ARE 5.0 Project Development and Documentation Exam Prep
Master PDD and Pass With Confidence
We transform complex construction documentation into clear, practical knowledge that helps you create coordinated drawing sets and specifications for PDD exam success.
*Pictures of our actual students
Our Students Are Now Registered Architects at These Firms:
Ace the PDD Exam With Complete Documentation Mastery
Our proven approach breaks down construction documents and technical coordination into manageable concepts you can apply immediately.
Picture yourself walking into the PDD exam completely prepared for any documentation question.
That’s exactly what happens.
PDD Topics You'll Master:
Integrating building materials and systems including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural coordination
Creating construction documentation with proper detailing, schedules, and drawing standards
Writing project manuals and specifications using CSI MasterFormat organization
Applying building codes at detail level for means of egress, fire protection, and accessibility
Analyzing construction cost estimates and implementing value engineering decisions
Your Complete PDD Exam Toolkit
Everything you need to master construction documents and pass PDD.
NCARB-Focused Video Lessons
16+ hours covering all five PDD sections from systems integration to cost estimates
Strategic Practice Questions
430+ practice questions with detailed explanations building from basics to advanced coordination
Progressive Learning Path
Practice questions organized in beginner, intermediate, and advanced tiers that build your skills step by step
Construction Documentation Training
Learn to create coordinated drawing sets, details, sections, and schedules that meet standard of care
Specifications Mastery
Complete coverage of project manuals, CSI MasterFormat, and material specification writing
Building Systems Integration
Understand how to coordinate MEP, structural, and specialty systems within project documentation
What Our Customers Our Saying About PDD 101
PDD success requires knowledge from multiple courses.
Get PDD 101 Plus Every ARE Course You Need
Project Development and Documentation builds directly on PPD concepts. Your membership gives you everything because mastering construction documents means understanding building codes, mechanical systems, and project planning together.
Why This Matters for Your PDD Prep
PDD questions pull from multiple technical knowledge areas. Here’s what your membership includes:
PPD 101 Course - PDD builds directly on project planning concepts with massive overlap between exams
Building Codes 101 & Mechanical Systems 101 - Essential technical foundation for construction documentation and systems integration
AIA Contracts 101 - Understanding construction administration, submittals, and change orders for documentation requirements
ARE 101 Course Membership
Ideal for independent learners
$129/mo
Includes:
- Access all ARE 101 Courses
- 1000’s of Practice Questions
- Interactive Video Lessons
- In-Depth Case Studies
- 24/7 Virtual Tutors
- Cancel Anytime
Try ARE 101 Risk-Free for 7 Days
We're confident you'll love our approach to PcM prep. If you're not completely satisfied within your first week, just contact our support team and we'll process your full refund. No questions asked.
ARE 101 Course Membership
Over 140 hours of video lessons, 2,000+ practice questions, and everything you need to pass all ARE exams.
Click any course below to see what's included
Meet Your PDD Instructor
Learn from a licensed architect who makes construction documentation approachable.
Layla Qarouts
PhD, AIA, WELL AP, CTD
A registered Architect in Wisconsin, Layla has extensive healthcare and laboratory design experience. After using the ARE Boot Camp to get licensed, she now helps others master the subjects she knows best.
Your PDD Success Starts Here
Join thousands of ARE candidates who’ve used this comprehensive approach
to pass the ARE.
PDD 101 Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the Project Development and Documentation course.
FAQ:
What's included in PDD 101?
12+ hours of expert video instruction covering all five sections of the PDD exam: integration of building materials and systems, construction documentation, project manual and specifications, codes and regulations, and construction cost estimates.
You’ll get 400+ practice questions with detailed explanations, 2 comprehensive case studies, construction documentation training, specifications mastery content, and 24/7 access to our virtual tutors.
Do I get access to just PDD or all ARE courses?
You get ALL our ARE 101 courses – PDD 101 + PA, PPD, CE, PcM, PjM, Building Codes 101, Mechanical Systems 101, AIA Contracts 101. We only sell one membership.
Here’s why: PDD success requires knowledge from multiple areas. You need building codes for detail-level code application. You need mechanical systems for MEP coordination. You need PPD concepts because the overlap between these two exams is huge.
What's the connection between PDD and PPD?
The overlap is massive. PPD focuses on project planning and conceptual design. PDD takes those concepts and develops them into detailed construction documents.
Many topics appear on both exams but at different levels of detail. Understanding project planning from PPD makes construction documentation in PDD significantly easier.
Most successful students take PPD first, then PDD because you’re building on concepts you’ve already learned rather than starting from scratch.
Why do I need Building Codes 101 and Mechanical Systems 101 for PDD?
Because PDD tests your ability to apply technical knowledge at a detail level.
Building Codes 101 teaches you occupancy types, construction types, and means of egress fundamentals. Then in PDD, you apply those concepts to detailed construction drawings and specifications.
Mechanical Systems 101 teaches you HVAC equipment and system configurations. Then in PDD, you coordinate those systems with architectural documentation and resolve conflicts.
Without these foundations, you’re guessing. With them, you’re applying knowledge you actually understand.
How does learning construction documents help me pass the ARE?
Construction documentation skills are essential for passing PDD and directly support your PPD preparation.
PDD tests your understanding of drawing coordination, specification writing, detail development, and systems integration. These are the technical skills that separate competent architects from those still learning.
Master construction documents once, apply them across PDD, PPD, and your entire career. That’s the most efficient path to success.
Which PDD topics are covered?
We cover all five sections of the PDD exam:
Integration of Building Materials & Systems – MEP coordination, structural systems, specialty systems integration
Construction Documentation – Drawing sets, details, sections, schedules, and documentation standards
Project Manual & Specifications – CSI MasterFormat, material specifications, and coordination with drawings
Codes & Regulations – IBC at detail level, accessibility requirements, energy codes, and specialty regulations
Construction Cost Estimates – Analyzing estimates, value engineering, and material substitutions
These are exactly what NCARB tests on the PDD exam.
Should I take this before or after PPD?
Take PPD first, then PDD. The exam sequence follows the natural project workflow.
PPD covers project planning and conceptual design. PDD takes those concepts and develops them into construction documents. When you understand project planning first, creating documentation becomes much easier.
Think of it like this: PPD asks “what are we building?” PDD asks “how do we document it?” You need to know what before you can document how.
How long does it take to complete PDD 101?
It depends on your experience with construction documents and technical coordination. Some people need more time than others, and that’s completely okay.
The course includes 12+ hours of video instruction, plus time to work through 400+ practice questions, review case studies, and really understand how documentation and coordination work together.
This isn’t something you cram in a weekend. Construction documentation takes time to master. But once you understand it, you’ll have skills that serve your entire career.
Do I need work experience to understand construction documents?
No. Thousands of recent graduates with minimal CD experience have used this course successfully.
We explain everything from the ground up. You don’t need to have produced full construction document sets or coordinated with consultants to understand how documentation works.
In fact, sometimes having less experience is actually helpful because you don’t have bad habits to unlearn from how documentation is handled (or mishandled) in real offices.
Can I cancel my membership anytime?
Yes. You can cancel your membership anytime. There are no contracts or commitments.
Your membership will continue to work until your next billing date.
Will this help me in my actual job, not just for exams?
Absolutely. Understanding construction documentation makes you a better architect.
You’ll know how to create coordinated drawing sets, write clear specifications, detail building assemblies correctly, coordinate with consultants, and resolve conflicts between building systems.
This knowledge makes you more valuable in any architecture firm. The ARE tests real-world knowledge you’ll use throughout your career.
How is this different from just learning on the job?
Learning construction documents on the job is random and inefficient. We teach you systematically what matters and why.
Layla breaks down each section with NCARB-focused applications and real-world context. You’ll understand not just how to create documentation, but why certain approaches work and how everything connects to code requirements and constructability.
We spent years figuring out the most efficient way to learn this. You get that roadmap instead of piecing together knowledge from random office projects over years.
How is this different from the ARE Bootcamp?
Think of the ARE 101 membership as joining a gym. Think of signing up for ARE Boot Camp as hiring a personal trainer.
ARE 101 is self-guided access to study materials. You go through it on your own at your own pace.
ARE Boot Camp is a coaching program with scheduled meetings, weekly curriculum, accountability, and community. You’re meeting on Zoom 3-4 times a week with other candidates working through content together.
All ARE prep study materials talk at you. ARE Boot Camp talks with you through conversation and dialogue.
What if I've already studied PDD with another prep company?
This will still help you. We’ve learned that most students use multiple resources.
Our approach is different. We focus on teaching you how construction documentation actually works rather than just what to memorize. Layla’s teaching style makes complex coordination and specification writing approachable and accessible.
A lot of people tell us they finally “got it” after going through our PDD course, even after studying with other companies first.
Your PDD Success Starts Here
Join thousands of ARE candidates who’ve used this comprehensive approach to pass the ARE.