ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM) Vocabulary Game
Exam terms with clues and explanations by OpenExamPrep.
About the ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM) Vocabulary Game
A free word game for the ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM) exam. Each round shows a clue for one of 20 exam terms across 4 topics. Recall the term, spell it out, then read a short explanation. Rounds pick a random term, so you can keep playing as long as you like.
How to Play
- 1Read the clue and type a term with the right number of letters (3 to 6). Abbreviations count: type the letters only.
- 2Press Check Answer or Enter. Each letter changes color to show how close you are.
- 3You have 6 tries. Stuck? Need a hint? asks the AI tutor for a nudge without giving the term away, and Skip moves to a new term.
- 4After the round, read the explanation, ask the AI to explain it, share your result, or press Next.
- ARight letter, right spot
- AIn the term, wrong spot
- ANot in the term
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Topics in the ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM) Vocabulary Game
Business operations
Practice methods
Finance and risk
Service delivery
Sources for these terms (21)
- Wages and the Fair Labor Standards Act · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA) · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Overview · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Workplace Safety and Health · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Choose a business structure · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Get business insurance · Source checked 2026-11-03
- SBA Adds Five New Surety Bond Partners for Small Businesses Competing for Contracts · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Circular 41: Copyright Registration of Architectural Works · Source checked 2026-11-03
- About Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Top 10 Business Credit Terms Small Business Owners Should Know · Source checked 2026-11-03
- AIA Contract Documents · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide · Source checked 2026-11-03
- P120 Project Cost and Schedule Management Requirements for the Public Buildings Service · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Primer on Project Delivery · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Experience Requirements · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Businesses That Are Open to the Public · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Continuing Education for Architects · Source checked 2026-11-03
- NBIMS-US V4 FAQs · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Commercial general liability insurance · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Exhibit Artifact Highlights · Source checked 2026-11-03
- ARE 5.0 Guidelines (October 2026) · Source checked 2026-11-03
About the ARE 5.0: PcM Exam
ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM) is one of six divisions of NCARB's Architect Registration Examination. PcM tests an architect's ability to run a firm: business operations and structure; finances, risk, and development of practice; practice-wide delivery of services (including AIA contracts B101 and C401); and practice methodologies such as quality management, HR, and recruitment. The PcM exam contains 65 items and you have 2 hours and 40 minutes. NCARB updates effective April 27, 2026 adjust 12 of 91 exam objectives and tighten the case study format across all divisions.
Exam sponsor: NCARB (PSI). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
65 questions
Time Limit
2 hours 40 minutes
Passing Score
Scaled cut score (NCARB does not publish a fixed percentage)
Reported exam pass rate: 51%. NCARB 2025 division pass rate, all candidates (first-time and repeat); 48% in 2024 This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ARE PcM vocabulary game free?
Yes. The game is free to play with no sign-up. Signing in adds AI explanations for any term.
How does the ARE PcM vocabulary game work?
Each round shows a clue for one of 20 ARE PcM terms. Guess the term in six tries: green means the right letter in the right spot, yellow means the letter is in the term but in another spot, and gray means it is not in the term. After the round, read the explanation and play the next term.
Where do the ARE PcM terms come from?
OpenExamPrep researched each term from the NCARB (PSI) content outline and primary sources, listed under Sources on this page. The game is independent study material, not an official exam resource.
What is on the ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM) exam?
PcM contains 65 items across four sections: Business Operations (20-26%), Finances/Risk/Development of Practice (29-35%), Practice-Wide Delivery of Services (22-28%), and Practice Methodologies (17-23%). It tests how an architect runs a firm — business structure, AIA contracts, ethics, professional liability, finances, HR, and quality management. PcM contains case studies that present a project scenario with reference resources to analyze.
How long is the ARE PcM exam and how much does it cost?
PcM is 2 hours 40 minutes of test time; the full appointment is 3 hours 20 minutes, which allows for introductory screens, an optional 30-minute break, and closing screens. The exam fee is $263 per division as of 2026, paid to NCARB. State licensing-board fees and the NCARB Record subscription are separate.