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NCARB PDD Exam Syllabus

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Before starting your PDD exam preparation, it is recommended to review the complete NCARB ARE 5.0 Project Development and Documentation Exam syllabus and carefully go through the exam objectives listed below. Once you understand the exam structure and objectives, you should practice using our free PDD questions. We also provide premium PDD practice test, fully updated according to the latest exam objectives, to help you accurately assess your preparedness for the actual exam.

NCARB
Vendor
PDD
Exam Code
100
Total Questions
4
Total Exam Domains

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PDD EXAM QUESTIONS

NCARB PDD Exam Objectives

Section 1: Integration of Building Materials & Systems
Weight:
31-37%
 In this section, you’ll focus on resolving and detailing architectural systems and assemblies, building materials, and engineering systems. Objectives include:
  • Analyze the integration of architectural systems and technologies to meet project goals 
  • Determine the size of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and components to meet project goals 
  • Determine the size of structural systems to meet project goals 
  • Integrate specialty systems such as acoustics, lighting, fire suppression, conveying, security, and communications to meet project goals 
  • Determine how to detail the integration of multiple building systems and technologies 
  • Coordinate mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, and specialty systems and technologies
Section 2: Construction Documentation
Weight:
32-38%
In this section, you’ll focus on project documentation necessary to assemble a set of drawings and update these drawings over the course of a project. Objectives include: 
  • Read the ARE Guidelines
  • Understand all the policies you’ll need to follow in order to take the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), as well as an overview of the exam’s six divisions and other exam candidate resources.
  • Download Guidelines
  • Determine appropriate documentation of building design 
  • Determine appropriate documentation of site features 
  • Determine appropriate documentation of detailed building drawings within individual architectural systems 
  • Apply standards required to assemble a set of clear and coordinated construction documentation 
  • Determine impact of project changes on documentation requirements and methods to communicate those changes to owner and design team
Section 3: Project Manual & Specifications
Weight:
12-18%
In this section, you’ll focus on the development of documentation beyond construction drawings—the project manual and specifications. Objectives include:
  • Identify and prioritize components required to write, maintain, and refine project manual 
  • Identify and prioritize components required to write, maintain, and refine project specifications 
  • Coordinate specifications with construction documentation
Section 4: Construction Cost Estimates
Weight:
2-8%
In this last section, you’ll consider the construction cost of a project by analyzing an estimate. This section contains only one objective and is the smallest section in the division:
  • Analyze construction cost estimates to confirm alignment with project design 
Info
https://www.ncarb.org/pass-the-are/prepare/project-development-documentation