Architecture Registration Exams Story: Vely Zajec

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:

Meet Vely Zajec, an accomplished architect currently serving as a design lead and project manager at Humphreys and Partners Architects. With a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Southern California and licensure in California, Vely brings a wealth of expertise and experience to their role.

For Vely, the journey to licensure has been a transformative one, marked by introspection and self-discovery. As they aptly describe, the licensing process is a unique experience that has a profound impact, particularly for those who embark on it later in life. It serves as a catalyst for growth, prompting individuals to confront their strengths, weaknesses, and the depth of their responsibilities as architects.

Approaching the licensure process with a mindset akin to running a firm, rather than merely taking tests, is a philosophy that Vely advocates. This approach fosters a deeper understanding and absorption of the information, leading to lasting knowledge and professional development.

Through their insights and reflections, Vely underscores the importance of honesty, diligence, and a holistic approach to architecture. Their journey exemplifies the transformative power of licensure, not only in terms of professional achievement but also in personal growth and self-awareness.

“My advice is for the middle-aged folks like myself: It is never too late to get licensed.”

I took exams in 2006 with ARE3.1. There were 9 exams, I was knocking them out one after another. My architecture school brain was still on + ARE3.1 exams were smaller and way easier to pass. So, I thought to myself, piece of cake, I’ll wrap them up before the 5 years expires.

Then a recession happened, another kid happened, I mindlessly watched my 5-year clock expire. I had my own business in a related design field for a while but eventually returned back to Architecture and picking the licensure process back up was always on my mind.

In 2018 I finally started studying again for the Planning, Construction Docs and Site exams that were now part of ARE4.0. I had a good history with testing, was feeling good, scheduled those 3 back-to-back, showed up with wonder woman confidence to the testing center and this is what it looked like:

I ran into a brick wall. I wanted to blame it on the fact that the graphic vignettes software on the exams was weird and glitchy, which it was, but we all know that wasn’t it. Being farther into my career combined with still massive amounts of motherhood responsibilities proved to be a challenging formula.

Meanwhile ARE5.0 was launched. It had no glitchy graphic vignettes but was now on a whole other level of analysis and case-study type of thinking. I heard about the ARE Bootcamp by Young Architects Academy and I signed up for the professional practice round.

I think that was the game changer for me as far as wiring myself to not give up till I am done. Michael Riscica, the founder of YAA, starts you out with some serious psychology. His program really digs into why it is you want to be licensed, how to stay focused no matter what life throws at you, and how to go through the work that, at the end, just makes you a better architect and a more well-rounded professional. The kids being self-sustained adults now was also a game changer.

So here is what round 3 looked like for me:

Started with the exams most aligned with my work which are PjM and PA:

PPD is one of the ARE monsters but not that deep into details yet so I passed on first try but then watch this:

C&E has the highest passing rate but was my absolute nemesis, I do none of that at work. Both times I failed it was because of the construction photos, where I didn’t know what I was looking at to the point that I felt embarrassed. PDD was also not my thing. Also, surprise, I was missing almost all of my AXP hours in Construction Evaluation which is knowledge tied to both of these exams. Probably not a coincidence.

I started volunteering as a construction worker with Habitat for Humanity, I was climbing scaffolding, framing stuff, installing house wrap, nailing siding, fixing mis-nailed seismic straps, listening to the GCs banter. The GC knew I why I was there so would often pull me to the side, point to some CD coordination mishap and say “don’t you ever do that”.  Oh my god, REAL CONSTRUCTION, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE. All of a sudden, details had texture, smell and purpose, my life was covered in sketches of construction details and I was now googling waterproofing details like a kid in a candy shop rather than a like a disgruntled test taker. Eventually returned to the technical exams and slayed them:

I am in California so also had to pass the CSE but that one was peanuts compared to the AREs.

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

To learn what I didn’t know. And a little bit as a badge of honor. The process fills in gaps of knowledge you may not have suspected you had. The exams are very analytical. They put you in all sorts of situations to fully understand your role as the ultimate referee of the team of consultants, owner and builder. I absolutely wanted to solidify that knowledge.

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 highly recommend starting with one of the intro sessions the ARE Bootcamp offers all the time, it is all in there and you can ask questions directly. Also, it is ok to start with an exam that matches your work experience but for the most part keep them in the NCARB order, the content builds on itself very logically.

And again, to the people with decades of work knowledge and professional experience: it’s very doable! Let your guard down, drop the self-doubt, accept that our profession is so vast it is not impossible you have knowledge gaps somewhere, and your study brain is still there.

This crazy profession has already trained you with endurance and to be on your multi-tasking toes at all times. Start testing and don’t tell anyone, do it for yourself. Accept a failure as a “practice run”.

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

My advice is for the middle-aged folks like myself: It is never too late to get licensed. Yes, you are super busy and your academic study brain is off and all that. Mine was too. But it is only a mind-set away and developing some good study habits. Find what best works for you with quiet time slots and treat it like a project. I even think that when you go through the process later in your career it has more value to you as a professional. Do it, your license will have that much more weight when the title is finally added to your many years of experience.

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 Vely Zajec for sharing your story!

Edited by

Katelyn Rossier, AIA, NCARB, CSI, LSSBB