South Dakota Real Estate Practice Exam

South Dakota Broker Associate candidates take a National portion and a South Dakota State portion during one computer-based appointment administered by PSI. The National portion includes 90 scored multiple-choice questions with 150 minutes allotted. Some National items are scenario-based with weighted scoring up to two points per question, so PSI reports the National block as 100 points rather than a simple 90-question count. The South Dakota State portion includes 52 scored multiple-choice questions with 120 minutes allotted (270 minutes total). About five to ten experimental items may appear on each portion but do not count toward your score. PSI reports pass or fail for each portion independently. You must achieve at least 75% on the National portion and at least 75% on the State portion. A strong National performance cannot offset a failing South Dakota-law result.

PSI publishes National Broker and South Dakota State content outlines in the Candidate Information Bulletin. The State portion emphasizes SD Codified Laws Chapter 36-21A and SDREC rules rather than generic national summaries. Individual test forms may vary slightly within each category.

• National portion (90 scored items, 100 points): property ownership, land use controls, valuation, financing, contracts, agency, property disclosures, property management, transfer of title, practice of real estate, and real estate calculations per PSI's National Broker content outline
• National scenario-based items: some questions include up to eight options with weighted scoring (zero, one, or two points); select the single best answer that fully resolves the scenario
• Duties and powers of the South Dakota Real Estate Commission (4 items): commission authority, rulemaking, and regulatory oversight under Chapter 36-21A
• South Dakota licensing requirements (6 items): eligibility, education proof, application steps, and license types governed by SDREC
• Statutory requirements governing licensee activities (42 items): agency relationships, trust accounting, advertising, disclosures, trust fund handling, and conduct rules under South Dakota license law

First-time South Dakota candidates apply for a Broker Associate license after passing both exam portions. Review the current SDREC exam information page and PSI bulletin before applying because fees and forms can change.

• Be at least 18 years old, competent to safeguard the public, and a United States citizen or South Dakota resident.
• Complete 116 classroom hours in an SDREC-approved pre-licensing course and submit your license application within two years of finishing those courses.
• Pass both the National and South Dakota State PSI exam portions with at least 75% on each section during one combined appointment.
• Pay the $98 PSI combined National and State examination fee when scheduling at test-takers.psiexams.com/sdre; you must test within one year of payment or the fee is forfeited.
• Submit a completed SDREC license application within 60 days of the notice that you passed the last required exam portion or your passing score is forfeited.
• Affiliate with a South Dakota licensed broker after SDREC approves your application; out-of-state licensees may qualify for education waivers per SDREC reciprocity rules.

Because South Dakota uses a 75% threshold on both portions independently, build separate study blocks for the 52-item state outline (especially Chapter 36-21A licensing statutes, SDREC commission duties, trust accounting, and agency disclosure rules) and the 90-item National Broker principles block with scenario-based practice. If you pass one portion but fail the other, schedule a retake of only the failed portion before your one-year examination fee validity expires. PSI does not allow same-day retakes; you may schedule the next attempt as early as the day after your failed appointment depending on seat availability. When you want interactive reps today, use Casa Academy's free practice tool with the Florida demo disclosure visible on every launch.