NCARB has released new exam guides to include expanded information regarding the makeup of the multiple-choice sections of the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®).
“This level of expansion is consistent with the amount of information disclosed by many other licensure programs, and aligns with the NCARB value of transparency,” said John E. Enkemann Jr., AIA, NCARB, Chair of the Examination Committee.
How does this benefit you?
The newly released editions include a detailed breakdown of the test content areas and a percentage outline for the major content areas of each multiple-choice section. You can use this information to better outline and focus your preparation.
“We are excited to offer candidates this additional level of information to use while preparing for the ARE. This change is a dramatic shift for the exam guides and we hope it will help to ease anxiety over the content distribution and make-up of the ARE,” said Erica J. Brown, AIA, Director, ARE.
As an example of the change, the previous edition of the exam guide for the Construction Documents & Services division provided the following information on Codes & Regulations:
1 CODES & REGULATIONS
- Incorporate building codes, specialty codes, zoning, and other regulatory requirements in construction documents and services.
The new edition of the exam guide for this division provides the percentage of scored items and the expanded content information for Codes & Regulations:
1 CODES & REGULATIONS (5-8 percent of scored items)
- Incorporate building codes, specialty codes, zoning, and other regulatory requirements in construction documents and services.
- Government and Regulatory Requirements and Permit Processes
Conduct code analysis to ensure compliance with all building codes, zoning ordinances and other regulations and document code compliance in the contract documents. - Specialty Codes and Regulations including Accessibility Laws, Codes and Guidelines
Conduct code analysis to ensure compliance with all specialty codes, such as seismic, life safety, historic preservation, accessibility, universal design, energy, or other specialty regulations.
- Government and Regulatory Requirements and Permit Processes
The percentages published provide a range of scored items only. Within the six divisions that include multiple-choice items, some questions are being pretested and will not affect your actual test score and are not included in the content distribution breakdown. These pretest questions will be evaluated and may be included in future editions of the test.
Updated Exam Guides (PDF)
Programming, Planning & Practice
Site Planning & Design
Building Design & Construction
Schematic Design
Structural Systems
Building Systems
Construction Documents & Services
July 2011 ARE Guidelines
The ARE 4.0 Guidelines is essential reading for anyone preparing for the ARE. This edition was updated July 2011.
Reprinted with permission from NCARB’s ARE e-News.