Architect Exam 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:
- Practice Management (PcM)
- Project Management (PjM)
- Programming & Analysis (PA)
- Project Planning & Design (PPD)
- Project Development & Documentation (PDD)
- Construction & Evaluation (CE)
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:
- All ARE Exams
- PcM: Practice Management
- PjM: Project Management
- PA: Programming and Analysis
- PPD: Project Planning and Design
- PDD: Project Development and Documentation
- CE: Construction and Evaluation
- AIA Contracts
- Building Codes
- CDT: Construction Documents Technology
- CCCA: Construction Contract Administration
- Study Strategies & Tips
- NCIDQ IDFX Exam
- NCIDQ IDIX Exam
- NCIDQ IDPX Exam
Sealant Types, Backer Rod, and Joint Design for Buildings
The most critical material on your building is not the steel, the concrete, or the glass. It is the quarter-inch bead of sealant between them, and most building envelope failures happen right there at the...
Building Area Measurements: The GRUN Framework Explained
Understanding building area measurements is critical for architects, real estate professionals, and ARE candidates. This comprehensive guide explores the differences between gross area, rentable area, usable area, and net area (GRUN), explaining how these...
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 Integrated...
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 down...
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 (especially...
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,...
Business Entity Types for Architects: LLC, LLP, S-Corp
Understanding the different business entity types for architects is about as exciting as watching concrete cure, but it’s absolutely crucial for your architecture career. Whether you’re choosing between a sole proprietorship, LLC, PLLC, LLP, or...
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...
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 your...
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, and...
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...
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...
Visual Learner Myth: Why You Need Multiple Study Methods
The visual learner myth has convinced thousands of ARE candidates that watching videos is enough to pass the architect exam. It’s not. This post breaks down the learning pyramid, explains the difference between active vs...
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...
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: 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 of...
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: 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 about...
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...
Construction Bidding Process: 8 Stages From Bid to Build
The construction bidding process is how contractors compete to win a construction contract by pricing the same set of drawings and specifications. This guide walks through all eight stages on public projects, from bid preparation...
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...
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,...
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...
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...