IA Exam Process and Resources
The Examinations
Currently, the AIBC requires the completion of all seven divisions of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s Architect Registration Examinations (NCARB ARE) to fulfill the examination requirements of the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP). For more information on all aspects of the NCARB ARE, please refer to the ARE Guidelines. Upon registration as an Intern Architect, the AIBC will automatically register you as eligible to write the NCARB ARE exams. An authorization number will be generated and provided to you in an Authorization to Test letter (ATT). Note: this authorization number is required to schedule all NCARB ARE examinations. The ATT will also include details on scheduling and other vital information. Retain your ATT for the entire duration of your examination period. If you misplace your ATT or have questions about your authorization number, contact Prometric or the AIBC.
Six of the seven exams have a multiple choice section. All have a graphic vignette component. The seven exams area as follows (click on the exam title to access additional information on the corresponding NCARB webpage):
Programming, Planning, and Practice (PPP) - a four-hour exam with two hours for 85 multiple choice questions, and one hour for the site zoning graphic vignette. Exam topics include, but are not restricted to: Programming & Analysis; Environmental, Social, & Economic Issues; Codes & Regulations; and Project & Practice Management. The remaining hour is for introduction, scheduled breaks, and exit questionnaires. This is typical for all exams.
Site Planning and Design (SPD) - a four-and-a-half hour exam with one-and-a-half hours for 65 multiple choice questions and two hours for the graphic vignettes (site grading and site design). Exam topics include, but are not restricted to: Principles; Environmental Issues’ Codes & Regulations’ Materials & Technology’ and Project & Practice Management.
Building Design and Construction Systems (BDCS) - a five-and-a-half hour exam with one hour and 45 minutes for 85 multiple choice questions, and two hours and 45 minutes for three graphic vignettes (accessibility/ramp, stair design, and roof plan). Exam topics include, but are not restricted to: Principles; Environmental Issues; Codes & Regulations; Materials & Technology; and Project & Practice Management.
Schematic Design (SD) - a six-hour exam with one hour for the interior layout vignette, and four hours for the building layout vignette. There are no multiple choice questions,
Structural Systems (SS) - a five-and-a-half hour exam with two hours for 125 multiple choice questions, and one hour for the structural layout vignette. Exam topics include, but are not restricted to; General Structures; Seismic Forces; Wind Loads; and Lateral Forces - General. The NCARB site has available resources that can be found during this exam.
Building Systems (BS) - a four-hour exam with two hours for 95 multiple choice questions, and one hour for the mechanical and electrical plan vignette. Exam topics include, but are not restricted to: Codes & Regulations; Environmental Issues; Plumbing; HVAC; Electrical; Lighting; and Specialties. The NCARB site has available resources that can be found during this exam.
Construction Documents and Services (CDS) -a four-hour exam with two hours for 100 multiple choice questions, and one hour for the building section vignette. Exam topics include, but are not restricted to: Codes & Regulations; Environmental Issues; Construction Drawings & Project Manual; and Project & Practice Management.
NCARB has implemented a five-year “rolling clock” rule. From the date you pass your first exam, you have five years to complete all seven required examinations. You can read more about the NCARB rolling clock here.
Currently, the fee for each examination is $210 U.S. (plus applicable taxes).Exams can be grouped together or taken in any sequence. The order is ultimately up you, and it is important to realize your own strengths and weaknesses. It is recommended that you start with something with which you are familiar or experienced. PPP, SPD, SD and CDS are generally related in content whereas BDCS, SS, and BS are similar topics. BDCS is the broadest exam, covering the most material, while SD is a focused topic. It is important to review all the available materials and resources and come up with a plan that best matches your own strengths and goals. Other Intern Architects are a valuable resource when deciding on how to prepare for the exams and the order in which to take them.
Pass rates (available on the NCARB web site,) generally range between 50% and 70%. Keep this in mind when scheduling your exams, beginning with ones that you feel may be more difficult allows plenty of time if a retake is required. Any failed exams can be retaken after a six-month period. Permission to book this exam is provided approximately four months after receiving the failed exam result.
NOTE: It is important to review all rules and regulations before beginning the examination process. All exams have a confidentiality agreement to which you must adhere. Once you have finished an exam, you can be held responsible for revealing any information pertaining to that exam. Anyone person found in violation of this agreement can have their exam privileges taken away. More information, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, are available in the ARE section of the NCARB website.
AIBC Exam Preparation Resources
The AIBC has select print resources available to members on loan for one-week periods, including the Kaplan and Ballast study guides.
ARE 4.0 Study Materials
Programming, Planning & Practice:
Portfolio (Kaplan - two copies):
- Kaplan Study Guide (2009)
- Questions & Answers Book
- Practice Vignettes
Binder - ARE Sample Problems + Practice Exam (Ballast - two copies)
Flash Cards (Kaplan - two copies)
Structural Systems:
Portfolio (Kaplan - two copies):
- Kaplan Study Guide (2009)
- Questions & Answers Book
- Practice Vignettes
Binder - ARE Sample Problems + Practice Exam (Ballast - two copies)
Flash Cards (Kaplan - two copies)
Building Systems:
Portfolio (Kaplan - two copies):
- Kaplan Study Guide (2009)
- Questions & Answers Book
- Practice Vignettes
Binder - ARE Sample Problems + Practice Exam (Ballast - two copies)
Flash Cards (Kaplan - two copies)
Building Design & Construction Systems
Portfolio (Kaplan - two copies):
- Kaplan Study Guide (2009)
- Questions & Answers Book
- Practice Vignettes
Binder - ARE Sample Problems + Practice Exam (Ballast - two copies)
Flash Cards (Kaplan - two copies)
Construction Documents & Services:
Portfolio (Kaplan - two copies):
- Kaplan Study Guide (2009)
- Questions & Answers Book
- Practice Vignettes
Binder - ARE Sample Problems + Practice Exam (Ballast - two copies)
- each includes a copy of ARE in a Flash – Rapid Review of Key Topics
Flash Cards (Kaplan - two copies)
Schematic Design:
Portfolio (Kaplan - two copies):
- Kaplan Study Guide (2009)
- Questions & Answers Book
- Practice Vignettes
Binder - ARE Sample Problems + Practice Exam (Ballast - two copies)
Flash Cards (Kaplan - two copies)
Site Planning & Design:
Portfolio (Kaplan - two copies):
- Kaplan Study Guide (2009)
- Questions & Answers Book
- Practice Vignettes
Binder - ARE Sample Problems + Practice Exam (Ballast - two copies)
Flash Cards (Kaplan - two copies)
Workbook: Solutions: Understanding the Graphic Divisions of the Architect's Exam, by Norman K. Dorf, AIA (four copies)
- This is a highly recommended resource to help prepare for the graphic vignette portions of the exams.
ARE Review Manual (Ballast - two copies)
- This guide, with more than 50 chapters, includes a comprehensive review of topics covered on all seven divisions of the ARE 4.0.
Architectural History (Kaplan - two copies)
CCDC Standard Construction Documents and Guides (complete set)
- Available for reference use only, these documents cannot leave the AIBC offices.
Note: These materials are available to AIBC IAs. Contact the AIBC for a complete list of resources and to reserve a study guide. There is a limit of one resource (binder, exam portfolio or book) per IA. All materials are available for a one-week period and must be returned intact or a replacement fee will be charged. Please contact the AIBC reception desk at frontdesk@aibc.ca or by calling (604) 683-8588 ext. 0. If you are interested in purchasing Kaplan and Ballast study material, materialist is available at a discount through the AIBC’s Intern Architect Resources.
Additional AIBC resources include:
AIBC Intern Update Blog
The Intern Architect Committee is dedicated to maintaining an IA web log. The blog (here) is great location to review resources and generate conversations with other IAs studying for the exams. This site often offers new feeds on seminars that aid in exam preparation. Study groups can be created and posted for others to join.
ARE Preparation Seminars
The AIBC offers regular seminars to help IAs prepare for the ARE. Two examples of previous offerings are the Structural Systems seminar guided by Professor David Thaddeus; and the Building System seminar by Professor Gustavo Mibelli. Both have been traditionally held in the fall. Other, more informal seminars are put on by the Intern Architect Committee, with topics and dates that differ from year to year. Check the AIBC Intern Update Blog and the AIBC site for upcoming seminars.
Other Exam Preparation Resources
There is a vast amount of preparation resources to be found, much of it at no cost. This includes:
NCARB ARE Web Site
There are many resources available from this site, including a complete overview (exam overview, getting started with the ARE, preparing for the exams, taking the ARE, passing rates, ARE news, and important contacts) located in the ARE section, along with practice graphic vignettes and other study resources.
Each test has an exam guide and practice program (see Preparing for the ARE). The practice vignette programs require a windows platform to operate. The 4.0 version is currently available on this site. The exam guides have an overview of the division that explains the topics covered, a practice multiple choice exam with answers, and graphic vignette directions and solutions.
One particularly helpful resource is the ARE Guidelines Document, available as a PDF download from the NCARB web site. It contains an overview, steps to completing the ARE, a multiple choice sample exam section, and a graphic vignette problem and solution section. At the end of the document is a list of suggested study material. It is highly recommended that you read this document and familiarize yourself with the ARE examination process.
Perhaps the most important section of the NCARB web site is the references page - a comprehensive catalogue of suggested books for exam preparation. A majority of the books listed can be located at the public library.
Vancouver Public Library
This resource is often overlooked. The Vancouver Public Library will allow you to reserve books in advanced, create and manage book resources on-line, and generate and save search lists. You can take books out on loan for about 21 days, and can often renew them online for a longer period. More information about loan periods and fines is available on the VPL web site. Download the exam guide from the NCARB site, review the reference list at the back of the document for each test, and explore the catalogue of books available on-line. You can request books in advance and select the public library where you would like them sent.
Norman Dorf Graphic Solutions Guide
Norman Dorf was a major contributor to the NCARB ARE graphic vignettes. In this guide, Dorf explains the process of each vignette as well as common mistakes and tips to passing. The book also reviews how the tests are computer-scored, a crucial step in understanding how to successfully complete this portion of each exam. Before taking any exam, review this invaluable resource. There are two versions in circulation; 3.1 and 4.0. Four copies are available through the AIBC Exam Preparation Resources.
Kaplan Study Guides
These guides are available for purchase on-line. Each book covers one exam and contains study material, practice exams and answers, and vignette practice and solutions. They are available at a discount through the AIBC’s Intern Architect Resources. There are also Kaplan Flashcards for help with key terms and definitions (available on loan from the AIBC).
Digital Flashcards
On September 7, 2010, gWhiz released the latest version (2.1) of the Kaplan flashcards for your iPod, iPhone or iPad.
Ballast Study Guides from Professional Publications, Inc.
This ARE review manual is organized into sections that follow the exam divisions, including sample problems and practice exams. These guides are available at a discount through the AIBC’s Intern Architect Resources.PPI also offers flash cards for purchase (available on loan from the AIBC). Note: some of the AIBC Exam Preparation Resources are missing the flashcard component.
National Academic & Licensing Study Aids
The NALSA web site is another on-line source of study material covering the ARE exams. Available on this site are the Norman Dorf vignette study guide videos. Norman goes over each vignette step-by-step in these hour long sessions. Each vignette video is sold separately.
ARE Forum
This on-line resource, available to anyone, has many opportunities to communicate with others taking the exam. There is a FTP section for uploading or downloading files generated by other IAs Explore this resource and be aware of the limitations and potential risks for sharing information about the exams. This site is monitored for content that may compromise the exam process.
Iron Warrior
This is an on-line resource similar to the ARE forum, but not regulated. It features ARE 3.1 (the earlier version of the ARE exams) and graphic vignettes available to download for additional practice. Use this site with caution.
NOTE: Links from this document may have been altered after this information was posted. Please visit the NCARB site for all current information and documents.
Booking an Exam
Once you have your NCARB Authorization Number, you can register for an exam through Prometric on-line or over the phone at 1-800-479-6215. Availability for an exam can be several months in the future. It is recommended that you review the available dates online prior to planning your studying strategies. Once an exam is booked, it can be rescheduled for a fee, and only prior to three business days before to the exam. After booking an exam, you will be sent a confirmation notice. Print this out and take it with you, along with your authorization num ber from NCARB, to the exam location. You will also receive a reminder notification two business days prior to your exam.
Taking an Exam
Prometric Testing Center is located in the Cambridge College of Technology in Metrotown Mall, 454 - 4800 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia. The testing centre hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. (Exam time may be different from testing centre's regular hours of operation. Refer to your exam confirmation for accuracy.) The room is located in the Office Galleria, OG-C Room 454 (click here for Metrotown Mall map).
It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes before the exam. Bring along your exam confirmation print out, Authorization to Test letter, and one piece of official photo identification (a driver’s license is generally sufficient). You will need your photo identification at all times.
Review NCARB’s At the Test Centre resource page. Once you arrive, find an available locker and stow your belongings (keep you photo identification in your pocket). Calculators, translators, cell phones, wallets, food, or water will not be allowed in the exam room. Testing centre staff may request that you empty your pockets.
Wear appropriate and comfortable clothing (the room temperature is usually cool). Also, the noise level can be somewhat distracting as there is a daycare on one side of the testing centre, and a classroom on the other. Ear phones are available at each desk.
The scheduled breaks are not long enough to purchase a snack from the food court in the mall, so it is a good idea to bring along a snack and something to drink and leave it in your locker. You will have to sign out and in every time you leave and enter the room.
Once the exam is completed, the results will be sent via mail directly from the AIBC. This generally takes a couple of weeks.
Should you have any questions or concerns about the examination process, you can always contact the AIBC’s Registration & Licensing Department.
Good luck!
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