Pennsylvania Notary Exam Myths, Checked Against the Rule Text
Claims that circulate in study materials, and common assumptions, about the Pennsylvania notary exam, each checked against the official text. Verdicts quote the source word for word.
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| Claim | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Assumption: It has four answer choices like most multiple-choice tests. | False: three answer options |
| You need 75% of the questions right to pass. | False |
Does each Pennsylvania notary exam question have four answer choices?
Assumption: “It has four answer choices like most multiple-choice tests.”
False: three answer options. Pearson VUE's candidate bulletin says each item has three answer options.
“Each examination item will consist of a question and three answer options.”
Source: Pearson VUE: Pennsylvania Notary Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (March 2026)
Do you need 75% of the questions right to pass the Pennsylvania notary exam?
The claim: “You need 75% of the questions right to pass.”
False. The pass mark is a scaled score of 75 or higher. Pearson VUE says the scaled score is neither the number nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly.
“An applicant shall attain a scaled score of 75 or higher to pass the examination.”
Source: 4 Pa. Code § 167.15 (Notary public examination)
“The scaled score that is reported to you is neither the number of questions you answered correctly nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly.”
Source: Pearson VUE: Pennsylvania Notary Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (March 2026)
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Independent study aid. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any state agency, exam vendor or course provider. All questions are original practice questions written from official public sources; they are not actual exam questions. Laws and fees change, so confirm details with the official source before you rely on them. Official sources: PA DOS: Notaries, PA DOS: Examination requirement, PA DOS: Bonding requirement.
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