If you’ve already made it through Practice Management (PcM) and Project Management (PjM), you’re in the perfect position to take on Construction & Evaluation (CE).

CE often comes last in the exam list, but I recommend taking it right after PcM and PjM. These three form the Pro-Practice trio — they connect through contracts, risk, and firm management. Keeping them close together helps you retain and apply what you’ve learned.

Resources to Help You Pass

• Join the ABC Club – your full ARE® study system and community

• Join ABC Club Premium – includes Mind Over ARE™ coaching, study calls, and replays

• Free ARE Resource Library – instant access to essential tools and tips

• Explore all our free ARE Resources here

What to Expect on the CE Exam

The CE exam focuses on construction administration, contracts, and risk management. It’s about what happens after design is done — when drawings become reality.

Here’s how the test breaks down:

1. Preconstruction Activities (17–23%)

• Understand project delivery methods and how they define team responsibilities

• Know contracts, project costs, and contractor selection

• Learn how to advocate for your client while minimizing risk

📚 Focus on: delivery methods, risk allocation, and scope of services.

2. Construction Observation (32–38%)

• Understand your role (and limits) during construction

• Observe progress and confirm compliance with documents

• Identify red flags and construction issues (waterproofing, sheet metal, parapets, etc.)

📚 Focus on: what’s in your scope vs. what’s not. Risk management starts with clear boundaries.

3. Administrative Procedures & Protocols (32–38%)

• Master construction-phase documentation

• Learn when to issue submittal evaluations, pay apps, and change orders

• Understand what each form is for and when to use it

📚 Focus on: real-world applications of contracts and forms (AIA G-series documents are your friends here).

4. Project Closeout & Evaluation (7–13%)

• Know what defines “substantial completion”

• Learn how to handle punch lists, final payments, and post-occupancy evaluations

📚 Focus on: communication, closeout documentation, and warranty periods.

Key Things to Remember

Every Exam Is Different

Some exams lean heavy on contracts. Others test construction details. Don’t panic if your CE exam feels off-balance...that’s normal!

If you fail, it doesn’t mean you didn’t know enough. It might just mean you got a “wildcard” exam. Take notes, regroup, and come back stronger.

Understand Construction Details

CE isn’t just paperwork; it’s about seeing how drawings become real.

Get familiar with common field conditions: waterproofing, transitions, flashing, drainage, and fire separation.
If you can, get on site. Even one walkthrough can connect theory to practice in ways that books never can.

💡 Tip: If you’re looking for practical examples, follow @buildingsciencefightclub on Instagram. Great visual breakdowns of construction details that show up in real projects (and sometimes in exam questions).

Always Think “Health, Safety, and Welfare”

Every decision architects make ties back to protecting the public.
When you’re asked to evaluate a construction detail, always think about:

• How does this manage water and moisture?

• How do materials transition to prevent air or fire leaks?

• What keeps this building safe and durable?

💧 Remember: water is a building’s biggest enemy.

Get Out in the Field

If you can, shadow a CA meeting or ask your firm to bring you onsite.
No access? Drive through neighborhoods with homes under construction (“naked houses,” as my daughter calls them). Most contractors are open to letting you observe if you explain you’re studying for your exams.

Experience matters here. CE is about connecting knowledge to observation.

Study Tips

1. Start with the ARE Handbook – Always your starting point and checklist.

2. Use the Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP) – Chapters on construction admin, pay apps, and project delivery are key.

3. Practice the contracts – especially A201, A101, and G-series forms.

4. Use active study tools – inside the ABC Club , you’ll find memory games, case studies, and flashcards to help you apply concepts.

5. Study real construction photos – Learn to recognize issues visually (leaks, flashing, insulation gaps).

6. Hold yourself accountable – Schedule the exam, join a group, or set a date. Progress beats perfection.

Homework

As a thank-you for reading, grab your free ARE® 5.0 practice problems from our Activity Book for Architects.
They’re designed to help you test your knowledge and prep smarter.

👉 Download your ARE® homework here

Final Thoughts

By the time you reach CE, you’ve already built serious momentum.
This is where all your studying, discipline, and resilience start to pay off.

Keep studying smart, stay consistent, and remember: you’re closer than you think.

Happy studying,
Bryn