September 11, 2012 INTRO TO THE ARE
Presented by AIA-Pittsburgh’s Young Architects’ Forum YAF’s Mission Statement: To support and encourage young professionals in the field of architecture to obtain their license, become more involved in career development opportunities, and engage allied professionals through collaboration. We continually seek out new and fresh ideas and the energy and resources to implement them, and have fun doing it.
Agenda � 5:30 Introduction/ Exam Overview � 5:45 Multiple Choice � 6:00 Graphic Vignettes � 6:15 The Seven Divisions � 7:30 Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions � “Which one do I take first?” � “What should I use to study from?” � “These ARE Review Sessions are great and all, but why don’t you tell us what’s actually ON the exam…??”
Confidentiality Agreement (updated 1 July 2010) Beginning 1 July 2010, Prometric test centers will be using a new Confidentiality Agreement acceptance procedure for all divisions of the ARE. By taking divisions of the ARE, candidates are personally responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all information relating to the exam. They may not discuss exam content in any manner with anyone, including but not limited to family, friends, other examinees, and test preparation providers. This agreement also covers internet chat rooms, mailing list servers, web sites, etc. Any disclosure of ARE content is strictly prohibited and may result in severe disciplinary action, including the suspension of testing privileges, and/or the cancellation of scores. Candidates choosing to decline the Confidentiality Agreement will have their exam session terminated before being exposed to any exam content. The exam fee for the division WILL NOT be refunded if a candidate chooses to decline the agreement and end his or her exam.
The Rolling Clock (effective January 1, 2006) Candidates must pass all divisions within five years. The five-year period shall commence on the date when the first passed division is administered.
Authorization to Test Change (effective 1 January 2011) As of 1 January 2011, exam candidates must take a division of the ARE (pass or fail) once every five years to keep their Authorization to Test (ATT) valid. This includes the five-year period prior to 1 January 2011. Authorization will not become inactive if the applicant tests and fails; it will only become inactive if the applicant does not take at least one division every five years. Candidates whose authorizations have become inactive will need to establish new eligibilities under the then current procedures of their registration boards.
Exam Structure � Seven distinct divisions � Multiple choice/ fill-in-the-blank � Mandatory Break � Graphic vignette(s) � Can be taken at any time, and in any order � Administered through Prometric testing centers � Monroeville � North Hills (McKnight Road) � Cost per division - $210 � Grand total - $1,470 for all seven divisions � Roughly a four week waiting period for results
Prometric’s website
Retesting � There is a mandatory six-month waiting period between failed divisions. � If you fail a division, you will be sent a new Authorization to Test approximately two months before the start date of your new eligibility period for that division. � “If you fail a division, it is important to spend the time between test administrations gaining additional knowledge, skills, and abilities in the appropriate areas of practice.” � The exam is not meant to be a teaching tool. � The waiting period helps to protect the security of the exam.
What’s holding you back!? � Schedule your appointment � $35 fee for switching date 24 hrs prior � Take them frequently � 3 -4 weeks in-between keeps overlapping content fresh! � Be a better architect � Validate all that money you spent on school � Learn more about what you’re doing day to day � Experience can only take you so far � Licensure is recognized as the most valuable credential the profession has to offer
Things to consider… � Best time to take an exam � Figure out what works for you � Morning, Afternoon, Evening � Weekday or Weekend � Know your office policy � Compensation for taking exams � Time off for taking exams � Get the support you need!
MULTIPLE CHOICE
The Testing Software
The Review Screen
Sample Question � The planning phase of a sustainably designed architectural project should include which of the following elements? Native landscaping that is aesthetically pleasing and functional; I. Designing structures in the floodplain that can resist the forces II. of flood waters; Consideration of sun orientation, topographic relief, and the III. scale of adjacent buildings; Locating projects within existing neighborhoods that are IV. adjacent to public transportation. A. I and II B. I and III C. I, III, and IV D. All of the above
Sample Question � Which of the following factors are to be considered in determining the allowable area of a building? Occupancy I. Type of construction II. %age of building frontage accessible to a public way or open III. space Automatic sprinkler system IV. Number of stories in the building V. A. I , II, and IV B. I, II, III, and IV C. I, II, IV, and V D. I, II, III, IV, and V
GRAPHIC VIGNETTES
The Testing Software � “Generic interface,” intended to be equally unfamiliar to all exam candidates � Complex program with a simple purpose – inputting a design solution to a given set of parameters � “Rubber stamp” mentality � Practice makes perfect!!
The Testing Software
The Testing Software
Tools and Commands
Scoring � Pass/ Fail � Exam is scored ELECTRONICALLY � Quantities of items � Square footages of spaces � Distances between objects � Completeness of tasks � There is NO SUCH THING as a “Fatal Flaw!” � Just as no single trick exists to pass the exam, no single mistake will cause you to fail
Compatibility issues…
…and a work-around… If your computer runs on a 64 bit operating system, you still can practice the program… all you are missing is the “Program” page. Find the “Program” in the NCARB exam guide…
RESOURCES
ARE Forum www.areforum.org � Online database and discussion site for exam candidates � Users can organize/ sort posts by number of views and replies � Alternative problems (and solutions) available for the graphic vignettes � Allows for more preparation than the problems/ solutions available on NCARB.org � Caveat Emptor (buyer beware)…! � Not sanctioned or endorsed by NCARB � All content is user-defined… most is helpful, some is not
AREndurance http://arendurance.wordpress.com/study-guides/ ARE Study Review 4.0 http://are-review.blogspot.com/ Niblet’s Notes http://niblets-notes.blogspot.com/
NALSA www.nalsa.com � Study tools and guides available for purchase � Alternative problems (and solutions) available for the graphic vignettes � “AREvaluations” (reviews of solutions to practice vignettes) can be purchased � Norman Dorf’s materials � Solutions guidebook � Insight online video courses
Kaplan Study Materials � Most common Resources available � Most offices seem to have a full set available for use � Lending library available through the AIA-PGH office Ballast Study Materials � Excellent supplement (or alternative) to the Kaplan guides � Two volumes – Review Manual and Questions � Lending library available through the AIA-PGH office PrepARE online courses � “Live, online, and self-paced review workshops” for the Structural Systems exam � $415 for four sessions
ArchiFlash cards � Excellent study material � Flip through cards on the bus, in front of the TV, etc � Remove cards from the pile as you master the concept… watch the pile get smaller! ArchiFlash iPhone app � “21 st century version” of the flash cards � $150 download
ARE Study Groups � Small, informal groups of candidates that are studying for the same division � Contact any of the YAF officers if interested in starting or joining a Study Group for any of the exam divisions
AIA-PGH YAF’s ARE Review Series � Construction Documents and Services � September 18 Quintin Kittle, qkArchitecture � Programming Planning and Practice � October 16 Dan Rothschild/ Melanie Buzgan Dower, RDC � Site Planning and Design � November 13 Nancy Lonnett Roman, Pashek Design Associates � Structural Systems - January � Building Systems – February/ March � Building Design and Construction Systems - April � Schematic Design - May
QUESTIONS?
THE SEVEN DIVISIONS
Suggested Sequence � Construction Documents and Services � Programming Planning and Practice � Site Planning and Design � Structural Systems � Building Systems � Building Design and Construction Systems � Schematic Design
Alternative Sequence � Building Design and Construction Systems � Structural Systems � Building Systems � Schematic Design � Construction Documents and Services � Programming Planning and Practice � Site Planning and Design
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND SERVICES (CDS)
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