After four years of development, the latest version of the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), ARE 5.0, launched on November 1, 2016. The updated exam incorporates new testing technologies and features six divisions that align with current practice and the progression of an architecture project. ARE 5.0 was developed with the help of practicing architects who volunteer their time and expertise, and reviewed by experts who ensure the exam is fair, reliable, and meets national testing standards.
Developed and administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the ARE assesses the knowledge and skills of all candidates seeking a license to practice architecture in the United States. NCARB periodically updates the exam to ensure it continues to reflect the demands of professional practice.
Aligning to Current Practice
To adapt to changes in the profession, ARE 5.0 content has been restructured into six divisions organized around architectural practice and the progression of a typical project. The new divisions also align with the experience areas of the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®), helping candidates connect their practical experience to exam topics and making the licensure process smoother and easier to understand. ARE 5.0 test durations are substantially shorter than ARE 4.0—ranging from three and a half to five hours and reducing total seat time by eight hours.
In addition, ARE 5.0 features the latest graphic testing methods, replacing vignettes with two new question types: hot spots and drag-and-place. ARE 5.0 also includes case studies, which provide candidates with multiple pieces of information and require them to assess and solve the types of problems architects face on a daily basis.
Preparing Candidates for ARE 5.0
Candidates looking for insight into the new exam have access to several free study tools developed by NCARB. These include the ARE 5.0 Handbook, the ARE 5.0 Guidelines, the ARE 5.0 Community, the ARE 5.0 Demonstration Exam, and the ARE 5.0 Test Prep video series. In addition, as an incentive to take the new exam, the first 600 candidates to test on each division will receive a $100 gift card.
NCARB will continue to administer ARE 4.0 until June 30, 2018. This 20-month period of dual delivery will enable current candidates to finish the exam in a way that best suits their needs.
For more information about ARE 5.0 visit www.ncarb.org/ARE5.
Related Stories
| Jun 2, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: How maker culture is transforming Sasaki’s design practice
Sasaki’s Pablo Savid-Buteler and Brad Prestbo talk about how the firm’s maker initiatives are changing the way Sasaki goes to market, and how they are helping the firm win new business.
| May 30, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: The ROI of innovation culture, Russ Sykes, SmithGroupJJR
Russ Sykes discusses SmithGroupJJR’s ongoing journey to create a firm culture that ignites innovation and propels change across all levels of the organization.
| May 30, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Finding the money for your clients' projects, Paul Westlake, Jr., DLR Group|WRL
Architect Paul Westlake, Jr., shares his methods for adding value to projects through creative financing.
| May 30, 2017
Accelerate Live! talk: Health-generating buildings, Marcene Kinney, Angela Mazzi, GBBN Architects
Architects Marcene Kinney and Angela Mazzi share design hacks pinpointing specific aspects of the built environment that affect behavior, well-being, and performance.
![Sun, sky brightness, and glow: Making the most of daylight [AIA course]](/sites/default/files/styles/list_big/public/datylight.jpg?itok=akEDpIQ8 "Sun, sky brightness, and glow: Making the most of daylight [AIA course]")
Daylighting | May 30, 2017
Sun, sky brightness, and glow: Making the most of daylight [AIA course]
To some project teams, “daylighting” means using glass area to admit direct sunlight, period.
![Security begins when you close the door [AIA course]](/sites/default/files/styles/list_big/public/security.jpg?itok=NVwecLpz "Security begins when you close the door [AIA course]")
Security/Fire Protection | May 30, 2017
Security begins when you close the door [AIA course]
Selecting door and window systems for any building project demands a complete articulation of safety and security concerns.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Industry Groups move toward Unified Green Building Model Code in 2018
The effort involves combining ASHRAE's Standard 189.1 with the International Green Construction Code.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Florida preparing to adjust to new building elevation requirements
New floodplain maps and state code changes loom.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Heated debate over whether Calif.’s prevailing wage requirement stymies affordable housing
There’s disagreement around how much pay regulations add to cost of projects.
Reconstruction & Renovation | May 30, 2017
Achieving deep energy retrofits in historic and modern-era buildings [AIA course]
Success in retrofit projects requires an entirely different mindset than in new construction, writes Randolph Croxton, FAIA, LEED AP, President of Croxton Collaborative Architects.
