Free ARE PA Exam Prep
ARE 5.0 Programming & Analysis (NCARB)
Prepare for the ARE PA exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.
Quick Facts
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ARE ARE 5.0 License: Complete Roadmap
Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation
NCARB Handbook OrientationYou are here
Read the PA section of the ARE 5.0 Handbook and review demo items.
Codes & Site Foundations
Build IBC 2021, ADA, and zoning literacy with focused topic study.
Programming Methodology
Practice Problem Seeking, area calculations, adjacency, and block-and-stack workflows.
Full Timed Simulations
Run full 75-item timed exams with case-study items to lock in pacing.
Can You Take the ARE PA Exam?
Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements
- •Jurisdictional registration board approval to test.
- •Eligibility maintained through NCARB Record.
- •Each division has a 5-year rolling validity window.
ARE PA Quick Facts
Time to Get Licensed
6-10 weeks for most candidates
From start to license in hand
Retake Policy
Candidates must wait 60 days between attempts of the same division and may attempt each division up to 3 times in any 12-month period.
Total Cost Breakdown
Free ARE PA Prep Tools
Reported exam pass rate: 61% first-time pass rate in 2024 (NCARB) — the highest of any ARE 5.0 division.. Check the exam sponsor for the latest official figure.
100 Practice Questions
Full-length PA bank covering all four NCARB content areas at the published weightings.
AI Weak-Spot Analysis
Adaptive feedback by content area (environmental, codes, site, building programming).
April 2026 Aligned
Aligned with the updated NCARB PA objectives effective April 27, 2026.
Free ARE PA Prep
Open-access, ad-supported PA practice — no paywall, no signup required.
What You'll Study
12 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide
Chapter 1: Exam Overview & Environmental Principles
3 sections
Chapter 2: Environmental Constraints & Site Hazards
3 sections
Chapter 3: Building Codes: Occupancy & Construction Types
3 sections
Chapter 4: Building Codes: Allowable Height, Area & Fire Protection
3 sections
Chapter 5: Accessibility Standards & Universal Design
3 sections
Chapter 6: Means of Egress & Life Safety
3 sections
Chapter 7: Zoning Ordinances, Land Use & Entitlements
3 sections
Chapter 8: Topography, Geotechnical & Site Drainage
3 sections
Chapter 9: Site Documentation, Surveys & Contextual Analysis
3 sections
Chapter 10: Building Programming Methodology & User Needs
3 sections
Chapter 11: Space Standards, Area Calculations & Efficiency
3 sections
Chapter 12: Existing Facilities, Project Budget, Schedule & System Alternatives
4 sections
ARE PA Exam Details
ARE 5.0 Programming & Analysis (NCARB)
Administered by NCARB
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official NCARB content outline
Solar geometry, sun-path and shadow studies, microclimate, ASHRAE 169 climate zones, wind analysis, and sustainability frameworks (LEED v4.1).
IBC 2021 occupancy classification, allowable area/height, egress capacity, ADA 2010 Standards, ICC A117.1, and zoning ordinances.
Topography, slope, easements, FEMA floodplains, geotechnical, stormwater/LID, parking, and historic preservation review (SHPO).
User-needs analysis, Problem Seeking methodology, NSF/GSF and efficiency ratio, BOMA standards, bubble and adjacency diagrams, life-cycle cost.
What's Included
12 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
Free to Start
No credit card required
Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds
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What's Next After the ARE PA?
After passing the ARE PA, you can pursue these career paths
ARE PA Exam FAQ
Official NCARB Resources
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