AREs on an Accelerating Schedule
Last year I studied for and passed all 6 ARE exams and LEED GA certification within the span of 10 months, while working as a design director, making music and, most importantly, being an awesome dad. I wanted to share a bit about my experience with the ARE's.
Cautionary note: Everyone studies, learns and tests differently, so find what works for you. These are just some observations about my process.
-Sign up for Tests! The deadline approaching was my best motivator. Architecture is a deadline oriented profession, use this. If you are already studying, set a date for your test.
-Work for a firm that supports accreditation! Tests are expensive, draining and each one takes a whole day. It is extremely advantageous to find an employer that supports you through this process financially and emotionally. If you can get an incentive built into your contract, even better. Shout out to @MG2_design!
-Go Faster! Each test has significant overlaps with others. I reduced the time between tests each time I passed. When I looked at the content of the last exam, I felt there was so much overlap that I signed up for the earliest available spot. Embrace going faster than makes you comfortable.
-It's not too late (or too early) to start testing! I found there were significant advantages to having prior work experience with the current test content/format. That said, these are standardized tests and there is also an advantage to taking them when you are fresh out of school and used to testing. Either way, targeted studying can help you improve where you need to.
-Accreditation is Important! Architects are licensed professionals just like Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, etc. The accreditation helps us make the argument for our value as experts in the entire process of working with clients to get architecture built. It is of dire importance to our profession that we highlight this expertise loudly and publicly.
I am happy to share more and talk directly about my own ARE experiences/methods/struggles with anyone interested. Slide me a message if you want more info. Thanks to everyone who helped and supported me during the last year!
#MG2
3D Interior Designer – cgistudio.com.ua
10 个月Ryn, ??
Senior Design Manager, Suffolk Design
4 年Great account, Ryn, and congrats on getting licensed! Hear hear. I just completed my 6 exams late last year. I highly recommend doing them in order, 1 thru 6. ARE 5.0 is cumulative and content from earlier exams shows up again on later ones. I’ve heard my friends and former classmates say they want to “take the hard ones first” (usually considered exams 4+5). However what happens is they’re diving into an exam that is doubly hard because there’s piles of material from earlier exams that they hadn’t prepared for. There are no easy exams, but more it’s about the amount of content. Earlier exams have less content, whereas the middle three have more content. Ryn, did you do them in order? Also, most people don’t pass all exams on the first time around. I didn’t. And — under NCARB rules — you can attempt taking an exam again after waiting 60 days.