In this episode, David and Eric discuss how to realistically interpret NCARB ARE score reports without overthinking them. They explain why content area percentages and “low” scores often look worse than they are, and how weighting and test design affect what the report really means. They also share healthier retake strategies, focusing on fuzzy topics, mindset, and holistic studying rather than obsessing over every data point.

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Show Notes

• The NCARB ARE score report is vague and often over‑interpreted by candidates.
• Its only real purpose: lightly point you toward weak content areas after a fail—not to precisely diagnose everything that went wrong.

How Score Reports Work

• Tests are divided into content areas/modules, but:
  • There is one overall cut score for the exam, not for each module.
  • You do not need to “pass” every content area to pass the exam.
• Content areas are weighted very differently:
  • Example (PDD):
    • Content Area 1 ~ 37% of the test (~37 questions on a 100‑question exam)
    • Content Area 5 ~ 2–8% (as few as 2 questions)
  • So getting 100% in a tiny area doesn’t mean much; missing a lot in a big area matters more.

Common Misinterpretations

• Candidates often:
  • Lay out multiple reports like a detective wall, trying to decode patterns that aren’t really there.
  • Think: “I got 40%, I need 80%, I’m only halfway there.”
    • In reality, that might mean they were only ~10 questions away from passing.
  • Believe online calculators that say, “You missed by 1 question,” which Eric says is mathematically almost never true—most are off by 5–15 questions, still very close, but not “one.”

Two Main Score Report Scenarios

1. Low in one content area
   • This is actually good news:
     • You were close to passing.
     • You likely just need to tighten knowledge in that specific area.
   • Use the report as a pointer: “Study more in this content area,” not as a judgment of your overall ability.
2. Low across the board
   • Usually not about content gaps in one topic.
   • More about test behavior:
     • Overthinking, second‑guessing, misreading questions
     • Rushing or running out of time
     • Not picking up clues in the scenarios
   • Many candidates feel like they “bombed it,” but Eric often finds they’re still only around 10–15 questions away.

Flip‑Flopping Scores (Multiple Attempts)

• After 3+ attempts, candidates often see:
  • Content areas that were strong become weak, and vice versa.
  • Over many attempts, they’ve “passed” every section at some point—just never all in the same sitting.
• This indicates:
  • They’re capable of passing.
  • But they’re now fighting their past attempts, changing answers based on what they did last time rather than calmly applying standard of care and good reasoning.
• Eric’s coaching focuses on:
  • Mindset, test‑taking biases, and a “standard of care” mental model to get out of their own way.

How (and How Not) to Use the Score Report

Good uses:

• Spend a few minutes with it:
  • Note if one or two areas are clearly weaker.
  • Let that inform where to get a bit more clarity.
• Pair it with your own reflection:
  • Ask: Was I rushing? Misreading? Did I run out of time? Was I confused by the question wording?

Bad / unhelpful uses:

• Over‑analyzing multiple reports, building big collages and trying to decode hidden meanings.
• Letting the “% correct” vs “passing candidate %” convince you you’re farther from passing than you really are.
• Using it as an emotional verdict: “I bombed, I don’t know anything.”

Better Strategy After a Fail

• Write down your “fuzzy topics” immediately after the exam:
  • Any concept where you thought, “I’m not totally sure.”
  • That list becomes your real study roadmap.
• Study holistically, not just one tiny module:
  • Yes, give extra attention to weaker content areas.
  • But keep reviewing all modules, because questions are integrated and pulled randomly from large banks.
• If you ran out of time and left many blanks:
  • The score report is basically useless in that situation—it’s mostly reflecting unanswered questions, not your knowledge.

Coaching / Tools Mentioned

• Eric has a score report tool in the Platinum coaching program:
  • Takes the NCARB percentages from a score report.
  • Estimates how many questions away from passing a candidate likely was.
• He also does five free coaching calls per day to:
  • Interpret reports.
  • Re‑frame how close people actually are.
  • Build a realistic study and mindset plan.
• Their coaching provides a daily study plan, organized by content areas, to remove overthinking about “what to do next.”

Big Takeaways

• The score report is not an oracle (and not the Grim Reaper either).
• It’s a blunt, limited tool:
  • Use it quickly, unemotionally.
  • Let it lightly guide you, then move on to studying and retaking.
• Practically, a failing score report mostly just means:
  You need to take the exam again, with slightly better content clarity and a much better test‑taking mindset.

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In this episode, David introduces the new ARE Mentor format — short, direct Tuesday episodes focused on mindset, structure, and execution — alongside the ongoing ARE Technical episodes released on Fridays.

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Show Notes

The core message: most candidates don’t struggle because they lack knowledge. They struggle because they lack structure. Studying only when motivated, cramming on weekends, or starting and stopping repeatedly leads to inconsistency — and inconsistency kills momentum. The ARE does not reward intensity. It rewards consistency.

David shares lessons from his own seven-year journey through the exams and emphasizes the need for a frictionless, repeatable weekly system. The recommendation: study six days per week, 60–90 minutes per day, at the same time each day, with one scheduled day off. Focus on one division at a time, build rhythm, and aim to test every six weeks.

He also highlights the importance of:

• Avoiding marathon study sessions

• Committing to one primary study resource

• Incorporating a weekly review day

• Reducing decision fatigue

• Treating the process like a professional commitment

The takeaway is simple: build a system you can repeat week after week. Show up consistently. Stop restarting. Create momentum — and keep moving forward toward your next exam.

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In Episode 83 of the ARE Podcast, David and Eric  break down the five most important strategies for passing the Practice Management (PcM) division.

We begin with a critical mindset shift: PcM is not about thinking like an employee. It’s about thinking like a principal. Many candidates miss questions because they answer from their personal job experience rather than from the perspective of a firm owner making business decisions. On this exam, you have to think like the boss.

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Show Notes

We also address a common mistake — relying too heavily on personal experience. The ARE tests the standard of care and textbook principles, not how your specific firm happens to operate. Experience can actually hurt you if it introduces bias.

Another key clarification: you are not supposed to memorize the Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice. It is a reference guide, not a traditional textbook. The exam tests judgment and understanding, especially in areas like accounting and firm management.

Accounting fundamentals are a major focus of this episode. Understanding credits, debits, and the accrual method is essential for PcM. These questions are often more straightforward than candidates expect once the concepts are clear.

We also break down corporate legal structures — including sole proprietorships, LLCs, S Corps, C Corps, and professional corporations (PCs). The correct answer on the exam depends on tax liability, ownership requirements, flexibility, and state-specific rules — not personal preference.

Finally, we recommend using the Wiley guide to the Architect’s Handbook as a tool to quickly locate relevant topics. It’s not about memorizing the Handbook. It’s about knowing how to navigate it efficiently.

If you’re starting with PcM or struggling to pass it, this episode provides strategic clarity on what actually matters — and what doesn’t.

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If you’re studying for the ARE right now, this episode is for you.

In this solo Tuesday episode, David shares why he’s resetting the ARE Podcast, what’s changing, and how this shift is designed to help you build clarity and consistency in your exam journey.

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Show Notes

Why the Reset?

The ARE Podcast began in 2014. There have been 81 episodes over 12 years. In 2025, only one episode was published.

That lack of consistency sparked reflection.

David shares openly that consistency has never been his strongest trait — and that it impacted his own ARE journey, which took seven years (back during ARE 3.0 with nine divisions).

This reset is about correcting that pattern. Not just for the podcast — but for you.

The Real Theme: Consistency

Many candidates struggle with:

• Taking only one exam in a year

• Losing momentum after a failure

• Starting strong but drifting off track

This episode draws a parallel between podcast consistency and exam consistency.

Going forward, there will be two episodes per week:

• Tuesday: Solo episode (just you and David)

• Friday: Traditional episode with Eric

What’s Changing?

The produced intro is gone. No music. No 30-second commercial. No hype. Just direct conversation. The goal is efficiency and clarity.

Tuesday episodes are one-on-one conversations — honest, direct, and focused on your journey. These episodes are about encouragement, professional mindset, and helping you stay consistent.

Friday episodes continue with David and Eric discussing ARE topics, the profession, and industry trends — with even more clarity and efficiency.

A Core Focus Moving Forward

Thinking like a professional.

This is not about memorizing technical facts. It’s about judgment, risk, ethics, process, standard of care, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

The ARE is not testing whether you’re a student. It’s testing whether you can think like a licensed architect.

That mindset shift will be a recurring theme in future Tuesday episodes.

The 6-Month Commitment

David’s commitment:

• A new Tuesday episode every week

• A Friday episode every week

Your commitment:

• Take 3 exams in the next 6 months

• One exam every two months

• The same pacing taught inside AEP coaching

Structured. Doable. Consistent.

This reset isn’t about production value. It’s about rebuilding connection and helping you finish the ARE.

If you’re in the process right now, you’re not alone.

You can reach out directly at [email protected].

Have a consistent week. See you Tuesday.

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In this episode, David and Eric break down what it really takes to pass the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) in 2026. They walk through the six ARE divisions, explain how to sequence exams for momentum, and outline a realistic study approach designed for busy professionals — not full-time students.

This episode is about starting, building consistency, and treating the ARE like a professional process instead of an academic mountain to climb.

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Show Notes

What you’ll learn in this episode

• A clear overview of the six ARE divisions:

  • Practice Management (PcM)

  • Project Management (PjM)

  • Construction & Evaluation (CE)

  • Programming & Analysis (PA)

  • Project Planning & Design (PPD)

  • Project Development & Documentation (PDD)

• Why the first three exams are often grouped as professional practice

• How the design-focused exams differ in scale and mindset

• Why consistency beats perfection when studying

• A realistic study rhythm: about 1 hour a day, 6 days a week

• Why retaking the same exam repeatedly often leads to worse results

• How taking a new exam every two months keeps momentum strong

• Why scheduling exams in advance changes your mindset and outcomes

Key takeaways

• Don’t wait until you “feel ready” — readiness comes from motion

• Treat the ARE like a professional obligation, not a school test

• Daily, predictable study habits outperform long, irregular sessions

• Momentum matters more than any single exam result

Recommended next steps

• Set up your NCARB Council Record and obtain authorization to test

• Schedule your first ARE exam for about six weeks out

• Map out all six exams across the year to create a clear roadmap

• Use reliable study resources to support consistency, not overwhelm

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In this podcast, we discuss the idea of Where’s Waldo and how we can better look for answers during the process of the ARE.

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In this podcast, we discuss another frequently confusing and fuzzy topic, the RFP (Request For Proposal) process for both public and private projects.

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In this podcast, we discuss a frequently confusing and fuzzy topic, fire separation and the 4 types.

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In this podcast, we discuss a frequent fuzzy topic, the difference between a control joint and an expansion joint.

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In this podcast, we discuss whether nuclear energy is making a comeback and the pros and cons of this carbon free energy source. 

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In this podcast, we discuss a frequent fuzzy topic, albedo. Listen in as we discuss what albedo is and how best understand it and apply it in our practice as well as taking the ARE. 

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