In preparation for the "in-house" licensing examination program to be implemented in January, 1984, the Real Estate Licensing Board has adopted "specifications" for the new salesman and broker licensing examinations. These specifications consist of the following:
(1) A detailed list of topics to be covered on the examinations.
(2) A statement of the required competency level for beginning (entry-level) salesmen and brokers with regard to each topic covered on the examinations.
(3) The number of questions by topic to be included in each examination form.
The specifications provide the framework for development of examination questions and for assembly of the questions into examination forms. By following these specifications throughout the examination development process, the Board can better assure that each question on the examinations is appropriate and that all examination forms used are equivalent in terms of content coverage and difficulty.
Procedures
The new examination specifications were carefully and systematically developed. Draft specifications were prepared by the Board staff based primarily on the Board's prelicensing course syllabi. The draft specifications were then thoroughly reviewed and revised where necessary by the Board-appointed Examination Specifications Advisory Committee consisting of real estate experts from across the state. The recommendations of this "blue ribbon" committee were subsequently adopted without change by the Board at its April meeting.
Highlights of Examination
Coverage and Structure
The examinations will consist of multiple choice questions (salesman exam-110 questions; broker exam -130 questions) on the following general topics:
Real Estate Law
Real Estate Brokerage (Law and Practices)
N.C. Real Estate License Law, Commission Rules and Trust Account Guidelines
Real Estate Finance
Real Estate Valuation (Appraisal)
Real Estate Mathematics
In general, overall coverage of topics on the examinations will be similar to that on the current Educational Testing Service examinations; however, there will be some differences in topics covered as well as in the relative emphasis placed on topics. Questions on the broker examination will generally be more difficult than those on the salesman examination and will require broker candidates to possess more in-depth knowledge and a greater ability to apply their knowledge to practical situations which may be encountered in the brokerage business. In addition, the broker examination will feature special trust account and closing problems that will require candidates to answer several questions based on hypothetical fact situations.
Details about examination coverage will be provided to schools and instructors in June, and to persons requesting applications in September. The required passing scores will be established in late November