- The MA-RES exam has 120 scored questions total: 80 general (150 minutes) and 40 Massachusetts-specific (90 minutes).
- Contracts is the largest general-portion domain at 19%; Requirements Governing Licensees leads the state portion.
- You need 70% on each portion separately - a strong general score cannot offset a weak state score.
- Candidates have two years from prelicensing course completion to pass both portions, retaking only the failed section if needed.
How the MA-RES Exam Is Structured
Before drilling into individual content areas, it helps to understand the shape of the test itself. The Massachusetts Real Estate Salesperson Exam is administered by PSI Services LLC on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, part of the Division of Occupational Licensure. It is split into two independently scored portions:
- General Portion: 80 scored multiple-choice questions in 150 minutes, covering national real estate principles.
- Massachusetts State Portion: 40 scored multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, covering Massachusetts-specific law and practice.
That totals 120 scored questions across four hours, with an additional 5-10 unscored experimental questions mixed in that still consume exam time but do not count toward your result. You will not know which questions are experimental, so every question deserves full attention. Passing requires 70% on each portion - not a combined average - which is why domain-by-domain preparation matters more than general trivia knowledge. For a deeper breakdown of exactly how the scoring threshold works, see our MA-RES Passing Score guide.
This guide walks through all 20 content areas tested - 11 in the general portion and 9 in the Massachusetts state portion - with the concrete topics candidates report needing to master inside each one. If you haven't yet reviewed how these domains fit into a broader prep timeline, our MA-RES Study Guide pairs well with this breakdown.
The 11 General Portion Domains
The general portion mirrors real estate principles tested in most states, but Massachusetts candidates still need to apply them the way PSI's item writers frame questions - often through short scenario stems rather than pure definitions.
Domain 1: Property Ownership (10%)
Covers estates in land, forms of ownership, and property interests.
- Fee simple vs. life estates vs. leasehold estates
- Tenancy in common, joint tenancy, and tenancy by the entirety
- Easements, encroachments, and liens as encumbrances
Domain 2: Land Use Controls (5%)
Focuses on public and private restrictions on how property can be used.
- Zoning classifications and variances
- Deed restrictions and restrictive covenants
- Subdivision and building code basics
Domain 3: Valuation (8%)
Tests the appraisal principles a salesperson needs to discuss pricing with clients.
- The three approaches to value: sales comparison, cost, income
- Factors influencing market value vs. assessed value
- Depreciation and highest-and-best-use concepts
Domain 4: Financing (10%)
Covers mortgage instruments and the lending process.
- Conventional, FHA, and VA loan basics
- Mortgage clauses: acceleration, defeasance, due-on-sale
- Truth in Lending and RESPA disclosure concepts
Domain 5: Contracts (19% - largest general domain)
The single heaviest-weighted content area on the entire exam. Expect deep coverage of contract law as applied to real estate transactions.
- Elements of a valid contract: offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity
- Listing agreements (exclusive right to sell, exclusive agency, open)
- Purchase and sale agreements, contingencies, and breach remedies
- Option contracts and assignment of contracts
Domain 6: Agency (13%)
Tests fiduciary duties and the relationships between brokers, salespersons, and clients.
- Seller agency, buyer agency, and dual agency concepts
- Fiduciary duties: loyalty, obedience, disclosure, confidentiality, accounting, reasonable care
- Creation and termination of agency relationships
Domain 7: Property Disclosures (7%)
Focuses on what sellers and agents must reveal to buyers.
- Material fact disclosure obligations
- Stigmatized property and disclosure limitations
- Latent vs. patent defects
Domain 8: Property Management (3%)
The smallest general domain but still tested - covers landlord-agent relationships at a national level.
- Property manager duties and lease administration
- Security deposit handling principles
- Maintenance responsibility allocation
Domain 9: Transfer of Title (6%)
Covers how ownership legally passes from one party to another.
- Deed types: general warranty, special warranty, quitclaim
- Elements required for a valid deed
- Recording, title search, and title insurance basics
Domain 10: Practice of Real Estate (12%)
The second-largest general domain, testing day-to-day professional conduct.
- Fair housing principles at the national level
- Advertising rules and truthful representation
- Antitrust concepts affecting brokerage practice
Domain 11: Real Estate Calculations (7%)
Math-based questions requiring formula application rather than memorized facts.
- Commission splits and net-to-seller calculations
- Prorations for taxes, rent, and insurance
- Loan-to-value ratios and simple interest problems
Since PSI provides an on-screen calculator and does not allow personal calculators into the testing room, it's worth practicing calculation problems using only that interface style before test day. Our MA-RES difficulty guide discusses which domains candidates find most time-consuming under exam conditions.
The 9 Massachusetts State Portion Domains
The 40-question Massachusetts state portion is where the exam becomes distinctly local. These domains test statutes, regulations, and Board procedures unique to Massachusetts, and they cannot be studied from generic national real estate textbooks alone.
Domain 12: Duties and Powers of the Board of Registration
Covers the Board's authority, structure, and disciplinary powers under Massachusetts law.
- Board composition and jurisdiction
- Grounds for license suspension or revocation
- Complaint and hearing procedures
Domain 13: Licensing Requirements
Tests the specific eligibility path candidates must follow in Massachusetts.
- Minimum age and the 40-hour approved prelicensing education requirement
- The Board Educational Certificate and three endorsements from unrelated individuals
- The two-year window to pass both exam portions after course completion
Domain 14: Requirements Governing Licensees (largest state domain)
The heaviest-weighted Massachusetts domain, covering ongoing licensee obligations.
- Broker-salesperson supervision requirements
- Escrow and trust account handling under Massachusetts rules
- Record-keeping and license display obligations
Domain 15: Contracts (Massachusetts-specific application)
Builds on general contract law with Massachusetts statutory nuances.
- Massachusetts-specific offer and purchase-and-sale practices
- Attorney review customs in Massachusetts transactions
- State-specific contingency and deposit handling rules
Domain 16: Consumer Protection Laws
Covers Massachusetts statutes designed to protect real estate consumers.
- Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 93A) concepts
- Mandatory licensee disclosures to consumers
- Advertising and unfair practice restrictions
Domain 17: Environmental Issues and Hazardous Materials
Tests knowledge of Massachusetts environmental disclosure obligations.
- Lead paint disclosure requirements
- Underground storage tanks and septic system considerations
- Wetlands and environmental regulation basics
Domain 18: Massachusetts Fair Housing Law
Covers state-level protections that go beyond federal fair housing categories.
- Massachusetts protected classes
- Enforcement agencies and complaint processes
- Advertising and steering violations under state law
Domain 19: Landlord Tenant Law
Tests Massachusetts-specific rental relationship rules.
- Security deposit statutes and interest requirements
- Lease termination and eviction procedures
- Habitability and sanitary code obligations
Domain 20: Additional Topics
A catch-all domain covering remaining Massachusetts-specific rules not otherwise categorized.
- Condominium conversion notice rules
- Massachusetts-specific closing customs
- Miscellaneous statutory updates affecting licensees
Key Takeaway
Since Requirements Governing Licensees is the largest Massachusetts domain, prioritize supervision rules, escrow handling, and record-keeping obligations before moving to smaller state-portion topics.
Domain Weight Comparison
Percentages apply within the general portion only; the Massachusetts state portion domains are not broken into published percentages, but Requirements Governing Licensees is confirmed as the largest state domain. Use the table below to prioritize general-portion study time.
| General Portion Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Contracts | 19% |
| Agency | 13% |
| Practice of Real Estate | 12% |
| Property Ownership | 10% |
| Financing | 10% |
| Valuation | 8% |
| Real Estate Calculations | 7% |
| Property Disclosures | 7% |
| Transfer of Title | 6% |
| Land Use Controls | 5% |
| Property Management | 3% |
Notice that the top three domains - Contracts, Agency, and Practice of Real Estate - account for 44% of the general portion by themselves. If your remaining prep time is limited, these three deserve first priority. For more context on how test-takers describe the exam's overall difficulty across both portions, read How Hard Is the MA-RES Exam?
Mapping Your Study Plan to the Domains
Rather than studying domains in the order they're listed on the outline, sequence your review by weight and by how state-specific the material is. A short, focused four-week rotation works well for most candidates balancing the 40-hour prelicensing coursework with independent review.
Heaviest General Domains
- Contracts (19%) - listing agreements, purchase and sale terms, breach remedies
- Agency (13%) - fiduciary duties and dual agency scenarios
Remaining General Domains
- Practice of Real Estate, Property Ownership, Financing
- Real Estate Calculations drills using an on-screen-style calculator
Massachusetts State Portion Core
- Requirements Governing Licensees and Licensing Requirements
- Massachusetts Fair Housing Law and Landlord Tenant Law
Full Review and Timed Practice
- Environmental Issues, Consumer Protection Laws, Additional Topics
- Full-length timed practice covering both portions
Spacing your review this way keeps the highest-weighted material fresh closer to test day while still leaving room for the smaller Massachusetts-specific domains that are easy to overlook. You can run full practice sessions modeled on the real exam format at massachusettsrealexam.com to see how your recall holds up under the actual 150-minute and 90-minute time limits.
Registration and Retake Mechanics
Domain mastery only matters if you can also navigate the logistics correctly. A few mechanics affect how you should plan your study schedule:
- Applicants must be at least 18 and complete 40 hours of approved prelicensing education before applying.
- You need the Board Educational Certificate plus three endorsements from unrelated individuals.
- Both exam portions must be passed within two years of finishing your prelicensing course.
- If you pass one portion but fail the other, you only retake the failed portion - as long as you're still inside the two-year eligibility window.
- Testing is available at a PSI center or via remote online proctoring, with an on-screen calculator provided (personal calculators are not allowed).
The current application fee is $31 and the examination fee is $56. For a full cost breakdown including renewal and continuing education, see MA-RES Certification Cost 2026. If you're still confirming you meet the baseline eligibility criteria, our MA-RES Requirements guide covers the prerequisites in detail, and our exam dates and scheduling guide explains how to book your PSI appointment.
Once licensed, the initial term runs no less than two years and no more than three years depending on your birthday, with active renewal requiring 12 continuing-education hours. Understanding domain content now also pays off later, since many state-portion topics - fair housing, landlord-tenant law, disclosure rules - resurface in continuing education requirements. If you're weighing whether the licensing path is worth pursuing at all, our ROI analysis and salary guide offer additional context, and you can browse current openings through MA-RES Jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 20 total content areas: 11 domains in the General Portion and 9 domains in the Massachusetts State Portion, covering everything from Property Ownership to Landlord Tenant Law.
Contracts is the largest general-portion domain at 19%. In the Massachusetts State Portion, Requirements Governing Licensees is confirmed as the largest domain, though exact state-portion percentages are not published.
No. You need 70% on each portion separately, and if you pass one but fail the other, you only need to retake the failed portion - as long as you're within the two-year eligibility window from prelicensing course completion.
No. PSI provides an on-screen calculator during the exam and prohibits personal calculators, so it's important to practice math questions using that same interface style beforehand.
No. The exam includes 5-10 unscored experimental questions mixed into the 120 scored questions. They consume exam time but are not identifiable, so every question should be treated as if it counts.