ASSESSOR – IOWA EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
What are the six classes of real property to be evaluated? - ANS Residential
Agriculture
Multi-Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Utilities/Railroad - assessed at state level
Who are the primary recipients to property taxes levied? - ANS K-12 Schools
Cities
Counties
Hospitals
Merged Area Schools
Assessors
Townships
Ag-Extension
How often is property assessed? - ANS Every two years, on the odd numbered year
How is value of a property established? - ANS The assessor estimates the value of the real
property. It is to be based on market value or at actual value.
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
1
, Market Approach - ANS a method of valuing property based on recent sales of similar
properties
Cost Approach - ANS Estimate how much money at current labor and material prices it would
take to replace the property with one similar to it. Useful when no sales of comparable
properties exist.
Income Approach - ANS If the property produces income, such as with an apartment or office
building, estimate its ability to produce income and capitalize this into an estimated value
What is assessed at 100% of productivity and net earning capacity value? - ANS Agriculture
real estate
How often are assessors appointed? - ANS Every six years
How many hours of classroom instruction must the assessor take of continuing education within
their six year term? - ANS 150 hours
After the assessor totals the assessed value in each classification, who does she send it to? -
ANS County Auditor
Equalization - ANS helps maintain equitable assessments among classes of property and
among assessing jurisdictions. This contributes to more equitable distribution of state aid,
including aid to schools. It also helps to equally distribute the total tax burden within the
jurisdiction
How often does equalization occur? - ANS every two years
Does equalization occur on a single property? - ANS No, it is based on an entire class of
property, applied per jurisdiction, not statewide
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
2
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
What are the six classes of real property to be evaluated? - ANS Residential
Agriculture
Multi-Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Utilities/Railroad - assessed at state level
Who are the primary recipients to property taxes levied? - ANS K-12 Schools
Cities
Counties
Hospitals
Merged Area Schools
Assessors
Townships
Ag-Extension
How often is property assessed? - ANS Every two years, on the odd numbered year
How is value of a property established? - ANS The assessor estimates the value of the real
property. It is to be based on market value or at actual value.
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
1
, Market Approach - ANS a method of valuing property based on recent sales of similar
properties
Cost Approach - ANS Estimate how much money at current labor and material prices it would
take to replace the property with one similar to it. Useful when no sales of comparable
properties exist.
Income Approach - ANS If the property produces income, such as with an apartment or office
building, estimate its ability to produce income and capitalize this into an estimated value
What is assessed at 100% of productivity and net earning capacity value? - ANS Agriculture
real estate
How often are assessors appointed? - ANS Every six years
How many hours of classroom instruction must the assessor take of continuing education within
their six year term? - ANS 150 hours
After the assessor totals the assessed value in each classification, who does she send it to? -
ANS County Auditor
Equalization - ANS helps maintain equitable assessments among classes of property and
among assessing jurisdictions. This contributes to more equitable distribution of state aid,
including aid to schools. It also helps to equally distribute the total tax burden within the
jurisdiction
How often does equalization occur? - ANS every two years
Does equalization occur on a single property? - ANS No, it is based on an entire class of
property, applied per jurisdiction, not statewide
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
2
