Top 11 Tips to Pass the Architecture Registration Exam

[@melissaleblanc6006]

I just have to tell you that your video helped give me the courage to sign up for my first test back in May. I have now passed 3 tests. Thank you so much for making this video!

[@madnalab3901]

have you passed all the exams

[@madnalab3901]

can you share with me what material you study. can you be very specific..thank you

[@Sweetkawaiibuttercup]

This is so helpful, thank you! Love the parts about being predatory towards the exams and feeling grateful to be able to study for them in the first place. :)

[@jimmyconway1899]

I had never been so mind numbed before wish i learned these tips before i passed mine tho to whoever is taking these test his tips are a god send and i wish everyone the best

[@dustinsmith800]

Thank you for this, I needed to see this. Let the games begin!

[@chebiyyamsreekar9042]

forget about the suggestions, his motivaiton is pumping my ass to run right now. Hats off.

[@harrytuttle4069]

Thank you Drew, I needed a dose of motivation!

[@johnjolivette5585]

Thank you! Your video has been so helpful in motivating me to really get into studying for the ARE

[@kristenlocke8214]

OMG!!! You just lit a fire under my A**!! I just failed PPD and I rescheduled it and PDD because I planned to take it next. They are right behind each other and I was doubting my decision, so I turned to KZbin for directions...lol (I actually called a few people too) But you just gave me the motivation I needed. Now if I don't get a win out at least one of these exams, I’m bypassing complaining to NCARB and Coming for you!! lol but all jokes aside this video was great. Thanks, would love to see more like this!

[@franklonardo6242]

you get it - happy i found this channel and likeminded mindset!

[@dakotalewisdesign]

Just failed PPD today and taking PDD next week. Totally agree with taking the exam sooner rather than later so you know how to adapt for the next round 🥊 Hope you're doing well buddy!

[@DrewPaulBell]

Hey, I’m doing great! I hope you are too! I’ve been wondering how you’ve been. PPD is a hard test, but you’ll get it 👍 Let me know how PDD goes!

[@usura-xyz]

Howdy Drew! I was in college for Architectural Engineering, my second major choice. I was not excepted into my school’s Architecture program. After two semesters I was ‘weeded out’ and changed my major to something else. I didn’t want to be an Engineer who focuses on the physics and math behind a design and I didn’t like that college was a system that constructs employees. I wanted to be a straight up architect, but my bad high school habits prohibited that. So now I am a dropout and entrepreneur, and I stared a design services company. As time went on I received a good amount of clients in need of floor plans. Now I’m working on a floor plan for a 2 million dollar house and this gets me thinking. I’ve been studying architecture ever since drafting 1-4 in high school and I’d consider myself as a cad wiz. For fun I will design architecture on Revit, AutoCAD architecture, and even in Minecraft. So I am no stranger to architectural design. I also watch a plethora of architecture videos on KZbin. My question to you is. . . As a self taught individual who knows how to learn, do you think it’s possible for a person without a degree in architecture to study hard, pass the ARE exam, continue my real world work and have a successful career as a professional Architect and possible founder of an architecture firm? Also what 5.0 division should I consider if I want to start a design firm?

[@changeyourlife3213]

Lots of architects don’t have the degree but have the experience depending on Axp experience and jurisdiction

[@michaelsyip]

Hey Drew! Awesome video. I know you haven’t posted in awhile, but since this is the first video you’ve made since I started watching your channel, I just have a few words. I started watching your channel in the fall of my high school senior year as I was trying to figure out if I wanted to do Architecture or Civil Engineering. I ended up choosing architecture and have watched the helpful videos that you have created since you started 6 years ago. I just wanted to say thank you. These videos have helped me see what it is like in Architecture school, the insides and out, and how to survive. I just started my first year of architecture school and I’m looking forward to you making new content for the months to come! You’re one of my biggest inspirations at the moment and it drives me to work harder and put in more grind time for studio. Keep it up man!!

[@DrewPaulBell]

Thanks for the comment Michael! I’m glad I could help. Good luck in architecture school. Keep me posted!

[@Masseeee]

This was the simple pep talk that I needed to feel confident to pass. Thank you!

[@jesusurciaga4773]

Oh man! This is very, very helpful Drew! It's not easy task to become an architect! I worked for many years for a big firm in Beverly Hills (Gruen Associates) I got my IDP hours approved there and then I started doing my own thing since 2018, usually small projects like renovations, additions, ADU's etc. after a few years (2020) I decided to get my contractor's license because around 95% of my clients also wanted me to the construction, so I took the initiative and got licensed! It was also pretty hard too. I was the only one out of 25 people that passed both exams (Law & Trade) and there were a few others that only passed one and the rest failed both exams. Anyways, I came with a super high confidence into the ARE exams thinking I was going to pass them all at the first try! I took my first exam (CE) with only one week of preparation because I was about to lose my "seat" and I failed! After two weeks I took another one, (PrM) and then failed again! Then I took a step back and actually study for the two month before retaking CE...I just took it a few days ago and then FAILED again!!! I could not believe it! I felt way more prepared, I thought I knew the content pretty well and it turns out I did worse than my first try. Anyways, I'm not here to complain! I'm here to THANK YOU because this video made me see a lot of little details that I wasn't aware of! I'll continue watching more of your content and make sure to apply everything that you recommend! Thank you Drew!

[@DrewPaulBell]

Props for taking the initiative to get your contractors license! The ARE exams are hard, but if you’re dedicated, you’ll pass them. Good luck!

[@jesusurciaga4773]

@@DrewPaulBell Thank you for the good vibes! The first thing I'm going to do as soon as I pass my last exam is to come here and let you know! 👍 I'm excited for this journey!

[@DrewPaulBell]

Great! Can’t wait 👍

[@trusicworld]

TALK THAT ISH BROTHER!!! THANKS FOR THIS. THIS EXAM WILL BE MY BIATCH! #RESPECTFULLY

[@robertledet]

thanks for this video. I agree on afternoon exams. I'll definitley be checking out that masonry channel you recomended too.

[@wrighthausracing9641]

What is the audio option to listen to? Did I miss that

[@michaelschlager2808]

Thanks for the great video!

[@djimenez890]

Thanks for the video! Very motivational!!

[@jrholliday7]

This is great, thank you!

[@carlosnochez8757]

Mr. Drew I watch about 3 of your videos and I think they are very very helpful with information with experience that you have if may Ask you what book do you recommend for the ARE test. And if you please can give me the other books for the other subjects that you were teaching on this video Thank you.

[@ei7936]

Great explanation and thought process.

[@Nxfcvj5763]

I don’t know anything about it , should I even try still

[@Architect_Gamer]

Did you reach each book multiple times before each test. Example did you reach Programming & Analysis twice before that exam? Or as you mentioned different study information overlap, Construction & Evaluation in both Ballast books and read it again for Brightwood study guides?

[@DrewPaulBell]

No, I didn’t read each book twice - that seems inefficient. But I did go back and review areas that I didn’t feel comfortable with.

[@adangbe]

I'll take your advice.

[@mauriciocornejo1442]

which books did you used to study for your exams. can you posted them

[@mauriciocornejo1442]

which books did you used to study for your exams

[@linglingwan9424]

Thank you so much for sharing. I really appreciate your predator approach to the exam. I just found out your channel yesterday, and watched some, really good.

[@marishlarosa]

Hey Drew, I’m in YA bootcamp now, failed PCM on first try... it’s about time to pick the next exam, what’s your thoughts on moving onto PJM or just retaking PCM? Also, I’m thinking of taking the exam right after boot camp is over but I’m afraid I won’t be prepared enough . Do you suggest just taking it or giving myself a few more weeks to study for that specific exam ?

[@valeriepierre7297]

Were you working full time while studying for the exam?

[@Mab3n]

Could anybody point me in the direction of good videos?? I have the Ballast Book just wanna find good videos.

[@lucasfathy]

BE THE PREDATOR

[@mikebblack]

Need a list of those audio sourses

[@TheProPokemonPlayer]

So are you liscenced in New York? Are you planning on getting liscenced in other states? I suppose each state has their own liscencing requirements?

[@DrewPaulBell]

Yes, I got my reciprocal license in New York.

[@doubledating]

If you are licensed as an architect outside of the United States or Canada, you may be able to pursue an NCARB Certificate by verifying your license and completing two programs required for licensure in the United States: the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). After earning a Certificate, you can use your Certificate to apply for a license in a U.S. jurisdiction. My question is do i have to do axp before Are?

[@DrewPaulBell]

If you're a foreign architect I recomend you check out the facebook group "Foreign Architects." Its run by some friends of mine and they clear up the confusion around moving to the US with a license or experience in another country. NCARB is not very clear on the rules for that and it causes some people to do alot more work than they need to. You can take the ARE's concurently while completing the AXP hours. It's called "concurrence." They enabled candidates to take the exams before finishing their hours around 2007. But If you talk to someone who got their license before 2007, they had to finish the hours before they could take the exam and they may not know things have changed.

[@jasonquiroz194]

Drew do you own your own firm and if so do you think your much better off in a firm or owning a firm thank you!

[@alial-omari939]

Owning a firm takes alottttt of time, effort, risks and mental capabilities at least from what ive read. Never guaranteed to get money or be successful. Working in a firm is much safer and better for you to learn

[@DrewPaulBell]

Right now I’m working in a firm rather than starting my own business. It’s a decision I’ve been weighing. It takes a lot of work to start a firm. When you’re an employee someone else deals with getting jobs, doing the billing, paying the rent, buying the workstations software licenses, printers, and supplies. You get insurance and benefits and vacation days and a salary. Although, I do see myself starting my own firm in the future. Owning your own firm seems like it gives you more creative control over what projects you work on and the designs themselves. You can also make more money by running your own business, if you are successful.

[@katyanikala4509]

Hello, I want to know if I can do my masters in architecture from the USA if I have bachelors degree in fine arts from India. If yes, then what are the requirements. I would be glad if you would reply. Thanks

[@alial-omari939]

I would not advise this. Architecture is quite intense and very difficult (not impossible just take a long time). Id suggest try talking to current students and lecturers before jumping from fine arts to architecture.

[@katyanikala4509]

@@alial-omari939 I am not at all jumping! I have been thinking about it for a very long time now! And I am pretty sure that this is something where I would want to see myself!

[@katyanikala4509]

@@alial-omari939 if people like me were not supposed to do it then there would be no M.Arch 1

[@alial-omari939]

@@katyanikala4509 sorry by jump I mean there is a huge difference in discipline and some philosophy between fine art and architecture getting a masters without any actual exp in studying archi is very very risky

[@alial-omari939]

@@katyanikala4509 I could be wrong thats why you should consult with students and lecturers to let you know whats the best move for you

[@keleniengaluafe2600]

👍👏👏

[@mahishah1075]

What type of questions they ask. Whats the material we should read to pass the exam. Please answer, i have exam soon.

[@DrewPaulBell]

They ask questions where they expect you to know the information and know what to do with the information. For example they won’t really ask simple questions like “what is a grade beam?” They will say something like, “it’s determined that a grade beam is required for the project. Which of the following consultants is most likely to be added to the project team?” And you’ll have to have knowledge of grade beams and all the different types of consultants to answer the question. It’s not really simple identification questions (those are kind of one dimensional) it’s more about functional knowledge (and multidimensional.) (they kind of describe this in the NCARB manual with a graphic of a pyramid, if I remember correctly.)

[@DrewPaulBell]

I saw a practice test from Ballast or Kaplan or something that asked “what is a grade beam?” And I rolled my eyes because it wasn’t a good practice question. The actual exam is typically more complicated than that.

[@TheGravyson]

Super helpful video!! I’m in architecture school rn and just started my channel, would really appreciate if you checked it out!!

[@madnalab3901]

hello every one. what material should i choose to study. any one

[@michaelchambers4379]

Thank you for the video. Very motivating!!