ARE Construction and Evaluation (CE) Exam Prep
Start your ARE Construction and Evaluation exam prep with 24 original practice questions, each with an explanation, then use the four-week study plan, document map, and worked payment example below.
Original, unofficial practice: these aren't NCARB questions, and your score here doesn't predict an ARE result.
Practice questions: 24 original CE items
Section 1: Preconstruction Activities (5 questions)
CE-01
A private design-bid-build project uses unmodified AIA A701-2018 Instructions to Bidders. Bids are due at 2:00 p.m. on the 18th. On the 11th, a bidder points out in writing that a drawing note conflicts with the door hardware specification, and the architect confirms which requirement governs. What should the architect do?
Show answer and explanation, CE-01
Answer: B. Clarifications during bidding go to every bidder as addenda (B101 §3.5.2.2.3), and A701 §3.4.3 says addenda are issued no later than four days before bids are due, which makes the 14th the last day for an 18th bid date. Answering one bidder (A) gives that bidder information the others don't have, so the bids stop being comparable. The 16th (C) is inside the four-day window, which A701 reserves for withdrawing the request or postponing the bid date. Option D invites bids on two different bases and pushes a known conflict into construction.
Source: AIA A701-2018 sample, §§3.2.2–3.2.3, 3.4.3; AIA B101-2017 partial sample, §3.5.2.2.3.
Pick one answer unless a question says "Choose three" or "Choose four"; those count only if every choice is right. The questions follow NCARB's four CE sections in roughly the proportions NCARB publishes. Contract questions use the unmodified AIA editions named in the question or explanation; a real project's amended contracts can assign duties differently.
CE-02
An owner's bidding requirements make four criteria mandatory: complete scope, comparable-project experience, the required bonding, and completion within 20 weeks. All three bids are within budget.
| Bidder | Price | Scope, experience, bonding | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bidder 1 | $2,100,000 | Meets all three | 22 weeks |
| Bidder 2 | $1,950,000 | Excludes the required fire alarm work | 20 weeks |
| Bidder 3 | $2,150,000 | Meets all three | 20 weeks |
Advising the owner, which bidder satisfies every stated criterion?
Show answer and explanation, CE-02
Answer: C. Only Bidder 3 meets all four mandatory criteria. Bidder 1 misses the 20-week completion requirement. Bidder 2 is the lowest price, but it leaves out required scope, so its number isn't comparable to the others. A lower price doesn't override a mandatory requirement. The architect's role here is to help the owner evaluate bids (B101 §3.5); the award decision is the owner's. The criteria and prices are this exercise's own.
Source: AIA B101-2017 partial sample, §3.5.
CE-03
After the owner accepts its bid on a private school addition, the selected bidder refuses to sign the agreement or furnish the required bonds. Required bid security was submitted, the bid remains binding, and the owner has supplied the financial evidence required by A701 §6.2. Under unmodified A701-2018, what protects the owner from the cost of that refusal?
Show answer and explanation, CE-03
Answer: A. A701 §4.2.2 says a bidder who won't enter the contract or furnish the required bonds forfeits its bid security to the owner as liquidated damages, not as a penalty. Performance and payment bonds (B, C) cover performance and payment obligations under the construction contract; bid security addresses the promise to enter that contract and furnish the required bonds. Retainage (D) is held from payments under a signed contract; with no contract, there's nothing to retain.
Source: AIA A701-2018 sample, §§4.2.2, 6.2, 7.1.1, 7.2.1.
CE-04
The lowest bona fide bid comes in 12% over the owner's budget for the Cost of the Work. Under unmodified B101-2017, which four of these options are available to the owner? Choose four.
Show answer and explanation, CE-04
Answer: A, C, D, F. B101 §6.6 gives the owner these choices when the lowest bona fide bid exceeds the budget: approve an increase, rebid or renegotiate, terminate, revise scope with the architect, or pursue another mutually acceptable alternative. If the owner picks revising scope, §6.7 has the architect modify the documents without extra pay, unless the overrun came from market conditions the architect couldn't reasonably anticipate. An over-budget bid doesn't itself require the architect to pay the difference (B). A Construction Change Directive changes work under a contract that already exists; it isn't a way to rescue a bid that's over budget (E).
Source: AIA B101-2007/2017 comparison, 2017 text, §§6.6–6.7, pp.14–15; AIA: obligation to design to budget, How B101 approaches budget.
CE-05
The base bid is $2,100,000 and the owner's budget is $2,000,000. This private project uses unmodified A701-2018. Bids include three deductive alternates, and neither applicable law nor the bidding documents limit how they're combined. Alternate 1 (simpler ceiling system) deducts $60,000 and meets every stated requirement. Alternate 2 (different plaza paving) deducts $50,000 and meets every stated requirement. Alternate 3 deducts $150,000 by deleting building-automation monitoring that the owner's program requires. Which award reaches the budget while keeping the owner's requirements?
Show answer and explanation, CE-05
Answer: D. Alternates 1 and 2 together deduct $110,000, bringing the contract to $1,990,000, under budget with every requirement intact. Under A701 §5.3.2 the owner may accept alternates in any order or combination unless prohibited by law or the bidding documents, and §4.1.5 requires bidders to price every requested alternate, so the prices are there to combine. Alternate 1 alone leaves $2,040,000, still over. Alternate 3 hits the budget at $1,950,000 but deletes something the program requires. The base bid alone is $100,000 over. The owner makes the call; the architect lays out the options.
Source: AIA A701-2018 sample, §4.1.5, §5.3.2.
Section 2: Construction Observation (8 questions)
CE-06
During a scheduled site visit, the contractor asks the architect to choose the crew size and installation sequence for routine partition work. The Contract Documents do not prescribe those methods. Under unmodified A201-2017, which statement best describes the architect's contractual position?
Show answer and explanation, CE-06
Answer: C. A201 §4.2.2 says the architect has no control over, charge of, or responsibility for construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, procedures, or safety precautions. A site visit doesn't transfer that responsibility (A), and visit frequency doesn't create a share of it (D). Telling the contractor how to do the work (B) steps into means and methods. The architect still observes progress and conformance and reports known deviations to the owner.
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §3.3.1, §§4.2.2–4.2.3.
CE-07
Months after the walls were closed up, the owner finds missing fire-stopping at several penetrations and says the architect "should have caught it." The architect provided standard construction-phase services under unmodified B101-2017. Which response is most accurate?
Show answer and explanation, CE-07
Answer: A. A201 §4.2.2 and B101 §3.6.2.1 set the standard: site visits at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction, without exhaustive or continuous on-site inspections. B101 §3.6.1.2 adds that the architect isn't responsible for the contractor's failure to perform the work. The same clause keeps the architect responsible for its own negligent acts or omissions. So B overstates the duty, and payment certification isn't a guarantee (C; see CE-20). A building official's approval (D) doesn't move the contractor's obligation onto the owner. An owner who wants more coverage can contract for on-site project representation, which B101 lists as a supplemental service (§4.1.1.13).
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §4.2.2; AIA B101-2017 partial sample, §3.6.1.2, §3.6.2.1; AIA B101-2007/2017 comparison, 2017 text, §4.1.1.13, p.10.
CE-08
During excavation, the contractor uncovers a solid rock layer where the Contract Documents indicate excavatable soil. Under unmodified A201-2017, what should happen?
Show answer and explanation, CE-08
Answer: D. A201 §3.7.4 requires the contractor to give prompt notice before the condition is disturbed and no later than 14 days after first observing it. (The 2007 edition allowed 21 days.) The architect then investigates and, if the conditions differ materially and affect cost or time, recommends an equitable adjustment. Removing the rock and billing (A) skips notice and the architect's investigation. Nothing requires rebidding (B). A Change Order needs owner and contractor signatures, so the architect can't issue one alone (C).
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §3.7.4, §7.2.1; AIA summary of A201-2017 changes, Article 3, §3.7.4.
CE-09
The specifications require wall insulation with a higher R-value than the energy code minimum. The contractor installs a product that meets code but not the specification, and the building inspector passes it. What should the architect do?
Show answer and explanation, CE-09
Answer: B. A contract can require more than code. The inspector's approval does not change the Contract Documents. A201 §4.2.6 gives the architect authority to reject work that doesn't conform to the Contract Documents (and to require inspection or testing), and B101 §3.6.2.1 requires the architect to report known deviations to the owner. A Change Order needs owner and contractor signatures (C). Waiting (D) lets the problem get covered up and ignores the reporting duty.
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §4.2.6; AIA B101-2017 partial sample, §3.6.2.1.
CE-10
After a footing pour, the architect has reason to believe the anchor bolt embedment may not match the drawings. The concrete is already placed. Under unmodified A201-2017, what may the architect do?
Show answer and explanation, CE-10
Answer: A. A201 §4.2.6 lets the architect require inspection or testing of the work when it considers that necessary, and reject work that doesn't conform. Installed work isn't beyond review (B). Ordering demolition before anyone confirms the problem (C) skips the step that establishes the facts, and how the work gets corrected is the contractor's means and methods. The question gives no basis for withholding all future payment certificates until closeout (D). The architect's good-faith decisions here create no duty to the contractor.
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §4.2.6, §9.5.1.
CE-11
Case Study 1: Library renovation
An architect is providing construction-phase services on a library renovation under unmodified AIA B101-2017 and A201-2017. The door ratings below are this project's contract requirements for the exercise, not code minimums. No substitution, minor change, or Change Order has modified them. Everything else the architect looked at on this visit conforms.
Resource A: Door schedule excerpt (issued Contract Documents)
Resource A: Door schedule excerpt (issued Contract Documents) Door Required label rating D101 90 minutes D102 60 minutes D103 20 minutes Resource B: Architect's field report, labels observed on site
Resource B: Architect's field report, labels observed on site Door Installed label rating D101 90 minutes D102 45 minutes D103 20 minutes
Using Resources A and B, which installed door doesn't conform to the door schedule? (On the ARE, an item like this can be a hotspot where you click the door on a drawing. Here, choose the door.)
Show answer and explanation, CE-11
Answer: B. D102 is labeled 45 minutes against a required 60 minutes. D101 (90) and D103 (20) match the schedule. A matching label doesn't prove the whole assembly conforms (frames and hardware aren't in these resources), so a real field report would note what was and wasn't checked. Reporting known deviations to the owner is part of the architect's construction-phase role (B101 §3.6.2.1).
Source: AIA B101-2017 partial sample, §3.6.2.1.
CE-12
Durations are in workdays, links are finish-to-start with no lag, and paths without a link run at the same time. The milestone is reached when both D and E are done. Activity B grows from 3 to 5 workdays; everything else stays the same.
| Activity | Duration | Predecessor |
|---|---|---|
| A: Framing | 4 | None |
| B: Rough-in | 5 (was 3) | A |
| C: Inspection | 1 | B |
| D: Wall closure | 2 | C |
| E: Off-site casework fabrication | 6 | None |
How many workdays from the start until the milestone?
Show answer and explanation, CE-12
Answer: A. The A-B-C-D chain is now 4 + 5 + 1 + 2 = 12 workdays. Casework (E) runs in parallel and finishes at day 6, so it doesn't control. The original finish was 10 (option B), which ignores the change. Option C adds the old chain and E end to end (4 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 6 = 16), and D adds every revised duration in a row (18). This tells you where the schedule stands; it doesn't decide whether the contractor is entitled to more time or money.
Source: arithmetic from the facts given.
CE-13
On a G703 continuation sheet, a curtain wall line has a scheduled value of $120,000. Work completed from previous applications is $36,000, work completed this period is $24,000, and materials presently stored (not in either of those) are $12,000. What are the line's percent complete and balance to finish?
Show answer and explanation, CE-13
Answer: D. Total completed and stored to date (column G) = $36,000 + $24,000 + $12,000 = $72,000. Percent complete = $72,000 ÷ $120,000 = 60%. Balance to finish = $120,000 − $72,000 = $48,000. Option A leaves out stored materials. Option B gets the percent right but subtracts only the installed work. Option C counts the $12,000 of stored materials twice.
Source: AIA payment application instructions, Completing the form, columns C–H.
Section 3: Administrative Procedures & Protocols (8 questions)
CE-14
On a private project using unmodified A201-2017, the owner wants added acoustic treatment in a lecture hall started right away to protect the schedule. The owner and contractor haven't agreed on the price or time adjustment. Which document should the architect prepare?
Show answer and explanation, CE-14
Answer: C. A Construction Change Directive is the tool for a change ordered before the parties agree on the adjustment (A201 §7.3.1). The architect prepares it, and the owner and architect sign it; the contractor doesn't have to agree first (§7.1.2) and must promptly proceed (§7.3.6). The contract-sum adjustment is settled later by one of the §7.3.3 methods: lump sum, unit prices, cost plus a fee, or the architect's determination. A Change Order (A) needs all three parties to agree. A Proposal Request (B) only asks for pricing; AIA describes it as not a change order or a direction to proceed. Supplemental instructions (D) can't change the contract sum or time.
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §7.1.2, §7.3.1, §7.3.3, §7.3.6; AIA contract administration forms, G709, G710, G714.
CE-15
The contractor submits an RFI asking which of two conflicting paint finishes applies in a corridor. The architect's answer clarifies the design intent and changes neither cost nor time. Which document is the best way to issue it?
Show answer and explanation, CE-15
Answer: D. AIA describes G710 as the form for clarifications, interpretations, and minor changes, and says it shouldn't be used to change the contract sum or time. That fits an answer with no cost or time effect. A201 §4.2.14 has the architect respond to requests for information in writing with reasonable promptness (the unmodified contract sets no fixed number of days). A Change Order (A) records agreement on a change, including any sum or time adjustment; a CCD (B) directs a change before total agreement. Neither is needed for this clarification. A Proposal Request (C) asks for pricing on a possible change.
Source: AIA contract administration forms, G710; AIA A201-2017 full sample, §4.2.14, §§7.2.1–7.4.
CE-16
The architect issues a minor change relocating a floor drain. The contractor believes the change will add cost. Under A201-2017, what should the contractor do?
Show answer and explanation, CE-16
Answer: A. A201 §7.4 lets the architect order minor changes that don't change the contract sum or time and are consistent with the intent of the Contract Documents. The 2017 edition added a step: if the contractor believes the change affects sum or time, it must notify the architect and not proceed, and proceeding without that prior notice waives the adjustment. That rules out B and C. The architect does have authority to order minor changes (D).
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §7.4, p.23; AIA summary of A201-2017 changes, Article 7, §7.4.
CE-17
The architect reviewed and stamped a storefront shop drawing. The drawing showed a thinner mullion than the specification requires, but the contractor's submittal didn't point out the difference. After installation, the owner objects. Under unmodified A201-2017, who is responsible for the deviation?
Show answer and explanation, CE-17
Answer: C. A201 §3.12.8 says the architect's approval doesn't relieve the contractor of deviations unless the contractor specifically told the architect about them in writing and they were approved by minor change, Change Order, or CCD. The architect's review is for the limited purpose of checking conformance with the design concept and information given (§4.2.7), and submittals aren't Contract Documents (§3.12.4), so they can't quietly change the requirements. The supplier alone does not replace the contractor's responsibility (D).
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §3.12.4, §3.12.8, §4.2.7.
CE-18
The specifications require the contractor to provide the design of steel egress stair stringers. Under unmodified A201-2017, which four statements are correct? Choose four.
Show answer and explanation, CE-18
Answer: B, C, E, F. A201 §3.12.10 covers contractor-provided design (often called delegated design): the Contract Documents require it in this scenario, the owner and architect set the performance and design criteria, an appropriately licensed professional signs and seals the submittals that professional prepares, and the architect reviews it for conformance with the design concept. Related submittals prepared by others carry the design professional's written approval (§3.12.10.1). Reviewing it doesn't make the architect the designer of record (A). Swapping in a different design without a submittal (D) bypasses the whole process.
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §§3.12.10–3.12.10.1, p.16.
CE-19
A project withholds 5% retainage on completed work and 10% on eligible stored materials. Completed work to date is $500,000, and eligible materials presently stored are $100,000, not included in that completed-work amount. Previous certificates for payment total $480,000. With no adjustments by the architect, what is the current payment due?
Show answer and explanation, CE-19
Answer: D. Following the G702 lines: completed-work retainage = $500,000 × 0.05 = $25,000; stored-material retainage = $100,000 × 0.10 = $10,000. Total retainage is $35,000, so earned less retainage = $600,000 − $35,000 = $565,000. Subtract previous certificates of $480,000, and $85,000 is due. Option B ignores retainage. Option C applies 5% to both completed work and stored materials, ignoring the separate stored-material rate. Option A is the total retainage held, not the payment.
Source: AIA payment application instructions, G702 lines 4–8; AIA payment application tips, Retainage: fixed or variable rate?.
CE-20
On a project using unmodified A201-2017, a payment application shows the plumbing rough-in at 60% complete. On the site visit, the architect observes it at roughly 40%. The other line items are properly supported, and no eligible stored materials explain the plumbing difference. What should the architect do?
Show answer and explanation, CE-20
Answer: C. Under A201-2017 the architect may certify all, part, or none of an application, and must either certify within seven days after receipt or give written reasons for withholding. AIA's G702 instructions have the architect initial any changed figures and attach an explanation. Certifying the full amount (A) would represent progress inconsistent with the supported information. Rejecting everything (B) holds back payment for work billed correctly. Certification is the architect's job, not the owner's (D).
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §§9.4.1–9.5.1, pp.24–25; AIA G702 instructions.
CE-21
Case Study 1: Library renovation
An architect is providing construction-phase services on a library renovation under unmodified AIA B101-2017 and A201-2017. The door ratings below are this project's contract requirements for the exercise, not code minimums. No substitution, minor change, or Change Order has modified them. Everything else the architect looked at on this visit conforms.
Resource A: Door schedule excerpt (issued Contract Documents)
Resource A: Door schedule excerpt (issued Contract Documents) Door Required label rating D101 90 minutes D102 60 minutes D103 20 minutes Resource B: Architect's field report, labels observed on site
Resource B: Architect's field report, labels observed on site Door Installed label rating D101 90 minutes D102 45 minutes D103 20 minutes
Return to Case Study 1. The architect has confirmed that one installed door carries a lower label rating than the door schedule requires. No substitution was approved, and the owner hasn't agreed to accept the deviation. What's the appropriate response?
Show answer and explanation, CE-21
Answer: B. The architect has authority to reject work that doesn't conform to the Contract Documents (A201 §4.2.6; B101 §3.6.2.2) and must report known deviations to the owner (B101 §3.6.2.1). Installation isn't approval (A). A Change Order needs owner and contractor signatures, so the architect can't accept the deviation alone (C). How the door gets replaced is the contractor's means and methods (D; A201 §4.2.2).
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §4.2.2, §4.2.6, §12.2.1; AIA B101-2017 partial sample, §3.6.2.1, §3.6.2.2.
Section 4: Project Closeout & Evaluation (3 questions)
CE-22
The architect's inspection shows the building can be used for its intended purpose, and the jurisdiction has issued its occupancy approval. A short punch list remains. The contract requires operation and maintenance manuals and owner training before final payment; neither is done. What should happen?
Show answer and explanation, CE-22
Answer: B. Substantial completion means the work is far enough along for the owner to use it for its intended purpose, even with minor items left. The G704 certificate records the date, the list of remaining items, and who handles things like maintenance, utilities, and insurance. Final payment comes later, after the remaining work and required closeout submissions are done. Occupancy approval is a government permission, not the contract's completion milestone (A). A short punch list doesn't block substantial completion (C). Paying finally before required closeout items arrive (D) gives up the owner's leverage. AIA doesn't publish a universal certificate of final completion; the contract's final-payment terms govern.
Source: AIA: substantial vs. final completion; AIA contract administration forms, G704.
CE-23
Substantial completion was certified on March 1. The roof was complete then, and no different warranty or correction-period start applies. Final payment went out June 1. The following January, the owner discovers a roof leak caused by work that doesn't conform to the Contract Documents. The owner promptly gives the contractor written notice and an opportunity to correct it; the owner hasn't accepted the defect. Under unmodified A201-2017, which statement is correct?
Show answer and explanation, CE-23
Answer: D. A201 §12.2.2.1 sets the correction period at one year after the date of substantial completion, so it runs to March 1 of the following year and the January leak falls inside it. The clock starts at substantial completion, not final payment (A, B). §12.2.5 says the correction period isn't a limit on the contractor's other obligations, so warranties aren't the owner's only route (C).
Source: AIA A201-2017 full sample, §§12.2.2.1–12.2.5, p.32.
CE-24
An occupied 100,000-gross-square-foot building used 8,000,000 kBtu over its first full 12 months. The owner's project energy target is 60 kBtu per gross square foot per year. Occupants report persistent thermal discomfort, and no cause has been identified yet. Which three conclusions or next steps are supported? Choose three.
Show answer and explanation, CE-24
Answer: B, C, F. Energy use intensity (EUI) is annual energy divided by gross floor area: 8,000,000 ÷ 100,000 = 80 kBtu/GSF/year, a third above the 60 target. Measured energy and occupant feedback are complementary evidence; GSA, for example, evaluates its buildings on both measured EUI and tenant ratings of thermal comfort. A design model predicts performance; it doesn't prove what happened in operation (A). Occupancy approval is about legal permission to occupy, not comfort (D). And the facts given don't identify a cause yet (E), which is why operating data comes next. Under B101 §3.6.6.5, the owner can ask the architect for a meeting within one year after substantial completion to review facility operations and performance.
Source: GSA high-performance buildings results, energy results and tenant satisfaction; AIA B101-2007/2017 comparison, §3.6.6.5, p.9.
Check your results by section
| Section | Questions | NCARB's typical share | If you missed 2 or more, start with |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Preconstruction Activities | CE-01 to CE-05 (5) | 17–23% | Week 1 of the plan |
| 2: Construction Observation | CE-06 to CE-13 (8) | 32–38% | Weeks 1 and 2 |
| 3: Administrative Procedures & Protocols | CE-14 to CE-21 (8) | 32–38% | Week 3 and the document map |
| 4: Project Closeout & Evaluation | CE-22 to CE-24 (3) | 7–13% | Week 4 |
Count a question as missed if you looked at the answer before choosing. With three to eight questions per section, your results point you to a place to start studying. They aren't a measure of where you'd land on the real exam.
Your four-week CE study plan
Assumes: about 8 hours a week for four weeks (32 hours total), split into four or five sessions a week. That's our editorial plan, not an NCARB requirement or a promise that 32 hours is enough. Where it says "read," use the linked AIA samples and publisher explanations. The B101 sample contains only its first nine contract pages; the linked comparison supplies the later clauses. Read the 2017 text, excluding deleted 2007 wording. NCARB also provides access to free AIA contracts through your Record: Exams → Additional Resources (Guidelines, p.118).
| Week | Focus | Read | Do | You're done when you have |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bidding and the architect's site role | B101 §3.5 and §3.6.1–3.6.2; A701 (it's short); A201 §3.7.4 and §4.2 | Questions CE-01 to CE-08. Variations V1 and V2 below. | A one-page table of who does what during bidding and construction: owner, architect, contractor |
| 2 | Conformance and progress | A201 §3.12 and §4.2.6–4.2.7; the G703 column headings | CE-09 to CE-13 and the Case Study 1 resources. Variations V3 and V6. | A short field-report note for Case Study 1: what you saw, what it should be, and who you told |
| 3 | Changes, submittals, and payment | A201 Article 7; AIA's G701, G709, G710, G714, and G702 descriptions; the worked payment example below | CE-14 to CE-21. Rework the payment example on blank paper. Variations V4 and V5. | Your own "which document when" table from memory, checked against the one below |
| 4 | Closeout, evaluation, and test conditions | AIA's substantial vs. final completion explainer; G704; A201 §12.2; B101 §3.6.6 | CE-22 to CE-24. Take NCARB's CE practice exam in test mode (3 hours, plus the break if you want to rehearse it). Review every rationale. Two days later, redo every question you missed. | A list of the topics still costing you points, each with the clause to reread |
Try it again with changed facts
Getting a question right the second time can just mean you remember the answer. These six unscored variations change the facts so you have to apply the rule again. Answers are right below each.
| ID | Changed fact | What to work out | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| V1 | In CE-02, Bidder 1 now commits to 20 weeks. The owner awards the lowest price among bidders that meet every criterion. | Which bidder gets the recommendation? | Bidder 1 at $2,100,000. Bidders 1 and 3 both qualify; Bidder 2 still excludes required scope. |
| V2 | In CE-05, the budget is $2,040,000. The owner wants to accept as few alternates as possible. | Which award? | Alternate 1 alone, at $2,040,000. |
| V3 | In CE-12, Activity B goes back to 3 workdays, but Activity A grows from 4 to 6. | Workdays to the milestone? | 12. The A-B-C-D chain is 6 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 12; E still finishes at day 6. |
| V4 | In CE-14, the owner and contractor now agree to an $18,000 addition and 2 added workdays. | Which document? | G701 Change Order, signed by the owner, contractor, and architect. The agreement is what changed. |
| V5 | In the worked payment example below, use the first table, before the architect's drywall adjustment. Retainage is 5% instead of 10%. Nothing else changes. | Payment due and balance to finish? | Retainage $61,500; earned less retainage $1,168,500; payment due $348,500; balance to finish $1,291,500. |
| V6 | In Case Study 1, Resource B now shows D102 at 60 minutes. | Is there a label discrepancy? | No; all three labels match the schedule. That still doesn't confirm frames or hardware, which the resources don't cover. |
Adjust the plan to your situation
- You recently passed PcM or PjM. Contract basics carry over, but CE asks you to apply them to construction-phase decisions. Do the questions first, then cut reading time only on topics where you got the questions right.
- You haven't done much construction administration. Stretch the same plan over eight weeks at about 4 hours a week. Spend the extra time on the document map and the payment example; you don't need a live project to learn the sequence.
- You're retaking CE. A failing score report shows how you did in each section. Start with the weeks that cover your weakest sections, and use the error log below on every miss.
- Your exam is soon. Keep the questions, the document map, the payment example, and NCARB's practice exam. Check the rescheduling rules below before deciding whether to move your date.
Which document when
Use this map to match a construction-administration task to its document. The roles assume unmodified AIA documents.
| Situation | Document | Who acts | Effect on contract sum or time |
|---|---|---|---|
| A bidder needs a clarification before bids are due | Addendum | Architect issues it to all prospective bidders, at least 4 days before bids are due under A701 | Bidders price it into their bids |
| The contractor needs information during construction | Request for information (RFI; AIA G716) | Contractor asks; architect answers in writing with reasonable promptness | None by itself |
| The owner is considering a change and wants a price | Proposal Request (G709) | Architect sends it; contractor prices it | None. It isn't a change or a direction to proceed |
| A clarification, or a minor change consistent with contract intent, with no cost or time effect | Architect's Supplemental Instructions (G710) | Architect | None. If the contractor thinks a minor change affects sum or time, it must say so and not proceed |
| A change everyone has agreed on | Change Order (G701) | Owner, contractor, and architect all sign | Records the agreed sum and time adjustments, including zero |
| A change needed now, before price or time is agreed | Construction Change Directive (G714) | Architect prepares; owner and architect sign; contractor proceeds promptly | Contract-sum adjustment determined under §7.3.3; time adjustment follows the contract process |
| Shop drawings, product data, samples | Submittal | Contractor reviews, approves, and submits; architect reviews for the limited purpose of checking conformance with the design concept | None. Submittals aren't Contract Documents |
| A site visit | Field report (G711) | Architect records observations, deviations, and defects | None |
| Monthly payment | Application and Certificate for Payment (G702 with G703) | Contractor applies at least 10 days before the payment date; architect certifies within 7 days after receipt or gives written reasons | Pays for work done and eligible stored materials, less retainage |
| The building is usable for its intended purpose | Certificate of Substantial Completion (G704) | Contractor lists remaining items; architect checks and revises the list; owner and contractor accept the certificate | Establishes the substantial-completion date; warranty and correction-period timing follows §§9.8–9.9 and 12.2 |
| Final payment | Final G702 plus closeout documents, such as G706 (payment of debts and claims), G706A (release of liens), and G707 (consent of surety) | Contractor submits; architect makes the final inspection and certifies; any surety consents to final payment | Releases remaining payment under the contract's terms |
Sources: A201-2017 full sample §§3.12, 4.2.7, 4.2.14, 7.1–7.4, 9.3–9.4, 9.8–9.10, 12.2; A701-2018 sample §3.4.3; AIA forms descriptions (G704, G709, G710, G711, G714); AIA help pages for G716, G706, G706A, and G707.
The quickest way to sort the change documents: ask whether there's agreement yet. Agreement on scope, price, and time means a Change Order. A change that must happen before agreement means a CCD. A clarification or a minor change consistent with contract intent, with no cost or time effect, fits G710. A Change Order can record zero adjustment; zero alone does not make a change minor. Just asking for a price means a G709.
The payment math, worked once
All numbers here are made up for practice. The contract withholds 10% retainage on everything completed and stored.
| G702 line | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Original contract sum | Given | $2,400,000 |
| Net change by Change Orders | Given | +$60,000 |
| Contract sum to date | $2,400,000 + $60,000 | $2,460,000 |
| Total completed and stored to date | From the G703 column G total | $1,230,000 |
| Retainage | 10% × $1,230,000 | $123,000 |
| Total earned less retainage | $1,230,000 − $123,000 | $1,107,000 |
| Less previous certificates for payment | Given | $820,000 |
| Current payment due | $1,107,000 − $820,000 | $287,000 |
| Balance to finish, including retainage | $2,460,000 − $1,107,000 | $1,353,000 |
Now the architect visits the site. The drywall line (scheduled value $90,000) is billed at 60% complete, or $54,000 to date. The architect sees about 40%, or $36,000. The rest of the application is supported, and no eligible stored materials account for the difference. That's $18,000 less completed work:
| Corrected line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total completed and stored to date | $1,212,000 |
| Retainage at 10% | $121,200 |
| Earned less retainage | $1,090,800 |
| Less previous certificates | $820,000 |
| Amount the architect certifies | $270,800 |
The certificate drops by $16,200, not $18,000, because 10% of that $18,000 was already being held as retainage. The architect initials the changed figures and tells the owner and contractor in writing why. Under A201-2017, the architect can certify all, part, or none of an application, and certification reflects observed progress and quality; it isn't a promise of exhaustive inspection.
Three checks that catch most mistakes: use the cumulative previous certificates, not just last month's; apply the retainage rate to the cumulative completed-and-stored total (some contracts set a different rate for stored materials); and when stored materials get installed, move them out of "stored" so they aren't counted twice.
Sources: AIA payment application instructions, G702 lines 1–9 and G703 columns C–I; G702 instructions; A201-2017 full sample, §§9.4–9.5.
What each CE objective asks you to do
NCARB writes every CE item to one of these 12 objectives. The wording below is NCARB's; "What you're really doing" is our plain-language read of what questions on it tend to require.
| Objective | NCARB's wording | What you're really doing | Practice here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Understand the architect's role and responsibilities in advising the client during the bidding process based on project delivery method | Knowing what the architect does, and doesn't do, during bidding or negotiation | CE-01 |
| 1.2 | Analyze criteria for selecting contractors | Comparing bids and qualifications against stated requirements, not just price | CE-02, CE-03 |
| 1.3 | Analyze aspects of the contract or design to adjust project costs | Getting a project back to budget with alternates, scope changes, or rebidding | CE-04, CE-05 |
| 2.1 | Evaluate the architect's role during construction activities | Site visits, the limits of the architect's authority, safety and means and methods | CE-06 to CE-08 |
| 2.2 | Evaluate construction conformance with contract documents, codes, regulations, and sustainability requirements | Comparing what's installed with what the documents require, and acting on it | CE-09 to CE-11 |
| 2.3 | Determine construction progress | Reading schedules and continuation sheets | CE-12, CE-13 |
| 3.1 | Determine appropriate additional information to supplement contract documents | Choosing between RFI responses, supplemental instructions, Change Orders, and CCDs | CE-14 to CE-16 |
| 3.2 | Evaluate submittals including shop drawings, samples, mock-ups, product data, and test results | Knowing what submittal review covers, and who stays responsible | CE-17, CE-18 |
| 3.3 | Evaluate the contractor's application for payment | Checking the math and certifying only what's earned | CE-19, CE-20 |
| 3.4 | Evaluate responses to non-conformance with contract documents | Rejecting, reporting, and getting nonconforming work corrected through the contract | CE-21 |
| 4.1 | Apply procedural concepts to complete close-out activities | Substantial completion, punch lists, final payment, the correction period | CE-22, CE-23 |
| 4.2 | Evaluate building design and performance | Judging how the finished building actually performs against its goals | CE-24 |
Source: NCARB, ARE: Construction & Evaluation.
Turn a missed answer into your next study task
When you miss a question, figure out which of these went wrong: you misread a fact, picked the wrong party, picked the wrong document, made a math slip, or applied the wrong completion standard. Then log it.
| Question | What I picked | Fact I missed | Rule and where it lives | New scenario to try | Redo date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CE-14 | G709 Proposal Request | The owner wanted the work started now, and price wasn't agreed | A CCD lets the change go ahead before agreement; A201 §7.3 | Variation V4: same change, but everyone agrees on price and time | Two days later |
A good log entry names the fact you missed and the clause that controls it. "Review CCDs" is too vague to study from.
CE at a glance
These exam rules reflect NCARB's October 2026 ARE 5.0 Guidelines, effective October 1, 2026. CE is one division of the Architect Registration Examination; eligibility and licensure are set by your jurisdiction, not by this practice score (NCARB: How to Start).
| Row label | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Items | 75 items: 68 scored and 7 unscored pretest items you can't identify |
| Time | 3 hours of testing, 30 minutes of optional break time, and a 3-hour-40-minute total appointment that includes 10 minutes of intro and exit screens |
| Question types | Multiple choice (3 or 4 options, pick one), check-all-that-apply (6 options, the question tells you how many to pick), and hotspot (click an area of an image) |
| Case studies | Up to 7 case studies with up to 16 case-study items, counted within the 75. Each case study has one or two resources. They sit at the end of the exam, but you can answer in any order |
| Sections | Preconstruction Activities 17–23%; Construction Observation 32–38%; Administrative Procedures & Protocols 32–38%; Project Closeout & Evaluation 7–13% |
| Scoring | Pass/fail on the whole division. One point per item, no partial credit, no penalty for wrong answers. You can pass with a weak section if you do well elsewhere |
| Where you test | PSI test centers or online with PSI |
| Fee | $263 per attempt |
Sources: ARE 5.0 Guidelines, October 2026 (pp. 8, 11, 40, 57–60, 105–110); NCARB CE page; NCARB question types; NCARB fees.
On pacing, 180 minutes for 75 items works out to a little under 2.5 minutes per item on average. Answer every item, since a blank counts as wrong. Before you take a break, finish reviewing any items you've already viewed, including those marked for review: once you go on break, every item you've already viewed locks, including ones marked for review.
What changed in 2026
On April 27, 2026, NCARB clarified the wording of objective 1.1 so it centers on advising the client during bidding, based on the delivery method, and revised the descriptions for objectives 1.2 and 1.3. Case studies were also reformatted: each now has one or two resources (down from three to six) and fewer items, with about the same total number of case-study items. The number of items, testing time, and division structure didn't change, and divisions you've already passed aren't affected. NCARB released updated practice exams for these changes. The October 2026 Guidelines are the current edition.
Sources: NCARB, updated Guidelines for April 2026 changes; NCARB, changes implemented.
How hard is CE?
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CE pass rate | 66% | 62% | 65% | 65% | 61% | 61% |
These rates cover all candidates, first-time and repeat. In 2025, CE's 61% was the second highest of the six divisions, behind Project Management's 63%. The overall ARE pass rate was 55%. About four in ten CE attempts still don't pass; these historical rates don't predict your result.
The passing standard is fixed against a level of entry-level competence. It isn't a curve, and it's the same for every licensing board.
Sources: NCARB pass rates; ARE 5.0 Guidelines, p. 40.
Use NCARB's free CE practice exam
NCARB offers a full-length, scored CE practice exam in your NCARB Record.
- With active exam eligibility: log in to your NCARB Record, open the Exams tab, and go to Additional Resources for the Practice Exam Dashboard.
- Without active eligibility yet: in your NCARB Record, go to Quick Links and select "Practice the ARE."
- Two modes: test mode mimics exam conditions; practice mode shows correct responses and rationales as you go. Both finish with your results by section and a rationale for each item.
- Supervisors and mentors can use the PDF version, which NCARB notes is the only version available to them. The PDF omits case-study resources; candidates can view those resources in the exam administration format.
These steps are NCARB's published instructions; we haven't used the practice exam inside an NCARB account.
Open NCARB's practice exam page
Booking, fees, and retakes
- Fee: $263 per division, and $263 per retake. Your NCARB Record has its own separate fee.
- Scheduling: book at least 48 hours ahead for a test center or 24 hours ahead for online testing. Online testing requires an Ethernet-connected native Windows computer, a smartphone as a second camera, and a free PSI test run before each online division. A Mac running Windows is not supported. Check the full technical requirements, including the phone and camera setup, before choosing online testing.
- Rescheduling: free 31 or more days out; $75 at 15–30 days; $150 at 7–14 days; up to three reschedules. Canceling costs $200 at least 7 days out and provides a replacement seat credit valid for one year from cancellation. Inside 7 days, you can't reschedule or cancel, and a missed appointment forfeits the fee.
- Results: you get provisional feedback when you finish, and the official score report arrives within 7–10 calendar days. A failing report shows how you did in each section.
- Retakes: you can retake a failed division 60 days after your last attempt at that division, with a maximum of three total attempts at the same division in any 12-month period.
Sources: NCARB fees; ARE 5.0 Guidelines, pp. 11–14, 25–30, 37–41.
Common questions
Is CE easier if I've already passed PcM and PjM? The contract documents overlap, so you won't be starting cold. But CE asks you to apply them during construction: which document fits, who can sign it, what the architect can and can't do on site, and how much to certify. Take the 24 questions above before deciding how much to skip.
How much building technology do I need? Objectives 2.2 and 4.2 ask you to judge whether installed work conforms and how a building performs. Questions like CE-09, CE-11, and CE-24 give you the requirement and the evidence and ask what to do with them. Studying technical content through that lens (does this conform, does this perform) will serve you better than trying to memorize every system.
Can I talk about CE questions after my exam? You can discuss general topics and study strategies, and NCARB uses "What is your study strategy for the Construction & Evaluation division?" as an example of an acceptable question. You can't share or ask about specific questions, case studies, or scenarios you saw. That's part of the ARE Candidate Agreement (Guidelines, pp. 43–44).
More ARE study from Castleport: Project Management exam prep.
Sources and independence
NCARB
- ARE 5.0 Guidelines, effective October 1, 2026: format, scoring, scheduling, retakes, confidentiality, and the CE section (pp. 105–110)
- ARE: Construction & Evaluation: sections, weights, and objectives
- Updated ARE Guidelines for April 2026 exam changes
- ARE 5.0 question types
- Free ARE 5.0 practice exams
- ARE 5.0 pass rates
- Fees
AIA contract documents and explainers
- A201-2017 full sample, B101-2017 partial sample, B101-2007/2017 comparison, and A701-2018 sample, hosted by DC Housing
- AIA payment application instructions for G702-1992 and G703-1992; AIA payment application tips for separate retainage rates
- AIA: obligation to design to budget
- AIA summary of A201-2017 changes
- Contract administration and project management forms
- Substantial completion vs. final completion
- G702 instructions
Other
Last verified October 13, 2026: CE format, case-study limits, section weights and objective wording, the April 2026 changes, scoring, scheduling and retake rules, fees, pass rates, NCARB practice-exam access, and the AIA provisions cited in the explanations.
How we made this page: written by the Castleport Test Prep Editorial Team, with AI assistance for drafting. We checked the facts against the sources listed above. The practice questions are original and haven't been reviewed by a licensed architect. The explanations reflect unmodified AIA documents; your project's contracts may differ.
Castleport Test Prep is an independent exam prep publisher. We're not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by NCARB or the American Institute of Architects. ARE, Architect Registration Examination, NCARB, and AIA document names are used only to identify their subjects; trademarks belong to their respective owners.