Free ARE PA podcast episodes designed to help you pass the Programming and Analysis exam. Each episode breaks down NCARB’s objectives so you know exactly what to study – and what to skip.
PA covers the research and analysis that happens before any design work begins. Topics include:
PA is the “define it” exam. Before you can design anything, you have to understand the site, the codes, the client’s needs, and the constraints. Get PA right and the rest of the technical exams start to make a lot more sense.
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 go to the episode page and grab them.
Ready for more than a podcast? Check out our complete PA 101 course with 14+ hours of video lessons, 270+ practice questions, and 270+ flashcards.
PA covers everything that happens before design starts – site evaluation, zoning research, code analysis, building programming, and client needs assessment. It’s one of the four technical exams on the ARE 5.0 and a natural starting point after you’ve finished the pro practice exams.
Yes, most candidates take PA before PPD and PDD. PA builds the foundation – site analysis, codes, and programming – that PPD and PDD build directly on top of. Taking them in order makes the content click much faster.
Many episodes include a free two-page set of study notes. Just go to the individual episode page, enter your email, and download them. No note-taking required – just listen.
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...
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...
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...
Understanding concrete slab types is one of those topics that shows up constantly on the ARE and trips up a lot of candidates. This guide breaks down six structural systems, from one-way solid slabs...
Fire rated walls are tested and certified wall assemblies specifically designed to resist fire and heat for a certain time period. Built with fire rated drywall like Type X gypsum board, these fire rated wall...
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...
Cast-in-place concrete creates monolithic structural systems by pouring a concrete mix into formwork on-site. This guide covers span limitations, rebar sizing, construction defects like honeycombing, and when to choose concrete over steel or pre-tensioned...
Understanding foundation types can save your project from budget-busting surprises. This guide breaks down 7 essential foundation systems, explaining when to use each based on soil conditions, building loads, and site constraints, so you can...
Building code history isn’t written by committees in conference rooms. It’s written in tragedy. Every exit sign, sprinkler head, and panic bar you see exists because someone died when those safety features didn’t. Understanding...
Stop making excuses about getting your architecture license. Every month you delay pursuing your ARE exams costs you more than money – it costs you time, opportunities, and career advancement. This reality check explores...
NCARB announced major ARE exam changes for 2026, including updates to 12 exam objectives, streamlined case studies, and new AXP reporting policies. Here’s what’s actually changing and how it affects your architecture licensing journey....
Test day anxiety affects even the most prepared ARE candidates, but the right mindset strategies can transform your exam experience. This comprehensive guide reveals proven techniques to manage test day panic, overcome exam anxiety,...
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...
Codes and regulations form the invisible backbone of every architectural decision you’ll ever make. From the moment you sketch your first floor plan to the day you hand over the keys, building codes are...
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...
ARE exam questions don’t have to be guessing games. Learn proven test taking strategies to read questions strategically, spot key qualifier words, and eliminate wrong answers with confidence. These exam strategies help thousands of...
Understanding the different types of elevators is crucial for architects planning vertical transportation systems. This comprehensive guide covers hydraulic, traction, and machine room-less elevators with selection criteria, components, and code requirements essential for ARE...
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...
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...
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...