Q&A: Am I Ready To Take The ARE?

As a part of creating the AREsketches, I now get 2-3 emails per week from future and current ARE (Architect Registration Exam) test-takers, asking questions about the tests or for advice in general. Some of the questions have started repeating, so I thought it would be beneficial to create a blog series on them. In the coming weeks and months (or as long as there’s a question to answer), I’ll try to answer at least one question a month. I think this will be helpful to the readers who are in the process of taking the ARE, but not too frequent to be dull for the readers already licensed. So let’s get to it. The first question: Am I ready to take the ARE?

Am I ready to take the ARE?

Many people, as they begin to consider starting taking their tests – or continually before each individual test – may not feel ready. They feel like they should wait, like “x” amount of extra time working or studying will better prepare them. They feel that they just don’t know enough. And so they ask themselves “Am I ready to take the ARE?” And they let fear answer.

Here’s the Deal.

Much like any other major decision in life, you will never feel ready enough. You will never know enough. Many parents ask themselves “Am I ready?”…even if they’ve already had a child.

While the exams aren’t children, helpless and dependent on an adult for survival, they do require commitment. Of time. Of effort. Of responsibility. They require an adult (test-taker) to make them a priority. Because unless that priority is made, the growth of your “child” – also know as your career – can and will suffer. Just as parents make mistakes, you will too. That doesn’t make you any less ready to succeed.

Mentally Ready

Many people let fear tell them they’re not equipped or ready for something. That either they as a person or some external factor needs to change before they can do something. I’m here to tell you that if I waited to take my tests until I felt I knew everything, I would still be waiting.

I learn something new every day. Typically more than once a day. It’s part of the profession and human nature that things will always change and improve. There’s always something new to know. Don’t let that keep you from taking your tests. That’s why study materials are made: to help you prep for the things you may not yet know. Yes, there are some things that working in a firm will help you learn – that’s why there’s also experience hours required as a part of licensure.

But…

Sometimes putting off testing until you’ve worked more can have adverse effects on your testing abilities. You then have so many years and so many memories of varying experiences to draw from – some of which may counteract what the study material says. I call this “NCARB land vs the real world”.

In most instances, the study material is teaching you the ideal. If a project goes perfectly from start to finish, then gold star for you. The real world memories are typically more messy and fluid. That means NCARB land and real world don’t always jive, so waiting to have “more experience” may have the effect of you second-guessing yourself at every question on test day. Which in turn leaves you feeling like you weren’t so ready.

You have to learn to focus on the material and what is being asked of you. To compartmentalize NCARB land and real world memories.

Fighting Fear

This is the biggest driver in what causes people to ask themselves “Am I ready to take the ARE?” Fear is an ugly monster and it will consume you worse than any nightmare…if you let it. Letting fear drive your life will get you nowhere. It may make you temporarily comfortable – because growing and trying are hard and scary things. Putting yourself in a position where you might fail is scary.

But you might also pass. Do you want to be an architect? I want you to. I want you to go after your dreams and kick fear in the teeth. I want you to let your passion and you goals drive you. I want you to stand up and control your future, knowing there are architects eagerly waiting to celebrate your effort and welcome you into the ranks. I know you can do it, I just need you to know it. Practice it in the mirror, in the car, to your pet. Get so good at feeling ready to go after your dreams that when you feel fear creeping in to ask “Am I ready to take the ARE?”, you confidently respond:

Heck yes I am.

And then you schedule your test and get back to studying.