The short version: arrive 30 minutes early with one current, government-issued photo ID that matches your registration. Leave your phone, watch and calculator in storage or the car. You get scratch paper, a pencil and 4 hours for 110 scored questions plus 5 to 10 unscored ones. Your result appears on screen the moment you finish.
The day, step by step
The night before
Check the boring stuff
Confirm the time and address in your PSI account. Put your ID in your bag. For a remote exam, rerun PSI's compatibility check on the exact computer and network you will use.
2 hours before
Light review only
Skim the New Jersey numbers and the math formulas. Do not start new material. Eat something, because food and drinks are not allowed inside.
30 minutes before
Arrive and check in
PSI asks you to arrive 30 minutes early to sign in and show ID. Arriving after the start time forfeits the $38 fee. Remote: you can launch the exam up to 30 minutes before your booked time.
At check-in
Store your things
Phones, watches, bags, wallets and notes go into the secure storage provided or back to your car. You get scratch paper and a pencil, which you return when you leave.
During the exam
4 hours, 110 scored questions
Plus 5 to 10 unscored pretest questions mixed in that still use your time. Restroom only with the proctor's permission, and the clock keeps running.
When you finish
Your result is on screen
You see pass or fail right away, and a score report is emailed. If you passed, the report starts your license steps. If not, it shows your strengths and weaknesses by area.
Test center vs testing from home
Same exam, same score. The big differences are scratch paper and breaks, which matter more than people expect on a 4-hour exam with math on it.
| Test center | From home | |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | 30 minutes early. Late after start time means no exam | Launch up to 30 minutes early. Not started 15 minutes after your time means the fee is lost |
| Scratch paper | One sheet and a pencil, returned at the end | Not allowed |
| Breaks | Restroom only, with permission. The clock keeps running | None |
| Setup | Nothing to set up | System, webcam and audio checks, good lighting, private room, same computer throughout |
| Your things | Secure storage or your car | Phone and other devices out of reach |
Our take: if you are rusty on the math, book a test center. Working prorations and commission splits without scratch paper is a real handicap.
What to bring and what to leave behind
- One current, government-issued photo ID with your name and signature
- Name change proof (marriage license or divorce decree) if your ID and registration differ
- Religious headwear or apparel
- Phone, smartwatch or any electronic watch
- Handheld calculator
- Notes, books or reference material
- Bags, backpacks, briefcases and wallets
- Hats, caps and visors (unless religious), coats and bulky clothing
- Food, drinks and gum
Accepted IDs: state driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, U.S. alien registration card or Canadian government ID. It must be current and unexpired. Temporary IDs are refused, and so is a mismatch between your ID and your PSI registration without name change proof.
How to pace the 4 hours
You have 240 minutes for up to 120 questions, so about 2 minutes each. Use these checkpoints to stay on track without racing. Rushing tends to cost more points than the clock does.
1:00
about 30 questions done
2:00
about 60 done
3:00
first pass finished
4:00
flags reviewed, every answer filled
- First pass: answer everything you know. If a question stalls you past 2 minutes, pick your best guess, note the number on your scratch paper and move on.
- Read the last line first. It tells you what is being asked before the details pile up.
- Slow down on EXCEPT, NOT and LEAST. These flip the question, and they are where good students lose easy points.
- On math, write the formula before the numbers, then check that your answer is one of the choices.
- Answer every question. Your score counts correct answers, so a blank earns nothing.
- On review, only change an answer if you find a specific reason. A vague feeling is not one.
Remember that 5 to 10 questions are unscored pretest items, and you cannot tell which. If a question looks like nothing you studied, it may be one of them. Give it your best answer and do not let it rattle you.
Practice reading questions under timeAfter you click submit
If you pass
Your score report is emailed and can be printed from your PSI account. Get fingerprinted, choose your broker and apply before your eligibility date, which is printed on the report.
Steps to your licenseIf you do not
The emailed report breaks down your strengths and weaknesses by area. You cannot rebook the same day, but you can from the next day. Each attempt is $38.
Find your weak areas for the retakeIf a question seems wrong or unclear, use the Comments link on the question screen. PSI reviews comments but does not reply to individuals, and there is no other way to review exam questions afterward.
Your exam day checklist
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