NCARB ARE Exam Changes

The elimination of scratch paper and a pencil while taking the ARE absolutely infuriates me. Once again, making changes that seem archaic and which could possibly hinder candidates from passing these test further.

Even high school standardized tests have scratch paper... Why can't NCARB do the same? Meanwhile they expect us to pay fees to, not only to take these exams, but through their "record" as well? Makes no sense.

5 years ago Featured

I've taken 5/6 NCARB exams and almost every experience has had some sort of technical difficulty. Please focus on solutions to the existing testing glitches, bugs, and errors instead of implementing unnecessary features like a digital scratch paper tool

please reconsider

Scratch paper is ESSENTIAL to completing calculations found throughout the series of exams.

I use my scratch paper to visualize the problems, keep track of my unanswered questions, and scratch out some numbers to help with my thinking process. It has been a great aid to my success, and without it I would have kept failing the exams. It's one thing to try to control the remote setting, but to deny the same for in-person test centers is irrational, and should be an option - at least for a transition period, offer to have both. A whiteboard seems like a modern-digital new option at first, but I would need additional hardware like a stylus and pad for it to be remotely effective for my ability to solve problems. Please reconsider this sudden abolishment of scratch paper.

We understand that we live a new era of technology, but pen and paper has been the architect companion since before architecture was a profession. Also it is demonstrated that handwriting increases the neuronal activity of the brain which is crucial in exam environment.

This is not right.

Must have paper!!

Having access to physical scratch paper was integral to my success on the ARE. This is insane.

Physical scratch paper come very handy Keep track of questions requiring math. It is not something to be eliminated.

Taking away the scratch paper is like taking away someone's glasses. We see and discover how to solve word problems by breaking them down on the scratch paper. It is how I organize my thoughts to work through the word problems. Please do not take this away from us!

The right to have a pencil and paper is key to Architecture testing. Our field exists because of the relationship between the pencil and the paper. From day one as a student we used pencil and paper. Doing away with pencil and a scratch sheet of paper is harmful to the future of the field and those seeking licensure.

Scratch paper is essential for us as Architects, we use it to take notes, do math calculations, diagrams, contract relationships and so on. This is vital!! Removing this will be not only time consuming but putting us in great disadvantage, we want to succeed in the ARE’s not fail because “practicality” issues. It has been proven case studies do not load properly, zoom tool is not efficient, the same will happen with your “whiteboard tool”. Every other profession or tests provide you with scratch paper, it’s very ironic Ncarb is depriving Future Architects with an essential tool such as scratch paper. Please reconsider!

This new policy, not only unproductive and pointless but also discriminatory against people with disabilities - paper is crucial for processing and understanding information.

Please do not take away the scratch paper!!

This is such a disservice to this next generation of architects. It is clear this board has no understanding of what the exams entail to remove a key component of being able to work through these exams.

Thank You

NCARB's propensity to get it wrong everytime never ceases to amaze anyone.

WE HAVE MATH PROBLEMS ON THESE EXAMS!!! WE ARE ARCHITECTS WHO DRAW!!!! THINK PLEASE, THINK!