| When will ARE 4.0 begin? |
| ARE 4.0 will be released in July 2008. |
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| How many exam divisions will there be in ARE 4.0? How are they structured? |
| There will be a total of seven divisions. Six of the divisions will include both multiple-choice questions AND graphic vignettes. One division will include only graphic vignettes. |
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| How are ARE 3.1 and ARE 4.0 structured differently? |
ARE 3.1 is comprised of (6) multiple-choice divisions and (3) graphic divisions. ARE 4.0 integrates the graphic vignettes into an appropriate multiple-choice division and reduces the total number of divisions from nine to seven. In addition, there are fewer multiple-choice questions and the overall test time has been slightly reduced.
To view a comparison chart, click here. |
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| I have already taken and passed several ARE exams. If I am not finished before July 2008, will I have to start over? |
| No. For the convenience of candidates, ARE 3.1 and ARE 4.0 will be offered simultaneously for a period of one year. However, if you have not successfully completed all nine divisions of ARE 3.1 by June 2009, you will be transitioned to ARE 4.0. |
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| If I am transitioned to ARE 4.0 in July 2009, what exams will I be required to take? |
That depends entirely on which divisions you have passed in ARE 3.1. Unfortunately, some candidates may have to repeat previously passed content. You are strongly encouraged to complete ARE 3.1 during the one-year overlap to avoid any confusion during the mandatory transition.
To view a transition chart, click here. |
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| If I am currently testing but have not passed any division of the ARE prior to July 2008, can I continue testing in ARE 3.1? |
No. Beginning in May 2008, candidates eligible to take the ARE that have NOT passed any division under the ARE 3.1 structure will be converted to ARE 4.0. You may resume testing in ARE 4.0 in July 2008.
WARNING: If you have not passed any divisions and schedule an ARE 3.1 exam to be taken after July 1, 2008, your appointment may be inadvertently canceled when you are transitioned to ARE 4.0. |
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| Aside from the vignettes being paired with multiple-choice questions, is anything else new? |
Yes.
The current Building Planning division has been renamed as Schematic Design; the Schematic Design vignette has been renamed Building Layout to better reflect the content of this vignette. This is the only division that does not change in duration or exam content.
Also, the Site Grading vignette and Mechanical & Electrical Plan vignette are being updated. The updated Site Grading vignette will require candidates to regrade the site and create a level pad on which a given object must be placed. There are new lighting requirements in the revised Mechanical & Electrical Plan vignette. |
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| If I am a newly-eligible candidate, can I start testing under the ARE 3.1 structure? |
Candidates made eligible to sit for the ARE during May 2008, will be required to take ARE 4.0.
If you are made eligible to sit for the ARE in the months leading up to the release of ARE 4.0, it is your decision which path you want to follow. If you choose to begin under ARE 3.1 and do not finish by June 2009, you will be transitioned to ARE 4.0. Please understand the implications of this decision. Should you choose to wait and test only under ARE 4.0, you will avoid the transition from ARE 3.1 to ARE 4.0. However, you will also be postponing the completion of your exam process.
This decision rests entirely with you. |
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| Will you need to perform a Cut Score study with the release of ARE 4.0? If so, will my scores be delayed? |
| The Cut Score study for ARE 4.0 will be conducted prior to the release of the new exam. By doing so, scores will not be delayed. |
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| In ARE 3.1, multiple-choice scores are released much quicker than graphic division scores. How will combining these formats affect the turnaround time for scores? |
| The score reporting process is currently under study to determine this. Please refer to the Council's web site for periodic updates. |
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| Will there be a blackout period for the switchover to ARE 4.0? |
| Yes, however the specific period has not yet been determined. Please refer to the Council's web site for periodic updates. |
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| How will my Rolling Clock be affected by the implementation of ARE 4.0? |
Your Rolling Clock end date will not change. Your five year period is established by the date of your first passed division after January 1, 2006. Your state board may have more restrictive requirements.
You may review the Rolling Clock requirements by clicking here. |
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| Can I use my own calculator during the test? |
| No. Candidates will no longer be allowed to bring a calculator into the testing room. A new on-screen calculator will be available in all divisions. |
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| Will I have the opportunity to practice with the new calculator? |
| A demonstration version of the new calculator will be available for candidates to download from the Council's web site prior to the release of ARE 4.0. |
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| When will new ARE Guidelines, Study Guides, Practice Programs and the new calculator be available? (UPDATED 01/08) |
| New candidate documents will be available in March 2008. The new versions will only be available on the Council's web site. Candidates will be able to download the documents and/or print a copy for their personal use. |
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| Who makes decisions regarding the development and implementation of the ARE? |
| The development of the ARE is a lengthy process that involves thousands of hours of work by hundreds of volunteer
architects. Several times a year, the various exam committees meet to write questions, evaluate scoring engines,
and make recommendations related to the long-term future of the ARE. The NCARB Board of Directors makes
the final decision regarding changes to the ARE. |
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| Why weren’t interns and current exam candidates told about ARE 4.0 sooner? |
| ARE 4.0 was announced approximately 27 months in advance of ARE 3.1 being discontinued. The current
NATIONAL AVERAGE to complete all 9 divisions of the ARE is approximately 28 months. |
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| Why doesn’t NCARB produce more comprehensive study materials for the ARE? |
NCARB’s goal for the study materials is to provide candidates with a sampling of the types of questions found in
the multiple-choice exams and an opportunity for candidates to practice with the software used in the graphic
vignettes.
The ARE is a high-stakes licensing examination. You are required to demonstrate your knowledge, skill and ability.
The ARE is not a teaching tool. As such, the study materials produced by NCARB serve a different purpose than
those provided for college classes or admissions exams.
vignettes.
The ARE is a high-stakes licensing examination. You are required to demonstrate your knowledge, skill and ability.
The ARE is not a teaching tool. As such, the study materials produced by NCARB serve a different purpose than
those provided for college classes or admissions exams. |
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| 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. |
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| MYTHS & FACTS |
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| The current ARE is being transitioned to ARE 4.0 to generate more profits for NCARB. |
The ARE is heavily subsidized by NCARB and the income generated by the administration of the
ARE covers only a portion of the expenses related to the development and administration of the
examination. The remainder of the expenses is covered by income generated by other programs
operated by the Council.
The mission of NCARB is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public. ALL decisions
related to the examination are guided by this mission. |
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| NCARB is changing the test to make their retake quota. |
| NCARB doesn’t have a quota for retakes. Nor does NCARB have a quota that restricts the number
of candidates who are allowed to pass the ARE and become architects each year. |
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| NCARB makes random, impulsive changes without careful consideration. |
Each and every year the exam undergoes a deliberate, studied, and controlled evaluation process
that involves close to 100 practicing architects from across the USA and Canada. The evolution to
ARE 4.0 has been guided by the 2001 Practice Analysis survey conducted by NCARB that provided
a comprehensive analysis of the architecture profession.
In order to stay current, the exam must evolve over time. A stagnant exam does not serve the
Member Boards or the profession. Sometimes, the changes involve more than just content. The last
major change to the exam structure was more than 10 years ago when it became computerized. The
nine division ARE dates back to 1983. |
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| I can ‘mix and match’ which version of the exam I want to take. |
If you have passed at least one division of the ARE prior to May 2008, you will be considered a
“transition candidate.” As a “transition candidate,” you will be required to continue testing in ARE
3.1 until June 2009. If you aren’t finished by the end of the one-year overlap (July 2008 – June
2009), you will then be transitioned to ARE 4.0.
If you have not passed any division of the ARE prior to May 2008, you will be automatically transitioned
to ARE 4.0. |
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ARE 4.0 Voucher
