Architect Exam Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

NCARB has officially announced the 2026 ARE exam changes affecting AXP, case studies, and 12 exam objectives across five divisions. 

This comprehensive breakdown explains what's actually changing, when these changes take effect, and exactly how they'll impact your path to licensure. 

After analyzing all the objective changes NCARB didn't want to discuss in their webinar, I'm walking you through every detail you need to know.

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS:

Want the complete written analysis with all objective numbers and deeper details?  

Read the full blog post for this ARE podcast: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/2026-are-exam-changes/

Come study with us!

- Check out our ARE 101 Courses - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-study-materials/ 

- Check out our PcM 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-practice-management/ 

- Check out our PjM 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-project-management/ 

- Check out our CE 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-construction-and-evaluation/ 

- Check out our PA 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/programming-analysis-101-are-5-0-exam-prep/ 

- Check out our Mechanical Systems 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-mechanical-systems-101/ 

- Check out our Building Codes 101 Course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-building-codes-101/ 

- Check out our AIA Contracts 101 course - https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/are-aia-contracts-101/ 

- Check out our ARE Boot Camp Interactive Coaching (10-week program): https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

✅ NEXT STEPS: 

If you found this breakdown helpful, SUBSCRIBE to The Architect Exam Podcast for weekly ARE prep content.

ARE Bootcamp is the only coaching program for the Architect Registration Exam, and it works completely differently than study materials like Amber Book or Black Spectacles. 

In this episode, we break down exactly how ARE Bootcamp actually works and why it's not just another study resource.

Michael explains the fundamental difference between coaching and study materials, shares the strategy behind both Pro Practice and Technical Bootcamp, and answers the most common questions about cost, time commitment, and success rates. 

You'll learn why ARE Bootcamp focuses on creating great architects rather than just passing exams.

Want to learn more about ARE Bootcamp and see if it's right for your architect exam journey? Check out our full in-depth blogpost at: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/architect-exam-prep-are-bootcamp/

Check out all the details and frequently asked questions at: https://youngarchitect.com/arebootcamp/

👍 If this helped clarify how ARE Bootcamp works, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more architect exam insights every week!

Types of elevators explained: hydraulic, traction, and machine room-less (MRL) systems, how each one works, when to use them, and what architects need to know for the ARE exam.

Whether you're designing a 3-story office building or a 25-story residential tower, choosing the wrong elevator type can blow your budget, violate code, and create accessibility problems. Hydraulic elevators top out around 65 feet. Geared traction systems reach up to 300 feet. Gearless traction systems have no height limit. MRL systems split the difference for mid-rise projects where space efficiency matters. Each system has a different structural impact, energy profile, and maintenance story.

This episode breaks down all three main elevator systems with specs, height limits, selection criteria, ADA requirements, and fire safety code references. Elevator knowledge shows up across PA for early programming decisions, PPD for systems integration and selection, and PDD for technical coordination and code compliance.

📝 Key topics covered:

• Hydraulic vs traction vs MRL elevator systems

• Elevator hoistway, pit, and machine room requirements

• Geared vs gearless traction elevators

• ADA accessibility requirements for elevator cabs

• Five-step fire emergency protocol

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(2:27) Elevator Types and Classification

(4:46) Elevator Components: Hoistway, Pit, and Machine Room

(7:53) Hydraulic Elevator: The Low-Rise Workhorse

(10:51) Traction Elevator Systems: Geared and Gearless

(13:35) Machine Room-Less (MRL) Elevator

(15:43) Code Compliance and ADA Requirements

(18:22) Elevator Design Mistakes to Avoid

(20:50) Emerging Elevator Technologies

(22:37) ARE Exam Tips: Hydraulic, Traction, and MRL

📖 Read the full blog post

📝 Download the FREE Elevator Systems study notes

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101

Hard costs vs soft costs define where every dollar goes on a construction project, and understanding the difference is essential for the ARE and real-world practice.

Hard costs are the tangible expenses that create the physical building: materials, labor, equipment, and building systems. Soft costs are the intangible expenses that make the project possible: design fees, permits, insurance, financing, and project management.

This episode breaks down examples of each with typical percentages, explains how the 70/80 to 20/30 budget ratio shifts for residential, commercial, and institutional projects, and covers how architects, contractors, and owners each see these costs differently. 

You'll also learn how project delays turn soft costs into budget killers and why cutting construction administration services to save money almost always backfires.

📝 Key Topics Covered:

• Hard costs vs soft costs definitions and real-world examples

• Typical budget ratios: 70-80% hard costs, 20-30% soft costs

• How soft costs shift for residential, commercial, and institutional projects

• The S-curve model for construction spending over time

• How architects, contractors, and owners manage costs differently

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:20) Hard Costs vs Soft Costs Defined

(3:43) Hard and Soft Cost Examples

(10:54) Budget Ratios by Project Type

(17:31) Architect, Contractor, and Owner Views

(21:18) Cost Mistakes That Kill Budgets

(23:52) Managing Hard and Soft Costs

(27:29) Key Takeaways for the ARE

📖 Read the full blog post

📝 Download the FREE Hard Costs vs Soft Costs study notes

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• Building Codes 101

• AIA Contracts 101

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

Architect standard of care doesn't mean perfect work. It means the level of skill and care a reasonably competent architect would exercise under similar circumstances.

This episode breaks down the AIA B101 definition, explains why perfection has never been the legal standard, and walks through the contract language that gets architects in trouble. Whether you're studying for the ARE or managing projects in practice, this concept protects your career.

📝 Key topics covered:

• The AIA standard of care definition and what "ordinarily" actually means

• The four elements of architect negligence (and why all four must be proven)

• Red flag contract language that elevates your standard beyond what's insurable

• Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance and what it does and doesn't cover

• How to document your process to demonstrate professional competence

• Standard of care on the ARE exam across PcM, PjM, CE, PPD, and PDD

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:02) Architect Standard of Care Defined

(3:26) Standard of Care vs. Perfection

(7:11) Standard of Care in AIA Contracts

(9:16) Elevated Standard of Care: Red Flags to Avoid

(12:20) Daily Practice and Documentation Strategies

(14:46) Conclusion

📖 Read the full blog post

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• AIA Contracts 101

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Project Development and Documentation)

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101

📋 CSI Certification Courses:

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

Substantial completion is the most important milestone in construction, and it triggers everything that happens during project closeout. This episode breaks down what substantial completion actually means, how it differs from final completion, and walks through the full closeout process.

We cover the AIA G704 certificate, building commissioning, closeout documents, record drawings, the punch list process, and how to evaluate building performance after the owner moves in. If you're studying for the CE exam, project closeout is the smallest section but it completes the entire CE picture.

📝 Key topics covered:

• Substantial completion vs final completion

• AIA G704 Certificate of Substantial Completion

• Closeout documents and record drawings

• Final payment and retainage release

• The punch list process

• Building commissioning and seasonal testing

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(2:21) How the CE Exam Is Organized

(5:13) What Is Project Closeout?

(9:30) Substantial Completion and Closeout

(14:56) Commissioning and POE

(22:35) Project Closeout Study Mistakes

(26:33) How to Study Project Closeout

(33:12) Conclusion

📖 Read the full blog post

📝 Download the FREE 2-page CE study guide

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• AIA Contracts 101

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101

Business entity types for architects explained. This episode breaks down sole proprietorships, LLCs, LLPs, S-Corps, and C-Corps so you know which structure protects your practice.

We start with a real story about two architects who partnered on a project without forming a business entity and accidentally created a general partnership by default. That mistake cost one of them $45,000. From there, we walk through each entity type covering liability protection, tax implications, and management structure.

Then we put it all into practice with real scenarios: starting a solo firm, forming a small partnership, and scaling for growth. This is essential PcM exam content that most architecture schools never teach.

📝 Key topics covered:

• Sole proprietorship: easy to form but zero liability protection

• LLC: the most popular structure for small architecture firms

• LLP: designed for professional partnerships with separate projects

• S-Corp vs C-Corp: pass-through taxation vs double taxation

• How to choose the right entity for different scenarios

• Where business entity questions show up on the PcM exam

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction and Partnership Dilemma

(3:55) The Business Entity Types

(4:10) Sole Proprietorship

(6:06) LLC

(7:54) LLP

(9:27) Corporations (S-Corp and C-Corp)

(11:35) Choosing the Right Entity

(14:11) Business Entities on the ARE

(16:02) Practical Considerations

(17:10) Conclusion

📖 Read the full blog post

📝 Download the FREE 2-page Business Entities study notes

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• AIA Contracts 101

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101

Confused about the difference between vent stack vs stack vent and worried it might cost you points on the ARE? Layla breaks down these commonly confused plumbing concepts that trip up almost every ARE candidate - but once you understand the simple distinction, you'll never mix them up again.

In this focused episode, you'll master the key differences between vent stacks and stack vents, understand when each is required in building design, learn practical analogies that make these concepts stick, and discover why this knowledge is crucial for solving complex plumbing scenarios on the ARE exam.

Read the full blogpost for this podcast: https://academy2.youngarchitect.com/vent-stack-vs-stack-vent/

Want to master vent stack vs stack vent and other challenging technical concepts for your ARE preparation? 

Join our ARE Bootcamp where candidates discuss and master these topics together: https://youngarchitect.com/bootcamp

As Layla mentions, understanding technical concepts like the difference between vent stacks and stack vents becomes much clearer when you can discuss them with other candidates and get expert guidance.

👍 Like this episode? Subscribe for weekly architecture and ARE exam prep content and never miss an upload!

How to build an ARE study schedule that actually works starts with understanding what the exam really requires, and it's not what most ARE exam prep companies tell you.

After helping hundreds of candidates since 2013, I've learned that building a realistic ARE study schedule looks nothing like what NCARB or other prep programs describe. Passing all six exams is a 700 to 1,500 hour project. Most people take about three years. Nobody tells you that upfront, and that gap between expectation and reality is where most study schedules fall apart.

In this episode I walk through a step-by-step approach to creating a study schedule that fits your real life: how to show up consistently, how to use NCARB's own guidelines to study smarter, and the mindset shift that makes all the difference.

📝 Key topics covered:

• How many hours it actually takes to pass the ARE (700 to 1,500)

• Why failing a few exams is normal and doesn't set you back

• How to use the ARE Guidelines as your real study guide

• The difference between hard work and easy work studying

• Why studying for all 6 exams at once almost never works

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:22) ARE Study Schedule Reality Check

(8:30) Step 1: Show Up Every Day and Build a Study Routine

(10:51) Step 2: Study NCARB Objectives First

(13:33) Step 3: Balanced Learning Approach

(16:21) Step 4: How to Pick Your Exam Date

(17:38) Step 5: The Final Week Before Your Exam

(19:09) ARE Study Schedule Misconceptions

(23:21) The Mindset That Changes Everything

📖 Read the full blog post

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE Exam Courses:

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• AIA Contracts 101

CDT certification is one of the smartest moves an ARE candidate can make during their licensing journey. Offered by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the Construction Documents Technologist credential covers the complete lifecycle of a construction project from programming through demolition, including project delivery methods, roles and responsibilities of every party, and how buildings come together from concept to completion.

If you've already been studying for the ARE, you likely know 70-80% of the CDT content before you ever open a study guide. That's not a coincidence. PcM, PjM, and CE all build heavily on the same AIA contract foundation that the CDT tests, which means most of the work is already done.

In this episode, Michael and Emily share their own CDT experiences, explain why the testing format is more straightforward than the ARE, and make the case for why this credential is worth pursuing while you're still in the middle of your licensing journey.

📚 Key topics covered:

• What CDT certification actually covers (it's not just specs)

• How CDT overlaps with PcM, PjM, and CE content

• Why the Project Delivery Practice Guide is the core CDT study resource

• The CDT exam schedule and what makes it different from the ARE

• When to fit the CDT into your ARE journey

⏱️ Chapters:

(0:00) What Is CDT Certification?

(6:27) CDT Certification Benefits

(8:08) The Young Architect CDT 101 Course

(12:57) The CDT Schedule

(14:48) Advice for ARE Candidates

(17:48) Learn More About the CDT

📖 Read the full blog post

🎯 Watch the free CDT webinar or register for the next session

🎯 Get access to all ARE study materials with the ARE 101 Membership

🎯 Join our 10-week ARE Boot Camp

📚 Individual ARE and CSI Certification Courses:

• CDT 101 (Construction Documents Technologist)

• CCCA 101 (Construction Contract Administration)

• PcM 101 (Practice Management)

• PjM 101 (Project Management)

• CE 101 (Construction and Evaluation)

• PA 101 (Programming and Analysis)

• PPD 101 (Project Planning and Design)

• PDD 101 (Construction Documents and Specs)

• AIA Contracts 101

• Building Codes 101

• Mechanical Systems 101