Recommended 4.0 and 5.0 Architect Registration Examination (ARE) Study Materials

Written By Caitlin Brady

If you want to be a licensed architect, you need to:

1. Graduate with a degree from a NAAB accredited program
2. Complete the Architect Experience Program (AXP) (formerly the IDP- Intern Development Program) through NCARB
3. Pass all 6 exams of the Architecture Registration Examinations (AREs), version 5.0.

Out of the whole process, studying may be the most difficult part! I suggest testing as soon as possible after you graduate because in five, ten, fifteen years; getting back into ‘study mode’ will be extremely difficult. Additionally, studying is also the most expensive part. I compiled the list below to help you take advantage of more readily available and less expensive study materials from teh ARE 4.0 exams.

Start with NCARB’s resources, but also reference my consolidated a list of study materials below.

This list has been created from my experiences as well as those from a few colleagues as we studied for (and passed!) the exams. Using ARE 4.0 materials will help you save money and also help you study across the exams in a manageable way. Studying only one resource may limit the information you absorb for exams that cover many topics within a division. Good luck!

Practice Management (PcM)

ARE 5.0 Categories

  • Business Operations

  • Finances, Risk, Development of Practice

  • Practice-wide Delivery of Services

  • Practice Methodologies

ARE 4.0 Divisions

  • Construction Documents & Services (CDS)

  • Programming, Planning, & Practice (PPP)

Practice Management (PcM) Study Materials

Review your firm’s contracts and project proposals

Project Management (PjM)

ARE 5.0 Categories

  • Resource Management

  • Project Work Planning

  • Contracts

  • Project Execution

  • Project Quality Control

ARE 4.0 Divisions

  • Construction Documents & Services (CDS)

  • Programming, Planning, & Practice (PPP)

Project Management (PjM) Study Materials

Programming & Analysis (PA)

ARE 5.0 Categories

  • Environmental & Contextual Conditions

  • Codes & Regulations

  • Site Analysis & Regulations

  • Building Analysis & Programming

ARE 4.0 Divisions

  • Programming, Planning, & Practice (PPP)

  • Site Planning & Design (SPD)

Programming & Analysis (PA) Study Materials:

Project Planning and Design (PPD) & Project Development & Documentation (PDD)

PPD ARE 5.0 Categories

  • Environmental Conditions & Context

  • Codes & Regulations

  • Building Systems, Materials, & Assemblies

  • Project Integration of Program & Systems

  • Project Costs & Budgeting

ARE 4.0 Divisions

  • Site Planning & Design (SPD)

  • Building Design & Construction Systems (BDCS)

  • Structural Systems (SS)

  • Building Systems (BS)

  • Schematic Design (SD)

 

ARE 4.0 Divisions

  • Construction Documents & Services (CDS)

  • Building Design & Construction Systems (BDCS)

  • Structural Systems (SS)

  • Building Systems (BS)

PDD ARE 5.0 Categories

  • Integration of Building Materials & Systems

  • Construction Documentation

  • Project Manual & Specifications

  • Codes & Regulations

  • Construction Cost Estimates

 

Project Planning and Design (PPD) & Project Development & Documentation (PDD) Study Materials - consolidate studying for PPD and PDD*

*I studied for both exams, but only scheduled PPD. I passed the PPD exam on a Thursday, felt confident that I had studied enough for PDD as well, immediately scheduled PDD for the following week.

Construction Evaluation (CE)

ARE 4.0 Divisions

  • Construction Documents & Services (CDS)

ARE 5.0 Categories

  • Preconstruction Activities

  • Construction Observation

  • Administrative Procedures & Protocols

  • Project Closeout & Evaluation

Construction Evaluation (CE) Study Materials

Caitlin Brady
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