Since 2015 when NCARB launched the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) Program, Black Spectacles has been a leading resource to help students pass the ARE on their path to licensure.
We are the first and only NCARB approved online test prep materials for all 6 divisions of the ARE 5.0.
Why Black Spectacles:
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High Pass Rates
Candidates who use Black Spectacles report much higher ARE 5.0 pass rates than NCARB’s national averages for every division. View our pass rates.
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Enhance or Replace Your ARE Class
Offering the only NCARB Approved online test prep materials for all 6 divisions of the ARE 5.0, Black Spectacles is the only solution that can actually replace your ARE class. Students can also use it to supplement their existing ARE courses.
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Unlimited Use
In addition to students, you can make your Black Spectacles account available to faculty, staff, and/or recent alumni who are pursuing licensure. The resources available through our platform will become a valuable part of your resource library for your entire school community.
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Reporting + Visibility
Easily check on the progress of your students, and enable them to study on desktop or mobile devices with a built-in dashboard that helps them track their individual progress.
What's included:
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video lectures
Candidates get a comprehensive lesson with full outlines and explanations of core topics in each division, led by veteran architect Mike Newman, one of the most engaging and informative instructors in the business. Black Spectacles offers over 120 hours of video lectures, all built in alignment with NCARB’s exam objectives.
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practice exams
Our practice exams simulate the look, feel and time constraints of the real exams and include 3 distinct forms to practice with, so there aren't any surprises on test day. We use the same process as NCARB to design our ARE® practice questions, which are developed and vetted by leading learning designers and test question experts.
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digital flashcards
Hundreds of built-in flashcards allow students to memorize relevant content, words, and objectives with each card linking to a video lecture for further explanation. In tracking progress, candidates can shuffle the deck, mark flashcards as mastered, and create their own.
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virtual workshops
Your students will get hand-on experience with key concepts in live-streamed workshops guided by licensed architects. Our virtual workshops focus on the top topics that testing candidates struggle with the most, and offer a unique opportunity to participate in group exercises, get one-on-one help, and have questions answered on the spot.