Free Practice Questions for ARE 5.0: CE
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Key Facts: ARE 5.0: CE Exam
75
Total Items
NCARB
3 hrs
Test Time
NCARB
61%
Pass Rate
NCARB 2025, all CE candidates
$263
Exam Fee
NCARB
4
Content Sections
NCARB
Version-based
Score Validity
NCARB score validity policy
NCARB ARE 5.0 CE has 75 items (68 scored and 7 pretest), 3 hours testing, an optional 30-minute break and a 3-hour-40-minute appointment. The 2025 CE pass rate was 61% across first-time and repeat candidates. Current Guidelines allow up to seven case studies and up to 16 case-study items. Topics cover bidding, construction observation, administration, closeout and performance evaluation.
Sample ARE 5.0: CE Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the ARE 5.0: CE exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 130+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under AIA Document A201-2017 General Conditions, who is responsible for means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures of construction?
2Which AIA document is the standard form of agreement between owner and contractor where the basis of payment is a stipulated sum (lump sum)?
3An owner is using AIA A102-2017 for a construction project. What is the defining feature of this agreement?
4Which AIA document is used by a contractor to submit a statement of qualifications during prequalification or bidding?
5Which AIA document is issued to contractors during bidding to provide the rules, requirements, and procedures for submitting bids?
6During bidding, the architect identifies an error in the drawings that affects scope. What is the correct mechanism to formally communicate this change to all bidders?
7An owner wants to compare base scope against optional scope items at bid time so the award decision can be made based on available budget. Which device should the architect use?
8Which project delivery method is MOST appropriate when an owner needs the lowest first-cost bid and the design is complete and well-defined?
9Under AIA A101-2017 with A201 General Conditions, who has the authority to bind the owner to a change in the contract sum?
10A general contractor submits a request for clarification about a dimension on the drawings during construction. Which AIA form is most commonly used to track this request?
About the ARE 5.0: CE Exam
The ARE 5.0 Construction & Evaluation (CE) division tests an architect's ability to perform construction-phase services and project closeout activities. The exam covers four content areas: Pre-Construction Activities (17-23%), Construction Observation (32-38%), Administrative Procedures & Protocols (32-38%), and Project Closeout & Evaluation (7-13%). CE relies heavily on AIA contract documents — A101/A102/A103 owner-contractor agreements, A201 General Conditions, A305 contractor qualifications, A701 Instructions to Bidders, and the G-series administrative forms (G701 change orders, G702/G703 payment applications, G704 substantial completion, G706/G706A/G707 final payment, G711 field reports, G712 submittal log, G710 ASIs, G714 construction change directives, G716 RFIs).
Exam sponsor: NCARB (PSI). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
75 questions
Time Limit
3 hours (3h 40m total appointment with 30-min break)
Passing Score
Pass/fail by NCARB cut score (typically about 58-66% of scored items correct)
Reported exam pass rate: 61%. NCARB 2025 CE pass rate across first-time and repeat candidates 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.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Pre-Construction Activities
Bidding procedures, owner-contractor agreements (A101/A102/A103), Instructions to Bidders (A701), contractor qualifications (A305), addenda, alternates, allowances, unit prices, delivery method selection
Construction Observation
Site visits, field reports (G711), conformance with contract documents, schedule reviews, RFIs (G716), means and methods, code compliance, concealed conditions
Administrative Procedures & Protocols
Submittals (G712), shop drawings, payment applications (G702/G703), schedule of values, retainage, change orders (G701), construction change directives, ASIs (G710), CCDs (G714), claims, dispute resolution
Project Closeout & Evaluation
Substantial completion (G704), punch lists, final payment (G706/G706A/G707), lien waivers, warranties, correction-of-work period, record drawings, O&M manuals, post-occupancy evaluation
Preparing for the ARE 5.0: CE Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Pass/fail by NCARB cut score (typically about 58-66% of scored items correct)
- Exam length: 75 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours (3h 40m total appointment with 30-min break)
- Exam / certification fees: $263 Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 130 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ARE 5.0: CE: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the ARE 5.0 CE exam?
NCARB lists 75 CE items: 68 scored and 7 unscored pretest items. Testing lasts 3 hours, the optional break is 30 minutes, and the total appointment is 3 hours 40 minutes. The current Guidelines list up to seven case studies and up to 16 case-study items; each case has one or two resources.
What is the current ARE CE fee?
NCARB lists $263 for an individual ARE division or retake. An active NCARB Record is also required; licensure-candidate Record application and annual renewal fees are each $105 under the current fee schedule. Check NCARB before purchasing.
How is CE scored, and what is its pass rate?
NCARB’s CE cut-score range is 58–66% of scored items depending on the exam form. This differs from the 2025 CE pass rate of 61%, which covers first-time and repeat candidates. Failing official reports include a scaled score and diagnostic feedback; a pass is reported as pass/fail without a scaled score.
Who can schedule ARE CE?
Request eligibility through your NCARB Record and meet the requirements of the jurisdiction where you seek initial licensure. Jurisdiction rules govern education and experience pathways. Schedule through the NCARB Record with PSI after eligibility is granted.
When can I retake CE, and do scores expire after five years?
A failed division may be retaken after 60 days, with no more than three attempts at the same division in a 12-month period. NCARB replaced the five-year rolling clock with score validity based on the exam version taken and the immediately following version.
How should I plan CE study?
Use the official objectives and a free NCARB practice exam to identify gaps. Review bidding, construction observation, submittal and change workflows, payment calculations, closeout and first-year performance. OpenExamPrep’s suggested 40–80-hour planning budget is an adjustable study recommendation, not an NCARB requirement or guarantee.
Which official resources and contract forms should I use?
Start with NCARB’s current ARE Guidelines, CE division page and free practice exam in your NCARB Record. Consult the contract editions identified in the Guidelines. For change administration, G710 is Architect’s Supplemental Instructions, G714 is a Construction Change Directive and G701 is a Change Order.