GENERAL QUESTIONS
How do I register to take the ARE?
Contact the registration board in your state/province to apply to take the exam. Your board will provide you with all application requirements. Although NCARB prepares the ARE, it does not register candidates to take the exam. If your board requires documentation of the IDP, they will instruct you to establish an IDP Council Record at NCARB.
How do I start taking the ARE if I began taking it in pencil-and-paper format?
If you began taking the exam in pencil-and-paper format, here are some procedural milestones to be aware of:
1. Your registration board may or may not require you to apply to them to continue taking the ARE; you need to contact them to determine this.
2. Your registration board will submit your name to NCARB’s database.
3. NCARB’s consultant, Prometric, will send you a test information package that includes: the ARE Guidelines that describes test content, timing for each division, fees, and payment information; a list of test centers where you can take the exam; and your Authorization to Test form.
4. Download the practice software for the graphic divisions from NCARB's web site.
5. After you receive the ARE Guidelines, decide when and where you want to take your exams and call to schedule a test appointment. Remember, you don’t have to take all divisions of the ARE at once.
6. Test centers are open six days a week, year-round.
When is the computer-based exam given?
You have the opportunity to take the exam in any order at any time you choose once you have been approved to take the exam. Test centers are open Monday through Saturday, but hours vary from test center to test center. Contact the test center of your choice to determine their hours of operation.
Where are the test centers located?
The ARE is administered at more than 350 standardized test centers across North America. Once your eligibility information has been processed, the Prometric will send you a listing of test centers and contact information.
Do I have to take all nine divisions of the ARE within one week, as was the case with the paper-and-pencil ARE?
No. You can take the divisions at any time during your eligibility period.
Do I have to take the exam at a test center within the borders of the state or province where I am seeking my initial license (registration)?
No. NCARB’s state-of-the art, computer-based format removes geographical barriers. For instance, a candidate who started taking the exam in Texas, and now lives in New York, will be able to take the exam at any conveniently located test center, rather than having to return to Texas. Scores will be forwarded to the initial jurisdiction where you are seeking registration
What edition of the AIA documents should I study for the ARE?
At this time, ARE 3.1 and ARE 4.0 utilize the AIA 1997 documents. A process is in place to update all items to the 2007 and 2008 AIA documents. Please visit our web site www.ncarb.org for continued updates.
ELIGIBILITY, PAPERWORK, AND SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT
Why is my eligibility not in the system?
If you call to schedule an exam and find that your eligibility is not in the system, you need to contact your board of architecture. Each individual board of architecture is responsible for transmitting your testing eligibility information to ARE Operations.
Can my eligibility period be changed or extended?
It may be possible to extend or change your eligibility to take an exam. Your board of architecture is responsible for handling validity periods for taking an exam. You must call your board for any changes to your eligibility.
I have not received my Authorization to Test form (ATT).
What should I do?
When your board of architecture transmits your eligibility to ARE Operations, an Authorization to Test form is automatically generated. If you feel that you should have received it already, please call ARE Operations at 800/896-2272. If warranted by circumstances, we will send you a duplicate ATT.
I have not received my voucher yet. What should I do?
If you have not received your voucher in the mail within four weeks after our receipt of your request, please call ARE Operations at 800/896-2272. One of the call center representatives will be able to determine when it was sent and whether or not a new voucher needs to be mailed to you. (NOTE: All ARE vouchers are non-refundable and nontransferable.)
Who do I call to schedule an appointment?
Once you have received your Authorization to Test form, you can begin scheduling appointments for the exams listed on your letter. Select the test center of your choice and call the Prometric Candidate Services Call Center at 800/479-6215 between the hours of 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. EST (Monday-Friday) to schedule your appointment.
I can't make it to my scheduled appointment. Can I reschedule my appointment and not lose my test fee?
Please refer to Step 3 of the ARE Guidelines for the policy and fees associated with rescheduling existing appointments.
What kind of identification should I bring to the testing center?
You need to present one form of identification. The primary form of identification, current and non-expired, must bear your signature and a recent photograph of you. The name on the identification must be exactly the same as the name on the ATT. If your ID does not match your ATT, you will be turned away at the testing center.
Who do I contact if I have changed my name and/or address? If you need to change your name and/or address in our records, you must call your board of architecture. It is imperative that this be done so that your Authorization to Test form matches the identification you will provide at the testing center. (NOTE: If you have made your appointment prior to changing your name and/or address, your new information will not appear on the check-in screen at the test center.)
THE PRACTICE PROGRAM
What kinds of practice programs will be available for use before taking the graphic vignettes on computer?
NCARB has developed a tutorial program for candidates to familiarize themselves with the graphic vignettes before taking each division. The practice program is available at no cost on the NCARB web site.
What software will be used, and can I get it to practice?
The software used to take the exam is not commercially available. NCARB did this for two reasons. The first is that the exam might unfairly advantage one group of candidates that was familiar with that software and disadvantage the remaining candidates. And second, the software NCARB developed is designed for testing, not for development of construction documents. The software is much more intuitive than CADD packages. The software includes tutorials to teach you how to use the various tools, plus one of each of the vignettes to practice. This free practice software may be downloaded free of charge from the NCARB web site.
THE EXAM
How many divisions make up the ARE?
The ARE consists of nine divisions—six multiple-choice divisions and three graphic divisions. The multiple-choice divisions are: Pre-Design, General Structures, Lateral Forces, Mechanical & Electrical Systems, Building Design / Materials & Methods, and Construction Documents & Services. The graphic divisions are Site Planning, Building Planning, and Building Technology.
Who writes the ARE?
The exam is written by dozens of architects from NCARB’s member registration boards, consulting engineers and code officials. Canadian architects from the Committee of Canadian Architectural Councils (CCAC) representing the architectural associations of the 11 Canadian provinces also serve on exam-writing committees. Individual exam-writing committees for each division of the exam meet several times a year to revise and write questions and vignettes used in the exam.
Who decides what changes will take place in the exam?
Before any changes are made, NCARB's exam committees research the proposed changes and make recommendations to NCARB's Board of Directors. All changes to NCARB examinations are approved by the Board of Directors.
For the vignettes in the three graphic divisions,
how will we “draw” on the computer?
You will use a mouse to record your solutions. The computer screen contains icons that are selected using the mouse to allow you to draw, move, rotate, erase, etc.
For the graphic divisions of the exam, will I be able to stop working on one vignette and move to another, then come back to the first vignette?
Yes. You are able to stop working on one vignette, move to a second or third vignette, come back to the first, etc., within each section of vignettes. However, once you choose to exit that section of vignettes, you cannot return to them. You do not need to save your work, as it is automatically saved approximately every minute. Every time you leave a vignette to move to another vignette your work also is saved.
How accurate do I need to be in solving the graphic vignettes?
It is your responsibility to be as accurate as possible when creating your solutions. Basically, more accurate information will result in more accurate scoring. Using the zoom tool and the full screen cursor may make it easier to create more accurate solutions. A check tool is provided in several vignettes to help you identify problem areas such as overlapping elements.
Tolerances are built into each scoring program that allow for slight inaccuracies. These tolerances vary from vignette to vignette based on the importance of the feature being evaluated.
Will I be able to print out my solutions as I go to check them?
You are not able to print out your work. In order to offer the ARE six days a week, year-round, NCARB has developed a large library of equivalent vignettes. These vignettes must remain secure, so printouts are not allowed.
How will the multiple-choice divisions be given on a computer?
A brief tutorial is delivered before each division to explain how to move from one question to the next. Each multiple-choice division consists of a fixed number of questions delivered within a maximum time limit. Within each division, some questions are being pretested and do not affect your actual test score. These pretest questions are being evaluated and may be included in future editions of the test.
For the multiple-choice questions, I’ve heard that I will only be able to look at one question at a time and I will not be able to go back to previous questions to change answers. Is this true?
It is true that you will only see one question at a time; however, you can go back to review and/or change answers. You will have tools (icons) available to maneuver through the test. It is possible to look at each question, answer it, and move on without going back. It is also possible to answer a question and mark it for later review. Additionally, you will have the option skip a question and come back to it later.
If I have a question or concern regarding my ARE testing experience, who do I contact?
If you have any type of problem or a concern regarding your ARE testing experience, please contact ARE Operations (800/896-2272) to report your concerns immediately. We make every effort to ensure that all ARE candidates have a pleasant testing experience.
AFTER THE EXAM
How are the vignettes scored?
The vignettes are scored by computer.
How can the subjective vignettes be graded by computer? Does this mean that there is only one right answer to each vignette?
There have been many common misconceptions about the ARE. One of the biggest was that the paper-and-pencil vignettes were graded using “subjective” criteria. In the past, NCARB developed objective grading criteria and trained the architects who volunteered to grade exams in using this objective criteria. NCARB never allowed the graders to apply their own subjective criteria to exams. With computer grading, the only real change is that committees of architects have already determined the objective grading criteria, and that criteria have been transferred to a computer program instead of human graders.
The computer-delivered vignettes, like the paper-and-pencil vignettes, are designed to allow for many correct answers. There is no one right answer, with the exception of some very technical Site Planning vignettes, such as laying out setbacks. Just as in the paper-and-pencil versions, the vignette scoring procedures allow for errors to occur without automatically assigning a failing score. The scoring engines evaluate the solutions to the vignettes in a holistic manner where minor errors are compensated for by overall compliance with the programmatic and technical aspects of each vignette.
How can the computer-based exam assess my ability in fewer questions that the paper-and-pencil ARE?
The multiple-choice divisions of the computer-based ARE use a system that allows a more accurate decision regarding a candidate's ability in fewer questions by using better questions. In the paper-and-pencil version of the ARE, the architects who wrote the exam tried to prepare questions that accurately determined a candidate's ability. However, the reality is that some questions are better at this than others, and some do not discriminate very well between knowledgeable candidates and those with limited knowledge. Because of this, NCARB eliminated some questions in the scoring of the written portions of the paper-and-pencil examination. The questions in the computer-based ARE are taken from previous versions of the ARE so that the statistical performance of each question is known. Only the questions that best discriminate among candidates' abilities are used.
What if I don't have enough time to answer all the questions? Will those questions that I haven't answered yet be counted wrong?
Yes, all unanswered questions are counted wrong. Candidates are allotted approximately the same amount of time per question in the as in the paper-and-pencil version. Candidates should, therefore, be able to complete the examination within the time allotted.
How long after I take the exam will I receive my scores?
Results for multiple-choice divisions are typically processed within two to four weeks of your test date. Graphic division scores are typically processed within four to six weeks of your test date. After processing, your score is forwarded directly to your board of architecture. Your board then completes any additional processing and forwards the score report to you. Test results are not released at the test center and are not available through NCARB.
If I fail a division of the exam, why do I have to wait six months until I can retake that division?
This rule was established for two reasons. First, NCARB is developing a large library of test questions and vignettes, but the library is not of sufficient size to offer each division of the exam more than once every six months. Second, the exams are not a test of luck. It is important to spend the time between test administrations gaining additional knowledge and experience in the particular areas being tested.
For the last two administrations of a particular division, I received the same failing diagnostics. What can I do to improve my score and pass?
Receiving similar score reports indicates that the exam has accurately assessed your ability level at the time. In order to pass you will have to gain additional knowledge in the subject area before trying again. Repeating a division without increasing your knowledge of the subject through further experience will not result in a higher score.
I failed the paper-and-pencil Building Design exam. Do I have to take one or two tests in the new format?
Two. The old Division C: Building Design exam is now two separate divisions—Building Planning and Building Technology. NCARB made this change because sitting at a computer for 11 or 12 hours is much more difficult than sitting at a drawing table for that amount of time. You must pass these two divisions completely independent of each other.
I failed the Site Design graphic portion in paper-and-pencil, but passed the written portion. Do I get credit for the written portion?
No. Since you did not pass both sections of the previous Division B: Site Design, you must take the new Site Planning division.
If I pass all divisions of the ARE, does that mean I am certified by NCARB?
No. Passing the exam is usually (but not always) the final step in receiving a license to practice in a particular jurisdiction. If you wish to become certified by NCARB, you must apply for NCARB certification after you have passed the exam, or contact NCARB’s Council Records Department if you have already established an IDP Council Record. Your state board will not notify NCARB. For more information on the certification processes, contact NCARB’s Council Records Department at 202/879-0520.
You can also get more information or request an application by visiting the Certification section of the NCARB’s web site.
I heard that NCARB approved taking the ARE before the completion of IDP at the 2006 Annual Meeting. Is this true?
No. In February 2006, NCARB’s Board of Directors issued a policy statement proposing that a candidate with an accredited professional degree and who is actively engaged in IDP be permitted to begin taking divisions of the ARE. The Board proposed a resolution at the 2006 Annual Meeting which would have changed the current Model Law recommendation that candidates only be made eligible to start taking the ARE after the candidate has completed IDP.
What action was taken by NCARB & the Member Boards concerning taking the ARE before the completion of IDP at the 2006 Annual Meeting?
The NCARB Member Boards requested that prior to any change in the Model Law, the Board of Directors prepare implementation details of such policy. The details shall include requirements such as the number of months of experience under the supervision of an architect, minimum number of IDP Training Units, and which divisions of the ARE should be allowed to be taken early.
A resolution to implement such policy will be presented at the NCARB 2007 Annual Meeting. Following a June 2007 vote of approval, NCARB’s model law will be amended and individual Member Boards will be able to determine if they will adopt the policy.
I heard there are jurisdictions that allow Emerging Professionals to take the ARE before the completion of IDP. When can I start taking the ARE?
There are currently 9 jurisdictions which allow you to take the ARE prior to the completion of IDP. They are: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The individual laws and requirements for eligibility to sit for the ARE prior to completion of IDP vary greatly. You must contact your Board of Architecture to understand their specific requirements.
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ARE 4.0 Voucher