Architecture Registration Exams Story: Glen Santayana

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:

Glen Santayana, RA, LEED AP BD+C

Glen Santayana is currently an Associate / Project Manager at SB Architects, where he is leading a multi-building retail project in Miami. He received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Florida International University and his master’s degree in architecture from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard. Glen has a passion for teaching and mentorship, and has taught studio courses at both FIU and the GSD. When Glen is not consumed with architecture, he enjoys playing golf, basketball, and spending time with family and friends.

“My advice would be to keep putting yourself in a position to take the tests. I always told myself, a failed test is a really good practice test. Eventually it will click, and the test will line up with the material studied.”

July 26, 2021	In Person	PcM	PASS
September 20, 2021	In Person	PjM	FAIL
December 13, 2021	In Person	C&E	FAIL
March 21, 2022	In Person	PjM	PASS
May 16, 2022	In Person	C&E	PASS
August 8, 2022	In Person	P&A	PASS
October 3, 2022	In Person	PPD	FAIL
December 12, 2022	In Person	PDD	PASS
March 14, 2023	In Person	PPD	FAIL
July 28, 2023	In Person	PPD	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 to validate all the hours and time studying in school and being able to officially call myself an Architect.

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 is to start with the PcM or PjM tests as the content and material is a bit more focused compared to the other tests.  

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

I used everything from Ballast, to Black Spectacles, to Amber Book, and NCARB practice tests. What I found most helpful was Amber Book due to its comprehensive nature and the way visual graphics were used to explain concepts and ideas.    

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

Being a father, I had to find pockets of time, whether it was early in the morning, on the weekend, or late at night. What helped me was keeping that study time sacred and committing to it. 

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

My advice would be to keep putting yourself in a position to take the tests. I always told myself, a failed test is a really good practice test. Eventually it will click, and the test will line up with the material studied.

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 Glen Santayana for sharing your story!

Edited by

Katelyn Rossier, AIA, NCARB, LSSBB