is the california real estate exam open book?

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is the california real estate exam open book?

Renee Harris
Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 218 posts · 111 votes

I'm getting ready for my exam, woman from the school I went to says test is open book. Two people who took the exam last year told me it's not. I don't think the woman would lie to me. Thinking maybe the rules changed. Just checking.

Thanks 

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Carrianne Mucho
Lender · Roseville, CA · Member since 2011 · 205 posts · 86 votes
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To the lady's benefit, she may have misunderstood your question. The online course likely has an open book exam. The state test however, will not be open book and restricts items that can be brought into the testing area. Just check out the pass rate for the state exam... It certainly would be much higher if it were open book!!
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  • Mark Pedroza
    Real Estate Agent · Sacramento/Placer ~ San Francisco Bay Area counties · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 743 votes
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    @Renee Harris no, it's not open book but RE Trainers has a 2 day weekend state exam crash course you might be interested in. They're located in Anaheim. Contact them for further info..

    Good luck,

    1Reply
  • Polar Prutaseranee
    Flipper/Rehabber · Tustin, CA · Member since 2015 · 433 posts · 103 votes
    10y

    Not open book.

    1Reply
  • Arthur Fuller II
    Real Estate Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 112 posts · 31 votes
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    the test you take to get the cert from the school you're using is open book... when you sit for the state test it is not

    1Reply
  • David Faulkner
    Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    It is not open booked, but it is open minded.

    1Reply
  • Renee Harris
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 218 posts · 111 votes
    10y

    omg! Why is this woman telling me the test is open book?

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  • Renee Harris
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 218 posts · 111 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Mark Pedroza:

    @Renee Harris no, it's not open book but RE Trainers has a 2 day weekend state exam crash course you might be interested in. They're located in Anaheim. Contact them for further info..

    Good luck,

    Mark (N-CA)

    Sac/Placer county

    Thank you! 

    1Reply
  • Thomas Kulinski
    New to Real Estate · Murrieta, CA · Member since 2016 · 32 posts · 5 votes
    10y

    Hi Renee. I had the same concern and was told that all exams, including the online courses, were open book. It seems there was a miscommunication here. This is a state exam which is overseen by state officials at a facility that provides it. I have already taken a state exam for a life insurance agent and am pretty sure the RE exam is done the same way. I am too currently studying for it. Best of luck to you!

    1Reply
  • Renee Harris
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 218 posts · 111 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Arthur Fuller II:

    the test you take to get the cert from the school you're using is open book... when you sit for the state test it is not

     I see.

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  • Renee Harris
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 218 posts · 111 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Thomas Kulinski:

    Hi Renee. I had the same concern and was told that all exams, including the online courses, were open book. It seems there was a miscommunication here. This is a state exam which is overseen by state officials at a facility that provides it. I have already taken a state exam for a life insurance agent and am pretty sure the RE exam is done the same way. I am too currently studying for it. Best of luck to you!

     So it's not open book? Was the life insurance agent exam open book?

    I went to calBRE and I didn't see anything about open book. They don't let you bring anything into the room. 

    Good luck to you too! Let's get this money baby! 

    Sorry to post so much in one thread. This iPad is not making it easy. 

    PS.

    I need life insurance. :)

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  • Thomas Kulinski
    New to Real Estate · Murrieta, CA · Member since 2016 · 32 posts · 5 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Renee Harris:
    Originally posted by @Thomas Kulinski:

    Hi Renee. I had the same concern and was told that all exams, including the online courses, were open book. It seems there was a miscommunication here. This is a state exam which is overseen by state officials at a facility that provides it. I have already taken a state exam for a life insurance agent and am pretty sure the RE exam is done the same way. I am too currently studying for it. Best of luck to you!

     So it's not open book? Was the life insurance agent exam open book?

    I went to calBRE and I didn't see anything about open book. They don't let you bring anything into the room. 

    Good luck to you too! Let's get this money baby! 

    Sorry to post so much in one thread. This iPad is not making it easy.

     
    Unfortunately, it is not. The life insurance exam I took was not open book either. Just a multiple choice exam on a PC and all they give you is a pencil and a scratch paper. You are right, when I took my life insurance exam I had to empty all my pockets and I believe they even make you take your watch off. Anyway, please make sure you go over the practice exams several times. I have heard the exam is quite difficult. Just make sure you are prepared. Good thing is that the RE license is good for 4 years.

    0Reply
  • Carrianne Mucho
    Lender · Roseville, CA · Member since 2011 · 205 posts · 86 votes
    10y
    To the lady's benefit, she may have misunderstood your question. The online course likely has an open book exam. The state test however, will not be open book and restricts items that can be brought into the testing area. Just check out the pass rate for the state exam... It certainly would be much higher if it were open book!!
    2Reply
  • Penny ClarkPro Member
    Sacramento, CA · Member since 2014 · 513 posts · 319 votes
    10y

    @Renee Harris, State exam is not open book,but your course exams are. If your course materials included practice exam questions, study those, and put emphasis on studying real estate ethics questions. I remember there were a lot of those when I took the exam last year. Remember, you only need 70 percent to pass.

    Good luck!

    1Reply
  • Drew Wie
    Real Estate Agent · Irvine, CA · Member since 2016 · 33 posts · 4 votes
    10y
    As others said, not open book. What really helped me was studying the sample questions from past exams (or very similar to) which many vendors offer.
    0Reply
  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    10y

    @Renee Harris  NO state licensing in any category is OPEN book.. why have an exam at all then if you simply can read from the book.

    what is open book though is your CE  continuing ed.

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    1Reply
  • Jamal Wilson
    Compton, CA · Member since 2016 · 36 posts · 7 votes
    10y

    Good Luck@Renee Harris! 

    @Jay Hinrichs I have a difference of opinion on open book test. Ideally, you would want more extensive answers on open book tests. Whereas, traditional testing is merely memorizing information. This is especially for those folks who can't really grasp the certain material. State Exams should be pragmatic. I can see how this can be difficult on a real estate exam, though. 

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  • Renee Harris
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 218 posts · 111 votes
    10y

    Thank you all for the replies, advice and well wishes. 

    @Jamal Wilson: I would have never assumed it was open book until she said it was.

     Where can I check the pass rate? Maybe I don't want to. 

    Anyway, thanks for all the replies. I am glad I asked. I would have failed!!!!!!!!!!

    @Drew Wie: Where did you find past exams?

    1Reply
  • Jesse Sasomsup
    Property Manager · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2013 · 58 posts · 9 votes
    10y
    No, it is not open book. In fact, the workers at the exam facility will even make you roll up your sleeves to make sure you are not trying to cheat.
    0Reply
  • Clyde Allen
    Real Estate Agent · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2015 · 13 posts · 2 votes
    10y

    I am a California Licensed Real Estate Agent. I studied the required courses through Allied Real Estate School and those test were open book but the State Exam is not. Good Luck!

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  • Robert L.
    Ventura, CA · Member since 2016 · 97 posts · 43 votes
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    Renee Harris I concur with Mark Pedroza about the 2 day cram exam. It helped both my wife and I pass the first time. Before that, we took Duane Gomer's training (books & online).
    1Reply
  • Renee Harris
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 218 posts · 111 votes
    10y

    Where can I find a place to do a crash course in los angeles, anaheim is kinda far. Thanks

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  • Drew Wie
    Real Estate Agent · Irvine, CA · Member since 2016 · 33 posts · 4 votes
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    Renee Harris I used Duane Gomers course as well, his coursework when I took it came with a sample test booklet. He also talks about the real estate investing arena on his renewal license coursework!
    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Renee Harris:

    Where can I find a place to do a crash course in los angeles, anaheim is kinda far. Thanks

     Renee, you really need to become more resourceful.  If you want answers regarding the licensing requirements, then contact the board who licenses people.

    If you want to know where you can take courses, learn how to use Google.  You've really got to become more self-sufficient and resourceful, if you are going to be successful.

    1Reply
  • Renee Harris
    OP
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 218 posts · 111 votes
    10y

    I was actually just asking where to go or wanting to know about where others went as a chance to have a dialogue. 

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