Exam guide
Illinois vs. national: what changes?
The national portion tests broad real estate principles. The Illinois portion tests how this state licenses and regulates real estate practice. You must prepare for both.
Last updated: July 24, 2026
Side-by-side comparison
| Exam fact | National | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Scored questions | 100 | 40 |
| Time allowed | 150 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Passing standard | 70% raw | 75% |
| Main focus | General real estate principles and practice | Illinois licensing law, related laws, and disclosures |
| Largest topic | Contracts at 19% | License Act at 40% |
The scores do not combine. Passing one portion does not offset a failing result on the other.
National portion topic weights
Because the national portion has 100 scored questions, each percentage also corresponds to the listed number of scored questions in the current outline.
| Topic | Weight | Scored questions |
|---|---|---|
| Property ownership | 10% | 10 |
| Land use controls | 5% | 5 |
| Valuation | 8% | 8 |
| Financing | 10% | 10 |
| Contracts | 19% | 19 |
| Agency | 13% | 13 |
| Property disclosures | 7% | 7 |
| Property management | 3% | 3 |
| Transfer of title | 6% | 6 |
| Practice of real estate | 12% | 12 |
| Real estate calculations | 7% | 7 |
Illinois portion topic weights
| Topic | Weight | Scored questions |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing requirements | 10% | 4 |
| Illinois Real Estate License Act | 40% | 16 |
| Additional Illinois laws and regulations | 25% | 10 |
| Disclosures | 25% | 10 |
Ninety percent of the Illinois portion comes from the Real Estate License Act, additional Illinois laws and regulations, and disclosures. Licensing requirements make up the remaining 10%.
What to study for national
National study should connect concepts across transactions. A contract question can also involve agency, financing, title, or disclosure duties. Memorizing isolated definitions is not enough for scenario questions.
- Give contracts, agency, and practice of real estate deliberate attention. Together they account for 44%.
- Practice financing and calculations in mixed sets so the formula is not named for you.
- Review ownership, valuation, title, disclosures, land use, and property management in proportion to their weights.
What to study for Illinois
Treat the state portion as a law and rules exam. Pay attention to who must act, what must be written, when notice is due, which conduct requires a license, and which exceptions apply.
- Build the License Act first because it accounts for 16 of the 40 scored questions.
- Give additional Illinois laws and disclosures equal attention. Each contributes 10 scored questions.
- Use Illinois terminology. The entry-level license is broker, not salesperson.
If you fail only one side
PSI requires you to repeat only the portion you failed. Use the diagnostic information on the score report to choose what to review before the next attempt.
Pass Illinois tracks national and Illinois readiness separately so a strong result on one side does not hide a gap on the other.
Official source
This comparison follows the national and Illinois broker content outlines in the PSI Candidate Information Booklet dated June 24, 2026.