Architecture Registration Exams Story: Veronica Blanco

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:

Veronica Blanco, AIA

My name is Veroncia A. Blanco, I am from Argentina, I hold a License in Argentina. I moved to USA in 2002 and I started the process to become a Licensed Architect in USA back in 2005, when I started to investigate the process. I became an Assoc. AIA back in 2005, I started to work in the field in 2004, with little or no support on how to start the process of Licensing I had to learn everything about it by myself, by reading websites, forums, etc.

My first test was under the NCARB 4.0 ARE, I took SD, SPD, PPP and BS. Then in 2017 and after NCARB moved to 5.0 I decided to take the last 2 tests (PPD and PDD) under the new test form. I passed PDD and failed multiple times PDD and I lost my rolling clock in 2018.

I have to say that a great encouragement was a non-for profit group called Arquitina that by mentoring Latina Architects are trying to move the needle in more Latina Licensed.

“Consistence paid off; resilience is the key. I failed multiple times, I lost my rolling clock, I have to restart, and I did it.”

2016	In Person	SD (4.0)	PASS
2016	In Person	SITE (4.0)	PASS
2016	In Person	PPP (4.0)	PASS
2016	In Person	BS (4.0)	PASS
2017	In Person	PPD	PASS

Failed PDD multiple times

Lost my exams due to the “rolling clock”  

Started to retake the exams in 2022  

Started to retake the exams in 2022.

I took the tests at home, I found the option very useful for me, I can relax the day of the test by just rolling out of bed and don’t have to deal with traffic or public transportation to go to a test center.

March 2022	Virtual	PcM	FAIL
July 2022	Virtual	PjM	FAIL
August 2022	Virtual	PcM	PASS
September 2022	Virtual	PjM	FAIL
December 2022	Virtual	PjM	PASS

Only 16 days after passing PjM exam I took CE

December 2022

Virtual

CE

PASS

Then luck strike and New York State adopted the abolition of the rolling clock, and I was granted PA (by the combination of PPP and SPD from 4.0)

I was only granted the PPD that I passed in 2018.

February 2022	Virtual	PDD	FAIL
August 2023	Virtual	PDD	FAIL
November 2023	Virtual	PjM	PASS

I often get asked “why do I need to get licensed?”. Why did you decide that you wanted to be a licensed Architect?

I wanted to get Licensed because it means freedom, independence, responsibility. I decided I wanted to be an Architect at an early age of 8 years old, I think that “wanted to be” and “be a Licensed Architect” goes together.

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?

I recommend starting from the base, the base is NCARB and the multiple guidelines and information on their website. Then look at the resources you have at home or your office (books, codes, etc.) Then be realistic, how much time can I spare every day to study? Can I dedicate 1 or 2 hours daily ONLY to study?

I will divide the exams into 2 categories: the legal/documentation portion (PcM, PjM and CE) and the technical tests (PA, PPD and PDD). Then I will ask myself: which is my strong side? Am I a technical person? Or not? Should I start with the area I love or the one I feel is the hardest? Again, this is very personal and individual, but the most important DO NOT GIVE UP!

How did you fit study time into your schedule? Was there anything in particular that worked well for you?

Books: AHPP, Ching building code illustrated, MEEB and AGS

Questions: Elif Byaram is critical for speed and study, Hyperfine for PjM and PcM absolutely a MUST

AMBER Book: I cannot thank him enough for the PPD, PDD and PA tests, critical for these tests.

In Youtube you can find Archicorner videos, short but extremely helpful and FREE.

If you want to have your structural refresh, please do not hesitate to use David Thaddeus, probably the best guy in the planet to learn and LOVE structures.

There is a lot of material and videos, and classes, and sources that you can spend a fortune and perhaps just confuse your head. Keep it simple.

How did you fit study time into your schedule? Was there anything in particular that worked well for you?

I dedicate every day (as much as I could) one hour before my regular wake up time and 1 hour or more later at the end of the day. Some weekends take an extra 4 or 5 hours, but keeping a tight schedule is NOT EASY. Many times, I did not feel to study, then I feel guilty and down, DO NOT kill yourself, this is a marathon, you need time to train and time for each test. If one day you don’t feel like studying, just don’t do it; recuperate, regroup and you will be fine.

Consistence paid off; resilience is the key. I failed multiple times; I lost my rolling clock; I have to restart, and I did it. I am Licensed now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you have any other advice for someone studying for their exams?

Yes, always look for help. You must be honest with friends and family, if you are studying, you may need your “own space”, this is your journey, but you need others.

If you feel down, talk to someone who may be in the same process as you or someone who completed it. Each AIA chapter has study groups, look for them, check Facebook. There is a group there, you may find a study buddy or perhaps a “forever friend”.

NEVER compare with others, each person is individual, and the study process is different. There are people who pass all tests in a matter of months, well those are just a few. You will probably be somewhere in between, you can pass tests in one shot or take multiple times, remember: this is a marathon.

Finally thought, you are here for something that is bigger than you, larger than you. You will be part of the amazing group of people who are Licensed Architects or were Licensed and they are no longer with us.

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 Veronica Blanco for sharing your story!

Edited by

Katelyn Rossier, AIA, NCARB, CSI, LSSBB