Design Create Inspire
Studying for the Architect Registration Exam (ARE 5.0) and working toward licensure? This podcast is for you. Hosted by Bryn Young, licensed architect, author, and founder of ABC Club and Mind Over ARE, each episode brings you exam prep strategies, study tips, and mindset tools to help you pass the ARE. You’ll also hear real insights from coaching calls on overcoming procrastination, staying motivated, and balancing architecture exams with life and work. Plus, episodes on the architecture profession itself, from contracts to practice management, so you’re prepared not just for the tests, but for your career as an architect.
Episodes
In this episode, we focus on understanding and answering a challenging ARE 5.0 question about passive cooling design strategies for a public library in Arizona. The discussion delves into the importance of thermal mass and how different structural systems impact passive cooling. Listeners are encouraged to carefully consider the material properties and their application in real-world scenarios to enhance their desig...
Join Bryn in this audio recap from a live 'Mind Over ARE' coaching call led by Head Coach Shikha. This deep dive is designed to give you strategic insights on tackling ARE 5.0 questions, focusing on understanding the 'why' behind the questions, not just the right answers. In this episode, discover how to think like the NCARB, recognize important phrasing, and identify key concepts like continuous...
In this episode, we dive into a classic ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM) practice question on top-down budgeting. Using a real-world style scenario, we break down step by step how to calculate a project’s labor budget from construction costs, gross fee, consultant fees, and contingency.
You’ll learn:
- How to calculate gross fee as a percentage of construction cost
- Why consultant fees are taken from the gross fee (n...
In this special episode, we go into the complexities of Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Derived from a live Mind Over ARE coaching call, this recap offers crucial insights for navigating the ARE 5.0 exam and understanding key architectural concepts. The episode explores the significance of FAR in architectural practice, provides practical examples, and discusses how FAR impacts design feasibility, zoning regulations, and ci...
In this Coaching Highlight from our Mind Over ARE sessions (inside ABC Club Premium), we tackle a classic ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM) question:
👉 How do architects calculate fees — and what’s the difference between top-down budgeting, bottom-up budgeting, not-to-exceed hourly, and fixed fee?
These terms show up all the time in both the exam and real practice. In this episode, we break down:
- Top-Down Budgetin...
In this episode, Bryn shares a coaching highlight from the ABC Club Premium coaching calls. Head coach Shikha dives into a crucial topic: selecting the optimal structural system for fast construction in dense urban settings. She breaks down common missteps with common materials and why one is more ideal than the others. Materials discussed: precast concrete, cast-in-place concrete, heavy timber framing, and steel fr...
Let's uncover the nuances of ARE 5.0 scoring. Discover how to decode your NCARB score report and optimize your preparation by understanding the scoring criteria, and leverage free tools like the ARE 5.0 Score Calculator.
Bryn also discusses the importance of the cut score, the significance of section percentages, and how NCARB ensures the fairness of exams. Get practical tips and strategies to boost your study ...
In this Coaching Highlight from our Mind Over ARE sessions (inside ABC Club Premium), we unpack a core financial concept that shows up on the ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM) exam and in everyday firm life: the utilization ratio.
So what is it really measuring? Why does NCARB care about it? And how does it shape the way firms allocate time, staff, and resources?
In this episode, we’ll cover:
- What utilization ratio...
Join us for an essential audio recap from a mind over ARE coaching call designed to provide aspiring architects with bite-sized takeaways and motivation for the ARE 5.0 exam. This episode offers a deep dive into a fundamental ARE practice question on setback calculations, breaking down core concepts step-by-step. Beyond the technical details, discover the crucial psychological strategies for trusting your knowledge ...
In this episode, we tackle a famous ARE 5.0 Construction & Evaluation (CE) practice question that also connects to PjM and PDD. The scenario? A high-profile client (yes, Cardi B!) who cares most about schedule and design quality — with no concern about cost. Which fee structure is the right fit: GMP, stipulated sum, cost-plus-fixed-fee, or negotiated sum?
Head Coach Shikha breaks down the nuances of:
- Guarantee...
Explore insights from live coaching calls and learn how to navigate and solve complex, multi-layered exam questions. This episode focuses on crucial skills like calculating building efficiency and understanding the importance of all constraints. Perfect for aspiring architects aiming to PASS the Architecture Registration Examination (ARE 5.0) PA or PPD divisions.
00:00 Introduction to the Deep Dive
00:26 Decoding Tric...
Struggling with all the financial jargon in ARE 5.0 Practice Management (PcM)? You’re not alone. In this episode, we break down two must-know concepts that show up on the exam and in real practice: Net Operating Revenue (NOR) and the Net Multiplier.
👉 What you’ll learn:
- The real definition of Net Operating Revenue (and what costs are subtracted)
- Reimbursable vs. non-reimbursable project expenses (with clear exampl...
In this episode, we tackle the complexities of electrical systems that often intimidate ARE 5.0 candidates. Learn why memorizing formulas isn't enough, the key differences between single-phase and three-phase power, and the critical role of efficiency and demand in real-world projects. By connecting these concepts to practical scenarios, you'll gain a deeper understanding that can help you succeed in your ...
Struggling to find the right time to take your ARE? In this Coaching Insights Overview, we pull highlights from a live Mind Over ARE call — from breaking past exam hesitation with a clear 3-week plan, to smarter study strategies, to contract lessons every architect needs. Quick, practical takeaways to keep you moving toward licensure.
The ABC Club: Join our top ARE resource that's helping thousands of people pa...
Watch the episode here.
This viral video of a stadium swaying under the feet of the crowd leaves people to wonder what is going on! I responded with a comment describing resonance and why this could lead to a catastrophic event. This comment has thousands of likes, so here's a video explaining it further.
0:00 - Is this stadium going to FAIL in this viral video?!
3:26 - Resonance: Defining resonanc...
Watch the episode here.
Dive into the world of architecture with this concise, 10-minute overview! Learn what architecture really is, explore key design principles (form, function, sustainability), and discover how iconic styles—from ancient wonders to cutting-edge green buildings—shaped our built environment. We’ll also break down the architectural process step by step, from initial concept sketches to final constru...
Watch the episode here.
How to Become a Licensed Architect Even if You’re Neurodivergent (ADHD Edition)
Architecture school is one of the hardest majors, and becoming a licensed architect? It’s a marathon. If I had overthought it before starting, I might have said, “No way, not for me.” But I didn’t. I kept going, learned to work with my ADHD, and figured it out as I went.
If you’ve ever struggled w...
Enrollment to MOA opens only a few times a year, and spots are limited! Enroll today if you're ready to PASS the ARE and become a Licensed Architect.
CLICK HERE to secure your spot now! (Enrollment Deadline: midnight Friday 1/24)
1:57 – Kicking Off: ARE Exams & Mind Over ARE Enrollment
3:09 – Q&A Session Overview
3:17 – Is Mind Over ARE a PDF or Video Course?
4:21 – Strategy vs...
*Are you burning out on the path to becoming an architect? You're not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Morgan Chawaga, AKA The Healthy Architect, to uncover the biggest mistakes aspiring architects make when it comes to their health, happiness, and career success.
Morgan shares her personal journey from burnout to balance and offers actionable strategies to help you:
- Break free from the grind culture o...
The ABC Club: Join our top ARE resource that's helping thousands of people pass their exams
Our free ARE Community is NOW LIVE! Join us today. Sign up HERE.
Mind Over ARE is now part of ABC Club Premium! That means you can join us inside our signature program today! Click here to get started.
Starting the ARE®? START HERE
+ ARE Resource Guide FREE download
Bring back the FUN in studying ar...
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