ARE Online Proctoring Launches Mid-November
Hey ARE Community,
NCARB is excited to announce that Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) candidates will be able to schedule online-proctored appointments in mid-November 2020. Online (or remote) proctoring enables candidates to take the ARE in a private location that meets specific requirements.
Scheduling Appointments
Changes that will make online proctoring possible are expected to launch November 16, at which point you will be able to schedule online appointments through My NCARB. Exam fees will remain the same, whether you test in-person or via online proctoring. To ensure the ARE’s security and validity, exam appointments will be closely monitored by a live “online proctor,” who will ensure compliance with testing conditions. In addition to a private location, you will also need a computer with a live video and audio feed; Prometric’s secure testing application; and high-speed internet. This fall, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to schedule an online exam, plus the minimum technical and environmental requirements.
ARE Content, Format, and Resources
Once online proctoring is available, you’ll have the flexibility to choose between in-person or online testing for each exam appointment you schedule. Regardless of delivery mode, all ARE candidates will experience the same format.
It is important to note that the ARE’s content areas and division structure will not change. You can continue to use your existing study materials and resources. However, several elements of the exam’s delivery will be updated to enhance ARE security, make the ARE more efficient, and support online delivery—including navigation, breaks, the number of questions per division, and overall testing time per division. NCARB will provide detailed information regarding any policy changes in late-September.
We’re also planning to release updated resources in October, including a new demo exam and updated ARE 5.0 Handbook. Be on the lookout for an announcement about the exam’s updated format in the weeks ahead.
NCARB's New Vendor
As we look to the future of licensure and the continued evolution of our programs, NCARB will switch to a new test administration vendor, PSI, in summer 2021. PSI offers both in-person and online proctored exam appointments. More information around the migration to PSI will be available early next year.
If you have questions about online proctoring, post them within the newly created online proctoring discussion area.
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Why is NCARB removing the use of scratch paper during the exam? It doesn't make any sense. I understand that for the online proctored exam is valid, but why change the in-person process too?. We have real math problem, a lot of information from the case studies, diagrams etc. I can't imagine taking the exam without having a paper to sketch or resolve problems. The exam program is already slow, how this digital note-taking option is not going to slow it down even more?.
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Unless I get something like an iPad and Apple Pencil, taking the exam without actual scratch paper will be difficult. It's not just about the math--we need the paper to draw and sketch stuff out! This will be near impossible on a computer, and/or will likely be a time consuming process.
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NCARB, I am really disappointed with your decision that people testing in-person will not have scratch paper. Architects are visual people and drawing diagrams and doing math by hand is part of who we are. This is making the overall process so much more difficult. Please reconsider this!! If someone chooses to test online, they choose to forego the scratch paper, but if you test in-person you should get paper.
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I need a pencil. I need to sketch, write and do calc's on paper - in the office, we still use paper and note books to work out problems / thoughts.
Additionally - I was reworking my next exam strategy based on my previous exam experience - in which the exam summary did not function properly and others who experienced this issue suggested I write down my list "incomplete" or "marked" questions on the scratch paper just in case the exam summary fails me again.
I had other exam issues like reference docs not opening.
But I have an exam scheduled and the lack of scratch paper is a problem for me for several reasons.
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Richard,
I agree that for the remote proctor testing the scratch paper shouldn't be allowed. But I don't see the reason for it to be removed from the in-person. The testing centers have all the protocols and security regarding scratch paper. In term of making the exams the same, that's not the message NCARB is saying: "...The launch of the whiteboard is being tied to the online proctoring launch but does not mean it is being done only to support online delivery. Physical scratch paper is an exam liability that is being eliminated..." What liability?...and even if it is, you will have the choice to take it at home or at a physical testing center. The exam software is slow as it is, do you think a white board will make it any faster, do you know how long it takes to load the case studies and reference materials? and now to handle the notes we take too. I'm sorry but I think this is a step backward. They should first fix the software.
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Nick,
Can you please explain how having physical scratch paper on the testing center is a liability, if you have to hand them in when you get out of the exam?. This doesn't makes sense. Look a the passing rate of PPD, if this exam didn't have enough integrity do you think it will 42%?.
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Does this mean if you already have an exam scheduled in November, will we get the opportunity to select an online exam? Or will we need to cancel and reschedule to select the "online proctoring option"? Please advise how this process will go if you already have an exam scheduled and would like to change to this new method instead.
Thanks,
Michele
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I do not plan on taking the online version because I had enough issues with the in-person version of 5.0. I can't imagine how I would navigate the same exam issues online with no human witnesses. Especially if the online proctor is Artificial Intelligence (AI). I have heard nightmare stories of online test takers being kicked off a test due to online proctoring issues! Maybe no scratch paper could be a part of the online test experience only?
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Nick
Thanks for your clarification.
This is a huge mistake. I can't tell you how useful the paper is and how many ways I have used it. We do this in our daily work lives all the time. Think of working out a section detail... A question gives you various floor elevations, mechanical system spaces, ramped floor areas.... And asks for a floor elevation on the fifth floor ... For example. Something like this HAS to be drawn... And accurately and quickly. Haven taken almost all the divisions now, there are so many questions that necessitate making drawings or diagrams, I can't comprehend how this could be done with a MOUSE-driven drawing tool.
Additionally, we all have our own way of organizing our thoughts and we relate very specifically to how we do this. We may make certain diagrams or thoughts or write out "rules", etc, in a manner with which we are personally comfortable. This has to be done in a rapid and precise manner for it to be effective within a timed exam format.This amateurish software effort is very similar to the 4.0 vignette "CAD"... where the main goal of the vignette was to see if you could cope with the crude and frustrating software to perform the most rudimentary architectural task.
It seems sometimes that NCARB is almost intentionally punishing us on an already difficult exam and making obstacles which have nothing to do with architectural practice or knowledge.
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Hey Michele,
When online proctoring launches on November 16th, candidates will have the ability to reschedule an exam from in-person to an online proctored experience, so the answer is yes. There is no rescheduling within 4 business days of an exam date, so make sure your exam is scheduled for later in November or December if you plan to switch it to online proctoring.
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Like David, currently I would have to drive an hour and a half to two hours (normal road conditions) to the nearest Test Center. I will be able to take the ARE exam online similarly to how I can take the AIBD's CPBD certification exam which will already be requiring many of the things about setting up the room. My desktop that I'll be using will have far above the minimum specs required for an online proctoring software.
I look forward to the new handbook and other updated information.
PS: Hello Gang Chen. I remember you from another forum years ago. I have been authorized for testing through state of Washington. I still have other requirements to be completed for licensure.
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Nick,
Remote proctoring is amazing. I also think some people might still prefer to deal with the familiar format they have already seen in the test center. But I understand after the launch of the online version the "in-person" version will also change accordingly and the test in the current (today) format will not be available anymore?
Also, I understand people would be able to test even from abroad, in any location that they can make compliant?
Thank you,
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Hey Artem,
You are correct, both the in-person exam and online proctored versions will be the same. Beginning November 16th, candidates will no longer be able to take the current format that is in test centers. One thing the remember, the delivery updates being planned are very minor and nothing to be overly concerned about. The divisional sections (including percentages) and objectives listed within the ARE Handbook, as well as the case studies, are not changing. The exam will look and feel very similar to what candidates see today with a few differences. These changes will not be like what candidates experienced when switching from ARE 4.0 to 5.0.
Regarding international delivery of the ARE, online proctoring will allow candidates to test globally as long as their computer, internet speed, and testing space meet the technical specifications for delivery. There will no longer be a need for candidates around the globe to travel to an international Prometric site.
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NCARB posted a new blog today with information regarding the Online Proctoring:
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