May 2008
If you have not successfully completed at least one division of the ARE,
your eligibilities will automatically be converted to ARE 4.0 over the
course of the next several weeks. If you recently took your first division
of ARE 3.1 (within the last 3 to 4 weeks) and have not yet received your
score, you will not be able to schedule any additional testing appointments
until your pending score has been determined. If you passed this initial
ARE 3.1 division, your eligibility files will be confirmed in ARE 3.1. If
you failed the division, your eligibilities will be converted to ARE 4.0.
The final scoring and conversion process should be completed by June 11,
2008. You will be able to schedule future appointments thereafter.
April 2008
ARE 4.0 Reminder
If you have not PASSED any division of ARE 3.1, the last date to schedule an ARE 3.1 division is May 13, 2008 and the last date to test is May 15, 2008. Anyone who has not passed a division of ARE 3.1 prior to these deadlines will test in ARE 4.0. Whether you transition to ARE 4.0 or stay in ARE 3.1 is solely based on the date you test, not the date you receive your score report.
If you have passed a division of ARE 3.1 prior to May 15, 2008, you will be unaffected by these scheduling restrictions.
The first day to schedule an ARE 4.0 exam is May 18, 2008. The first day that ARE 4.0 will be available in the test center is July 1, 2008.
February 2008
If you are an ARE candidate who has yet to PASS one division of the ARE (version 3.1 or earlier) and are at risk of not passing a single division by May 13, 2008, please be advised that if you make an appointment for any date after May 15, 2008, that appointment will be cancelled beginning May 15, 2008 and your exam appointment fee will be forfeited. You will be transitioned to ARE 4.0 and will be required to remit payment when you schedule a new appointment. If you already have an appointment for a date after May 15, 2008, we recommend that you re-schedule that appointment for a date prior to May 15 to avoid any forfeiture of fees. Again, this refers ONLY to candidates who are likely to be transitioned to ARE 4.0 in 2008. Candidates who have passed at least one division will remain in ARE 3.1 and can continue to schedule appointments and test after May 15, 2008 through June 2009.
November 2007
Ready to take the ARE?
Does your jurisdiction allow early access to the ARE? If you have an active NCARB Record and have fulfilled all of your jurisdiction’s requirements, you can request Authorization to Test through the “My NCARB Record” section of our web site. It’s quick and easy!
Click here for more information.
October 2007
"An Introduction to ARE 4.0: Providing Exam Content in a New Wrapper"
NCARB unveiled ARE 4.0 in the Spring 2007 Direct Connection.
Read the article to learn about the seven new divisions, the 3.1 to 4.0
transition period, and the reasoning behind this important change in exam
organization.
"The Evolving ARE: Building a Better Exam for the Profession"
The second article related to ARE 4.0 printed in the Fall 2007
Direct Connection. The article goes into greater detail about the evolution
of the exam, addresses the Rolling Clock, and has sample plans for preparing
for the transition to ARE 4.0.
March 2007
ARE 4.0: The Architect Registration Examination is changing for the better
In July 2008, NCARB will launch ARE 4.0. The latest version of the exam updates and improves the current format by combining graphic and multiple-choice content. ARE 4.0 integrates the exam format while emphasizing the problem-solving skills architects regularly use in day-to-day practice.
The Council has continuously worked toward improving the ARE's content, delivery, grading, and administration. The evolution to
ARE 4.0 has been guided by the 1999 Practice Analysis survey conducted by NCARB that provided a comprehensive analysis of the architecture profession.
Click here to read an article from NCARB's Direct Connection (2007 Volume 10 Issue 1).
Please refer to the Council's website for periodic updates.
November 2006
Prometric Website – Direct Link for ARE Candidates
Prometric has created a new link to their website specifically designed to provide ARE candidates with direct access to ARE appointment scheduling and other Prometric information.
Please update the bookmark on your web-browser from the old link www.prometric.com to www.prometric.com/NCARB .
We hope this change is an added convenience for all ARE test takers.
October 2006
Updated ARE Guidelines available
The ARE Guidelines have recently been updated. There have been a few minor changes made to the Guidelines, including some modifications to the References sections under the ARE Specifications & References. Click here to obtain the latest ARE Guidelines, dated August 2006.
Alternate Item Types
NCARB would like to thank all ARE candidates that participated in the Alternate Item Type (AIT) study that was completed in 2006.
The AIT Field Test was conducted to determine the impact of Fill-in-the-Blank and Check-All-That-Apply questions in future versions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
The study was successful and, as a result, the Mechanical & Electrical Systems division will include Alternate Item Types (AIT) beginning in February 2007 . This new question format will appear in the remaining multiple-choice divisions in the near future.
To see a sample of the AIT questions, please visit the NCARB website at www.ncarb.org/AIT.
November 2005
Experimental Questions for Mechanical & Electrical Systems discontinued
Beginning Thursday, December 1, 2005 , the experimental questions associated with the Mechanical & Electrical Systems division of the ARE will no longer be delivered.
Checks for those candidates that successfully completed the series of experimental questions will be processed during the first quarter of 2006.
Thank you for your participation and cooperation during this process.
ARE 3.1
An updated version of the computer-based ARE will begin February 27, 2006.
Updates include:
- NEW!
Site Zoning vignette combines Site Analysis and Site Zoning.
- NEW!
Site Design vignette combines Site Parking and Site Design.
- NEW!
Practice Program, including the combined vignettes, is available for downloading.
- NEW!
ARE Guidelines, including updated Specifications and References can be downloaded.
- NEW!
Study Guides with sample solutions for the NEW combined vignettes are available for purchase.
June 2005
Rolling Clock
During NCARB’s 2004 Annual Meeting, the Council passed a resolution officially creating a “rolling clock” requirement for the ARE. Under the terms of the Rolling Clock, which will be officially implemented on January 1, 2006, candidates for the ARE must pass all divisions within five years. Three transitional rules, which are noted below, will guide the process.
Rules
Three basic rules will guide the implementation of the Rolling Clock:
- For applicants who have passed all divisions of the ARE by January 1, 2006, regardless of the time taken, such applicants will have passed the ARE.
- For applicants who have passed one or more but not all divisions of the ARE by January 1, 2006, such applicants will have five years from the date of the first (non-exempt) passed division to pass all remaining divisions. [Exams passed prior to January 1, 2006, are exempt and will NOT have to be retaken.] If a candidate fails to pass all remaining divisions within the initial five-year period, the candidate is given a new five-year period from the date of the second oldest passed division. The five-year period shall commence after January 1, 2006, on the date when the first passed division is administered.
- For applicants who have passed no divisions of the ARE by January 1, 2006, such applicants shall be governed by the above five-year requirement. The five-year period shall commence on the date when the first passed division is administered. Adherance to these rules is required for NCARB Certification.
To learn more about the Council's rolling clock, visit the News section of the NCARB web site.
