January 2025 Newsletter
LET’S TALK ABOUT RESOURCES!
Happy New Year, ARE candidates! 🎉
I hope you were able to recharge over the holidays—whether that meant taking a well-earned break, sneaking in some study time, or even knocking out an exam. As we kick off the new year, it’s the perfect moment to refocus, set your sights on your goals, and make progress toward that license. Let’s use this fresh start to bring some renewed energy into the process and make 2025 the year you crush it!
This month I want to go over a few resources that have been reported to me to be unknown or underutilized by ARE candidates. I hope this list of resources help you tackle the ARE with confidence.
First, A Shameless Plug…
Since becoming an Architect Licensing Advisor I’ve been writing articles for the Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners’ (LSBAE) newsletter, Louisiana Architect. I’m happy to share the latest release with all of you! This is a great way to stay updated on the practice of architecture in Louisiana.
You can find all the other articles I’ve written for Louisiana Architect on my website!
THE ARE 5.0 REFERENCE MATRIX
Many candidates struggle getting started with testing because they don’t know where to begin. What books do you use? and for which exam? NCARB has created a reference matrix.
This matrix lists over 40 different architectural references used to author ARE items. Next to each of these references, you will be able to see which ARE divisions contain items that commonly cite material from a given reference.
This is the perfect starting place! You will find the ARE 5.0 Reference Matrix in the ARE 5.0 Guidelines.
AIA LOUISIANA DIGITAL LIBRARY
The digital library is a custom digital collection of eBooks that allows AIA members, including associate members, to borrow digital content anytime, anywhere, including NCARB recommended study/resource materials, and a wide variety of Practice Management eBooks. When logging in, please use your AIA membership number as the “card number.”
Popular texts used for studying included in the AIA LA Digital Library:
The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2018 International Building Code
Architectural Graphic Standards
The Architect's Studio Companion: Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design
Heating, Cooling, Lighting: Sustainable Design Strategies Towards Net Zero Architecture
Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods
.
Support From Other Organizations
Are you a member of other industry affiliated organizations? Check to see how they support licensing candidates. For example, NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) offers discounted study resources from Black Spectacles.
NCARB Practice Exams
Candidates increase their chances of passing by 15% by using the NCARB Practice Exams yet its been reported that only 80% of candidates are using this FREE resource.
The practice exams can be taken in two modes:
Test Mode
Replicates an actual exam appointment
Practice Mode
Provides correct response and explanation as you go
You can access the practice exams through your NCARBRecord. Go to the "Exams" tab of your NCARBRecord, then go to "Additional Resources".
Study Groups
Many candidates are interested in joining study groups but don’t know how. The NCARB ARE 5.0 Community is one way that you can find other candidates interested in joining and initiating a virtual study group. Local AIA Chapters often facilitate study groups as well.
Are you interested in starting a study group? Let me know and I’ll help connect youto other candidates, local or virtual, who are also interested.
Motivation Tips
You don’t have to take the exams in the recommended order by NCARB. Do what works for you! NCARB By The Numbers has reported that candidates perform better on exams when they take a division immediately after finishing the related AXP area. Use your work experience to your advantage!
If you’re struggling with confidence after a fail orcomparing yourself to others remember… your licensure holds just as much valueas someone who passed all six divisions in one day (is that even possible?!) Don’t let a set backhold you back!
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© 2024 Lindsy Stewart