No. NCARB’S state-of-the-art, computer-based format removes geographical barriers. For instance, an applicant who starting taking the exam in New Mexico, and now lives in New York, will be able to take the exam at any convenient test center, rather than having to return to New Mexico.

Yes. You will be able to stop working on one vignette, move to a second or third vignette, come back to the first, etc. You won’t need to save your work, it will be saved every minute or two automatically and every time you leave a vignette to move to another your work will be saved.

It is true that applicants will only see one questions at a time, however, they will be able to go back and change answers.The computers that will be used for test administration have high-resolution monitors and present the questions, including graphics and photos, as clearly as questions presented on a printed page. Applicants will have tools (icons) available to them to maneuver through the test. It is possible to look at each question, answer it and move on without going back. It is also possible to answer a question and mark it for later review. It is also possible to skip a question and come back to it. All of these things are possible within each group of questions, but once you decide to exit that group of test questions you will not be able to go back to the previous group(s).

There have been many common misconceptions about the A.R.E. and one of the biggest was that the paper-and-pencil vignettes were graded using subjective criteria. In the past, NCARB developed objective grading criteria and trained the architects who volunteered to grade exams in this objective criteria. NCARB never allowed the graders to apply their own subjective criteria to the exams. The only change with the computer-based exam is that the committees of architects have already created the objective grading criteria before you take the exam, and that criteria was transferred to a computer program instead of to architect-graders.

The computer-delivered vignettes, like the paper-and-pencil vignettes were designed to allow for many correct answers. There is no one right answer, with the exception of some very technical site planning vignettes, such as laying out setbacks. Just as in the paper-and pencil versions, the vignette scoring procedures allow for error to occur without automatically assigning a failing score. The exam continues to evaluate the solutions to vignettes in a holistic manner where minor errors are compensated for by overall compliance with the programmatic and technical aspects of the vignette.

NCARB plans to conduct extensive quality-control checks of the grading. This means that when you take these three divisions, your scores will be retained for up to three months while these procedures occur. If you fail any of the three graphic divisions, you will be able to repeat that division six months from the date you took the division.

The computer-based A.R.E., is a variable-length test. An applicant will be given a series of questions in a base test. At the conclusion of the base test, the computer makes a determination of the applicant’s ability based on his or her performance. No one question is given more weight than any other, and all groups of test questions cover the same subject matter and are equal in difficulty. At this time, applicants fall in one of three groups. Those who clearly demonstrate their mastery of the subject are told that the examination is complete, their score will be reported to their board as a pass. Those who clearly demonstrate their lack of mastery of the subject will also be told that the examination is complete, their score will be reported to their board as a fail. The third group is those applicants who have not clearly demonstrated either mastery on non-mastery. This group is given another group of questions, and the same determination and classifications are made at the conclusion of the subsequent group. This continues until the maximum number of questions is reached or the maximum time is used. For those very few applicants who reach this point, a pass/fail determination is made.

NCARB requires applicants to wait six months after failing a division before repeating that division. This rule was established for two reasons. First, NCARB is developing a large library of test questions and vignettes, but the library is not of sufficient size to offer each division of the exam more than once every six months. In future years, it may be possible to reduce this time, but that will not happen for some time. Second, the exams are not a test of luck. It is important to spend the time between test administrations gaining additional knowledge and experience in the particular areas being tested.

It is true that the computer scores the exam at the end of each group of test questions, but the reporting of scores is a function of the registration boards.

Yes. Each group is balanced in both subject matter content and difficulty. Just like in the paper-and-pencil version, all unanswered questions are counted wrong. Applicants are allotted approximately the same amount of time per question in the computer-based A.R.E. as in the paper-and-pencil version. Applicants would, therefore, be able to complete the examination within the time allotted.

NCARB has developed a tutorial program for applicants to use at the test center, before taking the exam. The in-center tutorial will be sent to all applicants who sign up for any of the three graphic divisions. In addition, applicants will also received practice vignettes to use prior to scheduling their tests. There is no cost for these practice programs and exam candidates can now download the software directly into their computers by signing on the web site at http://www.ncarb.org and following the links to the examination information.

The software includes tutorials to teach candidates how to use the various testing tools found in the three graphic divisions of the A.R.E. (There are no practice programs for the six multiple-choice divisions.) Following the tutorials are 15 representative vignettes, one for each of the 15 vignettes that make up the graphic division.

Previously, candidates had to request the A.R.E. software after they were made eligible by their state registration boards or provincial architectural associations. Now the software is being sent to all candidates on diskette, but with the addition of an online version, architectural interns can begin to familiarize themselves with the A.R.E. software even before they become eligible candidates.

The software used to take the exam is not a commercially available software package. NCARB did this for two reasons. The first is that the exam might unfairly disadvantage one group of applicants who were familiar with that software and disadvantage the remaining applicants. And second, the software NCARB developed is designed for a test not for development of construction documents. The software is much more intuitive than CAD packages. Once your registration board has approved you to take the A.R.E. and the NCARB Data Center has received this information from the board, you will be sent, free of charge the software to practice with before you schedule your exams. The software NCARB sends you will include tutorials to teach you how to use the various tools, plus one of each of the vignettes to practice.

Before any changes are made, NCARB’s exam committees research the proposed changes and make recommendations to NCARB’S Board of Directors. All changes to NCARB’s examinations are approved by the Board of Directors.

The exam is written by dozens of architects from NCARB’s member registration boards, consulting engineers and code officials. Canadian architects from the Committee of Canadian Architectural Councils, which represents the architectural association of the 10 Canadian provinces, also serve on exam-writing committees. Individual exam-writing committees for each section of the exam meet three times a year to revise and write questions and approve the exam.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to print out your work. In order to offer the A.R.E., six days a week, year-round, NCARB has developed a large library of equivalent vignettes, but these vignettes have to remain secure, so printouts are not allowed.

Contact the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). In order to be eligible to take the exam you must obtain the required professional degree and enroll in NCARB'S IDP program. NCARB will notify your state board when you become eligible.

NCARB’S testing consultant, Prometric, sends the exam scores to registration boards at least once a month. For most boards, however, the scores will be released to the boards on a weekly basis.

No. Passing the exam is one step in receiving a license to practice in a particular jurisdiction. The other is completing your IDP. But if you wish to hold an NCARB certificate you must contact NCARB.

NCARB’S contractor, Prometric, administers the A.R.E. on behalf of all U.S. and Canadian registration boards. Prometric's subcontractor is Sylvan Learning Systems, which will administer the A.R.E. in 220 test centers across North America.

NCARB established the Rolling Clock on January 1, 2006. Essentially, the Rolling Clock means that once a new exam candidate takes and passes their first exam a five-year clock commences. You must pass all remaining divisions of the ARE in that five-year period in order to avoid having to re-take a section. See NCARB'S web site for additional information.