CE: Construction and Evaluation

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Find resources on construction administration, bidding, and project closeout for ARE 5.0. This category covers contract administration, construction observation, and payment review. It also includes project completion steps. Materials focus on the architect’s role, including submittal review, quality checks, and conflict resolution. Learn how to evaluate completed work for contract compliance.

ARE Study Coach announces a free CDT webinar to a group of ARE candidates studying with laptops and spec books.

Free CDT® Webinar: Master the Fall 2025 Testing Cycle

Join our free CDT® webinar on August 7th to master Fall 2025 registration deadlines, study strategies, and insider secrets that help ARE candidates add this valuable certification to their licensing journey efficiently. This podcast is...

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.

Create a Realistic ARE Study Schedule That Actually Works

 Creating a realistic ARE study schedule is the difference between passing your architect exams and burning out before you finish. After helping hundreds of candidates since 2013, I’ve learned how to study better for...

Architect Michael Riscica points to a Venn diagram showing a huge overlap between ARE Exam study topics and CDT Certification content to an audience of ARE Candidates.

ARE Candidates: Why CDT®Certification Is Your Next Win

Discover why CDT® certification is becoming the strategic advantage for ARE candidates seeking to accelerate their licensing journey. This industry-recognized credential fills critical knowledge gaps, builds professional confidence, and provides the comprehensive project delivery understanding...

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

Top 10 Construction Specification Writing Errors & Solutions

Construction specification writing might not be the sexiest part of architecture, but it’s absolutely critical to bringing your designs to life correctly. Despite its importance, most architects repeatedly make common mistakes when writing specifications—often because...

Client happily demands a construction change order mid-project, while the architect and contractor react in stress and frustration over revised plans.

Construction Change Orders: Your Project’s Plot Twist

Understanding what is a change order in construction is crucial for project success. Construction change orders are formal contract amendments that require three-party agreement and always increase costs compared to original work. This guide explains...

Female architect reviewing construction documentation surrounded by change orders, logs, and directives, illustrating construction administrative procedures in action.

Master Construction Administrative Procedures: CE Section 3

Understanding construction administrative procedures and protocols is essential for ARE candidates preparing for the Construction & Evaluation (CE) exam. Furthermore, this comprehensive guide breaks down CE Section 3, explaining the documentation and communication systems that...

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

Architect Insurance: The Designer’s Guide to Risk Management

Without proper insurance as a practicing architect, a single claim could devastate your business financially. This guide explains professional liability coverage essentials, insurance requirements for all project participants, and proven risk management strategies that will...

Group of people urgently exiting a burning building through a doorway, illustrating the importance of a clear means of egress during emergencies.

Means of Egress: Making “OMG RUN FOR YOUR LIFE” Successful!

The difference between life and death during a building emergency often comes down to one thing: means of egress. These critical escape pathways aren’t arbitrary rules imposed by building officials; rather, they’re the result of...

Exhausted visual learner falls asleep studying for the ARE exam, surrounded by prep books and a hypnotic TV screen labeled “ARE PREP.”

Visual Learner Myth: Why You Need Multiple Study Methods

Have you ever spent hours watching ARE prep videos, feeling productive and confident, only to completely freeze when facing actual exam questions? You’re not alone—and contrary to popular belief, being a “visual learner” might be...

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

Construction Observation: Breaking Down CE Section 2

Understanding construction observation is essential for ARE candidates preparing for the Construction & Evaluation (CE) exam. This comprehensive guide breaks down CE Section 2, explaining the architect’s role during construction observation, how to evaluate construction...