In order to call yourself an architect (or even state that you provide architectural services) you have to pass the architectural registration exam – the ARE. It is a grueling 7-part test that if you sat through them end to end, it would take you 33 and a half hours.

33 AND A HALF HOURS !?!?!

Yikes, that is some serious test taking.Unlike some of the other white-collar professions that require licensure through passing a test, the architectural registration exam can be taken 1 section at a time and basically whenever you want. This is a big deal and changed the way hopeful future architects went about taking the exam. It certainly had an impact on how I went about taking the exam.

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The ARE currently consists of seven divisions that can be taken in any order. Exams include a combination of multiple-choice, check-all-that-apply, and fill-in-the-blank questions and graphic vignettes. The ARE assesses candidates’ knowledge, skills, and ability to practice architecture independently. It focuses on those services that most affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Because of this, the exams are rigorous and require demonstration of competency in each of the testing areas.

I passed the ARE 12 years ago and I passed all the sections on the first try, something that I am proud of even after all this time. I am not a great test taker – never have been – so I went through some very specific measures that helped me and I thought I would share my techniques with those of you that are currently in the process (or about to start) taking the ARE.

Set a schedule and stick with it.

I gave myself 4 weeks to prepare for each section of the exam and this was always enough time to cover all the material I had to study and review.

Schedule your test for first thing in the morning.

Every test I took was at either 8 or 9 am in the morning. I am a big believer in that most people psyche themselves out before the test and the more time you leave yourself to think about what you are doing, the more anxious and nervous you will become. I also think that reviewing the study material right before you go in for the test is a bad move. You’ve been studying for 4 weeks by this point and asking yourself questions that you might not get correct will only undermine your confidence.

Get a good nights rest.

These tests are long and you need to be fresh coming into the test that morning. Part of the reason I gave myself 4 weeks for each test was so I could be methodical about it and not feel like I was coming in unprepared. I was well rested and walked into each test center confident that I had taken my preparation seriously and was ready to take my test.

Create a study pattern

I set a schedule for when I would study and when I would have breaks. Every Monday through Thursday I studied for two hours – from 7 to 9 pm. I was married but I didn’t have children yet and this time allowed me to get my study time in but also allowed me to eat dinner with my wife, watch TV, run errands – whatever I needed. I took Friday nights off so that I could go out with friends, have people over, just go out and do something fun. I had to get 8 hours of studying in over the weekend but I was free to pick when I was going to get it in. My only rule was that a study session had to be at least 2 hours in length to count – 30 minutes here and there doesn’t count, you can’t get in the right frame of mind.

That adds up to 16 hours of studying a week and 64 hours of studying per test. 64 hours is a long time but I can tell you with absolute certainty that I walked into each test thinking that I had done everything that was reasonable (and a bit beyond) and as a result, I was confident that I would do well.

Study Materials make a difference

I didn’t start taking the exam until I was 30 years old – and I felt like a complete loser for not being licensed. Graduating from college with my degree in architecture was not the finish line for me. Until you get your license, you are not an architect and as a result, taking the ARE is a really big deal. I had spent most of my career designing interior retail spaces and felt that I simply hadn’t learned enough practical matters to actually sit for the exam. While the first part of that sentence is true, the part about not knowing enough to take the exam is total garbage. There is no reason to not start taking the exam immediately – if you are waiting on getting some practical experience – don’t.

There is enough study materials available for the ARE for you to learn everything you need in order to pass the exams. I used the David Kent Ballast ARE Review Manuals for almost all of my studying except for the structural exams. I also made my own flash cards – thousands of them – for every section. I struggle a bit with short-term memorization and making my own flash cards really helped me.

Individual exam guides and exam practice programs are available in the Preparing for the ARE section:

Programming, Planning & Practice

85 Multiple-Choice Questions

Site Zoning Graphic Vignette

Total Time in Exam = 4.0 hours

Exam Guide for this section

Exam Description: The application of project development knowledge and skills relating to architectural programming; environmental, social, and economic issues; codes and regulations; and project and practice management.

Site Planning & Design

65 Multiple-Choice Questions

Site Grading and Site Design Graphic Vignettes

Total Time in Exam = 4.5 hours

Exam Guide for this section

Exam Description: The application of knowledge and skills of site planning and design including environmental, social, and economic issues, project and practice management.

Building Design & Construction Systems

85 Multiple-Choice Questions

Accessibility/Ramp, Stair Design, Roof Plan Graphic Vignettes

Total Time in Exam = 5.5 hours

Exam guide for this section

Exam Description: The application of knowledge and skills of building design and construction, including environmental, social, and economic issues, project and practice management.

Schematic Design

Interior Layout and Building Layout Graphic Vignettes

Total Time in Exam = 6.0 hours

Exam Guide for this section

Exam Description: The application of knowledge and skills required for the schematic design of buildings and interior space planning.

Structural Systems

125 Multiple-Choice Questions

Structural Layout Graphic Vignette

Total Time in Exam = 5.5 hours

Exam Guide for this section

Exam Description: Identification and incorporation of general structural and lateral force principles in the design and construction of buildings.

Building Systems

95 Multiple-Choice Questions

Mechanical and Electrical Graphic Vignettes

Total Time in Exam = 4.0 hours

Exam Guide for this section

Exam Description: The evaluation, selection, and integration of mechanical, electrical, and specialty systems in building design and construction.

Construction Documents & Services

100 Multiple-Choice Questions

Building Section Graphic Vignette

Total Time in Exam – 4.0 hours

Exam Guide for this section

Exam Description: Application of project management and professional practice knowledge and skills, including the preparation of contract documents and contract administration.

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I also went onto the NCARB website to get passing rate information for the various sections of the test. Since you can’t retake a test you’ve already failed until 6 months time has passed, there is some gamesmanship to the order in which you take these tests. I would recommend starting with the two sections you feel most comfortable with taking. This will allow you the opportunity to become familiar with the test environment, process, and procedures before trying to tackle a section that you think you might fail (not that you will – positive thinking and preparation!!) Follow these up with the most difficult sections so that if you do end up failing, the 6 months waiting period will pass as you are preparing for other tests.

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All of this data – and a whole lot more – is from the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) website. It is an absolute must visit site if you are thinking about taking the architectural registration exam or simply want to know more about the process.

I was also thinking that I would allow anyone to put links in the comment section if they think of a resource that would be of value to someone who is in the process of taking the exam. There are a lot out there but I am not going to maintain the links in the post beyond a year or so but they can live on forever in the comment section.

Best of luck, you can do it if you take your preparations seriously.

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