NCARB 2013 Annual Report

 

Proposed Divisional Structure

The proposed structure of ARE 5.0 includes six divisions, and it is anticipated that each of the proposed ARE 5.0 divisions will be standalone, single test administrations. This shift in structure results from an effort to align the ARE with the more commonly defined professional architect activities of practice management, project management, and project design.

 

 

Proposed Structure

1. Practice Management

2. Project Management

3. Programming & Project Analysis

4. Project Planning & Design

5. Project Development & Documentation

6. Construction Phase Services & Project Evaluation

 

 

 

 

 

New Item Types and
Incorporation of Case Studies

The proposed structure incorporates graphics throughout
the exam via new performance item types that have
candidates perform exercises similar to what an architect
does as part of regular practice.

 

Additionally, the incorporation of case studies is anticipated
to be implemented in all proposed divisions and will allow
more in-depth analysis of architectural scenarios
by candidates.

 

 

 

 

 

Rationale for the Board’s Decision

The Board learned that due to dramatic changes in the testing industry over the last five years, technology tools are now available that offer a different way to deliver items. These new item types are successfully being used by other professions/exams and could potentially be incorporated into the ARE.

 

The NCARB BOD made the decision to conduct more research in fiscal year 2013 around options and opportunities for the future exam. This research included considering new item types, different scoring models, and new delivery models, as well as evaluating a range of research inputs, such as research conducted by a multi-disciplinary project team of NCARB staff.

 

The findings of these R&D efforts informed the BOD decision to move forward with the development of ARE 5.0. Learn more about the research process and outcomes here.

 

 

 

 

Exam Development

ARE 5.0 is being developed with significant input from practitioner volunteers from across the U.S. These volunteers range from recently licensed to experienced architects, from large firms to small firms, from education to private practice, all of which allow the future exam to reflect the broad aspects of current practice.

The team completed its work using an Agile project methodology that provided the ability to frequently review progress and receive feedback and direction.

 

The first interim report was presented to the Board at their September 2012 meeting, where the project team leaders had the opportunity to ask questions about whether the Board was getting the required information, whether the project was on the right track, and whether the project needed any course correction.

 

The second report went to the Board in December 2012. The Board agreed with the direction of the research, and asked the team to focus on a single option for final investigation.

 

In February 2013, the work of the special project team culminated with a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors to approve the new path forward for ARE 5.0, the next version of the examination.

ARE 5.0

New Era for the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®)

 

In early 2013, the NCARB Board of Directors (BOD) voted unanimously to approve the development of ARE 5.0, the next version of the examination. As part of ARE 5.0 development, NCARB is investigating the incorporation of dramatic new breakthroughs in graphic testing methods and the use of case studies. The new performance item type questions, along
with other refinements and enhancements to the examination, will allow the determination of a candidate’s competency while not requiring the present outdated CAD software system.

Key Dates

●  Division and exam structure are expected to
be finalized in December 2013.

●  Information about the transition from ARE 4.0 to
ARE 5.0 will be announced in late spring 2014.

●  ARE 5.0 is anticipated to launch in late 2016,
with development and integration testing taking
place over the next few years.

ARE Special Project

A key component of R&D efforts in support of the future exam was the ARE Special Project. In late spring 2012, NCARB formed an internal ARE Special Project team to conduct research and evaluate options so that the BOD could make an informed decision about how to proceed with development of the next version of the ARE.

 

One of the project’s success criteria was to provide the Board with unbiased information, so inviting several disciplines to the table, in addition to the examination subject-matter experts, ensured that multiple viewpoints and angles were considered. This 11-member cross-disciplinary team included representatives from each directorate across the Council, each bringing a range of expertise to help vet options and opportunities for the exam.