Ahhh, yes.  I remember it like is was yesterday:  I’m sitting alone in my office, at my drafting table, reading and highlighting through another section of Ballast or Kaplan.  If you are new to the Architect Exam world, welcome!  I will go into more detail about what these, and other types of prep materials are for taking your ARE’s.

If you are currently going through the examination process, congratulations for making it this far!  I’ll be the first to say that the process to become a licensed Architect is not an easy or quick task.  But once you have completed this last (and probably toughest feat) you get to join the (elite) club!

Also, be sure to check out my post about How to Study for ARE 5.0.  I go over a quick run down of each exam and my recommendation for what order to take them.

I wanted to write this article to give anyone who may need a boost of confidence to either start taking your exams, or a recharge for your batteries.  If you are in that third/fourth test fog and want to slow down or take a break, DON’T! Push through! You got this!

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Some quick statistics of my adventures with the ARE:

• I completed  ARE 4.0 in it’s entirety (but this post should still relate to all you 5.0 exam takers!)
• I started taking my exams AFTER I completed my mandatory hours under a licensed Architect
• It took me about 8 months from start to finish to complete and PASS all the exams (remember, I took seven exams!)
• I actually FAILED the second exam I took (BDCS or Building Design and Construction Systems.  Honestly a beast of an exam for me. I then took this exam second to last and passed easily) This is now split between Project Planning and Design and Project Development and Documentation.

Throughout this post I’ll comment on my own experiences and give some helpful tips for success.  And I’ll let you in on my secret of how to get started and licensed FAST!

1. Prepare for the Marathon Ahead

First things first.  Makes sure you’ve have met all the requirements to even sit for the exams.  Check the NCARB website so see!  This includes fulfilling the time requirement (check to see if early eligibility is and option in your State!),  hour requirements, and recommendation letters.

Just gathering the documentation to even sit for the exam can take you a few weeks.  Once you submit the required documents to the Exam Board (or the Powers that Be) you have to wait for the green light to sign up for your first exam.  I honestly think it took about a month for me.

But the good news is, during that time you can also be gathering study materials! (I know, I know.  There is nothing fun or exciting about that.)  But luckily there is plenty of online Exam Prep materials to choose from; you just need to find the one that best fit your study habits.

From reference books and flashcards, to podcasts and video tutorials; there are so many different resources to help you.  Mix and Match!

I personally felt best using practice exams.  These really get you in the habit of how questions are worded and what exactly the examiners are looking for.

ARE 5.0 Study Resources:

Out of all the study materials I used, PPI offered some of the best resources!  Shop through my links and get 15% OFF your order at checkout! (No discounts on prep courses and review bundles, sorry.)

• One study guide that I personally used and would recommend is this:  ARE Review Manual

• This is a great resource to use when studying for ARE 5.0:  Mock Exams

• For some great flashcards try these:  ARE 5 in a Flash

I honestly could write another complete post of the different types of resources out there currently. But here, I’ll just talk about a couple main ones you may have already heard about.

The Two Main Manuals:

Ballast (Also known as the PPI Books)- An amazing resource for the ARE.  This was the first thing I would begin reading when I started to study for a new exam.  The information is just too important not to read (and highlight) over.  Plus, the practice exams and quizzes really help you better understand where you may need to spend some extra study time on.

Brightwood (formerly known as the infamous Kaplan) – Kaplan is a great overall reference and review for items I learn first from Ballast.  I used it as my second guide through every exam.  It would usually shed light on other aspects of each section that I may have somehow skimmed over with Ballast.

My Recommendation:

So, I can hear the question now,” Stevie, which one would you buy and study with?”  Well the answer isn’t quite that simple.

I believe it is best to have a few different resources to cross reference.  You hit all the bases and it never hurts to try and cram as much information as you can in your head before you enter the test room.

HOWEVER, if I had to pick which study guide and reference material was better for me, it was Ballast.  Hands down!!!  It’s not because they’re reference books that are for fun, or light reading.  Cause they’re NOT!  They are incredibility dense and packed with crazy important information. 

2. Make A Study Schedule

You may think you don’t need one.  You may think, “Oh please, I’ll study a few hours a couple weeks before the exam and be fine.” And hey, you might be right! But I would really recommend you figuring out a solid study schedule and sticking to it.

I tell a lot of soon-to-be-test-takers to think about studying for the ARE’s as your new hobby.  It’s hard.  No one likes to separate themselves from the rest of the world to read through more chapters about programming or AIA documents.  But it will be worth it!

My schedule (aka My Secret Weapon for Success!):

• Monday – Thursday: I came home from work and would carve out 2 hours of solid study time.  It might have been reading a couple chapter from Ballast or taking a practice test.

• Friday: I always took my Fridays off!  Blow off some steam! 

• Saturday and Sunday: So here is where I allowed myself (a little) flexibility.  I would log at least 10 hours of quality study time during each weekend.  I could have split it in half, or if  my husband and I had plans on a Saturday, I could pull the majority of my hours on Sunday.

This is also where flashcards would come in handy on weekend road trips!

For each exam, I would set aside at least 4 total weeks of prep, that’s at least 72 hours.  I actually studied for about 5 weeks on my BDCS Exam for Round 2, just because that exam covered some very technical aspects of architecture.

If you do the math, you can see that I studied for about one month per exam; 8 total exams taken (cause again, I failed one) = Stevie’s 8 month ARE plan.

Obviously new test-takers will need to adjust this plan slightly since ARE 5.0 is only 6 exams.  But that means you can possibly be done in nearly 7 months!  Rolling clock who?!

PPI Learning Hub

Did you know PPI Online started packaging these awesome bundles with their Learning Hub? I wish I had tools like this when I was studying! Everything for each division is laid out, organized, and ready for you to get started! Just check out this video for more information!

Check it out here and tour around to find the Division you are interested in taking. They even have Bundle prices for a better deal!

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3. Tips for Success

• Look at the calendar and schedule/purchase you exam BEFORE you start studying.  Sounds scary right?!  Well, that’s kinda the point.  Having that date in your sights gives you something to work for.
• Have your architect friends or colleagues take the exams along with you.  I had a couple of great college buddies who took the exams at the same time I was.  It was great cause we could talk about our success and failures for each, give each other study tips and exchange study materials, and overall just support each other throughout the journey.  Join forums too!  ARE Coach was my go-to EVERYDAY!
• Here’s a simple one: schedule your test time either mid-morning or mid-afternoon.  I made the mistake in scheduling one of my exams right when the facility opened and had to wait for about 20 people to get signed in. Scheduling your exam at say, 10:00 am, should allow you to just walk inside, sign in, check you purse or jacket in a locker provided, and walk to you computer.  Sitting and waiting just makes you get in you head.  
• Try NOT to use real world experience.  After a few years working in a firm, it’s hard not to.  But really, try to only answer questions with the manuals and study resources as your guides.
• Don’t beat yourself up if you fail an exam.  It happens to A LOT of people.  Some people beat themselves up and lose their focus if they fail an exam.  Or get frustrated and want to take some time to decompress. Don’t.  Instead, keep on studying for another exam on the list.  JUST. KEEP. GOING.

My Take Away:

Requesting to sit for the ARE’s and taking the exams as soon as I could really set me apart.  It’s the final (and hardest) step in the long process of architecture school, juries, thesis projects, and internships.  Why wouldn’t you want to just buckle down and get it done!

Since becoming licensed I have gone from being the youngest Architect in a firm, to the only Architect in MY firm.  I went from being producing drawings and sheets for other Architect’s projects, to becoming the Lead Architect and President in my firm.  Designing my own projects, my way!

You can do it too!  Shoot me any comments or questions you may have about the process.  I’d love to help you in this next chapter of becoming an Architect!

Speaking of studying!  Interested in becoming a LEED Green Associate or LEED AP?!  Check out my post here for a quick look into the importance of becoming LEED accredited, useful tips, and study resources!