CSLB General Building (B) Trade Practice Test
Frequently asked questions
How many California Real Estate Salesperson practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original California Real Estate Salesperson practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the California Real Estate Salesperson exam like?+
About 150 questions, 180 minutes, and you need 70% to pass. Practice by topic here, then take the full timed mock exam to gauge readiness.
Are these the real exam questions?+
No. Every question is 100% original, written from public primary sources with explanations. We never copy real exam questions or paid prep material.
Can I study in Chinese or Spanish?+
PrepPass practice is in English, 中文 and Español. The official exam is in English — switch the question language to English any time to rehearse the exact terminology you'll see on test day.
Sample practice questions
A few real questions from this free bank, with full explanations. Use the practice tool above for the whole set.
- 1. Property Ownership
Which type of estate gives an owner the fullest bundle of rights, is of potentially unlimited duration, and is freely inheritable?
- a.Life estate
- b.Estate for years
- c.Fee simple absolute
- d.Estate at will
Answer: c
Explanation: A fee simple absolute is the highest and most complete estate in land, lasting indefinitely and passing to heirs. Life estates and leasehold estates confer only limited rights. Under California law it is presumed a grant conveys fee simple unless a lesser estate is stated.
Source: CA Civil Code
- 2. Property Ownership
A married couple wants to hold title so the survivor automatically owns the whole property and also receive a favorable tax basis step-up on the entire property at the first death. They should consider:
- a.Tenancy in common
- b.Community property with right of survivorship
- c.Joint tenancy in severalty
- d.Tenancy at sufferance
Answer: b
Explanation: Community property with right of survivorship combines the survivorship feature with community property tax treatment, allowing a full step-up in basis on both halves at the first spouse's death. California created this form to give couples both benefits. Ordinary joint tenancy provides survivorship but only a step-up on the decedent's half.
Source: CA Civil Code
- 3. Laws & Agency
California's Rumford Fair Housing Act, also called the Holden Act's companion, chiefly prohibits discrimination in:
- a.The sale and rental of housing
- b.Employment hiring only
- c.Public school admissions
- d.Automobile financing
Answer: a
Explanation: The Rumford Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on protected characteristics. The related Holden Act specifically targets discriminatory mortgage lending, or redlining, by financial institutions. Together they strengthen California's fair housing protections beyond federal law.
Source: CA Government Code
- 4. Laws & Agency
A seller of residential property located in a state-designated flood or fire zone must provide the buyer a:
- a.Preliminary title report
- b.Loan estimate
- c.Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement
- d.Mechanic's lien release
Answer: c
Explanation: The Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement informs buyers whether a property lies within designated hazard zones such as flood, fire, earthquake fault, or seismic areas. It is required in most residential one-to-four unit sales. This allows buyers to assess natural risks before completing the purchase.
Source: CA Civil Code
- 5. Valuation & Appraisal
An appraiser valuing a single-family home in an active subdivision would rely most heavily on the:
- a.Cost approach
- b.Income approach
- c.Sales comparison approach
- d.Gross rent multiplier
Answer: c
Explanation: The sales comparison approach values property by analyzing recent sales of comparable homes and adjusting for differences. It is the most reliable method for single-family residences where ample comparable sales exist. The income and cost approaches are more suited to investment or special-purpose properties.
- 6. Valuation & Appraisal
The value a county assessor places on property to compute property taxes is the:
- a.Market value
- b.Insured value
- c.Replacement value
- d.Assessed value
Answer: d
Explanation: Assessed value is the figure set by the county assessor as the basis for property taxation. Under Proposition 13, California generally bases it on the acquisition value with limited annual increases. It often differs from current market value.
Source: CA Revenue and Taxation Code
- 7. Financing
A buyer purchases a home for $400,000 with a $320,000 loan. The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is:
- a.70%
- b.75%
- c.80%
- d.90%
Answer: c
Explanation: The LTV ratio equals the loan amount divided by the value or price, so $320,000 / $400,000 equals 0.80, or 80 percent. Lenders use LTV to gauge risk, with higher ratios generally requiring mortgage insurance. A lower LTV means more borrower equity.
- 8. Financing
A clause in a loan that allows an existing lien to move to a lower priority position behind a new loan is a:
- a.Subordination clause
- b.Acceleration clause
- c.Defeasance clause
- d.Alienation clause
Answer: a
Explanation: A subordination clause allows an existing lender to voluntarily agree that its lien will take a lower priority than a later loan. It is common in land development financing where a construction loan must take first position. Without subordination, lien priority normally follows recording order.
Source: CA Civil Code
- 9. Transfer of Property
A preliminary title report issued before closing primarily:
- a.Discloses the current condition of title, including liens and encumbrances
- b.Guarantees the property's value
- c.Transfers ownership to the buyer
- d.Sets the loan interest rate
Answer: a
Explanation: A preliminary title report shows the current state of title, including recorded liens, easements, and other encumbrances, and states the conditions under which the title company will insure. It is an offer to issue a policy, not the policy itself, and is not a guarantee. Buyers review it during the contingency period.
- 10. Practice & Contracts
A salesperson receives 60% of the 3% commission their brokerage earns on a $400,000 sale. The salesperson's share is:
- a.$7,200
- b.$4,800
- c.$12,000
- d.$6,000
Answer: a
Explanation: The brokerage earns 3 percent of $400,000, which is $12,000, and 60 percent of that is $7,200. Commission first goes to the broker, who then pays the salesperson their agreed share. Salespersons are always paid through their employing broker.