How the California Real Estate Exam Is Scored

Most students walk into the California real estate exam feeling confident—until they start wondering how the DRE actually scores it. Is the test curved? Do different people get different versions? Does getting exactly 70% guarantee a pass?

Here’s the truth:

The DRE does NOT curve the exam and you can absolutely pass on the first attempt once you understand how their scoring system works.

In this guide, I’ll break down every scoring rule the DRE uses—clearly, accurately, and in plain English—so you know exactly what it takes to pass.

If you’re just getting started, make sure you are also reviewing our full California Real Estate Exam Guide for the complete exam roadmap.

The California Real Estate Exam Scoring System Explained

The most important thing to understand is this:

The California real estate exam uses raw scoring, not curved scoring.

This is the backbone of how the DRE ensures fairness.

Minimum Passing Scores

• Salesperson Exam: You must achieve the equivalent of 70%
• Broker Exam: You must achieve the equivalent of 75%

Those percentages are absolute—not relative to how anyone else performs.

Why Raw Scoring Makes the Exam Fair

The California DRE uses a raw scoring system to determine a pass or fail. This means your score is based directly on the number of questions you answer correctly, measured against a fixed, non-negotiable threshold.

However, to ensure this raw score is a fair measure for every test-taker, the DRE employs a rigorous process of exam form equating before any candidate ever sees the questions.

What this means for you:

• The target is fixed: You must achieve a set number of correct answers.
• It is NOT a curve: Your score is never compared to other test-takers on your day. Equating adjusts the exam, not your grade based on others' performance.

In essence, raw scoring gives you a clear target, while expert equating guarantees that hitting that target means the same thing, no matter which exam form you receive.

Debunking the "Scaled Score" Myth

You'll hear many prep courses and forums talk about the DRE's "scaled scoring." This is a widespread misconception. The California DRE does not use a traditional scaled score to determine your pass/fail result.

Here’s the reality:

1. The DRE uses a raw score against a fixed standard.

Your exam is scored on a straightforward, raw percentage basis. To pass, you must correctly answer a specific percentage of questions (approx. 70% for salesperson, 75% for broker). The result is a direct comparison of your correct answers to this absolute benchmark.

2. "Equating" happens before you take the test, not after.

The process often mistaken for "scaling" is called equating. This is a psychometric calibration performed by the DRE during the exam development phase. Experts adjust and validate questions so that the difficulty of reaching the passing raw score is consistent across all exam versions. This means:

• You are not compared to other test-takers.
• Your score is not statistically manipulated after you finish.
• The fairness is built into the exam design itself.

3. The system protects every test-taker.

By using equated exam forms with a raw score threshold, the DRE ensures that:

• Every candidate faces an equivalent challenge to demonstrate competency.
• No one is penalized for receiving a version with statistically “harder” questions.
• The meaning of a "pass" is uniform across the entire state and testing period.

Think of it like a race:

A true "scaled" score might change the finish line based on who's running. The DRE's system, instead, carefully calibrates the track so that everyone runs the same distance to reach the fixed, unmoving finish line. Your raw score simply tells you if you crossed it.

You will NOT receive a numeric score when you pass

The DRE releases only:

• PASS
• FAIL

When you pass the exam, they do not tell you how close you were or how many you missed.

However, if you fail the exam, the DRE will report your overall score as well as how you did in each of the seven exam categories so you know where to focus your efforts.

Does the DRE Curve the Exam?

Let’s say it as clearly as possible:

No. The California real estate exam is NOT curved.

There is:

• No bell curve
• No percentile ranking
• No grading against other students

How Fast the DRE Scores Your Exam

Since the state exam is computer based you receive your result immediately after finishing.

Important scoring rules

• No partial credit
• No appeals
• No score breakdowns
• Pass/Fail only

Retakes

If you fail:

• You may retake the exam after paying the re-exam fee
• Your previous exam performance has no impact on future tests

Common Myths About Exam Scoring

❌ Myth #1: “Only a certain percentage of students pass each day.”

False.

There is no quota. Passing is based only on your performance relative to the published standard.

❌ Myth #2: “If you test in the afternoon, your exam is harder.”

Completely false.

Versions are pre-set and rotated randomly.

❌ Myth #3: “Different categories are weighted differently for each student.”

Partially true but misunderstood.

The exam blueprint allocates topics by percentage, but every student receives the same category weighting.

Scaling does not adjust category weight per individual.

See our Exam Content Breakdown for exact percentages.

❌ Myth #4: “The DRE tells you your raw score if you call.”

They do not.

No one at the DRE can release that information.

Ready to Pass on the First Attempt?

If you want the highest probability of passing the first time, start with ADHI Schools.

ADHI offers:

• California salesperson pre-license courses
• Broker licensing courses
• Live crash courses taught by real instructors
• Exam prep tools that mirror the DRE’s weighting and question style

Our students pass because our test taking strategies are built around how the DRE actually scores the exam—not myths, shortcuts, or generic national content.

Is the California real estate exam curved? No. The California DRE uses a raw scoring system, not a curve. Your score is based solely on the number of questions you answer correctly, and it is never graded against or compared to the performance of other students.

What is the passing score for the California real estate exam? For the Salesperson Exam, you must achieve a score of 70%. For the Broker Exam, the passing threshold is 75%. These percentages are fixed and non-negotiable.

Does the DRE use scaled scoring? No. While the DRE uses a process called "equating" to ensure different versions of the test have the same difficulty level, this happens before you take the test. Your final grade is a simple raw score based on your correct answers, not a statistically manipulated "scaled" score.

Will I see my actual final score? Only if you fail. If you pass, the DRE only releases a "PASS" notification with no numeric score or breakdown. If you fail, you will receive your numerical score and a breakdown of your performance across the seven exam categories.

Is there a limit to how many people can pass each day? No. There is no quota for passing grades. Every single student who hits the required 70% (or 75% for brokers) will pass, regardless of how many other people are testing that day.

How long does it take to get my exam results? You will receive your results immediately. Because the California exam is computer-based, your pass/fail status is provided at the testing center the moment you finish.

Does the time of day affect exam difficulty? No. It is a myth that afternoon exams are harder. Exam versions are pre-set and rotated randomly; the time of day you test has absolutely no impact on which version you receive.