Which ARE 5.0 division focuses on environmental and contextual conditions, codes and regulations, site analysis, and building programming?
Exam Overview
Question · Easy
According to the NCARB ARE 5.0 Guidelines, which content area carries the LARGEST weighting on the Programming & Analysis division?
Chapter 1: Exam Overview & Environmental Principles
1.1 ARE 5.0 PA Exam Structure, Scoring & Test-Taking Strategies
Study guide
An architect is conducting a sun-path study for a project at 40 degrees N latitude. Which solar geometry fact is correct for the Northern Hemisphere?
Environmental Contextual Conditions
Question · Medium
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A project is located in ASHRAE Climate Zone 4A. Which climate description correctly matches this designation?
In a temperate Northern-Hemisphere climate, which building orientation BEST balances passive solar heating in winter while minimizing summer cooling loads?
A site analysis identifies prevailing summer breezes from the southwest. To support natural ventilation in a temperate climate, openings should be arranged to:
1.2 Climate Classification, Passive Solar Design & Microclimate Analysis
An architect must select an appropriate horizontal overhang depth for a south-facing window at 35 degrees N latitude to fully shade glazing on June 21 at solar noon. Which depth is BEST?
Question · Hard
Which microclimate factor is MOST likely to RAISE local air temperature on an urban site compared to a nearby rural reference station?
A site is located on the windward side of a coastal mountain range. Which precipitation pattern should the architect anticipate?
An architect is reviewing a topographic survey. A 5-foot vertical drop occurs over a 25-foot horizontal run. What is the slope expressed as a percentage, and is it within the typical maximum slope of an ADA-compliant accessible route ramp?
Site Analysis Programming
1.3 Natural Site Features, Shading Strategies & Daylight Analysis
A residential lot is zoned R-3 with a 25-foot front setback, 10-foot side setbacks, and a 20-foot rear setback. The lot is 75 feet wide by 120 feet deep. What is the maximum building footprint (in plan area) ignoring height limits or FAR?
Codes Regulations
A zoning ordinance allows a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 2.5 on a 20,000 sf lot. What is the maximum gross floor area permitted?
Per IBC 2021 Chapter 3, a building used primarily for the gathering of 300+ people for entertainment without fixed seating (such as a nightclub or dance hall) is classified as which occupancy group?
Per IBC 2021 Chapter 3, a 24-hour care facility for more than 5 persons receiving custodial care who are NOT capable of self-preservation (e.g., a nursing home) is classified as:
Chapter 2: Environmental Constraints & Site Hazards
2.1 Floodplains, Wetlands & Hydrological Constraints
Per IBC 2021 Table 1004.5, what is the typical occupant load factor for a Business (Group B) area calculated using gross floor area?
A 30,000 sf single-story office building has an occupant load calculated using IBC 2021 Group B. What is the occupant load?
Per IBC 2021 section 1005.3, what is the egress-capacity factor for stairways in a Group B office building NOT equipped with a sprinkler system and emergency voice/alarm system?
An office occupancy with 600 occupants is fully sprinklered with an emergency voice/alarm system. Per IBC 2021 section 1005.3, what is the minimum required egress STAIR capacity (in clear width)?
2.2 Contaminated Sites, Brownfields & Environmental Site Assessments (ESA)
Per IBC 2021 Table 1006.2.1 / Table 1006.3.3, what is the minimum number of exits or exit access doorways required from a story (or from a space that exceeds the single-exit threshold) with an occupant load between 50 and 500?
Per IBC 2021 section 1017, what is the maximum common path of egress travel for a Group B office that is fully sprinklered?
Per the 2010 ADA Standards section 305, what minimum clear floor or ground space is required at a wheelchair-accessible element?
Per ADA 2010 Standards section 304, what is the minimum diameter of a circular wheelchair turning space?
2.3 Climate Resilience, Wildfire (WUI) & Sustainable Rating Systems (LEED)
Per ADA 2010 Standards section 405.2, what is the maximum running slope of an accessible ramp?
Per ADA 2010 Standards section 405.6, what is the maximum rise allowed for a single ramp run before a level landing is required?
Per the 2010 ADA Standards section 403.5, what is the minimum CLEAR width of an accessible route between handrails or other vertical elements?
Per ICC A117.1 and IBC 2021 section 1109, which feature is NOT required at an accessible Type A dwelling unit (full mobility unit)?
Chapter 3: Building Codes: Occupancy & Construction Types
3.1 IBC 2021 Occupancy Classifications & Use Groups
Per IBC 2021 Table 1004.5, the occupant load factor for a Mercantile (Group M) sales area on a basement or grade floor is:
Per IBC 2021 Table 503 / 504 (revised in 504.3), what limits a building's allowable height (in feet and stories)?
Per IBC 2021 Table 601, which construction type requires NONCOMBUSTIBLE materials throughout the structural frame, exterior walls, and floor/roof assemblies, with the highest fire-resistance ratings?
Per IBC 2021 Table 508.4, what is the typical fire-resistance-rated separation between Group A-2 (restaurant) and Group S-1 (storage) when the building is NOT sprinklered?
3.2 Construction Types (Types I-V) & Fire-Resistance Ratings
Which document is the PRIMARY federal accessibility standard enforced for state and local government facilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act?
An architect is programming a 10-acre suburban office park. The local zoning ordinance requires 1 parking space per 300 sf of office floor area. If the proposed gross building area is 90,000 sf, what is the minimum required parking count?
Per ADA 2010 Standards Table 208.2, a parking lot with 300 total spaces requires what minimum number of accessible parking spaces?
Per ADA 2010 Standards section 502, what is the minimum width of a STANDARD car accessible parking space (not including the access aisle)?
3.3 Mixed Occupancy Strategies: Nonseparated, Separated & Accessory Uses
An architect must determine the most appropriate primary site analysis tool to identify wetlands, flood zones, and protected ecological areas affecting a proposed development. The BEST first step is to:
A site survey shows existing utilities (water, sewer, electric, telecom) along a public right-of-way at the south property line. Which programming consideration should drive building placement?
Which type of easement permits public access across a privately owned parcel for a defined purpose such as utilities or pedestrian passage?
An architect is conducting a site analysis on a 5-acre parcel with a 12% average natural slope. Which design strategy is MOST appropriate to minimize cut-and-fill earthwork?
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