Cost Approach
Reproduction vs replacement cost, depreciation analysis (physical, functional, external), and cost approach reconciliation.
About Cost Approach on the Appraiser Exam
Under the 2026 AQB content outline, Cost Approach accounts for 9.1% of the Licensed Residential exam, 13.6% of Certified Residential, and 10.9% of Certified General. This section covers reproduction vs replacement cost, depreciation analysis (physical, functional, external), and cost approach reconciliation. Below you will find 165 free practice questions with detailed explanations to help you master this topic and pass your level's exam on the first attempt. The exam reports a scaled score; 75 is the passing scaled score and does NOT equal a raw 75% on practice questions. Scaled scoring adjusts for form difficulty.
Practice Questions
Which type of depreciation is considered incurable?
MEDIUMWhich type of depreciation is always incurable?
MEDIUMA building cost $2,500,000 to construct 8 years ago. Using straight-line depreciation over a 40-year life, what is the current depreciated value?
MEDIUMA building has an actual age of 20 years and an effective age of 15 years. If the total economic life is 50 years, what is the remaining economic life?
MEDIUMUsing the age-life method, what is the percentage of accrued depreciation for a 15-year-old building with a total economic life of 50 years?
MEDIUMA property has a replacement cost of $1,800,000. Physical deterioration is estimated at $200,000, functional obsolescence at $150,000, and external obsolescence at $100,000. What is the depreciated value using the breakdown method?
HARDUsing the age-life method, what is the depreciation percentage for a building that is 15 years old with an economic life of 60 years?
EASYA building has an effective age of 15 years and a total economic life of 60 years. Using the age-life method, what is the depreciation percentage?
MEDIUMA building was constructed 15 years ago but appears to be in the condition of a typical 8-year-old building due to excellent maintenance. The effective age is:
EASYA building has an effective age of 15 years and a total economic life of 50 years. Using the age-life method, what is the percentage of accrued depreciation?
EASYA building cost $2,000,000 to construct 10 years ago. Using straight-line depreciation over a 40-year life, what is the current depreciated value?
MEDIUMIn the extraction method of estimating depreciation, if the land value is $200,000, the sale price is $750,000, and the replacement cost new is $800,000, what is the amount of depreciation?
HARDA property has a reproduction cost new of $280,000. Physical depreciation is $35,000, functional obsolescence is $15,000, and external obsolescence is $20,000. What is the depreciated cost of the improvements?
EASYWhat is the primary difference between effective age and actual age of a building?
MEDIUMA property is improved with a building that cost $2,000,000 to construct but would cost $2,500,000 to replace today. The building generates $180,000 annual net income. If the land value is $500,000 and typical returns require 8% capitalization rate, the highest and best use as improved is:
HARDA building cost $2,400,000 to construct new. After 8 years with straight-line depreciation over 40 years, what is the depreciated value?
MEDIUMIn the cost approach, reproduction cost differs from replacement cost in that reproduction cost:
EASYIn analyzing functional utility, which factor would most likely indicate functional obsolescence?
MEDIUMA building has a replacement cost of $800,000. Using the breakdown method, physical deterioration is $120,000, functional obsolescence is $50,000, and external obsolescence is $30,000. What is the depreciated value of the improvements?
MEDIUMA 25-year-old building has an effective age of 15 years. This indicates that:
MEDIUMUsing the straight-line method, a building with a 50-year economic life that is 15 years old has what percentage of depreciation?
MEDIUMA property has a replacement cost new of $400,000, physical depreciation of $50,000, functional obsolescence of $25,000, and external obsolescence of $30,000. What is the depreciated cost of the improvements?
EASYA building constructed in 1995 has an estimated total economic life of 60 years. If the effective age is determined to be 15 years, what is the remaining economic life?
EASYUsing the age-life method, a building has an effective age of 8 years and an economic life of 40 years. What percentage of depreciation has occurred?
MEDIUMA building cost $500,000 new and has depreciated $125,000. Using the extraction method, if the land is worth $150,000, what is the depreciated value of the improvements?
MEDIUMA house has 8-foot ceilings throughout when the market expects 9-foot ceilings. This is an example of:
MEDIUMUsing the age-life method, what is the accrued depreciation for a 15-year-old building with a total economic life of 60 years and a reproduction cost of $400,000?
MEDIUMIn the cost approach, economic obsolescence is characterized as:
MEDIUMA house built in 1960 has original single-pane windows, no central air conditioning, and 100-amp electrical service. These deficiencies primarily represent:
MEDIUMA building has an actual age of 15 years but an effective age of 10 years due to excellent maintenance. If the total economic life is 50 years, what is the remaining economic life?
MEDIUMA special purpose property like a church would most likely be valued based on:
MEDIUMA building has a reproduction cost new of $800,000. Physical deterioration is estimated at $150,000, functional obsolescence at $75,000, and external obsolescence at $50,000. What is the depreciated cost of the building?
MEDIUMReplacement cost differs from reproduction cost in that replacement cost:
MEDIUMFunctional obsolescence can be caused by:
MEDIUMA building was constructed in 1980 but has been well-maintained and recently renovated. Its actual age is 44 years, but it shows the condition of a building that is 15 years old. The effective age is:
EASYA building has an actual age of 12 years and an effective age of 18 years. If the total economic life is estimated at 50 years, what is the remaining economic life?
HARDUsing the extraction method, if land value is $200,000, total property value is $750,000, and the building is 10 years old with a 50-year life, what is the reproduction cost new of the building?
HARDA building cost $800,000 to construct 15 years ago and has an estimated total economic life of 60 years. Using the age-life method, what is the accrued depreciation?
MEDIUMA building was constructed 15 years ago but has been well-maintained and recently updated with new HVAC and flooring. The appraiser estimates its effective age at 8 years. What does this indicate about the property?
MEDIUMA single-family residence has 4 bedrooms but only 1 bathroom, while the market standard for similar homes is 2.5 bathrooms. This deficiency represents:
HARDWhat is the primary difference between replacement cost and reproduction cost?
MEDIUMFunctional obsolescence can be described as:
EASYExternal obsolescence is characterized by:
MEDIUMA building with an actual age of 20 years and an effective age of 25 years would indicate:
HARDA building was constructed 15 years ago but appears to be in the condition of a typical 10-year-old building due to excellent maintenance. What is the building's effective age?
MEDIUMReplacement cost differs from reproduction cost in that replacement cost:
MEDIUMWhich type of depreciation is considered incurable?
MEDIUMA 25-year-old building has an effective age of 15 years and a total economic life of 50 years. What is the remaining economic life?
MEDIUMA building has a reproduction cost of $500,000. It suffers from $75,000 in physical deterioration, $25,000 in functional obsolescence, and $40,000 in external obsolescence. What is the depreciated cost of the building?
EASYWhich type of depreciation is considered incurable when the cost to cure exceeds the value added?
MEDIUM+ 115 more questions
Other Appraiser Exam Topics
Real Estate Market
Up to 20% of exam
Property Description
Up to 11.8% of exam
Land or Site Valuation
Up to 4.5% of exam
Sales Comparison Approach
Up to 25.4% of exam
Income Approach
Up to 19.1% of exam
Reconciliation
Up to 4.5% of exam
USPAP
Up to 21.8% of exam
Emerging Appraisal Methods
Up to 4.5% of exam
Appraisal Statistical Methods
Up to 4.5% of exam
- β’Master the three approaches to value (sales comparison, cost, income) and know when each applies
- β’Understand USPAP requirements thoroughly β Ethics Rule, Competency Rule, Scope of Work, and Standards 1 & 2 are heavily tested
- β’Practice math problems including capitalization rates, GRM, adjustments, and depreciation calculations β a financial calculator is allowed (see calculator policy)
- β’Review wrong answers and their explanations β understanding why an answer is incorrect is as valuable as knowing the right one
- β’Allocate study time based on your level's topic weight β Cost Approach is 9.1% on LR, 13.6% on CR, and 10.9% on CG
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions cover Cost Approach on the appraiser exam?
Under the 2026 AQB outline, Cost Approach weight varies by license level: Licensed Residential 10 questions (9.1%), Certified Residential 15 questions (13.6%), Certified General 12 questions (10.9%). Each exam has 110 scored questions in total.
What is tested in Cost Approach on the appraiser exam?
Cost Approach covers reproduction vs replacement cost, depreciation analysis (physical, functional, external), and cost approach reconciliation. Questions test both theoretical knowledge and practical application of appraisal concepts.
How should I study for Cost Approach?
Start by reviewing the key concepts and terminology, then practice with scenario-based questions. EstatePass offers 165 free practice questions for Cost Approach with detailed explanations. Focus on understanding the reasoning behind each answer, not just memorizing facts.
Which license level weighs Cost Approach most heavily?
Certified Residential leans on Cost Approach most heavily at 13.6% of scored questions. Licensed Residential is 9.1% and Certified General is 10.9%.
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