The latest updates to the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®)’s item types and provisional feedback are now live as of April 28, 2025. If you’re preparing for the exam, be sure to use the latest version of our ARE 5.0 Guidelines, which aligns with these updates.
To learn about the changes, download the new Guidelines and read about the policy updates below.
Free NCARB Practice Exams
Take advantage of NCARB's free, full-length, fully scored practice exams for each ARE 5.0 division!
Item Types
NCARB is retiring drag-and-place item types. As of April 28, candidates should only expect to see three item types on the exam: multiple choice, check-all-that-apply, and hotspot. All items are worth one point, and there is no partial credit. The exam objectives covered by each division, as well as the tools and resources available to you during the exam, remain the same. For a detailed review of each item type, visit our YouTube channel.
Provisional Feedback
All candidates will now automatically see provisional feedback at the end of their exam. Going forward, you will not need to indicate if would like to see provisional feedback at the end of an exam division. The provisional feedback displayed on the screen will inform you of your overall likelihood of passing or failing the division. Keep in mind that provisional feedback is fully accurate, but is not official until the score validation process is complete and you receive your score report in your NCARB Record.
Other Changes
We’ve also added clarifying language to the instructions for scheduling an exam appointment with accommodations, updated the AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct listed in the Reference Guide to the most current version, and aligned the lists of AIA Contract Documents on pages 119 and 123 to accurately reflect the content on the exam.
The exam objectives covered by each division, as well as the tools and resources available to you during the exam, will otherwise remain the same.
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