Free ARE PcM podcast episodes designed to help you pass the Practice Management exam. Each episode breaks down NCARB’s objectives so you know exactly what to study – and what to skip.
PcM covers how architecture firms actually run. Topics include:
PcM is a great first exam. It builds foundational knowledge about how the profession works that pays off across every other ARE division.
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 PcM 101 course with 17+ hours of video lessons and 230+ practice questions.
PcM covers how architecture firms operate – business structures, financial management, risk, insurance, ethics, and project delivery methods. It’s one of the more approachable ARE exams and a great one to take first since the concepts apply across all six divisions.
We have multiple PcM episodes covering the key exam topics. Use this page to browse all of them. Each episode also has a companion article where you can read along and find links to related resources.
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.

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,...

There is an architect at your firm making $50 an hour. But the client gets billed $150 for that same hour. Where does that $100 gap go? And what happens to your firm financially...

Most people working in architecture have worked under an AIA B101 for years without ever actually reading it. The contract gets signed, it sits in a drawer somewhere, and the entire team works under...

Project delivery methods define the contractual relationships between the owner, the architect, and the contractor on every construction project. This post breaks down all the major construction delivery methods, from Design-Bid-Build to CMAR to...

There’s a lot of bad information out there about how to study for the architect exam. Most of it is costing people time, money, and years of their career. Get-rich-quick promises from exam prep companies,...

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. Whether you’re choosing between a sole proprietorship, LLC, PLLC, LLP,...

Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art explains why you keep sabotaging your architect exam prep and how to stop. This war of art summary breaks down Pressfield’s concept of Resistance, the invisible force behind...

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...

Architect insurance is one of those topics that nobody wants to think about until they absolutely have to. But understanding your coverage (from professional liability and errors and omissions insurance to claims-made policies, tail coverage,...

The construction bidding process on public projects follows a strict, regulated path from completed drawings to breaking ground. This guide walks through all eight stages of the construction bid process, covering bid preparation, sealed bidding,...

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...

Most ARE candidates jump straight into studying PcM, PjM, and CE without ever stopping to ask, “What is each of these exams actually about?” This guide breaks down the three pro practice exams on...

Construction disputes and construction claims are an unavoidable part of working in the AEC industry. Whether you’re managing an active project or preparing for the ARE exam, knowing how to prevent, navigate, and resolve these...

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...

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...

The architect standard of care doesn’t mean perfect work. It means the level of skill and care that a reasonably competent architect would exercise under similar circumstances. If you’re studying for the ARE or...

Understanding liquidated damages is critical for architects, contractors, and ARE candidates preparing for the architect registration examination. This comprehensive guide covers the liquidated damages definition, how a liquidated damages clause works, where they appear in...

QA vs QC is one of the most commonly confused topics in architecture and construction. Quality assurance (QA) prevents problems before they happen. Quality control (QC) finds and fixes them after the fact. This...