Getting Started with ARE Prep – Looking for Advice
I’m just getting started with my ARE prep and would love some guidance from those who’ve been through it. I’m looking for advice on the best way to study, which exams you’d recommend starting with, and any resources or strategies that worked well for you. Any tips, lessons learned, or things you wish you knew at the beginning would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Here is my Amber Book and general ARE experience FWIW:
I had a very good experience with Amber Book, and I believe working through it comprehensively from start to finish is the only effective way to use it. Watch all the videos in order, take detailed notes, follow the links, and try to stick to the schedule they provide. Review your notes often. The Amber Book flashcards are incredibly helpful, though time-consuming.
It took me over four months just to get through the content. After that, I scheduled all of my exams about 2–3 weeks apart, which gave me enough time to review notes, go through flashcards, and take mini breaks between tests. I also work full-time. I completed ARE process with studying in nine months start to finish (with two fails and a couple of breaks). Testing in close succession is really where Amber Book pays off from my experience. My testing order: PCM, PM, CE, PA, PPD, PDD
In addition to AB, I used the NCARB practice tests, AIA contract documents (this is a must), and select YouTube videos (Archicorner on certain topics) as supplemental material. Keep in mind that not all exam terminology matches exactly what you study; quick Google searches on key topics can help expand your ARE and professional vocabulary. I'd say the supplemental material was about 5% of my study time.
For me, these exams were largely about quick identification, broad subject knowledge, and eliminating options to get to the most reasonable answer—while staying clear-headed. I preferred testing at home, using the same keyboard, mouse, and environment I studied in for a home-court advantage. While testing at home has its issues, this is a gift from NCARB.
One thing I learned during test-taking: no matter what happens during the exam, do not give up. Stay calm and answer every question, even if you’re guessing. I would also skim the answers first before reading the question.
If I were to do it again, I try to take a step back, stress less, and try to enjoy the study process. Having the license is great, but you are ultimately studying to become a better architect. Take the time to go on off-topic study tangents to learn more. If you become bitter during the process, it will become miserable.
Lastly, there are a lot of good comprehensive study materials out there. I happen to choose Amber Book for the take-all-exams-together strategy. Whatever one you end up going with, use all of the resources they provide, take detailed notes, and try to abide by their testing / study schedule.
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Thank you battjes2006 for sharing your experience. This is super helpful, love your tips on using Amber Book thoroughly, spacing exams 2–3 weeks apart, and supplementing with NCARB practice tests and AIA docs. I also appreciate the mindset advice. Out of curiosity, did you find any of the exams significantly harder than the others, and would you recommend adjusting study time or approach for certain sections?
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I think the difficulty levels of the exams are personally dependent based on experience and standardized testing capability. NCARB shares the pass rates here (https://www.ncarb.org/pass-the-are/pass-rates) If you use AB, just follow the instructions and go all in on it. Adjusting study time is also dependent on your real world experience. Once you get going through the material you will know your weak points and what to focus on. Without getting into specifics of the exams, some are more text heavy and reading comprehension than others. I found those to be most difficult.
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battjes2006, thank you for sharing, these area great tips, and very helpful. kchoochew, thanks for your interest - please email me and we can chat more: manasi.bk@gmail.com
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