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:
Cassandra Osterman, AIA, WELL AP
Cassandra is currently an Associate at Perfido Weiskopf Wagstaff + Goettel. Since joining PWWG in 2018, Cassandra has applied her passions for urban and architectural design and critical analysis of historic contexts to designing multi-family residential projects and adapting historic buildings for new use. Her international experience and skill with cultivating collaboration helped her evolve into design and project manager roles at PWWG.
Cassandra is a contributing member of the local and statewide professional community, having served in various leadership positions in AIA Pittsburgh’s Young Architects Forum and currently serving as Pittsburgh’s representative on AIA Pennsylvania’s Emerging Professional Committee. Within the office, Cassandra is committed to advancing the professional development of the company – coordinating opportunities to learn new skills, get hands-on experience in the field, and obtain licensure.
“When you are studying for an exam, life does not stop – you just need to carve out time at a pace that is actually realistic for you.”
Exam Order
I began studying for exams about a year after graduating with my B.Arch. Lucky for me, we were in the transition period from ARE 4.0 and 5.0, so I was able to take a total of 5 separate exams. I took a break in the middle while I was attending graduate school. I did all my exams in-person.
| March 2016 | In person | CDS (4.0) | Pass |
| June 2016 | In person | PPP (4.0) | Pass |
| October 2016 | In person | Site (4.0) | Fail |
| December 2016 | In person | Site (4.0) | Pass |
Programming, Planning & Practice (PPP)
Construction Documents & Services (CDS)
Site Planning & Design (Site)
Transitioned to ARE 5.0
| March 2019 | In person | PDD (5.0) | Fail |
| August 2019 | In person | PDD (5.0) | Pass |
| August 2019 | In person | PPD (5.0) | Pass |
Advice for you!
What type of study materials did you use? Any particular ones that you’d recommend?
I typically used Kaplan/Brightwood for my first pass through the material, then Ballast for a more detailed synopsis on a topic-by-topic basis. I needed to start broadly understanding a topic before zooming into the details.
For my last two exams, I also found Black Spectacles videos to be a really helpful way to tie the material together in a more accessible, real-world way. I would buy a Black Spectacles subscription for just the one month before each exam.
How did you fit study time into your schedule? Was there anything in particular that worked well for you?
I found that setting a weekly goal for the number of chapters I needed to read was much better for me than setting a daily goal. If you’re short on time early in the week, you just need to accept that more time will be needed over the weekend. Conversely, if you get a head start early in the week, give yourself some much-needed free time on the weekend.
When you’re studying for an exam, life does not stop – you just need to carve out time at a pace that is actually realistic for you. For this reason, I typically gave myself about 3 months for each exam, and I only started studying when I booked the exam (3 months out).
Do you have any other advice for someone studying for their exams?
There is so much symmetry between PPD and PDD, I strongly recommend studying for both and taking them in quick succession. Right after you come out of an exam, write down what material you felt weak on, and if you failed the exam, focus on that material as you study again. Try to retake the test about a month later, so the material is still fresh.
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 Cassandra Osterman for sharing your story!
Edited by
Katelyn Rossier, AIA, LSSBB
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