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.
Ready to make serious progress on your architecture exams this summer? Our ARE Summer School Promotion runs from Tuesday, May 12th through Tuesday, May 26th, 2026, offering limited-time savings on our most popular programs. Scroll...
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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...
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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...
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