March 30, 2011 – Vignette Seminar

The IAC committee will be offering a free study session for Intern Architects who are preparing for the ARE Exams. This seminars emphasis will placed on approaches for working through the vignette portions for PPP and SPD, focusing on problem-solving and time management strategies.

This seminar will run from 6:00PM to 7:30PM at the AIBC Architecture Centre. The seminar will provide strategies and other tips for each exam, and are not intended to cover specific exam content. It would be helpful to have some familiarity with the exam materials and some experience with the graphic practice program prior to attending the respective seminars.

Introductory material and resources can be located at Intern Architect Exam Process and Resources,

To reserve a spot for this seminar, or if you have any questions, you can contact Emily Tyler, Registration & Licensing Administration Assistant, at 604 683 8588 ext. 324 or etyler@aibc.ca.

Programming, Planning + Practice (PPP)

This exam has one graphic vignette– Site Zoning.

Site Planning + Design (SPD)

This exam has two graphic vignettes – Site Grading and Site Design

2011 ARE Preparation Seminars

Building upon the success of last year’s ARE Preparation seminars, the IAC committee continues to offer free study sessions in 2011 for Intern Architects who are preparing for the ARE Exams. This year, the emphasis will placed on approaches for working through the vignette portions of each exam, focusing on problem-solving and time management strategies.

Each seminar will generally run from 6:00PM to 7:30PM at the AIBC Architecture Centre. These seminars are designed to provide strategies and other tips for each exam, and are not intended to cover specific exam content. It would be helpful to have some familiarity with the exam materials and some experience with the graphic practice program prior to attending the respective seminars, except of course for the introductory seminar.

To reserve a spot for one of the seminars, or if you have any questions, you can contact Emily Tyler, Registration & Licensing Administration Assistant, at 604 683 8588 ext. 324 or etyler@aibc.ca.

March 9, 2011 – Introduction Seminar

This seminar will give you an overview of the Exam Process and study techniques for the NCARB ARE Exams. Information about AIBC study resources and external study resources will be laid out. Learn how to prepare for, book and take your ARE exams. Much of the information that will be covered can be found on the AIBC website here at Intern Architect Exam Process and Resources.

March 30, 2011 – Vignette Seminar

Programming, Planning + Practice (PPP)

This exam has one graphic vignette– Site Zoning.

Site Planning + Design (SPD)

This exam has two graphic vignettes – Site Grading and Site Design

April 14, 2011 – Vignette Seminar

Building Design + Construction Systems (BDCS)

This exam has three graphic vignettes – Accessibility/Ramp, Stair Design and Roof Plan

May 18, 2011 – Vignette Seminar

Schematic Design (SD)

This exam has two graphic vignettes – Interior Layout, Building Layout

June 1, 2011 – Vignette Seminar

Structural Systems (SS)

This exam has one graphic vignette – Structural Layout

Building Systems (BS)

This exam has one graphic vignette – Mechanical and Electrical Plan

Construction Documents + Services (CDS)

This exam has one graphic vignette – Building Section

ARE Resources NOW AVAILABLE

There are a vast amount of existing resources to prepare Intern Architects for the ARE, many at no cost. The AIBC has complied an extensive list and this is now available for review. The information covers everything from obtaining your Authorization to Test letter, booking an exam, the exam location rules and conduct, to available study resources.

IA Exam Process and Resources

Update: Transition from ARE 3.1 to ARE 4.0

The majority of 3.1 candidates have now been converted to 4.0. These candidates are able to schedule appointments in ARE 4.0. Currently, there are approximately 2,800 candidates pending for the final round of conversion which is reflective of the high numbers of candidates that tested in June. If you tested in late June some of your authorizations may not yet be there.

If you have a question about your open eligibilities, you may contact the ARE Helpdesk directly at 800-896-2272. Prometric anticipates that the second round of conversion to be complete by August 21. Please note that when registering for a 4.0 exam online you must select "ARE (Graphic Exams)" in Step 1: Select your testing program.

ARE Score Report Delay

Over the past month Prometric implemented additional quality control procedures which temporarily delayed the release of all ARE score reports to all boards of architecture. Prometric has now completed these procedures. NCARB has approved the implementation plan and has removed the “hold” that had been placed on all ARE 3.1 and ARE 4.0 score reports. The AIBC has just received one batch of results and have mailed them out to the interns. Thank you for your patience!

NCARB announces new IDP Supervisor Guidelines

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has developed their version of IDP Supervisor Guidelines to assist supervisors in the role they play in interns' carreers. The guidelines are available for download from the NCARB website at:
http://www.ncarb.org/forms/superguide.pdf

The AIBC will review these guidelines to see what, if any, learnings can be taken from the doucment for discussion with the national regulators, which meet through the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) discussion forum. The Canadian document is posed on the AIBC website at: http://www.aibc.ca/member_resources/intern_resources/pdf/2008_mentorguidelines.pdf

ARE Scheduling

With the June 30, 2009 deadline for completing ARE 3.1 before the conversion to ARE 4.0 fast approaching, the Burnaby Test Centre has been very busy with bookings. Therefore, this site (#5129) has just opened their schedule on December 22, 23, 27, 29 and 30 to deliver exams. Please go online at www.prometric.com/ncarb or call 1-(800) 479-6215 to schedule your examinations for these dates. Don't forget that NCARB has scheduling guidelines and guarantees so if you are having difficulty scheduling an exam please fill out their ARE Scheduling Verification Form and fax to NCARB. If you continue to have difficulty with scheduling please contact Róisín O'Neill, AIBC Registration Coordinator at roneill@aibc.ca and provide the exam information and time frame you are hoping for.