What the South Dakota broker exam tests, how it is scored, and 114 broker-track practice questions with cited sources.
South Dakota broker exam format
PSI-administered exam. South Dakota's only PSI-tested tier is 'Broker Associate' (this app's salesperson AND broker tracks): 90 national items scored to a 100-point scale (150min, 75%) + 52 South Dakota questions (120min, 75%) = 142, 270min, both required independently. Verified 2026-07-27 against PSI's SDRE candidate bulletin (proctor2.psionline.com/programs/Instructions/SDRE.pdf) and cross-checked against the full codified South Dakota Real Estate Licensing law (SDCL 36-21A) and Administrative Rules (ARSD 20:69) fetched from dlr.sd.gov/realestate/publications/license_law_book.pdf. CORRECTED 2026-07-27: the config previously modeled 'broker' as the 'Responsible Broker' supervisory tier with a fabricated-sounding '11-problem, 3-hour simulation section,' citing dlr.sd.gov/realestate/exam_information.aspx — that page was fetched directly and contains no such text, and no simulation, 11-problem, or 'responsible broker exam' phrase appears anywhere in the 8,645-line official law book either. SDCL 36-21A-31 and ARSD 20:69:04:04-05 show Responsible Broker is obtained through 2 years' experience as a licensed salesperson/broker associate plus a 24-hour 'responsible broker course' with its own school-administered final exam (not a PSI state exam) — there is no separate state-administered Responsible Broker licensing exam to model. ARSD 20:69:04:03's 'simulation examination preparation' is a course topic in the (already-tested) broker-associate upgrade course, matching the scenario-based, weighted best-answer items already present in the standard Broker Associate national portion (same PSI item format used in MO, SC, TN, VA, etc.) — not a distinct exam section. This app's 'broker' track therefore mirrors 'salesperson' exactly, the same modeling Colorado uses for its one shared broker exam.
Broker exam
142questions
270 mintime limit
75%to pass
Two separately scored sections
The South Dakota broker exam runs as two separately scored portions: 90 national questions and 52 South Dakota law questions.
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South Dakota broker-track questions
Every Freehold question shows why the right answer is right — and cites its source.
What must a South Dakota responsible broker report to SDREC about their trust account?
Only the account balance as of each year-end
The financial institution's name, the account title, and the account number
Nothing at all — trust account details are treated as entirely private information
Only the bank's routing number
Show answer & explanation
The financial institution's name, the account title, and the account number — A responsible broker must inform Commission staff of the financial institution's name, the account's title, and its account number for the firm's trust account.
Source: South Dakota Real Estate Commission
How often must a South Dakota responsible broker reconcile the trust account's bank statement, trust ledger, and check register?
Once per calendar year
Only ever when a complaint has been formally filed
There is no reconciliation requirement in South Dakota
At least monthly, via a three-way reconciliation
Show answer & explanation
At least monthly, via a three-way reconciliation — SDCL 36-21A-80 requires at least a monthly three-way reconciliation of the bank statement, trust ledger, and check register; failing to do so is itself a violation.
Source: South Dakota Real Estate Commission
Under South Dakota trust account rules, may a broker keep any of their own personal funds in the trust account?
Yes, but only a sum to cover bank-assessed charges or fees
No, absolutely no personal funds may ever be present
Yes, any amount the broker chooses to deposit
Yes, but only up to the broker's monthly commission income
Show answer & explanation
Yes, but only a sum to cover bank-assessed charges or fees — South Dakota permits a narrow exception allowing a broker to keep enough personal funds in trust solely to cover bank charges or fees, not for any other purpose.
Source: South Dakota Real Estate Commission
What wording should appear on a South Dakota trust account's checks and deposit slips?
The broker's personal name only
'Trust account' or 'earnest money account'
No special wording is recommended
The buyer's name on every transaction
Show answer & explanation
'Trust account' or 'earnest money account' — Including 'trust account' or 'earnest money account' in the title helps avoid confusing the account with the broker's own operating funds.
Source: South Dakota Real Estate Commission
South Dakota broker exam FAQ
What is on the South Dakota real estate broker exam?
The South Dakota broker exam runs as two separately scored portions: 90 national questions and 52 South Dakota law questions. You need 75% to pass, within 270 minutes.
Is the South Dakota broker exam harder than the salesperson exam?
The passing standard is the same, but the broker exam adds brokerage-operations material - supervision, trust accounting, and firm responsibility - on top of the salesperson outline.
How many South Dakota broker practice questions does Freehold have?
114 South Dakota law questions apply to the broker track, including 7 written specifically for brokers, alongside the national broker bank.
Freehold is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PSI, Pearson VUE, or any state real estate licensing board or commission. Freehold does not guarantee passage of any licensing exam.
