ARE e-news

Free ARE 3.1 Study Guides and 4.0 Study Aids NOW AVAILABLE!

The release of ARE 4.0 is just a few months away and to help candidates prepare for the new exam format, ARE 4.0 Guidelines, Study Guides, and an updated practice program are now available to download on NCARB’s web site. Best of all—they are free!!

All study guides are downloadable by division. Each division download, except Schematic Design, includes sample multiple-choice questions, check-all-that-apply and quantitative fill-in-the-blank questions, sample graphic vignette solutions, and the practice program software for that division. The Schematic Design study guide includes sample graphic vignette solutions. The ARE 4.0 Guidelines is a separate download that includes general information that is applicable to all divisions of ARE 4.0.

Each exam division in ARE 4.0 will cost $170, for a combined total of $1,190. The multiple choice and graphic divisions of ARE 3.1 will remain $102 and $153 respectively for a combined total of $1,071. Factoring in the free study guides (previously $100 in ARE 3.1), overall there is only a $20 increase from ARE 3.1 to ARE 4.0.  Please note: ARE 3.1 Study Guides are now also free to download on our web site.  

Division timing has been released for ARE 4.0. Please see the chart below to understand scheduled testing time and breaks. This information is also available in the new ARE 4.0 Guidelines.

Please note: 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.

PROGRAMMING, PLANNING & PRACTICE
Intro Time :15  
MC Testing Time 2:00 85 items
Scheduled Break :15  
Intro Time :15  
Graphic Testing Time 1:00 Site Zoning
Exit Questionnaire :15  
Scheduled Appointment Time 4:00  
 
SITE PLANNING & DESIGN
Intro Time :15  
MC Testing Time 1:30 65 items
Scheduled Break :15  
Intro Time :15  
Graphic Testing Time 2:00 Site Grading, Site Design
Exit Questionnaire :15  
Scheduled Appointment Time 4:30 Hours : minutes
 
BUILDING DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS
Intro Time :15  
MC Testing Time 1:45 85 items
Scheduled Break :15  
Intro Time :15  
Graphic Testing Time 2:45

Accessibility/Ramp,
Stair Design, Roof Plan

Exit Questionnaire :15  
Scheduled Appointment Time 5:30 Hours : minutes
 
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
Intro Time :15  
Graphic Testing Time 1:00 Interior Layout
Scheduled Break :15  
Intro Time :15  
Graphic Testing Time 4:00 Building Layout
Exit Questionnaire :15  
Scheduled Appointment Time 6:00 Hours : minutes
 
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Intro Time :15  
MC Testing Time 3:30 125 items
Scheduled Break :15  
Intro Time :15  
Graphic Testing Time 1:00 Structural Layout
Exit Questionnaire :15  
Scheduled Appointment Time 5:30 Hours : minutes
 
BUILDING SYSTEMS
Intro Time :15  
MC Testing Time 2:00 95 items
Scheduled Break :15  
Intro Time :15  
Graphic Testing Time 1:00 Mechanical & Electrical Planning
Exit Questionnaire :15  
Scheduled Appointment Time 4:00 Hours : minutes
 
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS & SERVICES
Intro Time :15  
MC Testing Time 2:00 100 items
Scheduled Break :15  
Intro Time :15  
Graphic Testing Time 1:00 Building Section
Exit Questionnaire :15  
Scheduled Appointment Time 4:00 Hours : minutes

If you have any comments or questions concerning examination scheduling or administration issues, please contact the ARE Helpdesk for assistance at 800/896-2272.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
ARE candidates who have not PASSED a division of the ARE (version 3.1 or earlier) and are at risk of not passing at least one division by 13 May 2008 are advised that an appointment scheduled for any date after 15 May 2008 will be canceled beginning 15 May 2008, and the entire exam fee will be forfeited. These candidates will be transitioned to ARE 4.0 and will be required to remit payment when they schedule a new appointment. If a candidate already has an appointment for a date after 15 May 2008, we recommend that they reschedule that appointment for a date prior to 15 May to avoid any forfeiture of fees. Again, this refers ONLY to candidates who are at risk of being transitioned to ARE 4.0 in the coming months. Candidates who have passed at least one division of the ARE will remain in ARE 3.1 and can continue to schedule appointments and test after 15 May 2008 through June 2009. This announcement can be found at http://www.ncarb.org/are/index.html.

ARE 4.0 Links

Transition Chart
Timeline
ARE 4.0 FAQs
Transition Candidate

Useful Links

Member Board Registration Requirements
An Introduction to Certification
More on ARE and IDP Sequencing
ARE e-news (June 2007)