What It Is
Approved Real Estate Academy (ARA) is a career education provider focused on the California real estate licensing exam, headquartered in Orange County, California. Unlike schools that only teach exam content, ARA emphasizes a dual goal: “get licensed + earn in the real world,” aiming to help students pass the state exam quickly and start generating commission income early in their careers.
Core Dimensions
- Course Focus: Specializes in real estate licensing training, covering the three required core subjects: California Real Estate Practice, Principles, and Finance.
- Delivery Format: Uses a hybrid model combining online self-study, Zoom live sessions, and in-person classes. Its Fast Track program offers 9 weeks of live or Zoom training, while a 3-month Webinar program is also available (4 hours per week during the first three weeks of each month), giving students flexibility for different schedules.
- Accreditation/Certificate: Courses are approved by the State of California and meet the education-hour requirements set by the DRE (California Department of Real Estate), directly supporting eligibility for the California real estate salesperson license.
- Instructors/Institution Background: The academy has 4 experienced instructors, including Jim Forde and Tony, all of whom are active real estate professionals. They teach not only exam topics but also practical industry experience.
Pricing Strategy
ARA uses a one-time package purchase model with highly competitive value for money:
- Premier Package ($396): Includes 3 required courses, a crash course, exam prep, printed and digital textbooks, 2 years of access, and 9 weeks of live training.
- Popular Career Package ($296): Similar to the Premier Package, but with digital-only textbooks, making it suitable for fully online learners.
- Exam Prep Package ($60): A dedicated exam-prep package with a 1600+ question bank, a one-day crash course, and an ebook, ideal for students who only need last-minute review.
Notably, ARA partners with trusted brokerages to offer a “tuition reimbursement program,” further lowering the barrier to entering the industry.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- High Pass Rate and Strong Reputation: Claims a 95% exam pass rate and 98% recommendation rate, with many students reporting that they passed on the first attempt.
- Practical Focus and Free Mentorship: Offers a free mentorship program that helps not only with licensing but also with how to start doing business, filling a key gap for beginners.
- Long Access Period: Course access lasts up to 2 years, making it easy for students to review repeatedly.
Cons:
- Strong Geographic Limitation: The course content and exam prep are fully tied to California regulations and are not applicable to other states; in-person classes are limited to Orange County.
- Live Sessions Depend on Zoom: Core interactive components rely on Zoom, which may be inconvenient in some network environments.
Who It’s For
Beginners with no prior experience who want to switch careers and obtain a California real estate license, exam candidates who need structured preparation, and entry-level agents who want practical monetization guidance after getting licensed.
Access from China
The official website itself is directly accessible, but the core live and interactive components depend on Zoom. Users in mainland China will need a proxy to participate smoothly in live interactions, so overall access is considered “partially restricted.”
⚠ This review is compiled from public sources and does not constitute a purchase recommendation. Verify all facts on the vendor's official site. Verify on approvedrealestateacademy.com official site.