I did real estate when I got furloughed after 9/11. Typically, the state test is harder than the national test. Remember, when you go looking for a broker, you are interviewing them not the other way around. Brokers want/need agents. The more agents they have, the more they make (broker gets their cut of any transaction). MLS sells the property, not the broker (or the agent for that matter), so go with the broker that gives you the best deal. Remember, in real estate, EVERYTHING is negotiable. That includes broker agreements.