Last updated: February 19, 2026. Data aligned to Tennessee PSI/TREC candidate materials effective in 2025-2026.
Tennessee Passing Score and Question Count: Quick Answer
For the Tennessee Affiliate Broker exam in 2026:
- National section: 80 questions, pass at 56 correct (70%)
- State section: 40 questions, pass at 28 correct (70%)
- Time limits: 160 minutes national, 80 minutes state
You must pass both sections. Passing one section does not override a failed section.
Official Exam Structure Table
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 160 minutes | 56 correct |
| State | 40 | 80 minutes | 28 correct |
| Total session | 120 | 240 minutes | Pass both sections |
Scored vs Experimental Questions
The Tennessee PSI candidate bulletin notes that portions may include small sets of unscored experimental items used for exam development. Your required passing threshold still follows the 70% section standards above.
Section Weights: Where the Points Are
PSI outlines weighted domains for both national and state portions. The highest-impact national areas include contracts, agency, and practice of real estate. State weighting emphasizes Tennessee law, TREC rules, and licensing conduct.
National Portion Highlights (PSI percentages)
| National Topic Area | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| Contracts | ~17% |
| Agency | ~13% |
| Practice of real estate | ~13% |
| Financing | ~10% |
| Real estate calculations | ~10% |
State Portion Highlights (PSI percentages)
| State Topic Area | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| Tennessee statutes and rules | ~23% |
| Property ownership and transfer | ~13% |
| Tennessee disclosures | ~13% |
| Agency and obligations | ~10% |
| Financing and contracts | ~10% each |
These weightings are why many candidates underperform if they only memorize definitions and skip application-heavy items.
How Score Reporting Works
After your exam, PSI provides a score outcome by section. Practical implications:
- If you pass one section and fail the other, you retest only the failed section
- Use the section feedback immediately to target weaknesses
- Avoid broad restudy; focus on your low-weighted domains that caused misses
Retake Policy You Must Plan Around
Tennessee PSI retake rules include:
- Fast retest eligibility after a first failed attempt
- 30-day wait after failing the same section twice
- A passed section remains valid for two retakes of the failed section or one year, whichever occurs first
This policy means your retake plan should be structured and time-boxed, not open-ended.
Common Failure Patterns
- Missing easy state-law questions due to weak statute review
- Rushing national calculation items and losing 6-10 points
- Spending too long on one scenario question and running out of time
- Taking practice exams untimed, then underperforming under real PSI pacing
- Testing before reaching stable benchmark scores
Benchmark Scores Before Test Day
Use this target ladder:
| Readiness Level | Practice Score Target |
|---|---|
| Not ready | Below 70% |
| Borderline | 70-77% |
| Recommended scheduling range | 78-84% |
| Strong buffer | 85%+ |
A higher practice threshold helps offset exam-day variance and pressure.
14-Day Timed Plan Before Your Exam
Days 14-10
- One full national timed set
- One full state timed set
- Detailed review log of misses by topic
Days 9-5
- Focus on your two weakest national domains
- Focus on your weakest state-law domain
- Two mixed timed sets at full pace
Days 4-2
- Two full simulations under real time limits
- Final formula and legal-rule review sheet
Day 1
- Light review only
- Confirm PSI logistics and IDs
Exam-Day Checklist
- Confirm appointment details and arrival window.
- Bring required IDs exactly as PSI/TREC policy specifies.
- Manage pace: roughly 2 minutes per item.
- Mark and move if a question stalls you.
- Finish with a short flagged-question pass.
Free Practice Path
If you want a real pass buffer, use timed sets now: