ARE Exam

The Architect Registration Examination, commonly known as the ARE, is a challenging assessment for prospective architects. The exam has seven divisions: programming, planning, and practice; site planning and design; building design and construction systems; schematic design; structural systems; building systems; and construction documents and services.

The programming, planning, and practice division of the ARE consists of 85 multiple-choice questions and one graphic vignette. It covers the following topics: programming and analysis; environmental, social, and economic issues; codes and regulations; and project and practice management. The graphic vignette used in the programming, planning, and practice section relates to site zoning. The site planning and design division of the ARE consists of 65 multiple-choice questions and two graphic vignettes. The following topics are covered in this division: principles, environmental issues, codes and regulations, materials and technology, and project and practice management. The vignettes in this section relate to site grading and site design. The building design and construction systems division of the ARE consists of 85 multiple-choice questions and three graphic vignettes. The topics covered in this section include basic principles; environmental issues; codes and regulations; materials and technology (masonry, metals, wood, concrete, specialties, and other); and project and practice management. The vignettes for the building design and construction systems division relate to accessibility/ramp, stair design, and roof plan. The ARE was developed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.