How to successfully study and take your first Architecture Registration Examination.
(or any test for that matter)
When I was in the process of doing my AXP (previously know as intern development program or IDP) and A.R.E. (architect registration examination), I've always had this question in my head, "Why aren't people talking about the registration process of being an Architect compared to other fields?". When I was a kid, I've heard people talk about doctors, nurses and lawyers having a big exam before getting called a “professional”. I never heard people talk about how hard it is to be an architect! I guess that's one of the problems architects face; not many people know what we have to go through and how long and painful the process is. I believe this results to a lack of appreciation of the services our profession provides.
First of all, other than having to study and get a degree in Architecture (for me it was 5 years for a Bachelor's degree) you need an additional 3,740 of IDP hours (thanks to the recent changes it went down from 5,600 hours) plus you need to take 6 exams! Imagine that! Countless of hours sitting down in a room with a computer right in front of you. I don't know about you, but that's a pain in the butt! Both literally and figuratively! Which is why I think that talking about the process is not only good for you, but it's necessary to educate people around us. Right?
Now that I got that out of my chest, we can answer the question:
"HOW DO I START?"
You’re in the right place! Make sure to keep reading and I have a BONUS TIP at the end of the list.
1. Contact your licensing advisor.
When I started, I had to search and go through NCARB's website and other blogs just to know and see what my first step should be, but some of the information I found was not really clear enough or did not really fit my situation. I don't know about you but I like talking to people instead of reading generic stuff online, so what I did first was I reached out to my local licensing advisor and asked about my particular situation.
2. Start your NCARB Record and request for early eligibility to take the ARE.
Establishing your NCARB Record is one of the most important thing you can do as early as possible. Log those hours!!! After establishing your NCARB Record and logging in your IDP hours, you need to request for early eligibility to be able to sit and take the ARE. Each state has a different requirement so you check NCARB's website or contact your state licensing board.
3. Have a game plan.
This seems obvious but a lot of people don’t actually do this. Research on the different exams and their coverage to see which exam lines up more with your current experience. Not only that, have a game plan on what you need to study for that day, week or month and relate that to the coverage of the test. I’ll touch more on this on step 6. There is a FB Group called the “The ARE Facebook Group” that you should definitely be a part of.
4. Every step is important! No matter how little.
After I decided on what test I wanted to take first, I made baby steps.
I started ordering books and materials online
I started printing study guides and notes that I found online
I started buying binders, notebooks, index cards and other things I would need to study.
I borrowed some books from my local AIA Chapter. Make sure you contact your local AIA chapter and library and see what materials they have. (The licensure process is not cheap. If I could save a couple of bucks here and there I'll take it!)
Try to do as many little things as you can now, so that you won't have to think of it later.
5. Find someone who would keep you accountable (REALLY IMPORTANT!)
The fact that the ARE is a self-study exam, it's hard to start! There's no deadline, and you schedule the exam when you want to. Say you're able to study today, what stops you from not studying and instead go to that party that your friends are talking about tomorrow? I'm not saying you can't go to any social event because I know I did, but you need to be able to say "no" just to stick to your study schedule? It's a matter of self discipline. You're biggest enemy is yourself!
Some states have study groups and seminars for ARE candidates but unfortunately, there's none here in Anchorage. I had to search online and look for a study group. Luckily enough, I found Michael Riscica (Young Architect). This was back when he first started to conduct an ARE Boot Camp for CDS (yup, we’re OG) and I signed up for it. For 10 weeks, we would "meet" online (video call) and ask questions or discuss anything we want about what we learned and help each other. Not only did it help put in the hours I need, but I also made friends which is always a plus! His boot camp was awesome!
Also, since most of my friends were college students, I would study with them at a coffee shop or a friend's house and it helped me get into the "mood" of studying. It was effective! Even though we were not studying the same thing we held each other accountable. Be careful though! Sometimes, study time turns into lets-just-talk-and-study-later time. Hmm now that I think about it, we did talk a lot more than study, but still it helped me GET STARTED! Like I said, BABY STEPS! You can ask your family, firiends, girlfriend/boyfriend, husband/wife to help you be accountable!
One more thing, you can call your licensing advisor again and ask if he/she knows anyone studying for the same division as you.
6. Study Log
I'm a very graphic guy and seeing things helps me remember stuff. It's a good way for me to set goals and remind myself of what I need to do. What I did was I listed down which chapters I needed to finish for a certain day and tick them off as soon as I accomplish it. At first, I would start with a single chapter then progress from there. If a chapter is too much for you to start, you can read for 30 minutes or an hour. I made sure to set a realistic goal for the first 2 weeks to get that momentum and sense of "winning". Then, I started to challenge myself with more chapters the following weeks. By doing so, the seemingly big and impossible task of studying for the ARE doesn't seem so big and impossible anymore now that you're digesting it in smaller pieces.
One of the things I learned from Mike’s (Young Architect) boot camp was the usage of a study log. I would write the number of hours I studies that day whether it’s .25 or 2 hours. It helped me see how much progress I’ve made. You can also see from the image how I would write the chapters/topic I need to study that day and I would change the font color to green to indicate I did it. Again, it reinforces the sense of accomplishment.
I blurred some the topics on the right side of the screen to make sure I don’t reveal specific information that may or may not be on the test.
I created a study log that is not only visually appealing but would help you stay on track! If you need tips on how to use it feel free to shoot me an email.
7. Don't be afraid to commit!
Personally, I scheduled my exam after 4-6 weeks in advance. I know that might be too much for some but if you are studying for your first exam, you might want to take as much time as you need.
No matter what you decide on doing; read the study guide, scan through the materials and other resources you have. Then, gauge roughly how much time you'll need to study. Don't forget to factor in life when scheduling your exam. (Family, work schedule, social events etc.)
For the reasons stated in no.5, you have to schedule your exam!
Some people schedule it before studying, some people schedule it while studying. I don't care! But please, schedule it as soon as possible. I remember after scheduling my exam, my mind just shifted from "I'm taking this exam MAYBE next month" to " CRAP! I'M TAKING THIS EXAM NEXT MONTH!" There's a big difference. It makes you want to study! (or it forces you to study). Just knowing there's a date makes you know that it's real and it's gonna happen!
8. Charge!
Once you have the momentum, don't stop! Keep studying! There would be days that I scheduled as "rest day" and actually not rest because I WANTED to study. Yes, it's gonna happen.
Get into the details and start answering practice questions. I found that it's a good way for me to find and know me strengths and weaknesses. It's the most effective way for me to study. I took as much practice questions/exams as I can and I would take note of the ones I answered wrong and researched more about it.
9. Book, books, and more books!
If you want to pass, you have to use multiple books and references. You're going to find something in one book that you can't find in elsewhere. Try to read as much as you can. There are a lot of good materials out there and you can even find some videos on Youtube. People have made playlist for specific exams. The best part about that is it’s FREE!
I cannot make this list without saying that I loved using Amber Book! (https://amber-book.com). It helped me a lot when I took PPD and PDD. Michael Ermann’s voice sound so soothing. He has a gift of breaking down complex topics into digestible information.
10. Enjoy and Relax
A couple of days before the exam day, I tend to start feeling nervous. Usually my instincts would tell me to study more, but when I did study, I would get more stressed. I would mess up answering practice questions. After my first test, I realized that and since then I made a decision and told myself that I'm not going to study anymore a day or two before the exam. I knew that at that point I've put in 80+ hours of studying and that taking a break would help me more. So I would go and see a movie, hang out with friends, eat good food and really just enjoy. I would reward myself for studying. That's just me though. I know some of you would still study until the last minute, but please don't beat yourself up. I would try to just get something that's a light read (your personal notes, flashcards, notes of other people online etc.) You have spent hours, days and weeks to study. Trust yourself!
Bonus tip!
I loved studying at coffee shops. It made me feel like I wasn’t doing this by myself. I would often run into friends who are studying for college or their own exams and it was awesome. That also created a sense of accountability. The problem with coffee shops though is that it tends to be noisy. What helped me study in that kind of environment was BOSE Quiet Comfort 35. Not only was this good for studying in public places, they are extremely amazing when travelling!
I know I can't guarantee a pass, but I can guarantee that by doing these tips you'll be able to start! Remember, you won't pass if you don't start!
I would like to hear some strategies you have in taking a test in the comment section!