Podcast – Architect Exam Prep – ARE Prep Courses

If you’re studying for the ARE right now, this episode is for you.

In this solo Tuesday episode, David shares why he’s resetting the ARE Podcast, what’s changing, and how this shift is designed to help you build clarity and consistency in your exam journey.

Listen to the Audio

Show Notes

Why the Reset?

The ARE Podcast began in 2014. There have been 81 episodes over 12 years. In 2025, only one episode was published.

That lack of consistency sparked reflection.

David shares openly that consistency has never been his strongest trait — and that it impacted his own ARE journey, which took seven years (back during ARE 3.0 with nine divisions).

This reset is about correcting that pattern. Not just for the podcast — but for you.

The Real Theme: Consistency

Many candidates struggle with:

Taking only one exam in a year

Losing momentum after a failure

Starting strong but drifting off track

This episode draws a parallel between podcast consistency and exam consistency.

Going forward, there will be two episodes per week:

Tuesday: Solo episode (just you and David)

Friday: Traditional episode with Eric

What’s Changing?

The produced intro is gone. No music. No 30-second commercial. No hype. Just direct conversation. The goal is efficiency and clarity.

Tuesday episodes are one-on-one conversations — honest, direct, and focused on your journey. These episodes are about encouragement, professional mindset, and helping you stay consistent.

Friday episodes continue with David and Eric discussing ARE topics, the profession, and industry trends — with even more clarity and efficiency.

A Core Focus Moving Forward

Thinking like a professional.

This is not about memorizing technical facts. It’s about judgment, risk, ethics, process, standard of care, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

The ARE is not testing whether you’re a student. It’s testing whether you can think like a licensed architect.

That mindset shift will be a recurring theme in future Tuesday episodes.

The 6-Month Commitment

David’s commitment:

A new Tuesday episode every week

A Friday episode every week

Your commitment:

Take 3 exams in the next 6 months

One exam every two months

The same pacing taught inside AEP coaching

Structured. Doable. Consistent.

This reset isn’t about production value. It’s about rebuilding connection and helping you finish the ARE.

If you’re in the process right now, you’re not alone.

You can reach out directly at [email protected].

Have a consistent week. See you Tuesday.

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

In this episode, David and Eric break down what it really takes to pass the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) in 2026. They walk through the six ARE divisions, explain how to sequence exams for momentum, and outline a realistic study approach designed for busy professionals — not full-time students.

This episode is about starting, building consistency, and treating the ARE like a professional process instead of an academic mountain to climb.

Listen to the Audio

Show Notes

A clear overview of the six ARE divisions:

Practice Management (PcM)

Project Management (PjM)

Construction & Evaluation (CE)

Programming & Analysis (PA)

Project Planning & Design (PPD)

Project Development & Documentation (PDD)

Why the first three exams are often grouped as professional practice

How the design-focused exams differ in scale and mindset

Why consistency beats perfection when studying

A realistic study rhythm: about 1 hour a day, 6 days a week

Why retaking the same exam repeatedly often leads to worse results

How taking a new exam every two months keeps momentum strong

Why scheduling exams in advance changes your mindset and outcomes

Don’t wait until you “feel ready” — readiness comes from motion

Treat the ARE like a professional obligation, not a school test

Daily, predictable study habits outperform long, irregular sessions

Momentum matters more than any single exam result

Set up your NCARB Council Record and obtain authorization to test

Schedule your first ARE exam for about six weeks out

Map out all six exams across the year to create a clear roadmap

Use reliable study resources to support consistency, not overwhelm

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

In this podcast, we discuss the idea of Where’s Waldo and how we can better look for answers during the process of the ARE.

Listen to the Audio

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

In this podcast, we discuss another frequently confusing and fuzzy topic, the RFP (Request For Proposal) process for both public and private projects.

Listen to the Audio

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

In this podcast, we discuss a frequently confusing and fuzzy topic, fire separation and the 4 types.

Listen to the Audio

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

In this podcast, we discuss a frequent fuzzy topic, the difference between a control joint and an expansion joint.

Listen to the Audio

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

In this podcast, we discuss whether nuclear energy is making a comeback and the pros and cons of this carbon free energy source. 

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

In this podcast, we discuss a frequent fuzzy topic, albedo. Listen in as we discuss what albedo is and how best understand it and apply it in our practice as well as taking the ARE. 

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

In this podcast, we discuss the Stockdale Paradox which is a concept that involves having faith in the ability to prevail while also facing the harsh realities of the present and how this applies to our mindset during our ARE journey.

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

In this podcast, we introduce what we mean by a “fuzzy topic” and Plan Efficiency as our first of several planned Fuzzy Topic podcasts.

Receive automatic updates when you subscribe below!

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!