Florida's published exam information describes question development, expert review, pilot testing, and continued analysis of exam results. This guide explains what those sources document for students and instructors preparing for the sales associate or broker state exam.
Two useful terms: An item is an exam question. An exam form is a version of an examination.
How questions are developed and reviewed
The Bureau of Education and Testing described its exam-update process to FREC in June 2013. The steps below summarize that historical presentation; it is not a current internal procedure manual.
- Define the coverage. Subject matter experts help create and update the content outline.
- Review and write questions. Existing questions are checked for relevance, accuracy, clear wording, and correct references. Questions are matched to outline topics, and new ones are written where needed.
- Assemble and review the exam. Exam versions are built around the revised outline and reviewed by subject matter experts before release.
- Monitor and improve. Staff analyze question and exam performance. Experts review poorly performing questions, and revisions or republication follow when needed.
Source: BET presentation to FREC, June 2013, “Examination Update Process” (PDF page 6).
What pilot questions do
A question can appear on an exam without counting toward the candidate's score. DBPR Rule 61-11.019 permits experimental questions to evaluate new or revised questions. These pilot questions are unscored and are not identified to candidates.
DBPR's current examination information, under “Pilot Testing,” explains that pilot questions help improve the question bank for future examinations. When included, additional time is provided. Our advice: answer every question to the best of your ability. You will not be told which questions are pilots.
Review continues after questions are used
The current Sales Associate Candidate Information Booklet and Broker Candidate Information Booklet describe statistical analysis of exam questions and further review of questions showing statistical problems. If that review changes the answer key and affects a candidate's score, an amended result is issued. See “Scoring Procedures” in each booklet.
What this tells us about timing
These sources explain parts of development and quality review. They do not provide a release date for an individual new or revised question. We do not use these steps to calculate when a particular law, number, or topic will appear on an exam. For a specifically announced exam-content change, follow the date and scope stated in the official DBPR notice.
How to use this when studying or teaching
Our recommendation: use the current exam outline and course learning objectives to organize your preparation. Practice applying the concepts and explaining your answers. If study materials disagree, check the applicable source and ask for clarification.
- Course I syllabus and sales associate exam study guide
- Course II syllabus and broker exam study guide
- How to prepare for the Florida real estate state exam
Sources checked November 4, 2026. The linked Sales Associate booklet is effective January 2025; the Broker booklet is effective March 2024. Check the current versions when preparing for your appointment. The June 2013 presentation is used only for its historical description of exam development.