Exam format and scoring

Illinois broker exam format, questions, time, and scoring

The Illinois broker exam is computer-based and multiple-choice, with national and state portions scored separately. PSI’s June 24, 2026 booklet lists 100 scored national questions in 150 minutes and 40 scored Illinois questions in 90 minutes. You need 70% national and 75% state. One complication matters before you schedule: PSI’s Illinois landing page currently displays a shorter 3.5-hour duration, so candidates should confirm the time attached to their own appointment.

What is the Illinois broker exam format?

Short answer: The exam has 140 scored multiple-choice questions: 100 national and 40 Illinois. The portions are scored separately. The booklet allows 150 minutes for national and 90 minutes for state, while another current PSI page says 3.5 hours total. Passing requires 70% national and 75% state.

Portion: National
Scored items: 100
Passing score: 70% raw, or 70 points
Booklet time: 150 minutes

Portion: Illinois state
Scored items: 40
Passing score: 75%, or 30 points
Booklet time: 90 minutes

Portion: Both portions
Scored items: 140
Passing score: Pass each separately
Booklet time: 240 minutes

Illinois real estate broker exam format and passing scores
Portion	Scored items	Passing score	Booklet time
National	100	70% raw, or 70 points	150 minutes
Illinois state	40	75%, or 30 points	90 minutes
Both portions	140	Pass each separately	240 minutes

PSI may add 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions. Those items are not shown in the scored totals above.

Why do official PSI time limits conflict?

Candidate booklet

4 hours

The June 24 booklet lists 150 minutes for national and 90 minutes for state.

PSI Illinois landing page

3.5 hours

PSI’s public Illinois exam page displays one combined duration without a portion-by-portion split.

These figures cannot both describe the same combined timed window. PSI does not explain the difference on either page, so it would be misleading to invent a reconciliation.

What candidates should do

Check the duration in your PSI account before paying.
Read the appointment confirmation after booking.
If the displays disagree, ask PSI which timer applies to your exact exam and testing format.
Keep the response or confirmation available for test day.

The booklet lists PSI at (855) 340-3893 and examschedule@psionline.com.

Sources: PSI Candidate Information Booklet and PSI Illinois Real Estate Exam page.

How is the Illinois real estate exam scored?

National and Illinois results stand alone. You pass national with at least 70 of 100 scored points and Illinois with at least 30 of 40 scored points. A strong result on one portion does not raise the result on the other.

Raw 70% versus the former scaled 75

PSI says the national broker passing score of 70% raw is equivalent to the scaled score of 75 used in earlier reporting. The passing standard stayed the same. Only the way PSI reports that result changed.

The standard broker table shows 100 national items worth 100 points and 40 state items worth 40 points. PSI describes a separate weighted scenario format for the Instructor and Managing Broker National portion. That special description does not apply to the standard broker exam summarized here.

Do experimental questions affect your score?

PSI may add 5 to 10 experimental questions beyond the scored outline totals. They are used to develop future exams and do not count toward your score. They do count against the available exam time.

The questions are not identified. Treat each item as scored, answer it, mark it for review if the interface permits, and keep moving. Trying to detect experimental questions wastes time and can cause you to dismiss a scored item.

How should you pace each portion?

Based on the booklet’s portion times, the simple average is 90 seconds per scored national question and 135 seconds per scored Illinois question. Experimental questions reduce the practical average because they use the same timer.

Answer direct recall questions without turning them into long debates.
For scenarios, identify the tested area, the parties, and the requested result before comparing options.
Write the math setup before using a calculator. Visit the Illinois real estate exam math guide for the full method.
Use any review feature strategically, but do not leave a block of unanswered questions for the final minutes.

These averages are study targets, not a promise about the timer on your appointment. Use the duration PSI confirms for your booking.

When and how do you receive your score?

PSI says the result appears on screen at the end of the exam and a score report is emailed. If you fail, the emailed report includes diagnostic information showing strengths and weaknesses by examination type.

Use that diagnostic by portion and topic. Do not restart the whole study plan blindly. The free readiness check can turn recent scores, weak areas, available time, and your exam date into a focused next step.

What happens if you fail one portion?

You repeat only the portion you failed. Passing one portion does not require retaking it while your eligibility remains valid. Standard broker candidates may attempt the examination up to four times during the two-year eligibility period. PSI’s shorter FAQ describes this as an initial attempt plus up to three retakes.

After a fourth unsuccessful attempt, a standard broker candidate must repeat the 75-hour broker pre-license education and the entire exam. The booklet gives unlimited attempts during the two-year period to broker endorsement candidates and notes separate treatment for education-exempt candidates.

After passing, apply to IDFPR within one year. The booklet says a candidate who does not apply and satisfy licensure requirements within that year loses examination accreditation and must retake the appropriate exam.

What changes between test-center and remote exams?

Rule: Delivery
Test center: Computer-based at a PSI location
Remote proctor: Computer-based on an approved compatible setup

Rule: Scratch paper
Test center: Provided with a pencil and returned at checkout
Remote proctor: Not allowed

Rule: Physical calculator
Test center: Allowed under the booklet
Remote proctor: Not allowed

Rule: Breaks
Test center: Restroom only with proctor permission; no extra time
Remote proctor: Not allowed

Rule: Technology check
Test center: Not applicable to the candidate’s home equipment
Remote proctor: Audio, video, webcam, and system checks required

Illinois broker test-center and remote exam rules
Rule	Test center	Remote proctor
Delivery	Computer-based at a PSI location	Computer-based on an approved compatible setup
Scratch paper	Provided with a pencil and returned at checkout	Not allowed
Physical calculator	Allowed under the booklet	Not allowed
Breaks	Restroom only with proctor permission; no extra time	Not allowed
Technology check	Not applicable to the candidate’s home equipment	Audio, video, webcam, and system checks required

Both formats use a computer. PSI provides an introductory tutorial of up to 15 minutes before the exam, and that tutorial time does not count against the exam timer.

Remote convenience comes with tighter room, behavior, technology, break, paper, and calculator restrictions. Choose the format in which you can stay focused for the confirmed duration.

Prepare for both portions in one study plan

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Illinois broker exam format FAQ

How many questions are on the Illinois real estate exam?

The Illinois broker exam has 140 scored questions: 100 national and 40 Illinois state questions. PSI may add 5 to 10 unscored experimental questions. Those questions are not identified and count against exam time.

How long is the Illinois real estate broker exam?

Two current PSI sources disagree. The Candidate Information Booklet dated June 24, 2026 gives 150 minutes for national and 90 minutes for state, totaling four hours. PSI’s Illinois exam landing page displays 3.5 hours. Check the duration shown in your PSI account and appointment confirmation, and contact PSI before test day if they conflict.

What score do you need to pass the Illinois broker exam?

You need 70% on the national portion and 75% on the Illinois portion. With 100 scored national points and 40 scored state points, that corresponds to 70 national points and 30 state points.

Do you have to pass both portions?

Yes. PSI scores national and Illinois separately. A high score on one cannot offset a failing score on the other.

Is the national passing score raw or scaled?

PSI now reports the national broker standard as 70% raw. The booklet says this is equivalent to the former scaled score of 75 and that the passing standard did not change when reporting changed.

Are experimental questions counted?

No. PSI says 5 to 10 experimental questions may be added and will not affect your score. They are unidentified and use exam time, so answer every item as if it is scored.

Do you get Illinois real estate exam results immediately?

PSI says your score appears on screen at the end of the exam and a score report is emailed. A failing report includes diagnostic information by examination type.

What happens if you fail one portion?

You repeat only the failed portion. Standard broker candidates have four attempts during the two-year eligibility period. After a fourth unsuccessful attempt, the booklet requires repeating the 75-hour broker pre-license education and the entire examination, subject to listed exemptions.

Can you take the Illinois broker exam online?

PSI offers test-center and remote-proctored appointments. Remote exams require a compatible computer, webcam, audio, and video setup. Remote candidates may not take breaks, use scratch paper, or use a physical calculator under the current booklet rules.

Primary sources

PSI and IDFPR control exam administration. Your PSI account and appointment confirmation are the operational sources for your booked exam.