What is the BORAQS professional examination?

The BORAQS professional examination is the mandatory qualifying exam administered by the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors for architect registration in Kenya. It consists of two written papers (Professional Activities and Law & Architecture) plus an oral examination, all requiring a minimum 50% pass mark.

What are the eligibility requirements for the BORAQS architect exam?

Candidates must hold a recognized architecture degree, have completed at least 24 months of approved postgraduate practical experience under a registered architect, be a member in good standing of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), and maintain a BORAQS E-logbook endorsed by their supervising architect.

How many papers does the BORAQS architect exam have?

The exam has three papers: Paper I covers Professional Activities (professional practice, contract administration, project management), Paper II covers Law and Architecture (planning law, environmental studies, international practice), and Paper III is an Oral Examination assessing practical experience and professional competence.

What is the passing score for the BORAQS architect exam?

Candidates must score at least 50% in each of the three papers. Failing any paper requires re-sitting that specific paper at a future examination sitting.

How often is the BORAQS exam conducted?

BORAQS typically conducts the professional examination at least once a year. Candidates should monitor the official BORAQS website (boraqs.or.ke) for exam advertisements, application deadlines, and updated guidelines.

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Key Facts: BORAQS Architect Exam Exam

3 Papers

Exam Structure

BORAQS

50%

Passing Score Per Paper

BORAQS

24 months

Minimum Postgraduate Experience

BORAQS

AAK

Required Professional Body Membership

BORAQS

Written + Oral

Exam Format

BORAQS

Cap 525

Governing Legislation

Kenya Law

The BORAQS professional examination is Kenya's mandatory gateway to architect registration under the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act (Cap 525). It consists of two written papers on professional practice and architecture law, plus an oral viva assessing practical competence. Candidates need 24 months of supervised postgraduate experience and AAK membership.

Sample BORAQS Architect Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your BORAQS Architect Exam exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act of Kenya, which body is responsible for registering architects and regulating the practice of architecture?

A.Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS)

B.Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK)

C.National Construction Authority (NCA)

D.Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)

Explanation: BORAQS (Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors) is the statutory body established under the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act, Cap 525, to register and regulate architects and quantity surveyors in Kenya. While AAK is the professional association, BORAQS holds the legal authority for registration and professional discipline.

2What is the minimum period of approved postgraduate practical experience required before an architect can sit for the BORAQS professional examination in Kenya?

A.12 months

B.18 months

C.24 months

D.36 months

Explanation: BORAQS requires a minimum of 24 months (2 years) of approved postgraduate practical experience before a candidate is eligible to sit for the professional examination. This experience must be gained under the supervision of a registered architect and documented through logbooks.

3According to the AAK Code of Professional Conduct, which of the following actions would constitute professional misconduct by an architect?

A.Offering professional services through competitive fee bidding to undercut other architects

B.Declining a commission due to insufficient expertise in the project type

C.Recommending an independent structural engineer to the client

D.Requesting the client to appoint a separate quantity surveyor for cost management

Explanation: The AAK Code of Professional Conduct traditionally prohibits architects from engaging in competitive fee undercutting or supplanting another architect on a project through improper means. Offering services primarily by undercutting fees is considered unprofessional as it may compromise service quality and undermines professional standards.

4In the context of professional services in Kenya, what is the primary purpose of the Conditions of Engagement between an architect and client?

A.To establish the contractor's scope of work and construction timeline

B.To set out the bill of quantities for the proposed development

C.To define the architect's scope of services, fees, responsibilities, and the client's obligations

D.To provide a schedule of building materials approved by the county government

Explanation: The Conditions of Engagement (also known as the Professional Services Agreement) between an architect and client defines the scope of professional services, the basis for fee calculation, the respective rights and obligations of both parties, and the terms governing the professional relationship. It is established before design work commences.

5Which of the following best describes the architect's duty of care to the client under Kenyan professional practice?

A.An absolute guarantee that the completed building will be free from all defects

B.A duty to exercise reasonable skill, care, and diligence expected of a competent architect

C.An obligation to provide the cheapest possible design solution regardless of quality

D.A requirement to personally carry out all construction work on site

Explanation: The architect's duty of care is to exercise reasonable skill, care, and diligence that would be expected of a reasonably competent architect in the same circumstances. This is a professional standard of care, not an absolute guarantee of perfection. The architect must act with professional competence in design, specification, and contract administration.

6When an architect in Kenya discovers a conflict of interest during a project, what is the appropriate course of action according to professional ethics?

A.Disclose the conflict to all affected parties and, if necessary, withdraw from the engagement

B.Continue working and resolve the conflict privately without informing anyone

C.Increase professional fees to compensate for the additional complexity

D.Transfer the conflict of interest documentation to the quantity surveyor

Explanation: Professional ethics require architects to disclose any conflict of interest to all affected parties promptly and transparently. If the conflict cannot be managed appropriately, the architect must withdraw from the engagement. This protects the integrity of the profession and the client's interests.

7In Kenyan architectural practice, what is the role of the 'lead consultant' in a multi-disciplinary design team?

A.To carry out all engineering design calculations for the project

B.To approve all building permit applications on behalf of the county government

C.To construct the building and manage the workforce on site

D.To coordinate the design team, manage communications between consultants, and serve as the primary point of contact for the client

Explanation: The lead consultant, typically the architect, is responsible for coordinating the work of all consultants in the design team, ensuring design integration, managing inter-disciplinary communications, and serving as the primary liaison with the client. This role is essential for maintaining design coherence across disciplines.

8Under the scale of fees for architectural services in Kenya, at which stage does the architect typically become entitled to the largest portion of the professional fee?

A.Inception and feasibility stage

B.Sketch design stage

C.Post-contract site inspection stage

D.Working drawings and tender documentation stage

Explanation: The working drawings and tender documentation stage typically accounts for the largest portion of the architect's fee because it involves the most intensive design effort — production of detailed construction drawings, specifications, schedules, and coordination of all consultant drawings for tendering purposes.

9An architect practising in Kenya must maintain Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII). What is the primary purpose of this insurance?

A.To cover the cost of building materials on site against theft

B.To guarantee the client a refund if the project goes over budget

C.To insure the contractor's workers against on-site injuries

D.To protect the architect against claims arising from professional negligence or errors in professional services

Explanation: Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) protects architects against financial claims arising from allegations of professional negligence, errors, or omissions in the delivery of professional services. It covers legal defense costs and any damages awarded. PII is a requirement for registered architects in Kenya.

10Which professional body serves as the primary voluntary association for architects in Kenya, advocating for the profession and setting standards of practice?

A.Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK)

B.Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA)

C.Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK)

D.Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK)

Explanation: The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) is the primary voluntary professional body for architects in Kenya. AAK advocates for the profession, develops standards of practice, organizes continuing professional development, and represents architects' interests. Membership in AAK is expected for candidates sitting the BORAQS professional examination.

About the BORAQS Architect Exam Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for Kenya BORAQS Professional Examination for Architects is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.