The ARE 5.0: What you need to know.

OK- the cat is out of the bag. ARE 5.0 is approaching. NCARB is claiming this will adhere more closely to the commonly defined activities of an architect. This will not be a few bandaid fixes. The whole exam system will be completely revamped similar to the 3.1 to 4.0 transition. Here is a rundown of the basics according to NCARB: 

Time frame- 5.0 will launch in fall/winter of 2016. This gives plenty of time for those seeking to finish their exams under 4.0. They will continue delivering the current version until June of 2018. That's 3.5 years! The average time is 2 years to complete the AREs. This is more than enough for those of you just starting out or already in the middle of them. 

Content- 5.0 will have six sections as compared to the seven sections in 4.0. As mentioned above these are an attempt at aligning more closely with how architecture is in reality. The sections are: Practice Management, Project Management, Programming & Analysis, Project Planning & Design, Project Development & Documentation and Construction & Evaluation. These names will become synonymous with the AREs as we get closer to the 5.0 release.

Graphics and software- the graphic vignettes and software will be overhauled. Yes this means that horribly inaccurate prehistoric software will be no more. Hopefully they have a more user friendly version which won't hinder candidates purely due to program peculiarities. I am looking forward to how the user interface will be. 

Cost- it appears NCARB has not released the cost just yet. If I were to guess, I'd say it will cost more that the current $210. So expect it. 

There you have it! Check out the NCARB website for more information on the 5.0. Here are a few links to important info on 5.0: 

FAQs

Test Specs

Credit Model

Transition Plan

Timeline 

The Divisions

News brief 

By 

Jared W. Smith, R.A. 

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