How hard is the Hawaii real estate exam?
Honestly — it’s one of the tougher state exams in the country. Roughly 40–45% of test-takers pass on a given sitting (Hawaii Real Estate Commission data), which means most people who walk in unprepared walk out having to retake it. The good news: it’s very beatable when you prepare for this exam specifically.
Last reviewed October 2026 against the Hawaii Real Estate Commission & PSI.
What the exam looks like
The salesperson exam (administered by PSI) has two portions, and you must pass both, each at a score of 70:
- National (Uniform) portion — 80 scored questions, 150 minutes.
- Hawaii State portion — 50 scored questions, 90 minutes.
- Combined sitting — 130 questions, 4 hours (plus a few unscored pretest questions).
Why people fail it
- The Hawaii state portion. National cram courses don’t teach Hawaii law — leasehold vs. fee simple, HARPTA, GET, and the local rules that only show up here.
- The math. Prorations, commissions, area and financing problems trip up people who haven’t drilled them.
- Two portions, one day. You need stamina and breadth, not just a few memorized facts.
Prepare for the exam that’s actually in front of you
Our Hawaii 60-hour course is built around the real exam — state law, the math, and mock exams at the 70% bar. Try the first lessons free, no credit card.
Start Free →Sources & verification. Exam structure and passing score reviewed October 2026 against the Hawaii Real Estate Commission and the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin. Pass-rate figures reflect Hawaii REC data and vary by period. Confirm current details with the Hawaii Real Estate Commission and PSI. Educational only; not legal advice.