While on a 14-month military deployment, Captain Chad Pentecost hatched an ambitious plan: pass all six ARE exams before his deployment was up. Oh, and sit for all six exams in six days.
It may sound hard to imagine, but by leveraging the discipline from his military training alongside Amber Book’s comprehensive study resources, Chad did just that — earning his architecture license in just five short weeks. Keep reading for a detailed look at how he accomplished this feat, and how Amber Book played a crucial role in his success.
Studying for the ARE is challenging under any conditions. Imagine balancing that feat with a 14-month deployment in the U.S. Army. That’s exactly what Captain Chad Pentecost was facing when he decided to tackle the exam.
The clock was ticking on Chad's deployment, and he knew he wanted to use that time productively. So when he opened his inbox to an email from Amber Book with an offer for a Spring 2024 subscription discount, Chad knew he had to jump on the opportunity.
He began his studies immediately, around June 26, 2024. At the same time, his twin brother, First Lieutenant Trevor Pentecost, Army National Guard — amusingly, also an aspiring architect and military member — received and jumped on the same offer.
Chad’s leave was coming up in five short weeks on August 3rd, which gave him a hard date to work toward. His checklist included completing 100% of the Amber Book content, taking each of the NCARB/Amber Book practice exams, and then sitting for the actual ARE exam. (Military determination at its best, folks!)
Conferring with his brother, Chad set a rather lofty plan — study for five weeks and then sit for (and pass!) all six divisions of the ARE over six consecutive days. Chad and Trevor humorously dubbed this intense study period "Amber Book: Full-Tilt Turbo Mode." With determination, discipline, and Amber Book's support, Chad was ready to take the challenge head-on.
Chad's "Full-Tilt Turbo Mode" plan was simple, but demanding. Over five weeks, Amber Book content was his focus, and Chad did everything he could to make the most of his limited free time while deployed.
Chad was kind enough to share his study routine (plus a few personal musings) with us:
Week 1: JUN 26th - JUN 30th - Amber Book studyin' (Yeah buddy! got thru 38%)
Week 2: JUL 1st - JUL 7th - Amber Book studyin' (Get some! Freedom isn't free! got to 75%)
Week 3: JUL 8th - JUL 14th - Amber Book studyin' (Boom! Got to 98%)
Week 4: JUL 15th - JUL 21st - COMPLETED all NCARB PRACTICE EXAMS (failed 5 of 6, haha! Average score 62%)
Week 5: JUL 22nd - July 27th - Studied Amber Book flash cards and COMPLETED all Amber Book PRACTICE EXAMS (passed 5 of 6 - Yes, let's go! average score 73%)
Chad's study schedule was relentless, but Amber Book's structured content and practice resources made it manageable. At the end of Week 5, Chad felt ready and prepared for the real challenge: six ARE exams in six days.
The last week of July was, to say the least, the most intense part of Chad's journey. Armed with a toolkit of Amber Book resources including detailed flashcards, panic notes, and his personalized practice exam results, Chad was able to face each exam with focus and confidence. Here's a quick peek at his exam week schedule, and the outcome of each division:
July 28th: Project Development & Documentation (PDD) – PASSED!
July 29th: Project Planning & Design (PPD) – PASSED!
July 30th: Programming & Analysis (PA) – PASSED!
July 31st: Practice Management (PCM) – PASSED!
August 1st: Project Management (PJM) – PASSED!
August 2nd: Construction & Evaluation (CE) – PASSED!
"Each day I was home on leave, I received a confirmation email of an ARE division PASS from NCARB. It was like Christmas each morning."
— Captain Chad Pentecost
Each day, Chad walked into the testing room with determination, emerging victorious (though he didn’t know it yet) as he passed one exam after another. His hard work and preparation had truly paid off. On August 3rd, he flew home to his wife and three daughters, and got to celebrate each “pass” email with them, grateful to be home for the occasion.
For Chad, Amber Book was more than just a study resource — it was a trusted guide on his journey to licensure. He credits Amber Book with providing the mentorship he needed to stay focused and confident, despite the challenges of studying while deployed.
Here are a few reasons why Amber Book worked so well for Chad:
Comprehensive Content: Amber Book's in-depth video lessons covered everything Chad needed to know, saving him the time and hassle of piecing together study materials from various sources.
Realistic Practice Exams: The practice exams closely mirrored the actual ARE format, helping Chad gauge his readiness and identify areas for improvement.
Flexible and Accessible: Since Amber Book is available online, Chad was able to study abroad and whenever he could find time during deployment, fitting study sessions into his unpredictable schedule.
Structured Learning: The clear and structured course path enabled Chad to stay focused and organized, ensuring he covered all necessary content within his 5-week sprint.
"The thing I wanted to highlight was that I just really trusted [Amber Book] and your mentorship on this journey and accepted what you said and your suggestions with humility based on a wealth of your program's experience and success. Just like anything in life, you have your best chance of success with a trusted mentor!"
— Captain Chad Pentecost
Chad’s powerful story reminds us that lofty goals aren’t only for dreams — they can be achieved with the right tools and a determined mindset. His advice for other ARE candidates is simple: set your goal, trust the process, and commit fully to your studies. In Chad's words, "Just like anything in life, you have your best chance of success with a trusted mentor!"
For those looking to pass the ARE efficiently, Chad recommends using Amber Book as your primary study tool. The depth and organization of the content, combined with the flexibility to study whenever, wherever, gave him the edge he needed to pass all six exams in such a short period.
Curious about how Chad’s brother faired? We’re glad to report that within just four quick months, Trevor both studied for and passed all six divisions of the ARE – all while working full-time and helping his wife take care of their five kids. The Pentecost brothers were able to find motivation and support in each other, one of many reasons we encourage creating your own study community, or joining ours.
Captain Chad Pentecost's story proves that with hard work, determination, and the proper study tools, you can achieve your goals — no matter how ambitious. Amber Book gave Chad the confidence and knowledge to pass all six ARE exams in six days, and it can do the same for you.
Are you ready to begin your path to licensure? Start studying with Amber Book today and take the first step toward your own success.
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