What are the project management exam sections?
The PjM exam has five sections, each covering a different aspect of managing an architectural project. Here’s what each content area covers.
Resource Management
This section covers determining the resources you need to execute the project once you have a signed contract. There are two objectives in this section, and to do well on them, you’ll need to know how to compose a project team and manage each member’s time to execute the project.
Objective 1.1
In this objective, you’ll need to determine the internal staff and outside consultants required to fulfill a contract and complete a project. In addition, you’ll need to understand the fees related to the project and consultants. You should also know how to anticipate team responsibilities for a given project.
Objective 1.2
The second objective will assess your ability to allocate and manage project resources. For example, you’ll need to know appropriate staffing levels relative to the project’s needs and fees. You’ll also need to know how to track the project progress based on personnel, hours, fees, and schedule.
Project Work Planning
The second section of the PjM exam will test your ability to plan projects. To test well on this section, you’ll need to know how to develop and communicate a work plan within the project team to complete the project.
Objective 2.1
The first objective here focuses on developing and maintaining a project work plan. You’ll use Gantt charts and critical path schedules to focus on key activities and milestones and how your team can achieve them. You should also be able to modify schedules and work plans to incorporate changes or feedback.
Objective 2.2
The second objective tests your ability to develop and maintain a project schedule. You’ll prioritize tasks and evaluate their impact on a balanced workload to do well on this objective. You should also be able to assess how outside factors – client reviews, testing, and regulatory submissions – impact work plans and schedules.
Objective 2.3
The last objective in this section will test how a young architect can determine appropriate communication with the entire project team. You’ll need to determine the type and content of the documents necessary to communicate during the work planning phase. You should know documents like agendas, meeting minutes, emails, and memos.
Contracts
This content area represents the largest share of the PjM exam. In this section, you’ll analyze various contracts that establish a relationship between the architect and owners, contractors, and consultants.
Objective 3.1
The first objective evaluates and verifies adherence to the owner/architect agreement. AIA Document B101 is the primary document you’ll need to understand for this objective. You should be able to differentiate between basic, supplemental, and additional services. You should also be able to determine requisite billing for each phase, recognize when a phase is complete, and select the appropriate delivery method based on the contract requirements.
Objective 3.2
This objective tests your interpretation of crucial elements and adherence verification of the architect/consultant agreement. AIA Document C401 is the most important document to understand for this objective. To test well, you must identify contract requirements for completing a project, additional services, and payment schedules.
Objective 3.3
The third objective tests your ability to interpret key elements of the owner/contractor agreement. You’ll need to know two documents: AIA Documents A101 and A201. When working with a contractor across delivery methods, you should understand your role as an architect relative to the owner.
Objective 3.4
The last objective requires the test-taker to interpret critical elements of the owner/architect agreement to understand how to integrate an owner’s consultant’s work into the project. Understanding how an owner’s consultant’s work will affect project deliverables is crucial. You should also be able to sequence, integrate, and coordinate an owner’s consultant’s work in the project.
Project Execution
In this section, you’ll need to understand the management of the project’s execution. Therefore, this content area focuses on the necessary administrative procedures during the project and not the design-related decisions.
Objective 4.1
This objective tests your ability to evaluate compliance with a construction budget. You’ll need to know how to confirm all items in a construction estimate, plus how to estimate budgets throughout the project to mitigate material or scope changes.
Objective 4.2
In the second objective, you’ll test your ability to evaluate and address changes in the scope of work and scope creep. To succeed in this objective, you’ll have to analyze changes in scope to determine how they impact fees, schedules, and owner financing.
Objective 4.3
The third objective will require the test-taker to evaluate project documentation to determine if it supports the delivery method. You’ll need to determine the correct documentation per project, including consultant, close-out, and construction administration documentation.
Objective 4.4
The last objective in the project execution section tests your ability to obtain approvals for projects. You must accurately identify which authorities have jurisdiction over projects and determine what you need to submit for project approvals. In this objective, authorities could include zoning commissions, plan reviewers, or neighborhood review boards.
Project Quality Control
The last section in the PjM division tests your knowledge of quality control methods, procedures, and review processes to maintain the proper Standard of Care throughout. Like the other sections on this division, this one focuses on administrative procedures and not on design-related decisions.
Objective 5.1
The first objective of this section focuses on the procedures required for adherence to the laws and regulations surrounding the project. To do well on this objective, you’ll need to identify the government agencies that have jurisdiction over the project while determining what permits and procedures you must adhere to. You’ll answer questions about establishing protocols for compliance on the job site. You should also know the requirements for performing a code analysis and how building, zoning, and other jurisdictional codes affect design and construction.
Objective 5.2
The next objective includes identifying steps to maintain project quality control while reducing risks and liabilities. You’ll need to know how to establish review processes for an entire project that evaluate quality control, assess risks and liabilities, and identify the level of completion at each phase of the project. You should also understand insurance types related to architectural practice and strategies for conflict resolution.
Objective 5.3
The third objective in this section tests your ability to perform quality control reviews of project documents throughout the project lifecycle. You’ll carry out the review steps and procedures as identified in objective 5.2, including coordinating design work and documentation of consultants. To do well on this objective, you should be able to assess the impact of design decisions and changes on constructability.
Objective 5.4
The last objective tests an architect’s ability to evaluate the management of the design process to ensure design objectives are met across all phases of design. You should focus on the process of communicating design objectives through regular collaboration with all project stakeholders.
How to study for the PjM exam
A successful review for the ARE 5.0 focuses not only on what to study but also how to study. The study materials for this division’s exam will help you on this section and the other sections as well. Therefore, ensure you are familiar with the materials suggested for this section, as they’ll also be helpful for ensuing sections. Here are a few of the best ways to get ready for the PjM exam.
Familiarize yourself with the reference materials
NCARB puts together a matrix of reference materials that are often used to develop the exams for each division. For the Project Management division, here are the most important reference materials you’ll need to know, straight from the ARE 5.0 Reference Matrix:
The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP) The American Institute of Architects, John Wiley & Sons, 14th edition (2008) and 15th edition (2014)
Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings Paul Segal, FAIA, W. W. Norton, 2006
The Project Resource Manual: CSI Manual of Practice The Construction Specifications Institute, McGraw-Hill, 5th edition, 2005
CSI Practice Guides (Project Delivery, Construction Contract Administration, Construction Specifications) The Construction Specifications Institute
AIA Contract Documents: A101-2017, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor where the basis of payment is a Stipulated Sum; A133-2019, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Construction Manager as Constructor where the basis of payment is the Cost of the Work Plus a Fee with a Guaranteed Maximum Price; A141-2014, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Design-Builder; A195-2008, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor for Integrated Project Delivery; A201-2017, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction; A295-2008, General Conditions of the Contract for Integrated Project Delivery; B101-2017, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect; B143-2014, Standard Form of Agreement Between Design-Builder and Architect; B195-2008, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for Integrated Project Delivery; C401-2017, Standard Form of Agreement Between Architect and Consultant
While this list of references may seem overwhelming, it’s important to note that you’ll need to focus on a broader understanding of the material and best practices instead of memorizing each.
Use Amber Book for your exam prep
There are many ways you can prep to take the ARE 5.0, but no matter what you choose, you’ll need to study. From reviewing references to learning how to read case studies to taking mock exams and quizzes, there’s a lot to take in. Amber Book not only sets you up for success on the ARE, it sets you up for a long, successful career being the architect you want to be.
Amber Book is equivalent to a university-level course that’s focused on helping you pass the ARE 5.0 exams and getting you licensed. While pass rates for the PcM division exam are just over 60%, those who complete at least 75% of the Amber Book course have a pass rate of 89%!
In addition to an online animated course, you’ll also get a 375-page workbook, case study examples, practice questions and exams, digital flashcards, last-minute “panic” notes, and more.
Ready to pass the ARE with Amber Book?
Amber Book is a course developed by licensed architect and professor Michael Ermann, AIA. As the first person to pass all six ARE 5.0 divisions, he’s taught over 17,000 people how to better prepare for the ARE. Amber Book covers all six divisions of the ARE 5.0 – Practice Management (PcM), Project Management (PjM), Programming & Analysis (PA), Project Planning & Design (PPD), Project Development & Documentation (PDD), and Construction & Evaluation (CE). Because the ARE is now more comprehensive, there is a lot of study overlap – and the Amber Book course was built to help.
