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.
On a pitched roof, gravity does all the work. Flatten that roof out and the water has nowhere to go. The only thing standing between that pooling water and the inside of the building...
Study motivation is the single biggest barrier for ARE candidates who have the books, the courses, and the study plan but can’t seem to open any of them. If exam stress and decision fatigue...
Join Michael and Emily for a free CDT® certification presentation on August 6, 2026. Learn how CDT certification fits into your ARE or NCIDQ prep, the full CSI® certification landscape, the Fall 2026 exam schedule,...
Fifty foot candles. That number shows up in every lighting specification you will ever read. But what is a foot candle, actually? How is it different from a lumen? And what does luminance have...
Historic preservation defines four distinct approaches to working on historic buildings, and most people confuse at least two of them. A design team once spent weeks building a restoration plan for a beautiful old...
Every wall assembly has to manage three things: bulk water, air leakage, and vapor diffusion. A vapor barrier, an air barrier, and a weather resistive barrier each handle one of those jobs, but most people...
Years ago, I spent an entire day in a wheelchair. Not because I needed one, but because my professor told me to. I could dimension every ADA door clearance on a floor plan, but...
A soft story building has a hidden weakness that earthquakes are designed to find. This post walks through the major seismic irregularities tested on the PPD and PDD exams, including soft stories, weak stories,...
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...
Understanding the types of insulation is one of the most tested topics on the ARE, and for good reason. Insulation affects everything from energy performance to moisture management to fire safety. This post breaks...
Understanding the different types of HVAC systems is one of those topics that separates architects who can coordinate with engineers from architects who just nod along in meetings. Whether you’re studying for the ARE...
Fire sprinkler systems are one of the most critical life safety systems in any building. This guide breaks down the four main types of sprinkler systems, how they work, when to use each one,...
Learn the difference between owner’s consultants and architect’s consultants, including where the liability falls, what coordination actually requires, and how to protect yourself on the ARE and in practice. This podcast is also available...
The visual learner myth has convinced thousands of ARE candidates that watching videos is enough to pass the architect exam. It’s not. This post breaks down the learning pyramid, explains the difference between active...
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...
Architectural specification writing is one of the most important skills in practice, and one of the least taught. Despite being legal contract documents that carry the same weight as your drawings, construction specifications are often...
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...
Building code compliance is one of the most important skills you’ll develop as an architect, and it shows up early on the PA exam. Section 2 covers codes and regulations, and it accounts for...
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 that...
Building an ARE study schedule that actually works is one of the hardest parts of the licensing process, especially when most advice out there ignores the reality of what it takes. After helping hundreds...