Choose the membership that guarantees you'll pass the ARE
Premium
Just the basics to get started.
$149.17/mo
Billed at $1,790/yr
$179/mo
Billed monthly
PRO
Everything included in premium, plus a little extra.
$207.50/mo
Billed at $2,490/yr
$249/mo
Billed monthly
Expert
Our most extensive study plan to
guarantee you pass the ARE®.
$274.16/mo
Billed at $3,290/yr
$329/mo
Billed monthly
*We've estimated your monthly cost based on the option you choose above. Any applicable taxes are not included and will be reflected on your price depending on the state you reside in at checkout.
Proof that Black Spectacles' test prep is the gold standard for passing the ARE
- Last year 2,300 of our members answered our ‘did you pass’ survey, and 82% of them said that they passed, which is 50% higher than the national average.
- 75% of the top 100 firms in the world trust Black Spectacles for their staff.
- The AIA acknowledged our work as making an powerful, national impact on the profession of architecture by recognizing our founder & CEO, Marc Teer with one of the AIA’s highest honors- Fellowship
NCARB reviewed and approved our test prep materials with their Approved Test Prep Provider program in 2019. - Black Spectacles was the first test prep provider to get all 6 of our courses reviewed and approved by NCARB.
- Over 150 people have rated BKS as 4.5 stars out of 5 via Trustpilot
Give yourself the best chance to pass the ARE the first time
Black Spectacles members report passing ARE 5.0 at a 29% higher rate than the NCARB average.
ARE 5.0
Pass Rates
Black Spectacles
NCARB National Avg
84%
55%
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I pause my plan if I need to take a break?
Our plans can't be paused or stopped before a billing cycle is over. However, if you're looking for more flexibility in your test prep, we recommend opting for a monthly membership. You can always stop the next auto-renew through your member profile if you need to take a break.
Can I purchase access for just a few days?
No; the shortest membership we offer is one month, and is available at every subscription tier. Keeping your success in mind, we can't recommend less than one month of studying leading up to your exam date.
Can I change my plan later?
Yes! You can upgrade at any time through your account settings. You’ll only be charged to upgrade the time remaining in the current billing period.
I don't need access to all 6 divisions. Can I purchase just one at a time?
All subscription tiers include study material for all 6 divisions of the ARE. Our pricing is based on the kinds of study materials you'll have access to, like virtual workshops, practice exams, or study guides—not the number of divisions. You get access to all divisions at no additional cost, so take advantage!