Word definitions can be powerful links in your knowledge chain. Every profession has unique words and phrases, and real estate brokerage is no different. Be prepared to describe the common terms and understand what differentiates them. For example a client and a customer, a GDS and a TDS ratio, an agent and a principal, market price and market value, stated nominal rate and effective rate, mortgagee and mortgagor—the list goes on […]
Taking the OREA paper-based exam? Don’t underestimate the value of a small, see-through ruler when you’re packing for exam day. Clear is important so you can see the words below and not lose track of the overall meaning. Here’s six reasons for a ruler. You can: methodically analyze questions on a line-by-line basis in the exam booklet; more accurately […]
Be cautious with questions that look vaguely familiar. Don’t let your guard down. You might think: I’m sure that was somewhere in the text book exercises. Look before you leap—it might have a similar sentence structure, but little more. The exam tester may have made very subtle changes that create a different question altogether. The MCQ that […]
You may hear this when speaking with some OREA students: I failed because the questions were tricky! or They’re just trying to trick us! A trick is an intended scheme to deceive. That’s the last thing an exam tester wants to do. Clarity and precision is very important to ensure that the question is reliable. Building effective exam […]
Should you change an answer when going back over questions in an exam? This question was studied in a now famous, often-quoted research study involved 1,561 University of Illinois students taking exams. The researchers tracked eraser marks on the answer sheets (similar to OREA’s scantron cards). Here’s the key results and the odds when changing […]
No question, the clock is important, but don’t let it dominate exam day. There’s plenty of time if you attack things methodically. Here’s our suggestion: briefly review all pages in the exam booklet (if a paper-based exam) or click through the questions (if an electronic exam); check out any formulas, charts, resources, forms, etc; that […]
Everyone gets that feeling. Technically, it’s called an instantaneous reaction made without thought. Here’s the scenario: You’ve stared at an exam question for five minutes and still nothing. It seems that the ‘recall’ button in permanent memory has either gone missing or its battery is running low. You’re faced with this mental battle between two […]
Taking the paper-based exam at one of OREA’s exam centres? Pack: a pen (make sure it’s working and not a new, unused pen which may not work). You’ll need it to initial the exam contract and write the exam oath; sharpened pencil(s) to fill out the scantron answer sheet (think in terms of filling out […]
When taking the paper-based OREA exam, you receive two items: The exam booklet (which has the MCQs) and the scantron sheet (where you mark your answers). The exam booklet is great for mind joggers. There’s lot of space to be creative. You can highlight key facts in questions, jot down your thought process, write reminders, […]
Want to improve your OREA exam odds? Do what you will be doing in the examination room—answering multiple choice questions (MCQs). Beforehand, it’s all about study, study, study and practice, practice, practice! When it comes to practice, we believe in the value of simulation. Simulation is simply imitating what is expected at some future time. Sure, it’s not […]
