Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam Practice Test
Frequently asked questions
How many Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson Exam exam like?+
About 120 questions, and you need 75% 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. Real Property Characteristics
Which of the following is a physical characteristic of land rather than an economic characteristic?
- a.Scarcity
- b.Immobility
- c.Situs (area preference)
- d.Improvements
Answer: b
Explanation: Land has three physical characteristics: immobility, indestructibility, and non-homogeneity (uniqueness). Immobility means the geographic location of a parcel can never be changed. Scarcity, situs, and improvements are economic characteristics that affect value.
- 2. Ownership/Transfer/Title
Which type of deed offers the grantee the greatest protection by warranting title against defects arising at any point in the property's history?
- a.General warranty deed
- b.Special warranty deed
- c.Bargain and sale deed
- d.Quitclaim deed
Answer: a
Explanation: A general warranty deed contains the fullest covenants, guaranteeing clear title against all defects, even those predating the grantor's ownership. A special warranty deed covers only the grantor's own period of ownership, and a quitclaim deed carries no warranties at all.
- 3. Value & Appraisal
The principle that a property's maximum value tends to be set by the cost of acquiring an equally desirable substitute is known as:
- a.Conformity
- b.Substitution
- c.Contribution
- d.Anticipation
Answer: b
Explanation: The principle of substitution holds that a buyer will pay no more for a property than the cost of an equally desirable alternative. It underlies the sales comparison approach. Conformity, contribution, and anticipation are separate valuation principles.
- 4. Contracts & Agency
An agent owes a client the duty to keep the client's information private and to place the client's interests above the agent's own. These duties are best described as:
- a.Duties owed equally to all parties in the transaction
- b.Statutory duties owed only to the buyer
- c.Duties that end the moment an offer is signed
- d.Fiduciary duties owed to the principal
Answer: d
Explanation: An agent owes fiduciary duties, including loyalty and confidentiality, to the principal (client). These duties require the agent to promote the client's interests and protect confidential information. Customers, by contrast, are owed only honesty and fair dealing.
- 5. Real Estate Practice
A licensee steers minority buyers only toward certain neighborhoods and away from others based on their race. This practice is:
- a.Permitted if the buyers requested a specific area
- b.Legal because it reflects market demand
- c.Steering, which is a violation of fair housing law
- d.Blockbusting, which is legal for licensees
Answer: c
Explanation: Steering is directing prospective buyers toward or away from areas based on a protected characteristic such as race, and it is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act. It illegally limits housing choice. Licensees must let buyers choose areas freely and provide equal service to all.
- 6. Real Estate Math
A property sells for $320,000. The total commission is 6%, split evenly between the listing and selling brokerages. How much does the listing brokerage receive?
- a.$19,200
- b.$6,400
- c.$9,600
- d.$12,800
Answer: c
Explanation: Total commission is 6% of $320,000, which equals $19,200. Split evenly, each brokerage receives half: $19,200 divided by 2 equals $9,600. The listing brokerage therefore receives $9,600 before any further split with its agent.
- 7. Regulations Governing Licensee Activities
Under Pennsylvania's Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA), earnest money deposits a salesperson receives in a transaction must be:
- a.Deposited into the salesperson's personal account
- b.Held in cash by the salesperson until closing
- c.Kept by the buyer's attorney
- d.Turned over to the employing broker for deposit in the broker's escrow account
Answer: d
Explanation: In Pennsylvania a salesperson must promptly deliver any deposit to the employing broker, who holds it in a separate escrow or trust account. Salespersons may not hold or commingle client funds. This safeguards consumer money until the transaction closes or the funds are properly disbursed.
- 8. Regulations Governing Licensee Activities
In Pennsylvania, a licensed salesperson may lawfully receive compensation for a real estate transaction from:
- a.Only the broker with whom the salesperson is affiliated
- b.The buyer directly
- c.The seller directly
- d.Any party to the transaction
Answer: a
Explanation: Under RELRA a salesperson may accept a commission or fee only from the employing broker, never directly from a buyer, seller, or other party. All compensation flows through the broker who holds the salesperson's license. Accepting money directly from a consumer is a violation.
- 9. Agency & Disclosure
Under Pennsylvania law, which document must the seller of most residential resale properties provide to a buyer disclosing known material defects?
- a.The Consumer Notice
- b.The Seller's Property Disclosure Statement
- c.The Agreement of Sale addendum
- d.The Recovery Fund notice
Answer: b
Explanation: Pennsylvania's Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law requires most sellers of residential property to complete a Seller's Property Disclosure Statement identifying known material defects. It is delivered to the buyer before an agreement of sale is signed. Certain transfers, such as some estate or foreclosure sales, are exempt.
- 10. Licensure
In Pennsylvania, a real estate salesperson's license must be:
- a.Held independently so the salesperson can work for any broker
- b.Renewed only once every five years
- c.Held by and displayed at the office of the employing broker
- d.Kept in the salesperson's personal possession at all times
Answer: c
Explanation: A Pennsylvania salesperson must be employed by and licensed under a single broker, and the license is maintained by that broker. A salesperson cannot conduct licensed activity independently. This affiliation is the legal basis for the broker's supervisory responsibility.