The Exam That Pulls Everything Together

Project Planning & Design is where everything starts to click. It’s where design meets real-world constraints: codes, systems, budgets, and structures. It’s creative and complex all at once.

If you’ve made it this far, you already know the ARE isn’t just about memorization. It’s about how you think as an architect, and this exam tests that on every level.

Test Anxiety Is Real (and You Can Beat It)

Before diving into the technical side, let’s talk about something most people skip: mindset.

PPD is one of the hardest exams for a reason: it’s broad, long, and mentally draining. Even if you know the content, test anxiety can sabotage your focus. I’ve been there. It took me three tries to pass this one, and what finally made the difference wasn’t more flashcards — it was mindset work.

Here’s what helped:

• Visualization – See yourself passing (and yes, even failing). It removes fear’s power over you.

• Breathwork – Before you start, close your eyes, take three slow breaths, and smile. It’s a quick endorphin reset.

• Movement – Shake out the nerves. Stretch, walk, or do a few squats before test time.

• Hypnotherapy & Mindset Training – I walk you through this inside Mind Over ARE™, part of ABC Club Premium. It’s where I teach the same tools that helped me finally PASS.

If you’re struggling to get through the exams, this is where the shift happens: from “studying more” to studying smarter.

Understanding Project Planning & Design

PPD is big. It bridges everything from concept to systems. It’s where programming, codes, structures, and design come together — and where small mistakes can throw off big decisions.

This isn’t about memorizing one more formula. It’s about understanding why things work and how each design choice affects the rest.

Inside the Ultimate Study Plan (USP), I break down exactly what to focus on: section by section, resource by resource — so you’re not wasting time on chapters that won’t move the needle.

Environmental Conditions & Context

This section tests how well you understand site conditions and their impact on design.

Focus On

• Topography, drainage, soil, and wind patterns

• Daylighting and passive design

• Siting and building orientation

• How environmental factors influence placement and comfort

Remember: design always starts with HEALTH, SAFETY, and WELFARE.

Codes and Regulations

You’ve seen this before in PA, but it’s deeper now.

Focus On

• Fire separation and egress

• Occupancy types

• Construction type (IBC Chapters 3, 5, 6, 7, 10)

• Zoning constraints and setbacks

💡 Tip: Don’t just read the code..apply it! Practice identifying how it changes a design scenario.

If you want exact IBC sections to study and sample questions to test your understanding, they’re all mapped out inside the Ultimate Study Plan (USP).

Building Systems, Materials & Assemblies

Now we’re getting into the architecture itself: structure, HVAC, acoustics, and assemblies.

What to Know

• Structural types and lateral systems

• HVAC and energy efficiency basics

• Acoustics and STC ratings

• Materials, fire ratings, and non-combustibility

📘 Must-have resource: The Architect’s Studio Companion (not the student version). It’s your go-to for spans, systems, and structural coordination.

Inside the ABC Club, we have study sheets and interactive games that make this section way less intimidating.

Project Integration of Program & Systems

This is where your design, code, and structure knowledge finally blend together.

Focus On

• Moment and shear diagrams

• How forces act on structures

• Fire protection and structural integration

• Reading calculations for intent, not just results

Pay attention to units in questions (converting from PSF to pounds or square feet to cubic feet is a common trap).

Project Costs & Budgeting

Finally, PPD tests how design affects money.

Focus On

• Cost estimating and take-offs

• When to use which type of cost analysis

• Understanding how material and system choices affect budgets

If you want guided cost practice problems with step-by-step breakdowns, they’re inside ABC Club Premium.

Quick Study Tips

• Use the ARE Handbook as a roadmap, not your only source.

• Read Building Construction Illustrated to visualize details.

• Flip through Sun, Wind, & Light for passive design concepts.

• Review Fundamentals of Building Construction for structures.

• Practice constantly: mock exams, question banks, and flashcards.

Want everything organized into a single, strategic plan? Get the Ultimate Study Plan (USP).

Final Thoughts

PPD can feel like climbing a mountain, but every topic connects to the bigger picture. It’s the heart of design thinking.

You’ve already proven you can make it this far. Keep going! Study smart. Take breaks. Trust that what you’ve learned is enough.

And if you need structure, accountability, and mindset support, join ABC Club Premium. It includes Mind Over ARE™ coaching, live study sessions, and all the resources to help you pass confidently.

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