ARE exam prep and test-taking tips

You can start with Construction Documents and Service (CDS) and Structural Systems (SS) first because both divisions gave a limited scope, but you may want to study building regulations and architectural history (especially famous architects and buildings that set the trends at critical turning points) before you take other divisions.

Do mock exams and practice questions and vignettes, including those provided by NCARB’s practice program and this book, to hone your skills.

Form study groups and learn the exam experience of other ARE candidates. The forum at our website is a helpful resource. See the following link:

http://GreenExamEducation.com/

Take the ARE exams as soon as you become eligible, since you probably still remember portions of what you learned in architectural schools, especially structural and architectural history. Do not make excuses for yourself and put off the exams.

The following test-taking tips may help you:

·       Pace yourself properly: You should spend about one minute for each Multiple-Choice (MC) question, except for the SS division. You should spend about one and a half minutes for each Multiple-Choice (MC) question for the SS division.

·       Read the questions carefully and pay attention to words like best, could, not, always, never, seldom, may, false, except, etc.

·       For questions that you are not sure of, eliminate the obvious wrong answer and then make an educated guess. If you do NOT answer the question, you automatically lose the point. If you guess, you have a chance to gain the point...

·       You really need to spend time practicing to become VERY familiar with NCARB’s graphic software and know every command well. This is because ARE graphic vignette is a timed test, and you do NOT have time to think about how to use the NCARB’s graphic software during the test. Otherwise, you will NOT be able to finish your solution to the vignette on time.

·       ARE exams test a candidate’s competency on providing professional services to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Do NOT waste your time on aesthetic or other design elements not required by the program.

ARE exams are difficult, but if you study hard and prepare well, combined with your experience, IDP training, and/or college education, you should be able to pass all divisions and eventually be able to call yourself an architect.

Quoted from page 21 of “CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND SERVICE (CDS) ARE MOCK EXAM (ARCHITECT REGISTRATION EXAM)”

Copyright    Gang Chen    2011, non-exclusive rights granted

How much time do I need to prepare for each ARE division?

You need about 40 hours to prepare for each ARE division. You need to set a realistic study schedule and stick with it. Make sure you allow time for personal and recreational commitments. If you are working full time, my suggestion is that you allow no less than 2 weeks but NOT more than 2 months to prepare for each ARE division. You should NOT drag out the exam prep process too long and risk losing your momentum.

Quoted from page 20 of “CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND SERVICE (CDS) ARE MOCK EXAM (ARCHITECT REGISTRATION EXAM)”

Copyright    Gang Chen    2011, non-exclusive rights granted

How to qualify for the ARE?

A candidate needs to qualify for the ARE via one of NCARB’s member registration boards, or one of the Canadian provincial architectural associations.

Check with your Board of Architecture for specific requirements.

For example, in California, a candidate must provide verification of a minimum of five years of education and/or architectural work experience to qualify for the ARE.

Candidates can satisfy the five-year requirement in a variety of ways:

·       Provide verification of a professional degree in architecture through a program that is accredited by NAAB or CACB.

OR

·       Provide verification of at least five years of educational equivalents.

OR

·       Provide proof of work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed architect

Quoted from page 16 of “CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND SERVICE (CDS) ARE MOCK EXAM (ARCHITECT REGISTRATION EXAM)”

Copyright    Gang Chen    2011, non-exclusive rights granted

Table of Contents for “Construction Documents and Service (CDS) ARE Mock Exam (Architect Registration Exam)”

Dedication

Disclaimer

How to Use This Book

Table of Contents

Chapter One                   Overview of Architect Registration Exam (ARE)

 

A.     First Thing First: Go to the website of your architect registration board and       read all the requirements for obtaining an architect license in your jurisdiction

B.     Download and review the latest ARE documents from NCARB website

1.     Important links to the FREE and official NCARB documents

2.     A detailed list and brief description of the FREE PDF files that you can download from NCARB

·       ARE Guidelines

·       NCARB Education Guidelines

·       Intern Development Program Guidelines

·       The IDP Supervisor Guidelines

·       Handbook for Interns and Architects

·       Official exam guide, references index, and practice program (NCARB software) for each ARE division

·       The Burning Question: Why Do We Need ARE Anyway?

·       Defining Your Moral Compass

·       Rules of Conduct

C.    The Intern Development Program (IDP)

1.     What is IDP?

2.     Who qualify as interns?

D.   Overview of Architect Registration Exam (ARE)

1.     How to qualify for the ARE?

2.     How to qualify for the architect license?

3.     What is the purpose of ARE?

4.     What is NCARB’s rolling clock?

5.     How to register for an ARE exam?

6.     How early do I need to arrive at the test center?

7.     Exam Format & Time

·       Programming, Planning & Practice

·       Site Planning & Design

·       Building Design & Construction Systems

·       Schematic Design

·       Structural Systems

·       Building Systems

·       Construction Documents and Service

8.     How are ARE scores reported?

9.     Are there a fixed percentage of candidates who pass the ARE exams?

10.  When can I retake a failed ARE division?

11.  How much time do I need to prepare for each ARE division?

12.  Which ARE division should I start first?

13.  ARE exam prep and test-taking tips

14.  English system (English or inch-pound units) vs. metric system (SI units)

15.  Codes and standards used in this book

Chapter Two               Construction Documents & Services (CDS) Division

A.     General Information

1.     Exam Content

2.     Official exam guide and practice program for CDS division

B.     The most important documents/publications for CDS division of the ARE exam 

1.     American Institute of Architects (AIA) Documents

2.     The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP)

3.     International Building Code (IBC)

4.     Architectural Graphic Standards

5.     CSI Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat & Building Construction

 

C.      Tips, Solution and Notes on NCARB Traps

1.     Tips for graphic vignette section

2.     Step-by-step solution to the official NCARB CDS practice program problem: graphic vignette section

·       Tips

·       Solution

3.   Notes on NCARB traps

4.   A summary of the critical dimensions

Chapter Three             ARE Mock Exam for Construction Documents & Services (CDS) Division

A.     Mock Exam: CDS Multiple-Choice (MC) Section

B. Mock Exam: CDS Graphic vignette section

·       Directions

·       Program

·       Tips

·       Warning

·       Time

Chapter Four               ARE Mock Exam Solution for Construction Documents & Services (CDS) Division

A.     Mock Exam Answers and explanation: CDS Multiple-Choice (MC) Section

B. Mock Exam Solution: CDS Graphic vignette section

1.     Step-by-step description for a passing solution using the official NCARB CDS practice program

2.     Notes on graphic vignette traps

3.     A summary of the critical dimensions

4.     A failing solution and lessons learned

Appendixes

A.    List of Figures

B.    Official reference materials suggested by NCARB

1.     General NCARB reference materials for ARE

2.     Official NCARB reference materials for the Construction Documents & Services (CDS) division

C.    Other reference materials

D.    Definition of Architects and Some Important Information about Architects and    the Profession of Architecture

E.    AIA Compensation Survey

F.     So … You would Like to Study Architecture

Back Page Promotion

A.    LEED Exam Guides series (GreenExamEducation.com)

B.    Building Construction (ArchiteG.com)

C.    Planting Design Illustrated

Index

How to Use This Book

We suggest you read Construction Documents and Service (CDS) ARE Mock Exam (Architect Registration Exam at least three times:

Read once and cover Chapter One and Two and Appendixes and the related FREE PDF files and other resources. Highlight the information you are not familiar with.

Read twice, focusing on the highlighted information to memorize. You can repeat this process as many times as you want until you master the content of the book. Pay special attention to the following AIA documents: read them at least three times. You may have many real ARE CDS division questions based on the following AIA documents listed in bold font:

A101–2007, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor where the basis of payment is a Stipulated Sum (CCDC Document 2)

A201–2007, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction

B101–2007 (Former B141–1997), Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect (RAIC Document 6)

After reviewing these materials, you can do the mock exam, and then check your answers against the answers and explanations in the back, including explanations for the questions you answer correctly. You may have answered some questions correctly for the wrong reason. Highlight the information with which you are not familiar.

Like the real exam, the mock exam includes all three types of questions: Select the correct answer, check all that apply, and fill in the blank.

Review your highlighted information, and do the mock exam again. Try to answer 100% of the questions correctly this time. Repeat the process until you can answer all the questions correctly.

Do the mock exam about one week before the real exam, but at least 3 days before the real exam. You should NOT wait until the night before the real exam and then do the mock exam: If you do not do well, you will go into panic mode and you will NOT have enough time to review your weakness.

Read for the third time the night before the real exam. Review ONLY the information you highlighted, especially the questions you did not answer correctly when you did the mock exam for the first time.

One important tip for passing the graphic vignette section of the ARE CDS division is to become VERY familiar with the commands of the NCARB software. Many people fail the exam simply because they are NOT familiar with the NCARB software and cannot finish the graphic vignette section within the time limit of the exam.

For the two building section vignettes, we include step-by-step solutions using NCARB Practice Program software with many screen-shots so that you can use the book to become familiar with the commands of the NCARB software, even when you do NOT have a computer in front of you. This book is very light and you can carry it around easily. These two features will allow you to review the graphic vignette section whenever you have a few minutes.

All commands are described in an abbreviated manner. For example, Draw > Finished Ceiling means go to the menu on the left hand side of your computer screen, click Draw, and then click Ceiling to draw the ceiling. This is typical for ALL commands throughout the book.

The Table of Contents is very detailed so you can locate information quickly. If you are on a tight schedule, you can forgo reading the book linearly and jump around to the sections you need.