Welcome to the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE) experience stories series! This series is to share experiences, timelines and advice of professionals that have completed their AREs. We know it can be a daunting task to get started and overwhelming on the number of resources out there. We hope you find this information helpful in organizing how you proceed through your exams. Good Luck!
This is the experience, timeline, and advice from:
Lauren Pedigo, RA, NCARB
Lauren Pedigo is an Architect at SmithGroup. Over her past seven years with SmithGroup she has focused on an array of project types including workplace, urban design, and healthcare. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Bachelor in Interior Architecture from Lawrence Technology University (LTU) in 2014; and her Masters of Architecture and Masters of Urban Design in 2020.
She works to gain a better understanding of the policies and processes that play a role in shaping the built environment with the goal of producing work that promotes healthy outcomes and a sustainable industry.
“NCARB is a great start to get the outline of the exam.”
Exam Order
| May 3, 2021 | In person | PcM | Pass |
| July 16, 2021 | In person | PjM | Pass |
| February 14, 2022 | In person | CE | Fail |
| April 4, 2022 | In Person | P&A | Pass |
| June 29, 2022 | In Person | PPD | Pass |
| August 15, 2022 | In Person | PDD | Fail |
| October 15, 2022 | In Person | CE | Pass |
| December 14, 2022 | In Person | PDD | Pass |
Advice for you!
Often people don’t know where to start, do you have any advice for those looking to start their exams -or- how did you start?
Before I started studying, I spent a few hours on YouTube listening to other’s experiences, it was invaluable. I was able to grab others free resources, decide the best study material for me, and outline the timing of the exams. It gave me a great idea of what I was in for, and the many ways to take the exam.
What type of study materials did you use? Any particular ones that you’d recommend?
NCARB is a great start to get the outline of the exam, I used their breaking down of Sections and Objectives to be the framework to my study notes. I studied each exam by the NCARB section, first going through Black Spectacles videos then reading PPI ARE 5 Review Material. I found Black Spectacles helpful in framing the intent of the exam, and PPI ARE 5 provided in-depth technical knowledge.
For Practice Management and Project Management, I relied on the Architects Handbook of Professional Practice.
Every couple weeks I would take the Black Spectacles practice exam. They provide a great idea of what the real exam would be like. I also used Designer Hacks practice exams almost daily or every other day to identify what I didn’t know.
How did you fit study time into your schedule? Was there anything in particular that worked well for you?
I already knew I don’t do well studying in big time blocks, so most days I studied for at least 45 minutes every day Monday-Friday either before or after work. On weekends I would break two-to-three-hour sessions a few one-hour blocks or take a practice exam. This approach worked really well for me for how I learn and my schedule.
Generally, I aimed for two months between exams. Of course, life happens, and a few exams were postponed longer. Two months felt comfortable for how much I realistically could study each day and to not get overwhelmed juggling other responsibilities.
We hope that this information helps you through our ARE journey, setting goals, and giving you some insight on how to get started.
Thank you again to Lauren Pedigo for sharing your story!
Edited by
Katelyn Rossier, AIA, LSSBB
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