Alaska Real Estate Exam Study Schedule Planner

Last updated: April 2026

Preparing for the Alaska real estate licensing exam requires more than just reading a textbook; it requires a strategic, disciplined approach to mastering both national real estate concepts and Alaska-specific statutes. Because the Alaska Real Estate Commission (AREC) mandates a targeted 40-hour pre-licensing education requirement—which is shorter than many other states—candidates often underestimate the volume of self-study required to pass the Pearson VUE-administered exam. To succeed on your first attempt, you need a comprehensive study schedule planner.

This guide provides an expert-backed study schedule, breaking down exactly how to allocate your time across essential topics like fiduciary duties, contract law, and state regulations under Alaska Statutes Title 08, Chapter 88 (AS 08.88). For a holistic overview of the testing process, check out our Complete Alaska Exam Guide.

Understanding the Alaska Real Estate Exam Structure

Before you can plan your study schedule, you must understand the battlefield. The Alaska real estate exam is administered by Pearson VUE and is divided into two distinct sections:

• National Portion: 80 scored questions (plus 5 unscored pre-test questions). You are given 150 minutes to complete this section. It covers general real estate principles, agency, contracts, financing, and property valuation.
• State Portion: 40 scored questions (plus 5 unscored pre-test questions). You are given 90 minutes to complete this section. It focuses exclusively on Alaska statutes, AREC regulations, licensing requirements, and state-specific property laws.

To pass, you must achieve a scaled score of at least 75 on both sections. Because the state portion is heavily concentrated on specific Alaska laws, your study planner must dedicate disproportionate time to mastering local regulations compared to the national average.

Creating Your 4-Week Study Schedule Planner

Assuming you have completed your mandatory 40-hour pre-licensing course, we recommend dedicating an additional 60 to 80 hours of independent study. If you study approximately 15-20 hours per week, a 4-week timeline is ideal. Here is a practical, week-by-week schedule tailored for Alaska candidates.

Week 1: National Core Concepts (Agency & Ownership)

Goal: 15 Hours of Study

Your first week should focus on the foundational elements of real estate that make up the bulk of the National exam portion.

• Days 1-3: Agency Relationships and Fiduciary Duties. Focus on the types of agency (universal, general, special) and the fiduciary duties owed to clients (OLD CAR: Obedience, Loyalty, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Accounting, Reasonable Care). Make sure you clearly understand the differences in representation by reading about the Alaska fiduciary duties of agents.
• Days 4-5: Property Ownership and Interests. Study freehold vs. leasehold estates, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and encumbrances (liens, easements).
• Days 6-7: Weekly Review & Mini-Quiz. Take a 30-question practice test focusing solely on these topics. Review all incorrect answers.

Week 2: Contracts, Financing, and Valuation

Goal: 15 Hours of Study

Week two shifts to the transactional side of real estate.

• Days 1-3: Real Estate Contracts. Master the elements of a valid contract (offer, acceptance, consideration, competent parties, legal purpose). State-specific contract stipulations are heavily tested, making it crucial to study Alaska contract essentials and elements.
• Days 4-5: Real Estate Financing and Valuation. Learn the difference between a mortgage and a deed of trust, basic loan types (FHA, VA, Conventional), and the three approaches to value (Sales Comparison, Cost, Income). Formula to remember: Net Operating Income (NOI) ÷ Capitalization Rate = Value.
• Days 6-7: Weekly Review & Mini-Quiz. Complete a 40-question quiz on Week 2 topics.

Week 3: Alaska State-Specific Laws and AREC Regulations

Goal: 20 Hours of Study

This is the most critical week for Alaska candidates. The state portion of the exam is notoriously tricky because it requires exact knowledge of AS 08.88.

• Days 1-2: Licensing Requirements and AREC Powers. Study the composition of the Alaska Real Estate Commission, license renewal timelines (January 31 of even-numbered years), and continuing education requirements (20 hours).
• Days 3-4: Disclosures and Prohibited Conduct. Memorize the rules around the Alaska Residential Real Property Transfer Disclosure Statement. Understand what constitutes commingling and conversion of trust funds.
• Day 5: Landlord-Tenant Act. Alaska has specific rules regarding security deposits and eviction notices. Understanding AS 34.03 is vital; review our guide on Alaska landlord-tenant law essentials.
• Days 6-7: State-Only Practice Exam. Take a 40-question mock exam focusing purely on Alaska state law.

Week 4: Full Practice Exams and Weakness Targeting

Goal: 15-20 Hours of Study

Your final week is about building testing stamina and patching knowledge gaps.

• Days 1-2: Full Mock Exam. Sit down for a full 4-hour, 120-question practice exam. Simulate testing conditions—no phones, no breaks unless necessary.
• Days 3-4: Targeted Review. Analyze your mock exam results. If you scored under 80% in any specific category (e.g., financing or state disclosures), spend these two days re-reading those textbook chapters.
• Day 5: Secondary Mock Exam. Take one final full-length practice exam.
• Days 6-7: Light Review and Rest. Review your flashcards lightly. Get adequate sleep before exam day. Do not cram the night before.

Recommended Study Time Distribution

To ensure you are allocating your time efficiently, we have broken down the recommended study hours based on the weight of topics on the Pearson VUE exam outline.