ARE® 5.0 Project Development and Documentation Exam Prep Course

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Overview—Grow Your Skills in Architecture

Since 2004, EduMind has been passionate about helping people take their careers to the next level. Our subject matter expert ARE instructors specialize in the topics they teach. They have not only spent many years building up architecture students but also serving their communities as professional architects! A combination of our exclusive learning features and expert instruction will provide what you need to succeed on your Architect Registration Examinations.

Why should you become a licensed architect?

Career Impact

Without an ARE License $58,0004

With an ARE License $82,3205

Salary Difference

Career Imapct Building Icon

Unlicensed architects are typically restrained to work on buildings that are under 3 stories tall. 6

Registered Nurse Career Growth
3%

Growth in Job Listings
(2020 to 2030) 7

Why Choose EduMind’s exam prep course?

Key Course Features

Money-Back Guarantee*.

  • ARE Bundle Options Bundling options available— contact us to learn more about registering for a group of courses
  • ARE Subject Matter Subject matter expert instructors ensure you receive specialized teaching.
  • ARE Workshop Problems Workshop problems allow students to practice the numerical skills needed on exams.
  • ARE Downloadable, Instructor-Provided Course Notes Downloadable, instructor-provided course notes provide concise outline of material.
  • ARE Study Hub Study Hub provides access to innovative learning tools, flash cards, and more!
  • ARE Option Submit Option to submit questions to instructors to clarify concepts or concerns.
  • ARE Course Completion Certificate Course completion certificate to attach in resume.

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Course Options

Ondemand

Course Includes: All Six Division Access + Lecture Videos + Question Bank ($190 value) + Flashcards ($60 value)

Course Includes: All Six Division Access + Lecture Videos + Question Bank ($190 value) + Flashcards ($60 value)  + Questions to Instructor + Money-Back Guarantee

Course Includes: All Six Division Access + Lecture Videos + Question Bank ($190 value) + Flashcards ($60 value) + Questions to Instructor + Money-Back Guarantee

ARE Project Development and Documentation

The Project Development and Documentation division of the ARE 5.0 reviews building system integration, materials and assemblies, and their selection in a project. Additionally, this division evaluates the integration of systems such as structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and civil—as well as specialty systems—into design and documentation.

PDD Content Areas Include:

Integration of Building Materials and Systems - The Integration of Building Materials and Systems area examines the integration of building systems in sizing structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems per project requirements as well as integrating acoustics, communications, fire suppression, conveying systems, lighting, and security, and their detailing and coordination in integration.

Construction Documentation - The Construction Documentation area determines the documentation required for building and site information, details within larger systems, the assembly of a coordinated document set, and how changes affect the process of documentation.

Project Manual and Specifications - The Project Manual and Specifications area identifies the role of the project manual for coordinating specifications with construction documents and examines the particulars of writing and maintaining project manuals and specifications while refining them.

Codes and Regulations - The Codes and Regulations area determines compliance with the International Building Code (IBC) and other regulatory requirements at the detail level.

Construction Cost Estimates - The Construction Cost Estimates area examines the alignment of estimates of construction costs with design.

ARE Project Development and Documentation Features

Our Review Courses for Each Division Feature Refresher and Workshop Sessions:

Refresher Sessions - These prepare students by reviewing topics that are critical for the ARE 5.0. This section will allow students to experience theory and high-probability problems. Approximately 60% of the total class time is spent on refresher sessions.

Workshop Sessions - These allow our students to practice and solve problems that are standalone and require numerical solutions. Approximately 40% of the total class time is spent on workshop sessions. The workshops consist exclusively of solving problems, which is critical for the ARE 5.0.

ARE Project Development and Documentation Material

EduMind will provide each student with several pages of handouts prepared by our instructors as a guide for the review course. This material is available immediately for those taking the Ondemand review course and one week prior to the first class for those taking the Live Online review course.

Each student should have the following publication to use as a reference during the lectures:

ARE 5.0 Handbook
By NCARB
You can download this handbook from the NCARB website by clicking here.

ARE Project Development and Documentation Testimonials

"Edumind had exceed my expectations. I took three different live classes for the Architectural ARE exams with them and I was very impressed on the teacher’s knowledge, the amount of detail on their explanations and the attentiveness to answer our questions. Their material is current, with an easy webpage to navigate. My teacher hand-sketched on the fly to make the classes more didactive and hands on. I have enjoyed every minute of it and as a side note, if want to get back to something that need to be re-visited, the classes are available to watch on demand for a certain time. Thank you again Edumind team for the good work!" -- Ms. Natali Garcia

"EduMind’s ARE review course greatly helped me when I was running low on study time. With the help of the course material I was confident I was directing my limited time towards the best study approach. I was so relieved when I finally passed my tests after taking this course." -- Mr. Wasser

"The review offered by the program helped me a lot with passing the exam. The classes were well organized, and the instructors were knowledgeable and well prepared. I strongly recommend this program." -- Mrs. Mihaylova

"The course was worth every minute I put into it. It helped me focus on essential knowledge for the test." -- Mr. Singleton

"The method and format of the class is excellent! The instructors understand that the people taking this course, in most cases, are working full-time jobs. The material was well organized, and I felt prepared once I completed the course. Thank you!" -- Mr. Wallington

"This class was especially helpful for me since I was eight years out of practice studying. The Ondemand option provided me the flexibility to study when my other responsibilities allowed." -- Mr. Miller

"These courses provided a thorough break down of each topic, that will leave you more than ready for the exam!" -- Mr. Coward

"This course takes a lot of guess work out of preparation. It is a very efficient and thorough way to prepare. The example problems and workshop/practice problems are very similar to what you will experience on the exam." -- Mr. Smith

"Great material for preparing for the test. During test day, I was able to recognize problems and remember how to work through them. Invest time in the classes and doing all the problems." -- Mr. Davis

"The material provided with the course was very helpful, especially the sample problems and solutions." -- Mr. Vincent

ARE Project Development and Documentation FAQs

There are various suggested orders to take the six ARE divisions in, but one popular plan is to take them in the order listed by NCARB: Practice Management, Project Management, Programming & Analysis, Project Planning & Design, Project Development & Documentation, and then Construction & Evaluation.

 

The ARE Project Development & Documentation exam is an exam designed and administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) focusing on the integration and documentation of building systems, material selection, and material assemblies into a project.

Results for the ARE Project Development & Documentation exam are usually processed within one week of the test date. You can also view provisional feedback directly after the exam, but this feedback is not official.

The ARE Project Development & Documentation exam consists of the following item types: multiple choice, check-all-that-apply, quantitative-fill-in-the-blank, hotspot, drag-and-place, and case study.

When considering how much time is necessary to prepare for your ARE exams, you should expect to take three months and/or 50 to 55 hours studying for each division. Study efforts should consist of a combination of the following: rereading review materials, taking practice quizzes and exams, watching course videos, and/or working through practice problems.

There are 100 questions on the ARE Project Development & Documentation exam. It is 5 hours in length including a 30-minute break.

You will be provided a calculator within the ARE software to use during exams. No other calculators are allowed.

The ARE Project Development & Documentation exam 5 hours in length including a 30-minute break.

To pass the ARE Project Development & Documentation exam, examinees must earn a score equal to or greater than the exam’s cut score (the minimum score required to pass).

The pass rate of the ARE Project Development & Documentation exam was 53% in 2021.

To qualify for the ARE Project Development & Documentation exam, you must meet your state board’s education requirement and receive eligibility to test from that board. You can check your jurisdiction’s requirements through NCARB’s licensing requirement tool.

You can retake a failed ARE division as soon as 60 days after your previous test date, but you can only take the same division three times within any twelve-month period.

ARE Project Development and Documentation Instructors

Paul F. Spite Instructor
Paul F. Spite,
Licensed Architect
Keelan Kaiser Licensed Architect ARE 5 Instructor
Keelan Kaiser,
Licensed Architect
ARE 5.0
Maggie Kirk Associate AIA ARE 5 Instructor
Maggie Kirk,
Associate AIA
ARE 5.0
Dr. Phillip Gallegos Arch ARE 5 Instructor
Dr. Phillip Gallegos,
Arch D
ARE 5.0
Dr. Phillip Gallegos Arch ARE 5 Instructor
Anna Koosmann,
Instructor
ARE 5.0

Footnotes

*See refund policy for more information.

Course Formats
ARE 5.0 Division
ARE 5.0 Blogs