Before Choosing a Tutorial Program for the UBC Real Estate Exam

We’ve all heard the classic saying: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” In real estate education, claims like “Become a real estate agent in just six weeks!” or “We’ll give you the UBC exam questions!” are designed to prey on the hopeful, those under financial pressure, or simply those who want a fast track to success. When companies promise shortcuts to a real estate career, it’s essential to pause and consider if they’re making realistic claims.

Here are some red flags to watch for:

• Promises of getting licensed in six weeks or less.
• Claims of “inside knowledge” on UBC exam questions.
• Statements like, “Our tutors have Master’s degrees,” as if this guarantees success.
• Exaggerated numbers: “We’ve helped over tens of thousands get licensed!”

When under pressure to make a career change, it’s easy to believe such promises, but these tactics play on temporary emotions. Unfortunately, there are businesses that make the process sound deceptively simple to take advantage of people in vulnerable times.

The Reality of the Licensing Process

Only the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) can issue real estate licenses in British Columbia. The tutorial programs like ours, BC Academy of Real Estate, Benson Wang or Quick Pass Master, Get Fred, realty course or BC School of Real Estate, GOBC or GOBC Real Estate School, Real Smart, Realty Tutor 1000 … are NOT government agencies and CANNOT issue you a real estate license in BC! No tutorial program has that authority, regardless of its claims. It will take at least 10 weeks to complete the mandatory coursework required to write the UBC-administered real estate exam, and during that time:

• Assignments: You’ll submit 20 assignments, limited to two per week.
• Exam Security: The exam setting is secure, with restrictions on what you can bring into the exam room.

UBC administers this exam on behalf of BCFSA, upholding high standards and integrity. With thousands of questions in their database, it’s impossible for anyone to realistically predict the questions that will appear. The idea that a company has access to the questions that will appear on the next exam is simply a lie.

Can Tutorial Companies Write the Exam Repeatedly?

Some tutorial companies claim that their instructors take the UBC real estate licensing exam repeatedly to capture the latest questions and give their students a competitive edge. But consider the reality behind this claim. These companies suggest they have inside access to current exam content, but it’s not backed up by any evidence.

UBC has publicly distanced itself from tutorial programs for precisely this reason: these companies mislead prospective students into believing they have special insights or insider connections with UBC. In fact, UBC upholds strict standards to secure its exams, employing a large and regularly updated pool of questions that makes it virtually impossible to memorize or predict upcoming exam questions. When tutorial companies claim they know what will appear on the test, it’s a red flag for students to question the credibility of their promises.

Remember, these claims are designed to make prospective students feel assured, but the reality is that no tutorial program has privileged access to the licensing exam content.

Myth-Busting Misleading Claims

Beyond the promise of exam insights, you may hear even more outlandish claims, such as:

• Access to “inside information” from UBC: UBC is dedicated to exam security, and it’s highly improbable that anyone at UBC would risk their career and reputation to share questions with tutorial companies.
• Guaranteed employment: Real estate agents are self-employed and pay desk fees to brokerages — they don’t receive a paycheck from brokerages.
• The “Master’s Degree” allure: Does having a Master’s degree make someone an expert in real estate exam preparation? Many people with prestigious degrees don’t work in tutorial programs, so a degree itself shouldn’t be a selling point.

When companies market these ideas, they’re playing on emotions and creating false expectations. Remember, a trustworthy real estate tutorial will provide honest guidance, not just grandiose claims.

The Licensing Path

Passing the UBC real estate licensing exam is just the beginning. Afterward, you’ll need to:

1. Complete an Applied Course – Register for and complete either the Residential or Commercial Real Estate Trading Applied Course.
2. Sign with a Brokerage – This step involves determining which brokerage aligns with your goals, completing licensing applications, and reviewing brokerage contract terms before signing.

Choosing a brokerage is critical. Real estate is a self-employed profession, and the right brokerage will provide support without trapping you in false promises or unnecessary fees. Some tutorials claim they offer “job placement” services, but real estate requires a strong understanding of both the business and your fit within a brokerage.

Warning Signs of Low-Quality Programs

There are several key signs that a program may not have your best interests at heart:

• Constant follow-up calls or emails: A reputable program will answer your questions, then let you decide without high-pressure tactics.
• “Enroll now, pay in installments": Quality programs know their value and will not use “installment plans” as a way to sell courses that might not meet your needs.
• Limited or no guarantee: Many tutorial programs ask students to repeat classes multiple times, each time paying a fee. A reliable program should offer a guarantee, like free repeat classes if you fail.

Speaking of “Enroll Now, Pay in installments”

When companies promote "enroll now and pay in installments," it’s often a tactic to attract students without guaranteeing quality. Truly valuable services don’t typically rely on installment plans; they build trust through results and often come with a straightforward price, not constantly begging your trust through manipulative tactics.

Consider a luxury brand like Rolex — you won’t find installment plans there. High-quality products stand on their own merit, backed by guarantees because they’re built to last.

Some real estate tutorials use installment plans to seem affordable, yet students can end up in a cycle of paying repeatedly to retake classes. These companies claim that installment plans are to “help you,” but if they truly wanted to help, they would offer free repeat classes for those who need extra support. As a credible real estate school, we encourage students to take their time to find a tutorial program that genuinely wants to prepare them to succeed, not just “hook” another student.

The 'We've Helped 10's of Thousands of People Get Licensed' Exaggeration

When some companies boast, “We’ve helped tens of thousands get licensed,” they’re typically using numbers designed to impress more than to inform. While it sounds impressive, a look at real numbers in BC tells a different, crooked story.

Between 2012 and 2023, according to BCFSA statistics, annual enrollments in BC's real estate licensing course have ranged from around 3,000 to 8,600 students, while the BC’s licensed agent count has increased from 21,000 to approximately 29,000. The supposed claim of "helping tens of thousands" get licensed simply doesn't add up.

These large, loosely referenced numbers are a tactic to inspire trust and sway potential students, suggesting these companies have deep experience and a strong reputation, just as they exert exhaustive effort on their website asking you to trust them. A reputable company does not ask the public to trust it. However, the reality is that these inflated figures are misleading at best, and a downright lie at worst. It’s crucial to look beyond the supposed numbers and instead question the quality and substance of the education they’re offering. Don’t let the “tens of thousands” lure you in without critically evaluating their methods, pass rates, and whether their approach aligns with your needs and goals as a future agent.

Choosing a Tutorial is a Big Decision - Don’t Take it Lightly

Before enrolling in any program, ask yourself:

• Does the program guarantee results or just use impressive numbers to sell you on joining?
• Are they promising “quick-fix” success when real estate requires time, study, and due diligence?
• Are they pushing you to commit fast, without letting you compare options?

If you feel pressured or sense exaggerated promises, take a step back. Your education investment should be with a reputable tutorial school that will prepare you to be a confident, well-informed agent ready to build a sustainable career in real estate.

If you’d like to embark on a path that actually leads to long-term success, learn more about our programs at Excel Realty Academy. We’re not here to pressure you into signing up, we want you to take your time and consider what’s best for you.

We are here to prepare you to launch a truly successful career in real estate, if you’re committed and have what it takes. Learn more about why our students choose us, and why you should consider choosing us too.