Breaking down the ARE 5.0 Project Management (PjM) Division
Project Management (PjM) is one of the six Architect Registration Examination® (ARE) tests administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). The PjM Division will test one’s ability to manage architectural projects, including organizing principles, contract management, and consultant management. Doing well on this exam requires the candidate to have a firm understanding of office standards, the development of project teams, and overall project control of client, fee, and risk management.
When running a successful architectural practice, delivering on time and on budget is imperative. As part of this delivery, developing projects, teams, and client relationships are critical to your success.
The Project Management division is similar to the Practice Management (PcM) division, although some differences exist. The PjM division generally focuses more on external office interactions – the project being built, client relationships, and project change management – rather than internal office operations (like the PcM).
Many candidates take the PjM exam after the PcM section, although you may take the Architect Registration Exam sections in any order. Although you may take the divisions in any order, you must first establish exam eligibility.
On test day, you’ll have 3 hours to complete the PjM exam (excluding the allowed 30-minute break). The test has 75 questions across five key content areas:
Resource Management
Project Work Planning
Contracts
Project Execution
Project Quality Control
Items on the exam are either individual questions or part of a larger case study. There are two case studies on the PjM division, each simulating a real architecture project.