Timeline:

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My Examination:
Testing information in one place

 

In late August 2013, NCARB launched My Examination, a dynamic service within My NCARB for ARE candidates. For the first time, candidates can schedule appointments; access score reports; view exam history, rolling clock dates, eligibility to test information; learn about the latest ARE news; and more—all in one place.

 

 

  

 

My Examination was made possible by the addition of Alpine Testing Solutions as our new partner for ARE content and candidate management. Our longtime partner, Prometric, continues to deliver the exam in its testing centers throughout North America and select international cities.

 

 

International Test Centers:
London, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong

 

ARE candidates can sit for exams in Prometric test centers in London, England; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China. The push to expand international delivery is part of an ongoing effort to facilitate the path to licensure for candidates living abroad.

 

“We’re thrilled to offer candidates more flexibility and convenience in where they can sit for the ARE,” said NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong. “The technology and proper security measures are now in place for the Council to be able to offer the exam outside of North America and meet the needs of the growing number of U.S. interns employed abroad.”

 

In keeping with current exam eligibility requirements, candidates must be approved by one of the 54 U.S. jurisdictions to be made eligible to sit for the examination. The fee to take exams at international test centers outside North America is $310 per division. Eligible candidates with an NCARB Record can schedule appointments through My Examination.

 

 

ARE 5.0: Creating the Road Map

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Test Specification and Division Structure

Development of ARE 5.0 kicked off with the ARE 5.0 Test Specification Task Force in July and September 2014. The architect volunteers serving on this task force:

● Recommended content areas and assessment objectives for the proposed divisions;

●  Aligned assessment objectives to the knowledge, skills, and tasks identified in the 2012 NCARB Practice Analysis of Architecture; and

● Weighted the importance of each content area and assessment objective.

 

The task force’s efforts lead to the development of the ARE 5.0 Test Specification and helped finalize the ARE 5.0 division structure, which were announced in December.

 

 

Transition Plan

In May, the Council announced the ARE 4.0-ARE 5.0 transition plan and credit model for candidates. In order to ensure a smooth transition:

●  Interns who began testing in the current version of the exam have the ability to earn credits toward divisions in ARE 5.0.

●  Interns who began testing in ARE 4.0 will have the opportunity to transition to ARE 5.0 at any time after it launches.

 

In addition, ARE 4.0 will continue to be delivered for at least 18 months after the launch of ARE 5.0 to give candidates who have partially completed ARE 4.0 a chance to finish. ARE 4.0 will be retired on June 30, 2018.

 

“For interns who will be testing when ARE 5.0 is launched, NCARB is making every effort to provide opportunities for a smooth transition while ensuring that all those seeking licensure are demonstrating the knowledge and skills the profession requires,” said Armstrong.

 

Credit Model

To help candidates understand how they will receive credit for ARE 4.0 divisions in ARE 5.0, NCARB has created a graphic credit model. [Download]

 

Several resources were released to help explain the transition, including a live Q&A session with Director, Examination Jared N. Zurn and Assistant Director, Examination Research Ryan L. Misner:

 

 

  

ARE Policy Changes: Improving Processes

 

With the move to Alpine Testing Solutions and the launch of My Examination, the Council was able to revisit some of its policies related to taking the ARE.

 

Retaking a Division

● Candidates can now immediately reschedule the exam after receiving their failed score report. Previously, candidates had to wait four months. [more]

●  The Council also announced plans to shorten the retake policy to allow three retakes a year, effective October 2014. [more]

 

ARE Rolling Clock

● The final phase of the ARE Rolling Clock rule was implemented. Previously grandfathered divisions  expired if a candidate had not passed all divisions of the ARE by June 30, 2014. [more]

● The rule was passed by our Member Boards at the 2009 Annual Meeting. [Resolution 2009-02]