FAQ: In Which Order Do I Take The Architecture Registration Examination (ARE) Tests?
This is a hot topic and many people have differing opinions. I share some of my ideas behind it to whoever asks, but I decided to do some research and gather up other strategies and the reason why those strategies make sense for others.
Before we get into that, let’s quickly review the tests and what they cover, so the 2nd half makes a little bit more sense:
Practice Management (PcM)
This division covers the management of an architectural practice, including the operational and financial aspects, risk mitigation, and practice methodology.
Project Management (PjM)
This division focuses on organizing and managing architectural projects, such as resource management, project work planning, contracts, project execution, and project quality control.
Programming & Analysis (PA)
In this division, candidates are tested on their understanding of project requirements, constraints, and opportunities. This includes evaluation of client’s requirements, site analysis, and feasibility studies.
Project Planning & Design (PPD)
This division delves into the preliminary design stages of a project, taking into account environmental, social, and economic issues, as well as incorporating building codes, integration of building systems, and material selection.
Project Development & Documentation (PDD)
This division emphasizes the integration and detailing of building systems. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to produce project documentation, integrate systems, and ensure adherence to codes and regulations.
Construction & Evaluation (CE)
This division covers the construction phase, including construction contract administration and post-construction evaluation. It addresses topics like construction observation, project closeout, and evaluation of project performance.
Now that you know what each division is about, let’s dissect the different orders in which you can take them and the potential reasons behind it:
Sequential Order:
- Order: PcM → PjM → PA → PPD → PDD → CE
- Reason: This sequence follows a logical progression from understanding the business side of architecture to the final construction and evaluation process. This order can be intuitive for those wanting to follow the life of an architectural project from beginning to end.
Focus on Management First:
- Order: PcM → PjM → PA → CE → PPD → PDD
- Reason: By focusing on the managerial and early planning phases first, candidates can secure a strong foundational understanding of the project lifecycle before diving into the specifics of design and documentation.
Design to Documentation:
- Order: PA → PPD → PDD → PcM → PjM → CE
- Reason: This sequence emphasizes the importance of understanding project requirements and design early on. Once those are mastered, the candidate can then learn about the management and final construction processes.
Mixed Bag:
- Order: PA → PcM → PPD → PjM → CE → PDD
- Reason: This order can be suitable for candidates who want a mix of topics and do not wish to study two similar content areas back-to-back. It allows for varied study topics, which can be refreshing and reduce the feeling of redundancy.
Ultimately the order you wish to take them is up to you- and there really is no right way or wrong way to take them. Just do what feels intuitive and right for you. Hopefully, this little guide has helped in making that choice — whatever it is!
Happy Studying!
