Have you ever spent hours watching ARE prep videos, feeling productive and confident, only to completely freeze when facing actual exam questions? You’re not alone—and contrary to popular belief, being a “visual learner” might be holding you back from passing the Architect Registration Exam.
This podcast is also available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts
The Visual Learning Trap
Picture this: It’s exam day. After watching countless videos explaining complex concepts, flipping through hundreds of flashcards, and consuming every visual study aid you could find, your mind goes completely blank as you stare at the question on your screen.
Sound familiar?
Many ARE candidates identify as “visual learners,” believing that watching videos and looking at diagrams is their optimal path to success. And yes, these methods feel productive—you’re checking off topics, covering tons of material, and it all seems to make sense in the moment.
But here’s the harsh truth: passively consuming visual content isn’t the same as learning. It’s like thinking you can become a master chef by watching cooking shows all day. Eventually, you need to get your hands dirty in the kitchen!
Just because something clicks when you watch a video doesn’t mean that information will be accessible when you need it most—under the pressure of exam conditions. This disconnect happens because watching is passive, while true learning requires active engagement.
The “Visual Learner” Myth
For decades, the idea that people have distinct learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) has been widely accepted. You’ve probably heard someone say, “I’m a visual learner” or “I learn best by doing.” This concept is intuitive and appealing—it provides a simple explanation for why certain learning approaches work better for us than others.
However, research has consistently shown that most people benefit from multiple learning approaches, not just one. While you might prefer visual materials, limiting yourself to passive visual learning puts you at a significant disadvantage.
The problem isn’t visual learning itself—visual resources are incredibly valuable. Instead, the issue is passive consumption without active engagement. When you watch someone else draw a diagram, your brain isn’t working nearly as hard as it would if you were drawing that diagram yourself.
The Learning Pyramid: A Better Framework
Instead of thinking about learning styles, consider the Learning Pyramid—a model that ranks study methods from least effective (passive) to most effective (active).
From top (least effective) to bottom (most effective):
Passive Methods
- Lecture & Audio (5% retention) – Simply listening to content without engagement
- Reading (10% retention) – Reading through textbooks or resources without active processing
- Audio & Visual (20% retention) – Watching videos or presentations passively
- Demonstration (30% retention) – Watching someone else solve problems or demonstrate skills
Active Methods
- Discussion (50% retention) – Engaging in conversations about concepts and topics
- Practice by Doing (75% retention) – Actively solving problems and applying concepts
- Teaching Others (90% retention) – Explaining concepts clearly to someone else
The retention percentages illustrate a clear pattern: the more actively engaged you are with the material, the better you’ll remember it. These aren’t just theoretical numbers—rather, they reflect how our brains actually form and strengthen neural connections.
When you passively watch a video, you’re only engaging the recognition part of your brain—”Yes, I recognize this concept.” However, when you actively discuss, practice, or teach a concept, you’re forcing your brain to retrieve, articulate, and apply the information, thereby creating much stronger memory pathways.
Cross-Training Your Brain: The Multi-Method Advantage
Here’s where many ARE candidates go wrong: they rely too heavily on one or two methods instead of utilizing the entire spectrum.
Think about it like training for a marathon. If all you do is run, you’ll hit plateaus, risk injury, and ultimately limit your overall performance. Serious runners cross-train—they incorporate strength training, flexibility work, nutrition, and proper recovery. Consequently, each component complements the others, creating a more robust training program.
Studying for the ARE works exactly the same way. The most successful candidates don’t just watch videos—instead, they engage with material across all levels of the Learning Pyramid, therefore creating a comprehensive knowledge network in their brains.
Special Consideration for ADD/ADHD
For those with attention challenges (like me!), this multi-method approach isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Instead of fighting against your brain’s natural tendency to seek novelty and change, you can leverage it by switching between different study methods.
Having ADD doesn’t mean you can’t pass the ARE—it means you need to be strategic about how you study. My own ADD brain is like a hyperactive puppy—constantly looking for the next interesting thing. Therefore, instead of fighting it, I’ve learned to throw it different study ‘toys’ to keep it engaged. When focus wanes with one method, switch to another. In other words, use the natural ebbs and flows of your attention to your advantage by creating study sessions that incorporate multiple methods.
Transforming Each Level into ARE Study Tactics
Let’s get practical. Here’s how to transform each level of the Learning Pyramid into effective ARE study tactics:
Lecture & Audio
- Listen to architecture podcasts during commutes or while exercising
- Record yourself summarizing key concepts and listen during downtime
- Create audio flashcards for terminology and definitions
Reading
- Don’t just highlight—write notes in margins that connect concepts
- Break down dense materials into smaller, manageable chunks
- Read actively by asking yourself questions about the material
- Create simplified summaries in your own words directly on the page
Audio & Visual
- Take active notes while watching videos
- Pause videos regularly to reflect on what you just learned
- Draw your own diagrams while watching tutorials instead of just observing
- Try to predict what comes next before the presenter reveals it
Demonstration
- After watching someone solve a problem, try solving a similar one without guidance
- Seek out multiple approaches to the same problem
- Create your own worked examples based on what you’ve observed
Discussion
- Join or form an ARE study group (virtual or in-person)
- Explain concepts out loud, even if you’re just talking to yourself
- Participate in online forums where candidates discuss challenging topics
- Find a study partner to regularly review and discuss material
Practice by Doing
- Tackle practice questions that vary in difficulty
- Create your own scenarios and problems based on exam objectives
- Set up timed practice sessions that simulate exam conditions
- Analyze not just whether your answers are correct, but why
Teaching Others
- Volunteer to explain difficult concepts to fellow candidates
- Create simple tutorials or explanations as if teaching a non-architect
- Anticipate questions and prepare clear answers
- Mentor newer candidates in areas you’ve already mastered
How ARE Bootcamp Implements the Full Pyramid
At ARE Bootcamp, we’ve intentionally built our program around this comprehensive approach. We don’t just provide videos and reading materials—we create an environment where candidates engage with content at every level of the Learning Pyramid:
- Structured curriculum that combines all learning methods
- Weekly live meetings that facilitate discussion and active learning
- Practice questions and scenarios that require application of knowledge
- Teaching opportunities where candidates explain concepts to each other
- Accountability partnerships that maintain consistent engagement across all methods
This multi-method approach is why our candidates consistently report not just passing their exams, but truly understanding the material in a way that benefits their professional practice long after they’re licensed.
However, even if you’re not in Bootcamp, you can still implement these principles on your own. The key is to incorporate methods from every level of the Learning Pyramid, not just the ones that feel most comfortable.
Getting Started: Your Multi-Method Study Plan
Ready to transform your ARE preparation? First, start by assessing your current study habits:
- Evaluate your current methods: Which levels of the Learning Pyramid are you currently using? Which are you neglecting?
- Create a balanced study schedule: Incorporate elements from each level of the pyramid. For example:
- Monday: Read and annotate a chapter (Reading)
- Tuesday: Practice questions (Practice by Doing)
- Wednesday: Study group discussion (Discussion)
- Thursday: Create diagrams from memory (Practice by Doing)
- Friday: Explain a concept to someone else (Teaching Others)
- Start small: If you’ve been primarily watching videos, don’t try to completely overhaul your study habits overnight. Instead, add one active learning technique per week.
- Track your progress: Next, note which combinations of methods help you retain information best.
- Be consistent: Above all, the most effective study plan is one you can maintain consistently over time.
Beyond Visual Learning: Embracing the Complete Study Approach
The secret to ARE success isn’t identifying as a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner—it’s engaging with material across all learning methods. The most successful candidates aren’t those who watch the most videos or read the most books; rather, they’re the ones who actively engage with content in multiple ways.
Think of it this way: Visual learning isn’t bad—it’s just incomplete on its own. By combining visual learning with reading, discussion, practice, and teaching, you create a comprehensive understanding that’s far more resilient under exam pressure.
So instead of asking, “What kind of learner am I?” start asking, “How can I engage with this material in multiple ways?” This shift in perspective could be the difference between failing and passing your next ARE division.
Ready to transform your studying? Start today by taking one concept you’ve been struggling with and engage with it through at least three different methods. First, draw it out, then explain it aloud, and finally discuss it with a colleague or create practice questions about it.
Your path to licensure doesn’t have to be a struggle. By understanding and implementing principles from the Learning Pyramid, you can study more effectively, retain information longer, and ultimately approach your exams with genuine confidence.
Visit Young Architect Academy to discover resources that support this comprehensive approach to ARE preparation.
