If you are on the path to becoming a licensed architect, you may already be aware that the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE) is being updated starting November 1st, 2016.  You may not know that there could be significant benefits in store for you if you adopt a strategic approach to the update from ARE 4.0 to ARE 5.0. You could be among a group of candidates who can take advantage of a special loophole that may save you considerable time and money.

This “loophole strategy” (or Combo Strategy) involves taking a combination of division exams from both exam versions by beginning your testing with three specific divisions from ARE 4.0 and then completing your requirements with two divisions from ARE 5.0. The key to saving time and money is that you will complete just five divisions total, instead of the required seven for ARE 4.0 and six for ARE 5.0. Completing fewer divisions will subsequently save you time and money. But you’ll need to act before November 1st to take advantage of the Combo Strategy.

Save Money

The cost of each division, regardless of exam version, is $210. Since you will take fewer divisions by combining the exam versions, you will save hundreds of dollars.

ARE 4.0:                    $1,470                                  ARE 5.0:                   $1,260
Combo Strategy:     $1,050                                  Combo Strategy:     $1,050
Total Savings:         $420                                      Total Savings:         $210

Save Time

Saving time is an added benefit of the Combo Strategy. With this strategy, you will be sitting for fewer exams. The total testing time difference between the exam versions and the Combo Strategy is significant:

ARE 4.0:                    33 hours:30 min                 ARE 5.0:                   25 hours:30 min
Combo Strategy:     22 hours:30 min                 Combo Strategy:     22 hours:30 min
Total Savings:         11 hours                               Total Savings:         3 hours

What is even more significant is the amount of time you will save in study hours. Since you will be preparing for just five divisions, your studying will be condensed into preparation for fewer exam days. That means less of your time will be spent studying for the ARE and more of your time will be spent working as a licensed architect.

Here’s What to Do Before November 1st

Before taking advantage of these perks, you will need to make sure you are eligible and that this strategy will benefit you. To begin with the Combo Strategy, you need to receive eligibility to test as an ARE 4.0 candidate prior to the release of ARE 5.0 on November 1st, 2016. If you are already an eligible ARE 4.0 candidate and have completed ARE 4.0 divisions, make sure to examine your five-year Rolling Clock. If your divisions will expire while waiting for ARE 5.0 to be released, this strategy may not be best for you. See NCARB’s website for more details on making the exam transition.

After confirming that the Combo Strategy is right for you, begin studying for the following ARE 4.0 and ARE 5.0 divisions, beginning with the ARE 4.0 divisions. Comprehensive ARE exam prep material for both ARE 4.0 and ARE 5.0 is available from PPI.

ARE 4.0 Divisions:     

• Construction Documents & Services (CDS): Completing this ARE 4.0 division will give you credit for ARE 5.0: Construction & Evaluation.
• Programming, Planning, and Practice (PPP): In combination with CDS, completing ARE 4.0 PPP will provide you with credit for both ARE 5.0 Practice Management and ARE 5.0 Project Management divisions.
• Site Planning & Design: In combination with PPP, this will give you credit for ARE 5.0: Programming & Analysis.

ARE 5.0 Divisions:     

• Project Planning & Design
• Project Development & Documentation

Act Now

The Combo Strategy will only work for candidates who become eligible to test in ARE 4.0 before November 1st. Save time and money with the Combo Strategy, and prepare for success with PPI’s review material. PPI provides architects with the prep materials they need to pass their exams. Visit PPI’s website to see the comprehensive ARE 4.0 and 5.0 prep material you need to study for each division.