The 19 Topics on the Florida Real Estate Exam (and How Much Each One Is Weighted)

The Florida Real Estate Sales Associate exam has 100 questions. You need 75 correct to pass. But not all topics are created equal — some carry 12 questions while others carry just 1. If you don't know the weighting, you might spend weeks on a topic worth 1% of your score while neglecting one worth 12%.

This guide breaks down all 19 topics from the official Pearson VUE / DBPR Candidate Information Booklet (effective January 2025) so you can study smarter.

The Full Breakdown

The exam covers 19 content areas. Here they are ordered from most to least questions:

I. Real Estate Brokerage Activities and Procedures — 12 questions (12%)

Tied for the most questions on the entire exam. Covers office requirements, escrow account rules, trust fund handling, advertising rules under FREC guidelines, broker responsibilities, and proper handling of earnest money deposits. A common trap: knowing exactly who can hold escrow and under what conditions.

II. Real Estate Contracts — 12 questions (12%)

Also 12 questions — tied for heaviest topic. Covers the elements of a valid contract, types of contracts (bilateral, unilateral, express, implied), purchase and sale agreements, options, lease agreements, and what happens when a party defaults. Expect scenario-based questions where you identify whether a contract is valid, voidable, or void.

III. Residential Mortgages — 9 questions (9%)

The mortgage instruments (promissory note and mortgage/deed of trust), loan-to-value ratio, the application process, qualifying ratios, and key federal disclosures under TILA and RESPA. Know the difference between the mortgage and the note.

IV. Property Rights: Estates, Tenancies, Condominiums, Homeowner Associations, and Time-Sharing — 8 questions (8%)

The bundle of rights, freehold vs. leasehold estates, types of co-ownership (joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entirety), and Florida-specific ownership forms including condominiums, HOAs, and time-shares. Florida law on each is tested directly.

V. Real Estate Appraisal — 8 questions (8%)

The three approaches to value (sales comparison, cost, income), when each is used, steps in the appraisal process, capitalization rate, gross rent multiplier, and the difference between an appraisal and a CMA. Math-heavy — know your formulas cold.

VI. Authorized Relationships, Duties and Disclosures — 7 questions (7%)

Florida's three brokerage relationship types: single agent, transaction broker, and no brokerage relationship. You need to know the specific duties owed under each, when written disclosure is required, and the requirements of the Brokerage Relationship Disclosure Act.

VII. Titles, Deeds, and Ownership Restrictions — 7 questions (7%)

Types of deeds (general warranty, special warranty, quitclaim, bargain and sale), how title is transferred, title search and title insurance (owner's vs. lender's policy), liens, easements, deed restrictions, and other encumbrances.

VIII. Real Estate Related Computations and Closing of Transactions — 6 questions (6%)

Closing statements, prorations (taxes, rent, HOA fees), documentary stamp taxes, intangible tax, and how to calculate what the buyer and seller owe at closing. This section rewards anyone who is comfortable with real estate math — the formulas appear here and across other sections.

IX. License Law and Qualifications for Licensure — 6 questions (6%)

Chapter 475 of Florida Statutes — the requirements to obtain a sales associate license, age and education minimums, background check rules, the application process, and grounds for denial. Know the difference between sales associate and broker requirements.

X. Legal Descriptions — 5 questions (5%)

The three methods of legal description: metes and bounds, rectangular (government) survey system, and lot and block (recorded plat). Florida uses all three. Know how to read each type and how to calculate acreage from a rectangular survey description.

XI. Types of Mortgages and Sources of Financing — 4 questions (4%)

Conventional, FHA, and VA loans — their requirements, down payments, and qualifying rules. Also covers adjustable-rate vs. fixed-rate mortgages, balloon mortgages, and the primary vs. secondary mortgage market.

XII. Violations of License Law, Penalties and Procedures — 3 questions (3%)

What constitutes a violation of Chapter 475, the disciplinary process, FREC's authority, and the range of penalties (citations, fines, license suspension, revocation). Know the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in the context of license law.

XIII. Federal and State Laws Pertaining to Real Estate — 3 questions (3%)

The Fair Housing Act and its seven protected classes, prohibited practices (steering, blockbusting, redlining), exemptions, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also covers the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Florida's own fair housing provisions.

XIV. Taxes Affecting Real Estate — 3 questions (3%)

Ad valorem taxes, millage rates, Florida's Homestead Exemption (up to $50,000), the Save Our Homes cap, special assessments, and the tax implications of selling real property. Proration calculations often appear here as well.

XV. Real Estate License Law and Commission Rules — 2 questions (2%)

FREC Rule 61J2 — the administrative rules that govern how licensees practice. Covers advertising requirements, office rules, and specific conduct standards beyond what Chapter 475 covers.

XVI. Real Estate Investments and Business Opportunity Brokerage — 2 questions (2%)

Net operating income (NOI), effective gross income, vacancy rates, cash-on-cash return, and the basics of business opportunity brokerage (selling an existing business). Overlaps with the Appraisal section on income approach formulas.

XVII. The Real Estate Business — 1 question (1%)

Overview of the industry: types of real estate (residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, special purpose), roles within a brokerage, professional associations like NAR, and how the MLS works. Lightest topic on the exam.

XVIII. Real Estate Markets and Analysis — 1 question (1%)

Supply and demand in real estate markets, market cycles, and basic market analysis concepts. Only one question — don't over-study this one.

XIX. Planning and Zoning — 1 question (1%)

Zoning classifications, variances, nonconforming uses, police power, and the role of comprehensive plans in Florida land use. One question — know the key terms but move on.

Where to Focus First

If you're short on time, these five topics account for 49 questions — nearly half the exam:

• Real Estate Brokerage Activities and Procedures (12 questions)
• Real Estate Contracts (12 questions)
• Residential Mortgages (9 questions)
• Property Rights and Ownership (8 questions)
• Real Estate Appraisal (8 questions)

Master those five first. Then work through Authorized Relationships, Titles and Deeds, Computations and Closing, and License Law — those four add another 26 questions. Together that's 76% of the exam covered.

Don't Skip the Math

Math questions appear across multiple sections, not just "Computations and Closing." Proration shows up in Taxes. LTV and discount points show up in Mortgages. Cap rate and GRM show up in Appraisal. A student who is comfortable with the formulas picks up points in five or six different sections. A student who skips math loses them across the board.

How AhaPrep Aligns With This Outline

AhaPrep's question bank is built directly from this official content outline — every topic is represented in the right proportion, so your practice sessions mirror the actual exam. The weak spot drilling automatically identifies which of these 19 topics you're struggling with and focuses your time there.

The formula sheet and glossary on this site are also free and cover the key calculations and terms from every topic above.