Architecture Registration Exams Story: Caitlin Brady

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:

Caitlin Brady, AIA, LEED BD+C

Caitlin Brady, AIA, LEED BD+C (she/her) is a Project Architect and Associate for a DC based firm focused on higher education projects. She is also a long-standing champion for diversity and inclusion within the profession of architecture, focusing her volunteer efforts with organizations such as ACE Mentors, the AIA|DC Emerging Architect Committee, and AIA|DC ACEL Committee which empower students and emerging professionals.

Women in architecture is another huge component of her advocacy efforts within the profession. She founded and now co-leads her firm’s Women’s Affinity Group and she hosts and produces the Architectette Podcast which is a bi-weekly podcast that strives to inspire, elevate, and connect women+ in architecture and related fields.

In addition to her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Drexel University and Project Management Certificate from Cornell University, Caitlin is USGBC LEED BD+C accredited and is a licensed Architect in the State of Pennsylvania.

“Not having a license doesn’t seem like a problem until it gets in the way of your career progression.”

To pursue my goal of becoming an architect, I enrolled in Drexel University’s 2 + 4 Bachelor of Architecture program. In accordance with this unique program, I attended classes full-time for two years and then worked full-time for the remaining four years while attending night classes. This structure made me an expert in time management. Each week, I balanced 40+ hours of work, three three-hour night classes, homework, studio work, and my personal life. In addition to working towards my degree, I was also working towards fulfilling all of the required hours for the Intern Development Program (IDP) which is now the Architectural Experience Program (AXP). I was eligible for the AREs once I graduated.

At the time of my testing, both the ARE 4.0 and ARE 5.0 versions were available. I opted to test in the full ARE 5.0 version and set a one-year completion goal from mid-June 2017. I started studying during the summer, but found the brand-new exam prep materials for the ARE 5.0 a bit underdeveloped. The exam was too new for anyone to vet the content! I opted to utilize available ARE 4.0 resources. This meant I saved a ton of money, but also over-studied for most exams which, in my opinion, helped me pass. I have a brief guide of the materials I used for each exam on my website, check it out!

I passed my first exam in November. I failed my next exam in January- my Grandmom passed away over the Christmas holiday, so studying took a back seat until I could get back on track in February. I passed another exam in March and then I got a bit overzealous for the last four exams; over studying for two exams at once. I would schedule my first exam, see if I passed, then immediately schedule the second exam for the week after. I wrapped up my last four exams in this manner!

November 21, 2017	In Person	PcM	Pass
January 9, 2018	In Person	PjM	Fail
March 9, 2018	In Person	P&A	Pass
April 26, 2018	In Person	PPD	Pass
May 4, 2018	In Person	PDD	Pass
June 1, 2018	In Person	PjM	Pass
June 8, 2018	In Person	C&E	Pass

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

If you are qualified and ambitious, getting your license opens a lot of doors whether it’s a promotion at your current company, more responsibility on projects, or eventually the ability to run your own firm. It allows your career to expand as you gain more experience.

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 as soon as you’re eligible. As everyone says, studying and testing after graduating gets more difficult with every passing year and it’s true. Getting your license is also a huge career boost. Not having a license doesn’t seem like a problem until it gets in the way of your career progression- by the time you notice that you were passed over for a raise, promotion, or job offer; it’s too late.

What type of study materials did you use? Any particular ones that you’d recommend?

I used many different study formats during my exam preparation. Typically, I would read study materials and take notes, re-read my notes and highlight, then record myself reading my notes and play that back during walks or busy work. Next, I would take practice exams and then circle back to study areas I needed to work on. I would supplement my readings with podcasts, online lectures, or YouTube videos wherever possible. I would wait to schedule my Prometric session until I could reliably pass practice exams at 90% or higher.

As I mentioned above, I have a guide on my website for the ARE4.0 study materials I used. Here’s the link again, Caitlin Brady’s Study Materials.

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

Don’t be discouraged! Standardized tests are incredibly difficult and the AREs are no exception. Prepare as much as you can and don’t give up if you fail. Find friends, family, and colleagues to encourage you along the way.

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 Caitlin Brady for sharing your story!

Edited by

Katelyn Rossier, AIA, NCARB, LSSBB