The Real Estate Admission Test (REAT) in Ontario

The REAT — Real Estate Admission Test — is the gate. Before you can register for Course 1 of the Humber Real Estate Salesperson Program, you have to pass it. There is no real estate content in the test. It is a basic-numeracy and reading-comprehension assessment that filters candidates whose foundational literacy and arithmetic aren't sufficient for the technical and legal material to come.

This guide covers what the REAT actually tests, the format, the cost, the prep approach, and what to expect on test day.

Key takeaways

• The REAT is 50 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes with a 75% pass mark (38 of 50 correct).
• Content is split roughly half reading comprehension, half basic numeracy. There is no real estate material.
• Cost is roughly $50 to $100 per attempt depending on whether you take it online or in-person.
• Most candidates pass on first attempt with a few hours of practice. The REAT is a gate, not a hurdle.
• You take it through Humber Polytechnic before registering for Course 1.

Why the REAT exists

RECO requires every Ontario real estate candidate to demonstrate foundational reading and arithmetic skill before entering the licensing program. The thinking: the program contains 5,000+ pages of legal and technical material, and exams test multi-step calculations and scenario interpretation. A candidate who struggles with high-school-level reading comprehension or arithmetic will not succeed in the program — better to find that out before they pay for Course 1.

The test is delivered by Humber Polytechnic on behalf of RECO. As of 2026, no other provider administers the REAT.

What the REAT actually tests

The REAT is split into two roughly equal sections:

Reading comprehension (about 25 questions)

You are given short text passages — typically 100 to 300 words each — and asked questions about what the passage says, implies, or argues. Common question types:

• "According to the passage, what is the main reason X happens?"
• "Which of the following statements is supported by the passage?"
• "What does the author imply about Y?"
• "Identify the conclusion the author reaches."

Passages cover general-knowledge topics — current events, science, business, history. None of the content is real-estate-specific.

Basic numeracy (about 25 questions)

High-school-level math. Common topics:

• Percentages and proportions — "If a price increases by 20%, what is the new price?"
• Ratios — "If 3 out of 5 candidates pass, what percentage fails?"
• Basic algebra — solving for x in single-step equations.
• Reading charts and tables — interpreting data from a simple table or graph.
• Word problems — translating a short word problem into an arithmetic operation.
• Decimals and fractions — converting between forms, comparing values.

There is no calculator allowed. The arithmetic is doable in your head or on scratch paper if you are comfortable with the operations.

Format and rules

You receive your result immediately — pass or fail with the percentage. No question-level breakdown is provided, so if you fail, you have to identify your weak areas yourself.

Cost

• Online proctored REAT: about $50
• In-person at a Humber testing centre: about $80 to $100

Each rewrite costs the full fee again. There is no rewrite discount.

How to prepare

The REAT is not a study-for-three-months exam. Most candidates pass with two to four hours of practice spread over a few sessions. Over-preparing wastes time you should be spending on Course 1.

Step 1: Take a diagnostic

Find any GED, ACCUPLACER, or college placement-test practice set online. Take 25 mixed-format reading and math questions cold. If you score above 80%, you are ready — book the REAT for next week. If you score 60% to 80%, identify which section dragged you down. Below 60%, work on weak areas before booking.

Step 2: Drill the math you struggle with

The numeracy section is predictable. The candidates who fail almost always fail because they froze on percentages, ratios, or word problems. Pick whichever of these gives you the most trouble and drill it with a free worksheet for an hour. Khan Academy's elementary-algebra section is enough.

Step 3: Practise reading comprehension at speed

The clock is the constraint. 75 minutes for 50 questions means 90 seconds per question. Reading-comprehension passages take longer than math questions, so you will run a deficit on the reading section. The cure is reading practice questions under a 90-second-per-question timer, not reading more passages.

Look for SAT or ACT reading-comprehension practice sets — they're free, abundant, and at exactly the right difficulty level.

Step 4: Take a full timed practice run

Before the actual test, do 50 mixed-format questions under a 75-minute timer. You will likely finish with 5 to 10 minutes to spare if you have prepared. If you are running out of time on the practice run, you need more reading-comprehension speed work, not more knowledge.

What to expect on test day

If you book online proctoring, you will use a webcam, share your screen, and have a proctor watching you for the duration. You need a quiet space, a working webcam, photo ID, and a clean desk. The proctor will scan the room before starting.

If you book in-person, you arrive at a Humber testing centre, present photo ID, lock up your phone and bag, and sit at a workstation. You are given scratch paper and a pencil. No calculator, no notes.

The interface is a standard online testing UI. You can navigate between questions, mark questions to review later, and see how much time you have left. There is no penalty for guessing — answer every question, even if you have to guess.

If you fail

You can rebook within a few days. Pay the fee again, look at which type of question you missed (mentally, since the official report doesn't break it down), and target your re-prep accordingly. Almost all candidates pass on second attempt.

The REAT is not designed to keep people out of real estate. It is designed to confirm you have the literacy floor needed for the technical material that follows.

After the REAT

Once you pass, you can register for Course 1: Real Estate Essentials immediately. Most candidates pay for Course 1 within a few days of passing the REAT and start studying within two weeks.

The REAT result is good for the duration of your pre-registration window — you do not need to retake it if you pause and resume the program later.

Common questions

Do I need to do anything before the REAT? Apply through humber.ca/realestateeducation. The application includes basic personal details and the REAT booking. Eligibility is just being 18+ and Canadian-resident.

Can I take the REAT before I commit to the program? Yes. The REAT fee is non-refundable but you are not committed to Course 1 until you register and pay for it.

How much arithmetic background do I need? Confident high-school grade 10 math is enough. If you have not done math in 20 years, give yourself a week of practice.

Can I bring a calculator? No. Mental arithmetic and scratch paper only. The questions are designed to be solvable without one.

Is there a study guide for the REAT? Humber publishes a brief overview but no full study guide. The test is too general for one. Free SAT, ACCUPLACER, or GED practice materials cover the same difficulty level.

Related on ExamAce

• The Humber Real Estate Program: Complete Walkthrough
• How to Become a Realtor in Ontario in 2026
• Course 1 Practice Exam Questions

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