Architect Exam Podcast

Black and white logo for the Architect Exam Podcast with bold text and a circular emblem in the word “Podcast.”

The Architect Exam Podcast is a free ARE exam prep resource covering all six NCARB divisions. Each episode breaks down exactly what you need to know for the architect registration exam – no fluff, no filler, just the content that actually shows up on the test.

No need to take notes while you listen. For many episodes, we’ve already made a free two-page set of study notes for you – just head to the episode page and grab them. Whether you’re just starting the ARE or grinding through your last exam, there’s something here for every stage of the licensing journey.

The podcast covers all six ARE 5.0 exam divisions:


Ready for more than a podcast? ARE Boot Camp is a 10-week coaching program that gives you a clear roadmap, weekly live sessions, and accountability all the way to your last exam. Learn more about ARE Boot Camp →

Browse our complete library of podcast episodes and companion articles below. Each episode comes with an in-depth article that expands on the key concepts.

This podcast is also available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts


Do I need to take notes while I listen? Nope. For many episodes, we’ve already made a free two-page set of study notes for you. Just go to the episode page, enter your email, and download them. Hit play and just listen.

Where can I listen to the Architect Exam Podcast? You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or right here on this website. Many episodes are also embedded directly inside the Young Architect Academy courses – so if you’re a member, you’ll find relevant episodes built right into the course content you’re already studying.

Does the podcast cover all six ARE 5.0 exams? Yes. Episodes cover all six NCARB divisions – PcM, PjM, PA, PPD, PDD, and CE – plus study strategy, AIA contracts, building codes, and CDT exam prep. Use the category links above to find episodes for the specific exam you’re studying.

ARE Podcasts by Exam:

Architect explaining project delivery methods whiteboard showing DBB, DB, CMAR, CMa, Multiple Prime, and IPD contract structures

Project Delivery Methods: DBB, Design-Build, CMAR, and More

 Project delivery methods define the contractual relationships between the owner, the architect, and the contractor on every construction project. This post breaks down all the major construction delivery methods, from Design-Bid-Build to CMAR to...

Workers load different types of insulation onto a truck at a construction site

Types of Insulation: Materials, R-Values, and Assemblies

 Understanding the types of insulation is one of the most tested topics on the ARE, and for good reason. Insulation affects everything from energy performance to moisture management to fire safety. This post breaks...

Hand reaches through a cracked wall to adjust a thermostat surrounded by different types of HVAC systems and equipment

Types of HVAC Systems and How to Choose

 Understanding the different types of HVAC systems is one of those topics that separates architects who can coordinate with engineers from architects who just nod along in meetings. Whether you’re studying for the ARE...

Hand-drawn title slide for how to study for the architect registration exam with a sketch of an ARE Candidate surrounded by study guides.

How to Study for the Architect Exam in 2026

There’s a lot of bad information out there about how to study for the architect exam. Most of it is costing people time, money, and years of their career. Get-rich-quick promises from exam prep companies,...

Crate labeled OFCI Owner Furnished, Contractor Installed sits on a job site as damaged cabinets spill out and the owner looks concerned.

OFCI: Owner Furnished, Contractor Installed Simply Explained

 OFCI (owner furnished, contractor installed) is one of the most misunderstood procurement methods in construction. The OFCI meaning is straightforward on the surface, but it often delivers coordination headaches and liability questions that catch...

Architect armed with an ARE study guide fights a shadowy Resistance figure in a war of art battle.

The War of Art: Lessons for Exam Success

 Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art explains why you keep sabotaging your architect exam prep and how to stop. This war of art summary breaks down Pressfield’s concept of Resistance, the invisible force behind...

Deluge fire sprinkler system flooding an aircraft hangar as all heads discharge at once while workers run from flames surrounding a plane

Fire Sprinkler Systems: Wet, Dry, Pre-Action, Deluge

 Fire sprinkler systems are one of the most critical life safety systems in any building. This guide breaks down the four main types of sprinkler systems, how they work, when to use each one,...

Owner calls a frustrated architect asking to work with the owner's consultants while a confused contractor stands on the job site

Owner’s Consultants: Know Where Your Liability Ends

 Learn the difference between owner’s consultants and architect’s consultants, including where the liability falls, what coordination actually requires, and how to protect yourself on the ARE and in practice. This podcast is also available...

Becoming an architect journey from a student studying with building models to a confident professional holding rolled plans

How to Become an Architect: What You Need to Know

 Learning how to become an architect in the US means completing four key steps: earning an accredited degree, gaining real-world experience, passing the Architect Registration Exam (ARE), and paying your licensing fees. Here’s everything...

ARE Candidate studies books labeled PA, PPD, and PDD, surrounded by structural, code, zoning, and building system diagrams.

PA, PPD, and PDD: Know the Difference Before You Study

 The ARE technical exams (PA, PPD, and PDD) test your ability to define, design, and document a building project. This guide breaks down what each exam actually covers, how they connect, and why understanding...

Architect operates a control panel labeled Division 01 general requirements, managing submittals, meetings, quality, closeout, and payment.

Division 01 General Requirements: Running Your Project

 When you open a set of specifications, you probably flip straight to the division you care about. Concrete? Division 03. Steel? Division 05. Finishes? Division 09. But general requirements, the very first division in...

Plumbing valves explained — Architect Exam Podcast episode covering types of valves including gate valves, ball valves, check valves, backflow preventers, and pressure reducing valves for ARE and CDT exam prep

Plumbing Valves: Every Type You Need to Know

 Plumbing valves are one of those topics that sounds intimidating until someone actually breaks it down. Whether you’re studying for the ARE, preparing for the CDT, or just trying to understand the different types...

Overwhelmed architect buried in paperwork, panicking over unclear documents, symbolizing the chaos of poor construction specification writing.

Architectural Specification Writing: 10 Common Errors

Architectural specification writing is one of the most important skills in practice, and one of the least taught. Despite being legal contract documents that carry the same weight as your drawings, construction specifications are often...

Building acoustics soundproofing wall with insulation blocks a loud rock band while a person sleeps peacefully next to an Architect Exam study book

Building Acoustics: How Sound Actually Works in Buildings

 Building acoustics is one of those topics that affects every person inside a building, but most architects don’t think about it until something goes wrong. This guide breaks down everything you need to know...

Architect caught between a builder and client arguing over a collapsed building, symbolizing liability and the need for architect insurance.

Architect Insurance: Types, Costs, and Risk Management Guide

Architect insurance is one of those topics that nobody wants to think about until they absolutely have to. But understanding your coverage (from professional liability and errors and omissions insurance to claims-made policies, tail coverage,...

Architect monitors building codes and regulations across ADA, zoning, IBC, and local ordinances on multiple screens in a control room.

Building Codes and Regulations: What the PA Exam Actually Tests

 Building code compliance is one of the most important skills you’ll develop as an architect, and it shows up early on the PA exam. Section 2 covers codes and regulations, and it accounts for...

Three women sprinting through design, procurement, and construction phases, symbolizing the fast-paced nature of the construction bidding process.

Construction Bidding Process: 8 Stages From Bid to Build

The construction bidding process on public projects follows a strict, regulated path from completed drawings to breaking ground. This guide walks through all eight stages of the construction bid process, covering bid preparation, sealed bidding,...

Female architect conducting construction observation on-site, reviewing field reports and plans with contractors during a site visit.

Construction Observation: Field Reports and Site Visits

Construction observation is the heart of the architect’s role during construction. It’s where you shift from designer to project advocate, visiting the site, evaluating the work, and making sure what’s being built matches what was...

architect explaining the difference between control joint vs expansion joint to construction workers

Control Joint vs Expansion Joint: Where the Cracks At?

 Understanding the difference between a control joint vs expansion joint is one of those things that trips up almost everyone. This guide breaks down all four joint types, expansion joints, control joints, isolation joints,...

Side-by-side of stressed and confident exam takers, illustrating the impact of choosing the best ARE 5.0 test order for success.

What Is The Best ARE 5.0 Exam Order?

Choosing the right ARE 5.0 test order can save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in retakes. The sequence you choose isn’t just about convenience – it’s about building the foundation knowledge that...

Illustration of an ARE Candidate surrounded by contracts, org charts, and project schedules representing NCARB's PcM PjM and CE pro practice exams ARE exams

PcM, PjM, and CE: Understanding the Difference Before You Study

 Most ARE candidates jump straight into studying PcM, PjM, and CE without ever stopping to ask, “What is each of these exams actually about?” This guide breaks down the three pro practice exams on...

Cartoon contractor angrily reacts as a change order is denied, while professionals argue over costs, symbolizing construction claims and disputes.

Construction Disputes: How Claims Start and How They End

Construction disputes and construction claims are an unavoidable part of working in the AEC industry. Whether you’re managing an active project or preparing for the ARE exam, knowing how to prevent, navigate, and resolve these...

Overwhelmed ARE Candidate surrounded by ARE study guides and coffee cups, while a devil whispers “Take all 6 at once,” promoting an failing study strategy to make him more money.

How to Build an ARE Study Schedule That Works

 Building an ARE study schedule that actually works is one of the hardest parts of the licensing process, especially when most advice out there ignores the reality of what it takes. After helping hundreds...

Architect walks a tightrope between cost estimate and project budget, symbolizing the challenge of accurate construction cost estimates

Construction Cost Estimates: Getting the Numbers Right

 Construction cost estimates are essential tools that help architects provide accurate budget guidance and make smart design decisions throughout every project phase. These estimates evolve from broad conceptual estimates with 25-50% accuracy to precise...