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:
Trent Schmitz, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA
Trent is a designer at Neumann/Smith Architecture, in Southfield, MI. His focus is on a range of project types, including mixed-use projects, high-end retail, and multifamily buildings. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2020, followed by my Masters of Architecture in 2021 at Lawrence Technological University, where I was a part of the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) Program. For those who may be unfamiliar with IPAL, it allowed me to complete the same testing requirements and degree as everyone else, but with the added benefit of being able to sit for licensure exams while still in school. As a result, I was licensed when I graduated with my Master’s degree. I am passionate about design and always seeking new challenges to expand my skills and knowledge.
“If you’re struggling in a certain testing category or topic, DIVE IN!”
Exam Order
Understand that experiencing failure is a common part of the journey through the exams. When I failed my first exam, it was disheartening, but I quickly learned that nearly everyone faces a similar setback. In fact, I have only come across one person who passed every exam on their first attempt.
Another note about my exam experience, I got super lucky. In Michigan, the Prometric centers closed on March 18, 2020 which was less than a week after I passed the C+E exam. I had other colleagues who were not so lucky and had to wait to take exams. It was unknown how long the testing centers would be closed.
| December 29, 2018 | In person | PcM | Fail |
| March 30, 2019 | In person | PcM | Pass |
| October 11, 2019 | In person | PjM | Pass |
| February 6, 2020 | In person | P&A | Pass |
| March 12, 2020 | In person | CE | Pass |
Prometric centers closed because of Covid-19
| September 12, 2020 | In person | PPD | Pass |
| September 29, 2020 | In person | PDD | Pass |
Advice for you!
How did you fit study time into your schedule? Was there anything in particular that worked well for you?
This was a bit challenging as I was fitting in studying along with being a full-time student, and working part time at an architectural firm in undergrad and full time during my Master’s Degree.
For me, I found the best thing was creating a routine with consistent study time. I started getting into work at 7:00am to study for the first hour before anyone got there. It was devoted, quiet time. I was removed from my typical home environment, and then if any relevant questions arose, I could ask any of my colleagues once they got into work. This was unpaid time, of course, but created a consistent routine.
Do you have any other advice for someone studying for their exams?
One of the best things I learned was actually a testing strategy. On one of NCARB’s blogs, I had read a suggestion to read each question twice. Read it once for understanding, and then before reading again ask yourself—what is this question actually asking? Once you dig a bit deeper, it becomes much easier to eliminate the incorrect answers.
Another piece of advice is to not be shy about what you don’t know. If you’re struggling on a certain testing category or topic – dive in! If there was a component, I was unfamiliar with I asked leadership at our firm who the most knowledgeable person in our office is on the topic. I would then create a list of questions, sit down with the person, go through the list and ask for real life examples on the topic. – Be sure to use the resources around you.
One of THE BEST pieces of advice I received (which seemed crazy at the time) was that if you pass PPD to take PDD two weeks later. PDD is really just an expansion of PPD – so if you pass take the two weeks to develop the portions of the exam you struggled with.
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 Trent Schmitz for sharing your story!
Edited by
Katelyn Rossier, AIA, LSSBB
Want to share your ARE Story?
Contact us!
