Along with changes to the division structure and test format, the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) 5.0 also features a refined score report, with four levels of descriptive feedback for failed divisions. Extending ARE 4.0’s three-level score reports, ARE 5.0’s score reports provide an additional level of feedback to give you more information as you prepare to retest. As you test, refer to this convenient guide to better understand the new score reports.
Pass or Fail
All score reports are clearly labeled pass or fail along the top of the first page. On passing score reports, the division's expiration date—five years after the date of your exam—is also noted. Reports include a verification link should anyone need to confirm the authenticity of your score. All of your rolling clock information is provided on the lower half of the first page. Learn more about the NCARB rolling clock.
Division Content and Descriptive Feedback
The content areas assessed in the division are described on the top half of the second page. On failing score reports, these descriptions correspond with the descriptive feedback chart provided at the bottom half of the second page. Descriptive feedback is not provided on passing score reports for several reasons— most importantly because the exam is designed to assess your knowledge and skills, not to be used as a teaching tool.
If you failed, use the descriptive feedback to guide your preparation for your retest. It’s a good idea to focus more of your studies on the content areas marked as Level 3 or 4.
The levels as described at the end of a failing score report are:
Level 1: Performance at this level exceeds the minimum performance necessary to demonstrate competency.
Level 2: Performance at this level meets the minimum performance necessary to demonstrate competency.
Level 3: Performance at this level does NOT meet the minimum performance necessary to demonstrate competency.
Level 4: Performance at this level is far below meeting the minimum performance necessary to demonstrate competency.
A pass/fail decision on ARE 5.0 is determined by the total number of items answered correctly; however, performance in the content areas with the larger percentage of content will have the greatest impact on a score.
Questions? Leave them in the comments below!
Comments
41 comments
Joseph, thanks for clarifying your question. Yes, I'll follow up with you outside this Community.
Would that be possible that you get all four sections at level 2. But still fail at the exam? I just did my PCM yesterday, and my report is exactly the same as the example shown above (all level 2). But in reality, it's a FAIL. I am a bit confused.
Hi Melissa,
Scoring on the ARE goes through extensive quality control testing and ongoing analysis for potential anomalies. If you are concerned about the accuracy of your score report, you can request a Score Verification. Please contact NCARB's Customer Service team with any additional questions regarding your performance on the exam.
Hi Ni,
No, it is not possible to get all Level 2 scores and still fail an exam. The example above contains two Level 3 scores and represents a failing score report. If you pass an exam, you will not receive section level feedback.
If you have concerns about your score report, I recommend reaching out to NCARB Customer Service for assistance.
I have taken PPD on May 12th. And I have FAILED! According to my score card, I am at Level 4 on all sections. I have studied for this exam for three months, and I had memorized all the content for it, especially the codes. Is it possible for NCARB to send me my examination to determine which questions I have answered incorrectly?
I had great determination to get a PASS on my first try in the ARE 5.0, but being at Level 4 makes me feel very uncomfortable.
Youssef -
As noted above, a pass/fail decision on ARE 5.0 is determined by the total number of items answered correctly. That's across the whole exam, not by content area. The descriptive feedback is provided for each content area to give you some guidance as you prepare for a retest.
Hi Rebecca,
I assume you're asking about the link on the top of the first page, "To verify this score..."? A couple things here. First, no - it's not required. That link is there in case someone other than the candidate (say, an employer) wants to verify that the score report hasn't been digitally edited.
We've also updated the language on the score report, so it now says "To authenticate this score..." That change was made to avoid confusion with the Score Verification process outlined in the ARE 5.0 Guidelines (p. 23). The image in this Knowledge Article will be updated in the future to match.
could you score level-2 at all categories on a test and still pass? what is the pass fail percentage on any particular test.?
I took PA yesterday morning, and felt really confident when leaving the exam. I chose not to see the provisional feedback, because I like to give myself a pat on the back for taking the exam before I face the emotions of pass or fail.
This morning I woke up to find I had failed the division, but my score report has left me feeling pretty confused and frustrated. It shows I scored Level 2 on 3 of the 4 sections, and a Level 3 on the one remaining. Though I understand that the entire score is what matters most, I'm wondering if it came down to 1, maybe 2 questions that gave me a failing score? If the cut score for passing is around 57%, I'm wondering how I received passing levels on roughly 73%-79% of the exam yet still failed the division?
All I'm reading in these comments is that requesting a verification or a review of the exam will in the end cost me $100-$300, but won't result in an overturn of the result....so we're basically just forced to accept the score without any explanation.
Hi Katie,
Totally understand your frustration at getting the failing results after feeling good about your exam. This blog post is a few years old but still relevant - you'll notice the threshold for passing ranges from 57% to 68%.
It may be that you were just a few questions away from passing. That sort of information may be provided in a Score Verification, which costs $100. Otherwise, you can certainly use the descriptive feedback on page 2 of your score report to help guide your studying. In your case, you might want to focus in particular on the area marked level 3, but still review the other areas, as you'll want to continue to do well in those on your retake.
Hi Cedric,
Descriptive feedback is not provided on passing score reports as the exam is designed to assess general competency, not to be used as a “teaching tool.”
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