Architect Registration Examination (ARE) Construction and Evaluation Syllabus

Construction and Evaluation syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Construction and Evaluation in Architect Registration Examination (ARE), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Preconstruction and Procurement

   4 topics

   • Bidding and negotiation procedures
     • Bid documents and instructions to bidders
     • Bid evaluation and award
   • Project delivery methods
     • Design-bid-build, design-build, and CM at risk
     • Integrated project delivery
   • Construction cost estimating and value analysis
     • Estimating methods by phase
     • Value engineering and cost control
   • Addenda and pre-bid clarifications
2. 2

   Contract Administration During Construction

   4 topics

   • Roles and responsibilities under the contract
     • Architect, owner, and contractor duties
     • AIA A201 general conditions
   • Submittals and shop drawing review
     • Submittal procedures and architect's review scope
     • Substitutions and product approvals
   • Requests for information and clarifications
     • RFI processing and response
     • Supplemental instructions
   • Site visits, observation, and reporting
3. 3

   Payment, Changes, and Project Closeout

   4 topics

   • Payment certification process
     • Schedule of values and applications for payment
     • Certificates for payment and retainage
   • Change order management
     • Change orders and construction change directives
     • Cost and time impact evaluation
   • Substantial and final completion
     • Punch lists and certificate of substantial completion
     • Closeout documents and warranties
   • Claims, disputes, and resolution
4. 4

   Project Evaluation and Performance

   4 topics

   • Construction quality evaluation
     • Conformance with contract documents
     • Testing and special inspections
   • Building performance assessment
     • Commissioning of building systems
     • Post-occupancy evaluation
   • Defect identification and remediation
   • Lessons learned and feedback integration

Construction and Evaluation flashcards for Architect Registration Examination (ARE)

25 of 52 cards from the Construction and Evaluation deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In construction procurement, what is the difference between "bidding" and "negotiation" as methods of obtaining a contractor?

   Bidding is a competitive process where contractors submit sealed price proposals on identical documents and the lowest responsive/responsible bidder is typically selected; negotiation is a non-competitive process where the owner selects a contractor (often by qualifications) and negotiates scope and price directly.

2. What is a "responsive" bid versus a "responsible" bidder?

   A responsive bid conforms to all the requirements of the bidding documents (complete, no exceptions). A responsible bidder is one with the qualifications, capacity, financial standing, and experience to perform the work.

3. List the three primary project delivery methods compared on the ARE.

   Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Design-Build (DB), and Construction Manager (CM) — including CM as Adviser (CMa/agency) and CM at Risk (CMc).

4. In Design-Bid-Build delivery, what is the sequence and the architect's contractual relationship?

   Design is completed first, then the project is bid, then built. The owner holds two separate contracts—one with the architect and one with the contractor—who have no contractual relationship with each other.

5. What distinguishes Design-Build delivery from Design-Bid-Build?

   In Design-Build, a single entity holds one contract with the owner for both design and construction, giving the owner a single point of responsibility and allowing overlap (fast-tracking) of design and construction.

6. What is the difference between CM-as-Adviser (CMa) and CM-at-Risk (CMc)?

   CMa (agency CM) is a consultant/adviser to the owner with no financial risk for construction cost; the owner holds the trade contracts. CMc holds the trade contracts, performs construction, and takes on cost risk, typically guaranteeing a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP).

7. What is a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and who benefits from savings below it?

   A GMP is the maximum amount the owner will pay the contractor (CMc/DB) for the work; the contractor absorbs costs above it. Savings below the GMP are typically returned to the owner or shared per a savings-split clause.

8. Name the five classes/levels of cost estimates typically used as design progresses, from earliest to most accurate.

   1) Order-of-magnitude/project budget (programming), 2) Square-foot/conceptual (schematic design), 3) Assemblies/systems (design development), 4) Unit-price/detailed (construction documents), and the final 5) Contractor's detailed quantity-takeoff bid estimate.

9. What is the square-foot (area) method of cost estimating and when is it used?

   It multiplies the building's gross floor area by a historical cost per square foot for similar building types. It is fast and used early (schematic design) when little detail is known, but is the least accurate method.

10. What is value analysis (value engineering), and what is its goal?

    A systematic, function-based review of design and materials to achieve the required function at the lowest life-cycle cost without sacrificing quality, performance, or owner needs. Goal: maximize value (function ÷ cost), not merely cut cost.

11. Define "value" in the value-engineering equation.

    Value = Function ÷ Cost. Value increases by improving function at the same cost or by maintaining function at lower cost.

12. What is life-cycle cost analysis and why is it used in value analysis?

    It evaluates the total cost of ownership over a building's life—initial cost plus operating, maintenance, repair, energy, and replacement costs (and salvage)—so that decisions account for long-term, not just first-cost, economy.

13. What is an addendum in the bidding process and what is its contractual status?

    An addendum is a written/graphic change issued by the architect to all bidders before the bid opening to clarify, correct, or modify the bidding documents. Once issued, it becomes part of the contract documents and bidders must acknowledge receipt.

14. How does an addendum differ from a change order, a modification, and an ASI?

    An addendum modifies documents before the contract is signed (during bidding); a change order, construction change directive, or minor modification (ASI) alters the work after the contract is executed during construction.

15. What is a pre-bid conference and what is its purpose?

    A meeting before bids are due where the owner/architect explains the project, answers bidders' questions, and may tour the site. It promotes clear, equal understanding; significant clarifications must be formalized as addenda to bind all bidders.

16. Under the standard AIA owner-architect-contractor relationship, who is responsible for construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, and site safety?

    The contractor is solely responsible for construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, procedures, and jobsite safety. The architect is not responsible for these.

17. Under AIA A201, what is the architect's role regarding the contractor's work during construction?

    The architect acts as the owner's representative, visits the site at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become generally familiar with progress and quality, interprets the contract documents, reviews submittals, and certifies payments—but does not exhaustively or continuously inspect.

18. What is a submittal, and what are the main categories of submittals?

    A submittal is information (shop drawings, product data, and samples) the contractor provides for the architect to verify conformance with the design intent. Main categories: shop drawings, product data, samples, and mock-ups.

19. What is the architect's purpose and limit when reviewing shop drawings?

    The architect reviews shop drawings only for conformance with the design intent (general design concept) expressed in the contract documents—not to approve quantities, dimensions, fabrication means, or to relieve the contractor of responsibility for accuracy and coordination.

20. Why does the contractor—not the architect—create shop drawings?

    Shop drawings illustrate how the contractor/fabricator will actually build or fabricate specific items. The contractor must coordinate field dimensions and means/methods, so producing them keeps responsibility for accuracy and constructability with the contractor.

21. What is a submittal schedule and why is it important?

    A list, prepared by the contractor and coordinated with the construction schedule, identifying which submittals are required and when they must be submitted and returned. It lets the architect allocate adequate review time and prevents delays.

22. What is an RFI (Request for Information) and when is it used?

    A formal written request from the contractor to the architect seeking clarification or additional information about the contract documents (e.g., ambiguities, conflicts, or missing details). It documents the question and the response for the record.

23. If an RFI reveals a genuine conflict or error in the contract documents requiring a change, what instrument does the architect issue?

    The architect responds with clarification; if the answer changes the work, it is formalized through a supplemental instruction (ASI) for no cost/time impact, or a change order/construction change directive if cost or time is affected.

24. What is the purpose of an architect's site visit (observation) during construction under AIA A201?

    To become generally familiar with the progress and quality of the work and to determine, in general, if the work is proceeding in accordance with the contract documents—so the architect can keep the owner informed and certify payments.

25. What is the difference between "observation" and "inspection" in construction administration?

    Observation is the architect's general, periodic review of progress and quality (not exhaustive). Inspection is a detailed, often continuous examination (e.g., by special inspectors or for substantial/final completion); architects observe rather than continuously inspect to limit liability.

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