking Hacks
  • 👋🏾Hey…Future Real Estate Agent: Pro Planner
  • 5. Common Real Estate Exam Mistakes to Avoid
  • 6. Tap into Support
  • 👀Looking for a New Jersey Real Estate Licensing Course?
  • 7. Conclusion: Your First Proof of Power Moves
  • Your Next⚡️Power Move...
  • Behind the Blog?

Real Estate isn’t your typical career...

it’s a business opportunity to design your own path, build wealth, and elevate your future. Passing the exam on your first attempt doesn’t define how successful you’ll be in business, but it does fast-track your momentum so you can start making moves (and money) sooner than later.

1. Why Passing on the First Try Matters

A real estate license isn’t just another credential — it opens the door to opportunity. It’s your entry pass into a business where you call the shots, grow wealth, and make impact on your own terms.

  • Save Time: Retakes add weeks or months. And let’s be real — every delay is time you’re not making money.

  • Save Money: Each retake costs $45–$60, and the hidden cost is lost momentum.

  • Build Momentum: Passing on the first try doesn’t determine how successful you’ll be in real estate — but it does allow you to move forward without setbacks and start building your career and getting to your bag sooner than later.

⚡ Power Move: Passing the first time is the fastest way to flip potential into profit.

👋🏾Hey…Future Real Estate Agent 

Your Strategic Guide Into the Business and Beyond...

2. Breaking Down the NJ Real Estate Exam

Before you can dominate the exam, you need to know exactly what you’re walking into.

  • Format: 110 multiple-choice questions.

  • Passing Score: 70% (77 correct answers).

  • Time Limit: 4 hours.

  • Two Sections

    • National Portion (80 questions): covers general principles, property ownership, contracts, financing, and agency.

    • State Portion (30 questions): focuses on New Jersey-specific laws, regulations, and practices.

Think of it as two exams in one: the national portion tests your broad knowledge of real estate, while the state portion ensures you know the rules unique to NJ.

⚡ Power Move: Know the rules of the game before you play — the exam tests both knowledge and discipline.

3. Six Study Strategies That Actually Work

The difference between those who pass and those who fail often comes down to how they study.

1. Consistency Over Cramming

A few hours a week won’t cut it. Break your study time into daily blocks (30–60 minutes), using spaced repetition to strengthen retention.

2. Mix Your Methods

  • Textbook and class notes for foundational understanding.

  • Flashcards (physical or digital with tools like Quizlet).

  • Practice exams that mimic PSI’s format.

Real-Tea ☕: Don’t Let the Math Take You Out. Yes, math shows up on the NJ real estate exam, but it’s only a handful of questions out of 110. If math isn’t your strength, don’t panic. Nobody fails because of the math alone — it’s usually because they didn’t fully understand concepts like agency, contracts, or state-specific laws.

⚡ Power Move: Learn the formulas, practice a few problems, and then refocus on mastering the concepts that carry the most weight on the exam.

3. Use Active Recall

Don’t just read — test yourself. Cover answers, quiz yourself, and explain concepts out loud.

4. The Teach-Back Method

Explaining a tricky concept to someone else forces you to master it. If you can teach it, you know it.

5. Practice Tests Are Non-Negotiable

The students who pass on the first try are the ones who drill practice exams until the format feels second nature. It’s a numbers game — the future real estate agents who successfully comprehend concepts (not just memorize answers) are the ones who pass. The more you study different types of real estate questions and answer them successfully, the better chance you’ll have at passing.

6. Group Support

Study groups keep you accountable. If your schedule is packed, even one accountability partner can help. or 💡Try a study 4 hour study group session with a school like Burgos Realty Academy.

My Real-Tea☕

I passed my real estate salesperson’s exam, my real estate broker’s exam, and my real estate instructor’s exam on my first try in every state I’m licensed — including New Jersey, which was my very first license for each. By the time I sat for the NJ exam, it felt easy. I finished with almost three hours to spare. That’s not everyone’s experience, but here’s why it worked for me: I practiced different question sets often until I understood the material no matter how it was asked — backwards and forwards.


Because of my study habits when I sat for my exams, they felt easy. I was honestly shocked when I finished my New Jersey real estate exam with almost 3 hours to spare — and yes, you get a total of 4 hours. But listen, don’t use my timing as your barometer. You get 4 full hours, if you need them, use them. We all don’t test the same, and that’s perfectly fine. What matters is crossing the finish line with a passing score.

❌ NO agent was ever hired based on how quickly they finished their real estate exam.

And here’s the KICKER👟the exam is multiple choice. That might sound easy, but don’t let it fool you. Even some of the most obvious wrong answers have a way of making future agents second-guess what they know. That’s why drilling practice questions isn’t optional — it’s the difference between being thrown off and being ready for anything.

⚡ Power Move: Don’t just memorize answers. Train yourself to understand the material from every angle so you can outsmart the test, not just take it.

4. Mindset & Test-Taking Hacks

You can study for weeks, but if nerves take over, your knowledge won’t show up.

  • Confidence + Calm: Use deep breathing or visualization before starting. Remind yourself: you’ve prepared for this.

  • Time Management: Don’t get stuck. If a question stumps you, mark it and move on.

  • Answer Everything: There’s no penalty for guessing — don’t leave blanks.

  • Watch Wording Traps: Words like always or never often indicate a wrong answer.

  • Rest Before Test Day: Sleep is more valuable than a last-minute cram session.

Real-Tea ☕: Failing Doesn’t Mean You’re Not Built for Real Estate. The exam measures your ability to learn, recall, and apply concepts — not your ability to negotiate, market, or close deals. Passing on the first try gives you momentum, but failing doesn’t decide your future. What you do after is what counts.

⚡ Power Move: Reset, refocus, and re-test. Whether it’s the first try or the third, the license still unlocks the same opportunities.

👋🏾Hey…Future Real Estate Agent 

Pro Planner

5. Common Real Estate Exam Mistakes to Avoid

Many people who fail the exam on the first try make the same avoidable mistakes:

  • Waiting until the last week to study.
  • Ignoring the state-specific section.
  • Skipping practice exams.
  • Overconfidence (“I’ll wing it”).
  • Focusing on recalling vs. comprehension
  • Letting nerves take over.


⚡ Power Move: Learn from others’ mistakes so you don’t repeat them.

6. Tap into Support

  • 4 Hour study groups
  • FREE 30-minute coaching calls before your exam
  • Mentorship from licensed instructors


⚡Power Move: Don’t just study harder — study smarter with resources designed to help you pass on the first try.

👋🏾Hey…Future Real Estate Agent 

Looking for a New Jersey Real Estate Licensing Course? Burgos Realty Academy has multiple pathways to get to your power moves in order with online live real estate instructed courses that give you the opportunity to connect and ask questions in the moment.

Looking for a course in other states? Need more flexibility? We have self-paced real estate course options to fit your schedule, then join one of our live-online study groups to ensure you are ready to go before your plunge into your state exam!

7. Conclusion: Your First Proof of Power Moves

Passing the NJ real estate exam isn’t just about a test score. It’s your first proof that you can stay consistent, execute a plan, and move with intention.

Nearly 45% of first-time test takers fail. But that also means more than half succeed — and with the right prep, you can absolutely be one of them.

🔥 Power Move Statement: Passing your NJ real estate exam on the first try isn’t about perfection — it’s about preparation. It gets you licensed faster, gets you in position to earn sooner, and sets up your pathway to power moves in real estate that last long after the exam.

      Your Next
⚡️Power Move...

Getting your New Jersey Real Estate license is bigger than passing a test — it’s the first phase of building your business.

So here’s your next power moves:


✨ Real estate isn’t just a license or career — it’s a ⚡️power move. Your pathway to power moves and elevation into excellence starts with your next step.

Behind the Blog?

At Power Moves Insider, you’ll hear directly from Desireé L. Burgos — multi-state Broker-Owner, licensed real estate instructor, President & CEO of Burgos Realty Academy and global best-selling author of Hey…Future Real Estate Agent and the Hey Future Real Estate Agent Pro Planner

Her voice, real estate expertise, and well-rounded perspective as a business leader, wife, and mother anchor this publication. From time to time, we’ll also feature insights from trusted experts and thought leaders across real estate, marketing, finance/investing, and technology.

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