ARE Live

What’s better than prepping for one division? Prepping for three! Previously, we’ve focused our attention on one division during ARE Live, but as there are multiple objectives that span several divisions, we’re strengthening your ARE acumen by approaching broader objectives and not just divisions. In this ARE Live, we’re covering structural design which crops up on Project Planning and Design, Pro...

We’re back to review another Construction and Evaluation (CE) Mock Exam with… drumroll, please… April Drake! Black Spectacles’ Construction and Evaluation materials have recently been refreshed with new Video Lectures (starring your host April Drake), Lecture Slides, Study Guides, and Quizzes. Don’t miss this episode of ARE Live where we’ll talk through a handful of CE mock exam questions modeled...

On today's ARE Live broadcast, Thursday, January 20, 2022 at noon CT, we’ll run through an exercise from one of our Virtual Workshops with Instructor Marissa Yee. She’ll review a few Project Development & Documentation practice questions focused on the integration and documentation of building systems, material selection, and material assemblies into a project. This is a great opportunity to see h...

On today's ARE Live episode, a panel of female architects will join us to discuss the unique challenges women face in the architecture field. Our guest speakers will share stories of how they've overcome various obstacles in their careers, as well as action items for everyone in the field to foster a more inclusive and equitable space. Join the conversation on our ARE Community: https://community....

On this ARE Live broadcast on Thursday, November 11 at noon CT, Mike Newman will be back to work through a Project Management Mock Exam! We’ll review five questions that cover PjM knowledge and skills related to project delivery methods, code analysis, billable hours, and more. Be sure to go through the mock exam in advance so you can review your answers live with Mike! https://blackspectacles.typ...

In this ARE Live episode on October 21, 2021, Mike Newman covers some of the most important concepts of Project Planning & Design with a mock exam. Be sure to go through the mock exam in advance so you can review your answers live with Mike! https://blackspectacles.typeform.com/to/lfmqSrHE

In our upcoming ARE Live episode on September 16, we’ll be hosting a panel discussion on ARE Testing Tips for ESL (English as a Second Language) Candidates. We'll have a few guest speakers join us to share their experiences with the licensure process as non-native English speakers, as well as their top testing tips on how to overcome a language barrier on the ARE.

At our next ARE Live broadcast on Thursday, August 12 at noon CT, we’ll run through an exercise from one of our Virtual Workshops with Instructor Jori Colarusso. She’ll review a Construction & Evaluation exercise and discuss issues related to the bidding process, including project delivery methods and contractor selection. This is a great opportunity to see how hands-on and in-depth our Virtual Wo...

At this ARE Live broadcast on July 22, 2021, we’ll review some of the most important concepts of Programming & Analysis, and share some extra practice exam questions as we review a mock exam with Mike Newman. We’ll go through about five questions that cover PA knowledge and skills related to researching and evaluating client requirements, building code and zoning regulations, and site data. Be sur...

At this ARE Live broadcast on June 17, 2021, we’ll be hosting a panel discussion on ARE testing order and strategy. We’ll talk with licensed architects who will share their strategies behind the order in which they took their exams, and how to best prepare.

At our next ARE Live broadcast on May 20, 2021, we’ll run through an exercise from one of our Virtual Workshops with instructor Darion Ziegler. She’ll go through a Project Management exercise and discuss issues related to office standards, development of project teams, and overall project control of client, fee and risk management. This is a great opportunity to see how hands-on and in-depth our V...

At our next ARE Live broadcast on April 15, 2021, we’ll review some of the most important concepts of Practice Management, and share some extra practice exam questions as we review a mock exam with Mike Newman. We’ll go through about five questions that cover PcM knowledge and skills related to pre-contract tasks including negotiation, human resource management, and consultant development. Be sure...

At our next ARE Live broadcast on March 18, 2021, we’ll be hosting a panel discussion on the new ARE format which went live on December 14th of last year. We’ll talk with people who have taken the ARE from home via online proctoring. They’ll share their experience with this new exam delivery method and tell you everything you need to know to successfully take the exam remotely.

At our next ARE Live broadcast on February 25, 2021, we will run through an exercise from one of our Virtual Workshops with Mark Bailey. He’ll go through PDD’s "Selecting Rated Assemblies Based on Building Type, Site & Life Safety" exercise. This is a great opportunity to see how hands-on and in-depth our Virtual Workshops are, so don’t miss it! To get the full benefit, go through the problems ahe...

Review some of the most important concepts with Construction & Evaluation, and get some extra practice exam questions as we review a mock exam with Mike Newman. We’ll go through about five questions that cover CE knowledge and skills related to bidding and negotiation processes, support of the construction process, and evaluation of completed projects. Be sure to go through the mock exam ahead of...

We are speaking with a learning expert on the best study tactics and strategies to help you pass the ARE. While focusing on the content and material is important, making sure you’re using the right methods and motives to retain that information is a really vital component to your studies.

Find out why our weekly Virtual Workshops are getting a 9/10 rating! We'll feature one of our in-depth, group exercises from our PcM Virtual Workshop led by Coach Paul during ARE Live so you can experience what they're about, and get some bonus studying in (fist pump).

Resident expert Mike Newman guides us through a Project Development & Documentation mock exam. We will cover PDD knowledge and skills relating to building materials, building systems, detailing and documentation, project specifications, and adhering to code requirements. Extra studying for one of the big tests like PDD is always valuable so don’t miss it. Engage on our ARE Community and find the l...

We will hear from a panel of architects who passed the ARE during some stressful times in their lives. They’ll give good insight into how to stay focused, how to carve out time to study, how to overcome exam day jitters and how they ultimately completed all the divisions. This will be really useful to help navigate your testing and studying schedules right now.

Get to know what our Virtual Workshops are all about! We'll feature one of our group exercises for the PPD exam led by our Virtual Workshop coach so you get a variety of practice and preparation for test day. Be sure to go through the exercise and accompanying questions, then follow along as Coach Liz reviews the exercise and answers live - https://blackspectacles.typeform.com/to/qJcHtvh0

Join Black Spectacles and ARE expert Mike Newman as we review a Programming & Analysis mock exam. Touching on development knowledge and skills relating to architectural programming, environmental, social, and economic issues, as well as codes and regulations, you’ll be the pro when we’re done. Take the mock exam here so you're ready to follow along - https://blackspectacles.typeform.com/to/mmoVg6

We will use a mock exam to cover Project Planning & Design issues relating to the generation or evaluation of design alternatives that synthesize environmental, cultural, behavioral, technical and economic issues. Take the mock exam here - https://blackspectacles.typeform.com/to/fImnQNU7 and follow along as Mike explains the answers.

Join Black Spectacles and architect Mike Newman for our Project Management mock exam. With these practice questions, we will explore issues related to resource management, project work planning, project execution, and project quality control.

Join Black Spectacles and architect Mike Newman for our Practice Management mock exam. With these practice questions, we will explore issues related to creating a team, ethics, standard of care, and everything else you should know about the practice management side of architecture.

Join us as we discuss Construction & Evaluation with Mike Newman. Using a mock exam, we’ll cover all of the most perplexing and difficult topics in this division of the ARE. With these practice questions, we will explore issues related to bidding and negotiation processes, support of the construction process, and evaluation of completed projects. To view 2019 Construction & Evaluation Mock Exam vi...