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.
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...
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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...
Test taking strategies are the difference between candidates who walk out of the testing center confident and candidates who studied just as hard but felt blindsided by how the questions were worded. If you’re...
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...
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...
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...
This comprehensive guide breaks down the critical differences between fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers, and smoke partitions in building construction. Understand the specific fire-resistance ratings, continuity requirements, and applications for each system...
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...
Construction types are fundamental building classifications that determine everything from fire resistance to allowable heights and materials. This guide breaks down all five types of building construction as defined in the International Building Code (IBC),...
Mastering occupancy classifications are essential for ARE success. This guide breaks down IBC's classification system and shows how it affects design, code compliance, and safety. Learn to confidently classify any project and avoid costly compliance...