ARE 5.0 Exam

Six Division Exams Designed to Test Your Knowledge of the Practice of Architecture

Explore Exam Prep Options: Choose Your ARE Division

PPI exam bundles provide everything you need to pass each division of the ARE 5.0 Exam. Divisional exams can be taken in any order to obtain ARE 5.0 licensure. Pick your division below to choose an industry-leading exam prep bundle.

Practice Management (PcM)

Project Management (PjM)

Programming & Analysis (P&A)

Project Planning & Design (PP&D)

Project Development & Documentation (PD&D)

Construction & Evaluation (C&E)

About the ARE 5.0 Exam

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What Makes PPI Exam Prep Different?

PPI Learning Hub: The Learning Hub is more than an eLearning platform—it is a time-tested program that guides examinees through their exam prep from start to finish. 

ARE Learning Hub

ARE 5.0 Free Resources

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What Our Customers Say

ARE Customer
“I love the subscription."
Wadiah
“I passed my Project Management Exam. On the first attempt! Pretty much the only study resource I used was PPI2Pass. Thank you!”
ARE Customer
“The practice exams where very useful. They are similar to the ARE test format but some key aspects vary.”
ARE Customer
“Used the online month to month subscription to study for the ARE. I found the study guide tool very helpful for creating a structured study schedule.”
ARE Customer
“The ARE practice exam questions/quiz questions and explanations are great. PPI2Pass is worth the money and it's resources certainly help you identify your strengths and areas of weakness.”
ARE Customer
“Questions on quizzes were exactly what I needed to make me think a little deeper and a little harder, exactly what NCARB wants you to do on the exams.”
ARE Customer
“I've appreciated using PPI to prepare for my exams. I am happy that as I am going through the exam, I can contribute by leaving feedback on the questions.”
ARE Customer
“I have used PPI Learning Hub for all of my exams so far (3 total), and it has been an excellent part of my study routine and I have recommended it to several people. I love that I can access the flashcards and practice quizzes and exams on my phone so I can study anywhere. I also enjoy having a method of studying that is computer based (vs. books) since it is similar to the exam.”
ARE Customer
“The question bank is great - I've passed my tests so far by getting familiar with the content provided.”
ARE Customer
“I thought the platform was great for what I needed it for.”
ARE Customer
"I think the variety of material covered in all of the questions and flashcards are great and a great addition to my studying.”
ARE Customer
“PPI is a very useful studying tool! The way that it's broken down really helps one focus on their studies!”
ARE Customer
“I like the site and I will recommend it to anyone I know."
ARE Customer
“I love the subscription."
Wadiah
“I passed my Project Management Exam. On the first attempt! Pretty much the only study resource I used was PPI2Pass. Thank you!”

FAQs for the ARE Exam

ARE 5.0 is a computer-based test and has content divided into six divisions that may be taken in any order. They are: 
  • Practice Management (80 items, 2 hours and 45 minutes test duration)
  • Project Management (90 items, 3 hours and 15 minutes test duration)
  • Programming & Analysis (95 items, 3 hours and 15 minutes test duration) 
  • Project Planning & Design (120 items, 4 hours and 15 minutes test duration)
  • Project Development & Documentation (120 items, 4 hours and 15 minutes test duration) 
  • Construction & Evaluation (95 items, 3 hours and 15 minutes test duration) 
 
For more information, you can visit the ncarb.org.
All six divisional exams must be completed within a 5-year period, which begins on the date of the first division passed. According to NCARB, the average time frame to complete all six exams in 2018 was 2.2 years.
  • Practice Management: 51%
  • Project Management: 62% 
  • Programming & Analysis: 53% 
  • Project Planning & Design: 46% 
  • Project Development & Documentation: 53% 
  • Construction & Evaluation: 70%
The Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) is a multi-division exam used to assess your knowledge and skills regarding the practice of architecture. The current version of the exam, ARE 5.0, is developed by NCARB and features six divisions. Completing the ARE 5.0 exam by passing all six divisions is required by all US jurisdictions as a key step on the path to earning a license. The division exams can be taken in any order but must be taken and passed within a five-year period in order to qualify for architecture licensure.  

ARE 5.0 has a mixture of item types. There is not a set percentage of any one type of item type on an exam. Here are the item types found on the ARE 5.0:

  • Multiple Choice
  • Check-All-That-Apply
  • Hotspot
  • Drag-and-Place
  • Quantitative Fill-in-the-Blank
  • Case Study
The tests are administered at Prometric test centers and must be scheduled three days in advance. 

In addition to testing, there are other education and work experience requirements that must be fulfilled to earn a license. For more information on additional requirements, exam policies, and eligibility, please visit the NCARB website.

There are five different item types utilized during each ARE 5.0 exam division. Here are the item types:

  • Multiple Choice
  • Check-All-That-Apply
  • Hotspot
  • Drag-and-Place
  • Quantitative Fill-in-the-Blank
To better assess your skills and abilities, each exam division contains two Case Studies. A Case Study presents a scenario that represents an architecture project and includes supporting resources. Using the information provided, you'll be asked to answer questions related to the scenario.

View More ARE FAQs

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