Early Access

Black and white logo for the Architect Exam Podcast with bold text and a circular emblem in the word “Podcast.”
Excited architect has an “aha” moment while reading a construction specifications book, symbolizing clarity in understanding MasterFormat for the ARE.

MasterFormat: Your Guide to Not Getting Lost in Specs

MasterFormat is the construction industry’s standardized system for organizing specifications and project information. This comprehensive guide breaks down the 50 divisions, explains how MasterFormat works, and shows ARE and CDT candidates how to navigate construction...

Construction worker walking away from a trash can overflowing with discarded construction specs, symbolizing neglect or disregard for project documentation on a job site.

Construction Specs Nightmares: 8 Myths That Wreck Projects

Construction specifications may not be the sexiest part of building projects, but they’re often the difference between project success and expensive disasters. In this article, we’ll expose the dangerous myths about these critical documents that...

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

Construction Claims and Disputes: When Projects Get Messy

Construction claims and disputes are inevitable realities that every AEC professional will encounter. This is when there are issues on a project that get escalated to the point where we need third parties to weigh...

Cartoon bathroom wall reveals a chaotic maze of pipes behind a toilet and sink, illustrating confusion between a stack vent vs vent stack in plumbing systems.

Vent Stack vs Stack Vent: Clearing the Air for Good

  Understanding the difference between vent stacks and stack vents is crucial for ARE success. This guide breaks down these confusing plumbing concepts with clear analogies and practical examples to help you master plumbing system...

Architect holding a punch list leads a final site walkthrough with a team, illustrating project closeout procedures for the Construction & Evaluation exam.

Project Closeout & Evaluation: Breaking Down CE Section 4

Understanding project closeout and evaluation is essential for ARE candidates preparing for the Construction & Evaluation (CE) exam. This comprehensive guide breaks down CE Section 4, explaining the formal procedures needed to complete construction projects...

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 these...

Architects and builders watch in shock as a tornado labeled “Project Budget” pulls in money and documents, highlighting the chaos of hard costs vs soft costs.

Hard Costs vs Soft Costs: Making Cents of Construction

Understanding the financial structure of construction projects is essential for architects. Whether you’re managing a client’s budget expectations,, leading your first project, or preparing for the ARE, knowing the difference between hard costs vs soft...

Architect panics while signing a flashy contract for a “perfect building,” illustrating unrealistic expectations about the architect’s standard of care.

Standard of Care: The Fine Art of Not Screwing Up

The concept of an Architect’s Standard of care is the cornerstone of architectural practice that defines reasonable professional competence. It protects the architect against unrealistic client expectations, and it serves as the legal basis for...

Large tape measure wraps around a classical building with flags labeled gross area, net area, usable area, and rentable area, illustrating space measurement types.

Gross, Rentable, Usable, and Net Areas: Simply 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 measurements...

Female architect weighing different business entity types, standing before labeled doors for sole proprietor, LLC, and corporation.

Business Entity Types for Architects: Save Your Assets

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 and the ARE exam. Think of this guide as the...