An exam guide for each division of the ARE is available in PDF format and can be downloaded below free of charge. Each exam guide contains sample multiple-choice questions (except Schematic Design), one passing and one failing solution for each sample vignette, and a list of references for further study.
Each division also has a practice program with sample vignettes for you to solve. The practice programs can be downloaded free of charge, and will run on an IBM PC or compatible computer running Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows NT or Windows Vista 32-bit.
Our practice program software, which does not have an End User License Agreement (EULA), is the copyrighted property of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). The lack of an EULA should be in no way construed to mean that this software is being published under an open source agreement. As such, all content is the proprietary material of NCARB and cannot be copied, modified, altered or used in any manner other than use in its native form personally by the individual downloading the software solely to prepare to take the ARE.
Warning: the program will not run in a 64‐bit operating system.
ARE 4.0 Guidelines
All candidates preparing to take ARE 4.0 should download the ARE 4.0 Guidelines. This free publication contains an overview of the ARE 4.0 divisions, as well as information about the practice programs, the rolling clock, and maintaining exam eligibility. The ARE 4.0 Guidelines also explain the six steps to completing the ARE.
Exam Guides
Programming, Planning & Practice
Contains 40 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for one sample vignette, and a list of references. Updated July 2011.
Programming, Planning & Practice [Exam Guide] [Practice Program]
Site Planning & Design
Contains 39 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for two sample vignettes, and a list of references. Updated July 2011.
Site Planning & Design [Exam Guide] [Practice Program]
Building Design & Construction Systems
Contains 37 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for three sample vignettes, and a list of references. Updated July 2011.
Building Design & Construction Systems [Exam Guide] [Practice Program]
Schematic Design
Contains one passing and one failing solution for two sample vignettes and a list of references. Updated July 2011.
Schematic Design [Exam Guide] [Practice Program]
Structural Systems
Contains 38 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for one sample vignette, and a list of references. An index of references available during the test is included. Due to copyright agreements, the actual pages cannot be displayed on our web site, but will be available during the test. Updated July 2011.
Structural Systems [Exam Guide] [Practice Program] [References Available During the Test]
Building Systems
Contains 42 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for the sample vignette, and a list of references. Updated July 2011.
Building Systems [Exam Guide] [Practice Program] [References Available During the Test]
Construction Documents & Services
Contains 48 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for the sample vignette, and a list of references. Updated July 2011.
Construction Documents & Services [Exam Guide] [Practice Program]
Starting July 2010, Construction Documents & Services will reference 2007 AIA Documents.