For me it was compartmentalizing what answer the exam required as compared to what actually happens in real life! 

The hardest part about getting licensed is getting the funds together. The rest is rather easy.

One gets a piece of paper.  Get a reality check.....

Passing the exam, most questions have at least 2 correct answers, you have to pick which is "more" correct. Even if you know all the information, it is still a challenge.

Learning all the vocabulary and definitions

Getting your license is the easy part.  Being a successful agent is the hard part!   As for passing the test, read the questions VERY carefully.  They are often worded in a way that will trick you into giving the wrong answer.  

Passing the state text!  It is long and you have to remember so much stuff.   My advice is go to a cram real estate class to help you pass the test.

It depends on where you live!  States have different licensing and real estate laws.  Some states use attorneys, some don't.  Some tests are fairly easy, others are tougher.  Just like college!

As Susan Emo said, what you are taught in pre-licensing class is not what you practice, unfortunately.  And that is true in every state.

Getting licensed is actually one of the easy parts. Take a pre-licensing course and learn the material.

Passing the test.  Without that you cannot practice. There are only Brokers exams in Illinois.

State exam

The hardest part.

Here is the reality. All the questions are easy when you know the answers.

Keep taking the sample tests until you know the answers.

There are no short cuts.

The alternative, believing a higher power will show favor upon you.... now that is hard.

You have to study to pass the license exam.  After licensing, you then take another series of classes where you learn how to sell real estate.  Studying to pass the license test can be tricky...