Exams Study Tips

Follow
Avatar
ashleyespz

Hey everyone, I’m just starting my exam prep and don’t have a company covering study materials, so I’m trying to make it work with free resources and a few books I can afford. I bought the PPI Exam Review: All Six Divisions book and planned to start with PcM, but I’m realizing that just reading and highlighting isn’t enough for me, I need something more interactive.

I’m thinking about getting either the PPI Mock Exams or the Practice Questions book. Does anyone have a recommendation on which is more helpful? Or if you have other study strategies or resources (especially free or low-cost) that worked for you beyond just reading, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

0

Comments

1 comment

Sort by Date Votes
  • Avatar
    kkgalicinao

    Hi ashleyespz,

    First off - congratulations on getting your ARE journey started! That's the hardest part, and now that you've committed to becoming a licensed architect, your determination is what will keep you going :) 

    It's very important to expand your study approach beyond just passively reading (or listening/watching). Here are some strategies:

    • Active recall: quiz yourself about what you are learning so that you can understand a concept thoroughly beyond its face value.
    • Diversify study materials: in addition to books, rotate in videos, flashcards, quizzes, practice exams, and other practical applications. Consider the study process as a cyclical ecosystem - in that you are learning concepts in a different ways and revisiting appropriate materials as needed.
    • Explain concepts out loud: either to yourself or to a colleague, it's a great way to check your understanding and become more confident in your knowledge. 

    If you're looking for a helpful free study material, check out our ARE Live Podcast. These are monthly sessions featuring mock exams with study strategies and test-taking tips, along with live Q&A answered by a licensed architect. All past episodes are saved in our library and you can filter by division or topic. 

    Here is a great episode to help you get started in your journey:

    ARE Live: How to Pass the ARE 5.0 in 2026

    If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us! Wishing you the best of luck!

    Best,

    Kiara | Black Spectacles | Community

    0
    Comment actions Permalink

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

New post
Powered by Zendesk