Architects-to-be, listen up: On November 1, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is launching a new version of the Architect Registration Examination, the test series for licensure within the U.S. We spoke with some practitioners who have recently become licensed — or are currently in the process of certification — to learn how one can best prepare for the changes in 5.0 or wrap up ARE version 4.0. Here’s what they advise:
1. Lay the foundation
As with any professional test, acquire and utilize the best review materials to develop a good knowledge foundation. “The study guides and textbook were crucial in providing me with the base of the topics and terminologies that would be on the exams,” says Guido Furlanello, RA, a senior designer at Studio V Architecture in New York City who received his license this past December.
“Unlike the guides I find online, PPI’s review manuals are true to the actual tests, so what you get is a picture of what to expect in each individual section,” says Nathaniel Schlundt, a project manager at Scott Henson Architect LLC who’s currently on his way to licensure. Fortunately, PPI (Professional Publications, Inc.) has already released new, up-to-date edition of review manuals to coincide with the launch of ARE 5.0 next month and can therefore aid in this effort. Schlundt adds, “They’re the best way to familiarize yourself with the new testing format. That’s a huge advantage.”
58th Street project by Studio V Architecture
2. Pace yourself — but keep it rolling
“The certification is a stop-and-go process,” explains one senior associate at New York City–based HWKN. “Juggling study and sitting for the exams with ever-changing work and project schedules can be difficult.”
“The hardest part by far was managing a full-time work schedule while trying to simultaneously study for the exams,” Furlanello concurs.
Some believe that ARE 5.0 will actually aid in this effort: With this update, NCARB’s goal is to test a candidate’s ability to protect public safety and welfare, naturally, but also to make the test taking itself a more efficient and cost-effective process for architects-in-training. Essentially, the council streamlined the test into six sections (as opposed to ARE 4.0’s seven): Practice Management, Project Management, Programming & Analysis, Project Planning & Design, Project Development & Documentation, Construction & Evaluation.
“They say the rule of thumb is four weeks’ study for each test,” says Brad Engelsman, another senior associate at HWKN. “You schedule one a few weeks out when you think you have the right amount of time to study. You take one, and then another in a couple of months.”
“It’s so tempting to take time off after an exam, but the most efficient way to pass is just to power through one after another,” says Elyse Marks, a project manager at Scott Henson Architect LLC who specializes in historic preservation. “If you wait to schedule until you feel prepared, you’ll never do it. Schedule first, study, take the test and move onto the next. If you fail one, you can just circle back.”
Pennovation Center (also at top) by HWKN
3. Draw on various resources
Engelsman has found the review manuals extremely useful in a variety of ways. “I mainly use it for the practice tests,” he says. But “the phone app is in a flash-card format that you can download. I use it on the subway or traveling, or while I’m waiting in the doctor’s office.”
“The study guides are a good start, but the [other] things I’ve found most useful are flashcards, tutorials and materials other architects have made and shared online,” says Schlundt.
Marks says, “Also, talk to other young architects who have taken the tests — and have just finished them — to get the rundown from them.”
“I would go a step further and research the topics and terms in Google to really extend my knowledge of the material,” says Furlanello.
4. Anticipate the pitfalls and curveballs
One architect states, “The hardest part is the exam interface. As time is usually not on your side for the exams, it’s easy to lose valuable time just getting tripped up on the software.” He adds, “The sheer amount of information tested on each exam can also be daunting, as questions may also be asked from other exam sections.”
Unfortunately, the other curveballs, particularly associated with the rearranged and streamlined divisions in ARE 5.0, can’t be advised on as ARE 5.0 hasn’t been released. But a preview of the up-to-date PPI study materials have given us some insight:
The exam will introduce two new question styles — hot spots and drag-and-place — and will no longer feature vignettes. Drag-and-place questions present a base drawing and a series of design elements. To answer these questions, candidates will click and drag the correct design element to the proper place on the base drawing.
Another new feature is the Case Studies segment. Responses will continue to be recorded as multiple choice, check-all-that-apply and quantitative fill-in-the-blank. The Case Studies portion asks candidates to analyze several pieces of information and make evaluations, directly reflecting the tasks of licensed architects, who often have to make decisions based on multiple factors.
(Visit PPI’s website to see the comprehensive ARE 4.0 and 5.0 guides or order an advanced copy of the new review manual here.)
© Jack M Kucy
Banner Building by Scott Henson Architect
5. Practice professionally, too
“I would say that it is useful to gain some experience prior to taking the exam because you may have more trouble understanding the content if you have no experience,” explains Furlanello.
Makes sense, given that the new structure presented in ARE 5.0 reflects the stages of a project, from idea to construction, to better represent the actual work of a licensed architect. This revamping of divisions aligns with the Architectural Experience Program, which provides an updated representation of an architect’s daily work for a clear route to licensure.
So why go through this journey of becoming a registered architect? For most, it’s a natural progression in career advancement and can satisfy personal achievement. But ultimately it affords new opportunity. Explains Schlundt, “It seemed the clearest step in advancing my career after finishing school and the thing that most identifies you to potential clients and employers as a qualified professional.”