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Your NY Real Estate Exam
Study Plan

Day-by-day. Built for the NY DOS curriculum. Three tracks so you can study on your terms.

Choose your track

One month, one exam.

You have about 4 weeks, can study an hour or so most days, and want a structured plan that doesn't require you to rearrange your life.

1–1.5

day

4 weeks

total plan

77

Pre-licensing hours

75

Exam questions

90 min

Time limit

70%

Passing score

2 years

License term

22.5 hrs

CE to renew

Week 1The Foundation

Day 1

45 min

  • Take the free diagnostic at passunlocked.com/diagnostic
  • Note your two weakest topic areas — return to them in Week 4

Day 2

1 hr

  • Real Property: PETE (Police power, Eminent domain, Taxation, Escheat)
  • MARIA test for real vs. personal property
  • Bundle of rights concept

Day 3

1 hr

  • Real Property continued: ownership types (joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entirety)
  • Deeds & Title: types of deeds, what title insurance covers

Day 4

1 hr

  • License Law (Article 12-A): what it governs, license terms, sponsoring broker requirement
  • Key numbers: 77 hrs pre-license, 2-year license, 22.5 hrs CE, 75 questions, 70% to pass

Day 5

1 hr

  • License Law continued: CE requirements, license renewal, DOS complaint process
  • Flashcards: 20 cards on Real Property + License Law

Day 6

1.5 hrs

  • 15-question practice quiz on Real Property + License Law
  • Review every wrong answer — understand why, not just what

Day 7

30 min

  • Light review of your flashcards from this week
  • Rest — consistency beats intensity

This week is about building the base, not cramming. Don't rush through Real Property — it underpins everything that follows.

Week 2The Law That Runs the Exam

Day 8

1 hr

  • Agency & Ethics: types of agency (seller's agent, buyer's agent, dual agent)
  • OLDCAR fiduciary duties — memorize this acronym cold
  • NY Agency Disclosure form: who receives it and when

Day 9

1 hr

  • Agency continued: subagency, designated agency, types of listing agreements
  • Dual agency: legal in NY with written informed consent, limited duties
  • Flashcards: 25 Agency cards

Day 10

1 hr

  • Contracts: Statute of Frauds (real estate contracts must be in writing)
  • Valid contract elements: CALL (Competent parties, Agreement, Lawful purpose, Legal consideration)
  • Contingencies: mortgage, inspection, title — what each one protects

Day 11

1 hr

  • Fair Housing: federal 7 protected classes (RRANCE + familial status + disability)
  • New York additions: source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, domestic violence status
  • Prohibited acts: steering, blockbusting, redlining — definitions and examples

Day 12

1 hr

  • Fair Housing continued: exemptions, complaint process, HUD enforcement
  • Carl session: 'Quiz me on Fair Housing with 5 multiple choice questions'
  • Flashcards: 20 cards on Contracts + Fair Housing

Day 13

1.5 hrs

  • 30-question practice quiz on Week 2 topics (Agency, Contracts, Fair Housing)
  • Review every wrong answer with Carl

Day 14

30 min

  • Mnemonic review: OLDCAR, RRANCE, CALL
  • Rest — big week behind you

Agency, Contracts, and Fair Housing together account for the majority of exam questions. Give them full attention — this is the most important week.

Week 3Numbers, Systems & Land

Day 15

1 hr

  • Real Estate Finance: types of mortgages (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA)
  • LTV ratio, down payment requirements, PMI
  • Discount points: what they are, how to calculate (1 point = 1% of loan)

Day 16

1 hr

  • Finance continued: RESPA (anti-kickback, Loan Estimate within 3 business days)
  • Regulation Z / Truth in Lending: APR disclosure requirements
  • Amortization: how P&I shifts over the life of a loan

Day 17

1 hr

  • Property Valuation: sales comparison approach, cost approach, income approach
  • Cap rate = NOI / Value (memorize this formula)
  • GRM = Sale Price / Gross Monthly Rent

Day 18

1 hr

  • Land Use: zoning classifications, variances vs. special use permits, nonconforming uses
  • Easements: appurtenant vs. in gross, dominant vs. servient estate
  • Liens: types, priority rules (tax liens first), how a lien is released

Day 19

1 hr

  • Property Management: landlord-tenant law, lease types, security deposit rules
  • Human Rights: NY Human Rights Law, protected classes in employment and housing
  • Municipal Agencies: planning boards, zoning boards of appeals, role of each

Day 20

1.5 hrs

  • First full 75-question timed practice exam — 90-minute clock, no interruptions
  • Record your score and every topic where you missed 2+ questions

Day 21

1 hr

  • Review every wrong answer from the practice exam
  • Carl session: explain the top 3 topics you got wrong

Finance feels intimidating at first. It isn't. The exam tests concepts and simple calculations — not complex math. Take it one topic at a time.

Week 4Lock It In

Day 22

1 hr

  • Study only the topics you missed most on your Week 3 practice exam
  • Carl session: quiz mode on your weakest module
  • 20 targeted questions on that topic only

Day 23

1.5 hrs

  • Second full 75-question timed practice exam
  • Target: 80%+ before sitting for the real exam

Day 24

1 hr

  • Review wrong answers from Day 23 exam
  • Flashcards: full deck review in one sitting

Day 25

45 min

  • Mnemonics only: OLDCAR, PETE, MARIA, DUST, PITI, CALL
  • Key numbers only: all the numbers the exam tests
  • If you're at 80%+ on practice exams, you're ready

Day 26

1 hr

  • Third full 75-question timed practice exam (optional if already at 80%+)
  • Or: 30 questions on your single weakest topic

Day 27

30 min

  • Light flashcard review only — 20 minutes maximum
  • No new material, no full exams
  • Confirm exam logistics: ID, location, arrival time

Exam Day

—

  • Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring two valid IDs (one government-issued with photo).
  • Read every question carefully. Eliminate wrong answers, then choose.
  • You've done the work. Trust it.

The goal this week isn't to learn anything new. It's to close the gaps, build confidence, and walk into the exam feeling bored by the questions.

Key Mnemonics

OLDCAR

Fiduciary duties: Obedience, Loyalty, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Accounting, Reasonable care

PETE

Government powers: Police power, Eminent domain, Taxation, Escheat

CALL

Valid contract: Competent parties, Agreement, Lawful purpose, Legal consideration

PITI

Mortgage payment: Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance

Everything in this plan is built into Unlocked.

Diagnostic, study modules, flashcards, timed practice exams, and Carl — all in one place, free to start.

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