Breaking Down The ARE 5.0 Project Development & Documentation (PDD) Division
The Project Development & Documentation (PDD) division is one of the six Architect Registration Examination® (ARE) tests administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). This division focuses on the integration and documentation of building systems, material selection, and material assemblies. It also focus on the development of design concepts, evaluation of materials and technologies, selection of appropriate construction techniques, and appropriate construction documentation. You should also be able to demonstrate an understanding of and abilities in integration of civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and specialty systems into overall project design and documentation.
Successful architects need to be able to manage projects throughout the whole project lifecycle. One of the biggest pieces of this management is understanding the necessary documentation and knowing how and when to make changes. The Project Development & Documentation division of the ARE 5.0 focuses on the understanding of how multiple project systems come together and how to produce and analyze project documentation.
The ARE 5.0 division exams may be taken in any order, so you can choose when you take the PDD division. Since the ARE 5.0 mirrors how a project moves through an actual architecture practice, this division is often taken as one of the last exams. But this is a personal preference, and you are free to take the exams in any order you wish. Establishing exam eligibility is the first step to taking the ARE 5.0 exams.
The PDD exam consists of 9 pretest items and 91 scored items, for a total of 100 items. The PDD is the longest exam; you’ll have 4 hours and 5 minutes to complete the test (excluding an optional 45-minute break period). There are five content sections on the PDD exam:
Integration of Building Materials & Systems
Construction Documentation
Project Manual & Specifications
Codes & Regulations
Construction Cost Estimates
In the Project Development & Documentation division, there are two case studies. Each case study will provide context and pose questions to the test-taker that mirror how a real architecture project works.