Are you procrastinating on your ARE exams? You're not alone. Most candidates delay their license for months or years

Learn why time is your most valuable resource and how to stop making excuses that delay your architecture license.

In this episode, Michael shares his personal journey through the excuse trap and the moment everything changed when he realized the real cost of procrastination.

Getting your architecture license is a 700-1500 hour investment that will be the most important project of your career. Yet many candidates spend months making excuses about money, experience, or timing instead of taking action. This episode breaks down why professional development requires prioritizing time management over perfect conditions.

🔗 Resources & Links:

- 📝 Beat ARE Procrastination: Read our complete blogpost at https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/procrastination/

- 🎯 ARE 101 Course Membership: Stop procrastinating with our comprehensive ARE prep program at https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/ncarb-are-101/

- 💪 ARE Boot Camp: Join our 10-week intensive coaching program for accountability and community support at https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

👍 Like and subscribe for more architect exam preparation content. Share your biggest procrastination challenge in the comments!

Confused about CSI MasterFormat and how it applies to your architecture exams? This episode breaks down everything you need to know about construction specifications organization for the ARE exam and CDT certification. We explain the 50-division system, specification structure, and why understanding MasterFormat is crucial for exam success.

Key exam topics covered:

- CSI MasterFormat vs UniFormat differences (critical for ARE Practice Management)

- 50-division organization system and major division groups

- Three-part specification format (General, Products, Execution)

- Real-world applications in project delivery and construction administration

- Specification organization principles for CDT certification

Read the full blogpost for this podcast: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/masterformat/

This content directly applies to ARE 5.0 divisions including Practice Management, Project Management, and Construction & Evaluation. For CDT candidates, we cover fundamental specification principles that appear throughout the certification exam.

🎯 Download Your Study Guide: Get our FREE 2-page MasterFormat reference guide at https://YoungArchitect.com/MasterFormat - perfect for quick review before exams!

🎓 Master CDT Certification: Our CDT 101 course covers MasterFormat in detail: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/cdt-101/

💡 Study with us: Explore more exam prep resources at https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/

Ready to tackle construction specifications with confidence? Give this video a thumbs up and subscribe for more ARE and CDT exam preparation content!

Black Friday deals on the best ARE study materials and CDT certification prep! Save $300 on ARE Boot Camp, get bundle pricing on ARE 101, and more.

This is our biggest Black Friday sale ever with exclusive deals on architect exam prep courses, ARE Boot Camp coaching, and CDT certification materials.

These limited-time offers run from Monday, November 18th through Monday, December 2nd, 2025 - just 14 days to grab the best deals of the year.

Whether you're studying for ARE 5.0 exams or pursuing CDT certification, we've got you covered with comprehensive study materials, practice questions, and expert coaching to help you pass your licensing exams.

🔗 Black Friday Deals & Registration:

📍 All Black Friday Deals: https://youngarchitect.com/blackfriday

📍 ARE Boot Camp Details: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

📍 ARE 101 Membership: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-study-materials/

📍 CDT 101 Course: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/cdt-101/

🎁 What's Included in This Sale:

1. ARE Boot Camp: $999 (regularly $1,300) - January & February 2026 sessions
2. ARE 101 Membership: Special bundle pricing on 3, 6, and 12-month options
3. CDT 101 Course: $149 (regularly $199) for Spring 2026
4. FREE CDT Webinar: January 29th, 2026 at 7pm ET
5. FREE Study Notes: Two-pagers for 30+ podcast episodes

💡 Why Choose Young Architect for ARE Exam Prep?

Our ARE study materials include over 130 hours of video content, 1,500+ practice questions, interactive flashcards, and 24/7 virtual tutors.

ARE Boot Camp is the only true coaching program (not just study materials) that provides accountability, community support, and a proven curriculum to help you pass all your exams efficiently.

✅ Don't miss out on these limited-time Black Friday offers! Make 2026 your year to pass your architect licensing exams. Visit YoungArchitect.com/blackfriday for complete details.

👍 If you found this helpful, SUBSCRIBE to The Architect Exam Podcast for weekly ARE prep insights and study strategies!

NCARB has officially announced the 2026 ARE exam changes affecting AXP, case studies, and 12 exam objectives across five divisions.

This comprehensive breakdown explains what's actually changing, when these changes take effect, and exactly how they'll impact your path to licensure.

After analyzing all the objective changes NCARB didn't want to discuss in their webinar, I'm walking you through every detail you need to know.

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS:

Want the complete written analysis with all objective numbers and deeper details?

Read the full blog post for this ARE podcast: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/2026-are-exam-changes/

Come study with us!

- Check out our ARE 101 Courses - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-study-materials/

- Check out our PcM 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-practice-management/

- Check out our PjM 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-management/

- Check out our CE 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-construction-and-evaluation/

- Check out our PA 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/programming-analysis-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/

- Check out our Mechanical Systems 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-mechanical-systems-101/

- Check out our Building Codes 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-building-codes-101/

- Check out our AIA Contracts 101 course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-aia-contracts-101/

- Check out our ARE Boot Camp Interactive Coaching (10-week program): https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

✅ NEXT STEPS:

If you found this breakdown helpful, SUBSCRIBE to The Architect Exam Podcast for weekly ARE prep content.

ARE Bootcamp is the only coaching program for the Architect Registration Exam, and it works completely differently than study materials like Amber Book or Black Spectacles.

In this episode, we break down exactly how ARE Bootcamp actually works and why it's not just another study resource.

Michael explains the fundamental difference between coaching and study materials, shares the strategy behind both Pro Practice and Technical Bootcamp, and answers the most common questions about cost, time commitment, and success rates.

You'll learn why ARE Bootcamp focuses on creating great architects rather than just passing exams.

Want to learn more about ARE Bootcamp and see if it's right for your architect exam journey? Check out our full in-depth blogpost at: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/architect-exam-prep-are-bootcamp/

Check out all the details and frequently asked questions at: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

👍 If this helped clarify how ARE Bootcamp works, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more architect exam insights every week!

Understanding construction cost estimates is critical for architects at every stage of a project. From early conceptual estimates using square footage costs to detailed quantity takeoffs during construction documents, each estimate type serves a specific purpose and provides different levels of accuracy.

In this episode, we break down when to use each estimate type, what information you need to prepare them, and how they're tested on the ARE exam.

Whether you're studying for the PjM, PA, PDD exams or even working on real projects, this knowledge is essential.

🔗 Links & Resources:

- 📝 Read the Complete Guide: Want to learn more about construction cost estimates? Check out our in-depth article for a complete analysis with examples, exam tips and a 2 page study guide.

https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/construction-cost-estimates/

- 🎓 ARE Practice Management Course: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/practice-management-101-are-5-0-exam-prep-pcm-101/

- 🎓 ARE Project Management Course: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/project-management-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/

- 🚀 JOIN ARE Boot Camp: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

✅ Subscribe to The Architect Exam Podcast for weekly episodes on passing the ARE exam and advancing your architecture career.

Test day anxiety can derail even the most prepared ARE candidate. Learn proven strategies to stay calm and focused during your architect exam.

Ever felt your heart racing during an exam?

You're not alone. Test anxiety affects countless ARE candidates, but it doesn't have to derail your path to licensure. In this episode, we dive deep into practical strategies for managing test day panic and maintaining focus when it matters most.

We cover the critical 7-day rule for exam scheduling, how to handle unexpected questions without spiraling, techniques for stopping negative self-talk, and why persistence beats perfection every time.

These aren't just feel-good tips - they're battle-tested strategies from thousands of successful ARE candidates.

✅ Want to learn more about test day strategies? Check out our in-depth article for a complete analysis: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-test-day/

🔗 Resources & Links:

- 📝 Free ARE Panic Notes Download: https://youngarchitect.com/panicnotes

- 🎯 ARE 101 Course Membership: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/ncarb-are-101/

- 🚀 ARE Boot Camp Program: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

👍 Like this video if it helped calm your test anxiety! Subscribe for more ARE exam prep content, and share your own test day experiences in the comments below.

Think specs are just boring boilerplate documents that nobody reads? Think again! In this episode, I reveal 8 dangerous myths about construction specifications that are costing architects time, money, and professional credibility.

As someone who used to believe these myths myself, I'll share the painful lessons I learned the hard way - like when my copied-and-pasted specs nearly tanked a small commercial project. Whether you're studying for the ARE, pursuing CDT certification, or just trying to deliver better projects, understanding the truth about specifications isn't just academic - it's essential for success.

Want to dive deeper into specification myths and avoid making these costly mistakes? Check out the full written blog post at https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/construction-specs-myths/

Resources:

- ARE 101 Course: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/ncarb-are-101/

- CDT 101 Course: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/cdt-101/

- ARE Boot Camp: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

If this helped you understand specifications better, hit the LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE for more architecture exam prep content. Leave a comment with which myth surprised you the most!

Fire rated walls save lives by buying precious time during emergencies. Learn how these tested assemblies actually work and why every detail matters for building safety.

Learn the essential knowledge every architect needs about fire rated walls, from Type X gypsum board science to UL assembly specifications.

This comprehensive guide covers when and where fire rated walls are required, how they actually work to save lives, and the common mistakes that can compromise their effectiveness.

Whether you're studying for the ARE exam or working on real projects, understanding fire rated walls is crucial for Programming & Analysis, Project Planning & Design, and Project Development & Documentation divisions.

🔗 Links & Resources:

- Master Building Codes for ARE Success: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/building-codes-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/

- ARE 101 Course Membership: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/join/ncarb-are-101/

- ARE Bootcamp Interactive Coaching: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

- National Gypsum Resources: YoungArchitect.com/National

Want to learn more about fire rated walls? Check out our in-depth article for a complete analysis: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/fire-rated-walls/

👍 Like & Subscribe: If this helped you understand fire rated walls, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more ARE exam prep content every week!

Building codes and regulations make up 16-22% of your PA exam. Master them with this complete Section 2 breakdown! Learn the code requirements, zoning regulations, and site-specific standards that shape architectural programming.

In this 32-minute deep dive, we break down all three objectives in PA Section 2, covering the essential code knowledge every architect needs for both exam success and professional practice.

Whether you're struggling with occupancy classification, construction types, or understanding when different building code requirements apply, this episode gives you the complete framework.

What You'll Learn:

- How to identify relevant building codes for any project type and location

- The "Big Three" codes that appear on almost every project (IBC, ADA, local amendments)

- Understanding zoning requirements, setbacks, and FAR calculations

- When variances and conditional use permits are appropriate

- Site-specific requirements like historic preservation and environmental constraints

- The 10 most common mistakes that trip up PA candidates

Want to learn more about codes and regulations? Check out our in-depth article for a complete analysis: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/building-codes-regulations-pa-exam

Ready to master building codes and pass your PA exam with confidence?

Our Programming & Analysis 101 course includes 8+ hours of expert instruction, 260+ practice questions, and detailed case studies.

Combined with Building Codes 101, you'll have the complete foundation needed for PA exam success.

🔗 Links & Resources:

- 📝 Download FREE 2-Page Study Notes: https://youngarchitect.com/PAcodes

- 🎓 Programming & Analysis 101 Course: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/programming-analysis-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/

- 🏗️ Building Codes 101 Course: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/building-codes-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/

- 🚀 ARE Bootcamp (10-Week Coaching): https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

👍 Like & Subscribe for more ARE exam prep content every week! Have questions about codes and regulations? Drop them in the comments below.