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:
Christy Schalmo, RA, NCIDQ
Christy Schalmo is a remarkable professional in the world of architecture and interior design. Her journey in the field began at Kent State University. Christy first earned her B.A. in Interior Design, setting the foundation for her creative talents. She then continued her pursuit of knowledge, obtaining a B.S. in Architecture and a Master of Architecture, demonstrating her commitment to excellence and the relentless pursuit of expertise.
Before venturing into the world of architecture, Christy further honed her skills by achieving the prestigious NCIDQ Interior Design Certification. This certification underlines her dedication to maintaining high standards and a comprehensive understanding of the interior design landscape.
Currently, Christy Schalmo is based in Cleveland, where she is a valued member of the renowned Bialosky team. Her role encompasses a wide spectrum of projects, ranging from non-profit initiatives to corporate ventures and multifamily residential developments. Her versatility and passion shine through in her work, making her a true asset to her team and the industry.
Beyond her professional life, Christy’s interests are as diverse as her professional pursuits. She finds joy in the culinary arts, cooking and baking. Her artistic talents extend beyond her work, as she enjoys cross-stitching, a testament to her attention to detail. She is also a loving dog owner, sharing her leisurely strolls with her retired racing Greyhound, Vynsie. Together with her husband, she indulges in her passion for travel, exploring the world and creating lasting memories.
Christy Schalmo’s multifaceted background and dedication to her craft make her a true inspiration in the world of architecture and design. Her commitment to creativity, precision, and a rich life outside of work sets her apart as an individual and a professional.
“My advice would be to just get your first exam scheduled!”
Exam Order
| May 21, 2018 | In Person | PcM | PASS |
| May 25, 2018 | In Person | PjM | PASS |
| February 1, 2019 | In Person | C&E | PASS |
| February 4, 2019 | In Person | P&A | PASS |
| November 11, 2019 | In Person | PPD | PASS |
| November 18, 2019 | 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?
My advice would be to just get your first exam scheduled! I found that having a deadline or goal would help me to get motivated to start studying. I would also advise to start the exams as soon as possible after you finish school while you are still in the mode of studying and exam taking. The longer I was out of school the busier I got with my career and personal life so it became harder to carve out time for studying!
What type of study materials did you use? Any particular ones that you’d recommend?
I used a wide variety of the recommended books and practice tests but also found that watching videos, such as Amber Books, was extremely helpful for my learning style. Being able to listen and take notes in addition to reading was very beneficial for me!
How did you fit study time into your schedule? Was there anything in particular that worked well for you?
First, I would start by scheduling the exam by getting an idea of how much content I needed to get through and how that would realistically fit into my life schedule at the time. After I had the date set, I would then try to carve out an hour or so each day and then more on the weekends closer to the exams.
I also tried to group some of the exams together that had similar content so I could study it one time for both and not have to relearn it later by spacing the exams out too far.
We hope that this information helps you through your ARE journey, setting goals, and giving you some insight on how to get started.
Thank you again to Christy Schalmo for sharing your story!
Edited by
Katelyn Rossier, AIA, NCARB, LSSBB
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