architect exam prep
Architect Exam Prep is an online subscription platform that provides study guides, audio companions, flashcards, exam simulators, and coaching for candidates preparing for the NCARB Architect Registration Examination (ARE 5.0), serving individual architects-in-training and architectural firms in the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersLas Vegas, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What architect exam prep does
Architect Exam Prep is a privately held, bootstrapped online education company that prepares candidates for NCARB's Architect Registration Examination (ARE 5.0). Founded in 2013 by David Doucette, Eric Corey Freed, and Aubrey, and operated as an LLC out of Las Vegas, Nevada, the company delivers a 100% digital course platform covering all six ARE divisions (PcM, PjM, CE, PA, PPD, PDD). The content stack includes online study guides, downloadable MP3 audio companions (100+ hours), 1,440+ digital flashcards, six case study guides covering 18 case studies, and an exam simulator (OMCES) with over 2,800 practice questions. Materials are NCARB-reviewed and the company reports a 71-85% member pass rate versus the 55% NCARB national average, plus an 89%+ pass rate within 90 days for Platinum Coaching students.
The business operates three revenue streams: (1) self-serve individual subscription packages priced from $179 for a single 1-month division to $828 for a 12-month All 6 Divisions bundle, with Easy Payment installment options and no-refund/no-pause policies; (2) one-on-one coaching sessions with co-founder Eric at $60-$350; and (3) a B2B Firm Licensing program offering architectural firms up to 50% off individual pricing, with named-logo customers including Walker, SRS, Merrick, and WDG. Distribution is anchored by the ARE Podcast (93+ episodes since 2014, distributed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube), organic blog content, and free 15-minute consultation calls with the founders as a conversion mechanism. The company also operates a separate California Supplemental Exam Preparation offering on a dedicated domain.
Architect Exam Prep serves individual architects-in-training as its primary segment, with architectural firms and AIA chapters as secondary B2B segments. With only 1-10 employees, no disclosed funding rounds, and a fully digital delivery model, the company functions as a lean, founder-led niche education business competing against larger and significantly more expensive platforms such as Black Spectacles and Amber Book.
architect exam prep firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- architect exam prep
- Legal name
- Architect Exam Prep LLC
- Website
- https://architectexamprep.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Architect Exam Prep is an online subscription platform that provides study guides, audio companions, flashcards, exam simulators, and coaching for candidates preparing for the NCARB Architect Registration Examination (ARE 5.0), serving individual architects-in-training and architectural firms in the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
architect exam prep industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Exam Preparation
- NAICS
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Certification & Exam Prep eLearning Modules (EDAGAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Exam Prep & Standards-Aligned Review Courseware (Within Curriculum) (EDAFACAO), Assessment, Testing & Exam Prep Publishing (MPAJABAF), Test Item Banks, Question Authoring & Assessment Design Tools (EDAFADAC)
Keywords
Where architect exam prep is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Las Vegas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
architect exam prep business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Individual Subscription Packages: Self-serve online subscriptions for individual candidates. Single-division packages are sold as 1-month or 3-month one-time payment subscriptions. Multi-division bundles (PcM/PjM/CE and PA/PPD/PDD combos) are sold as 6-month subscriptions with one-time or two-payment options. Full 6-division packages are sold as 12-month subscriptions with one-time or four-payment options. Coaching add-ons can be bundled with any subscription.
- One-on-One Coaching Sessions: Individual paid coaching sessions sold by Eric (co-founder) — 15-minute sessions at $60, 30-minute sessions at $100, or blocks of four 30-minute sessions for $350.
- Firm Licenses / B2B Subscriptions: B2B bulk licensing program for architectural firms, with discounts up to 50% off individual subscription prices. Targeted at firms of any size for staff professional development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Single Division – 1 Month |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Single Division – 3 Months |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 6 Months Combo: PcM/PjM/CE |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 6 Months Combo: PA/PPD/PDD |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | All 6 Divisions – 12 Months (Ultimate Whole Enchilada) |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | All 6 Divisions + Platinum Coaching – 6 Months |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | All 6 Divisions + Platinum Coaching – 12 Months |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | One-on-One Coaching Add-on |
| Subscription | Annual | Firm Licensing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
architect exam prep product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Architect Exam Prep provides an online subscription-based platform offering study materials, exam simulators, audio companions, flashcards, and case study guides for the NCARB Architect Registration Examination (ARE 5.0). The company also offers live coaching programs (Platinum Coaching and One-on-One Coaching) and a weekly podcast, helping individual architects and architecture students prepare for and pass all six divisions of the licensure exam.
Product overview
Architect Exam Prep is an online exam preparation platform for the NCARB Architect Registration Examination (ARE 5.0). The company offers a modular platform with individual study packages for each of the 6 ARE divisions (PcM, PjM, CE, PA, PPD, PDD), bundled packages combining multiple divisions at discounted rates, and premium coaching add-ons. Core products include online study guides, audio companions (MP3 downloads), digital flashcards, case study guides, and exam simulators with thousands of practice questions. The Platinum Coaching tier adds live Zoom calls, Slack community access, and personalized mentorship. Additional offerings include One-on-One Coaching sessions, the ARE Podcast, and Firm License packages for architectural firms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Platinum Coaching: Premium coaching program with daily study plans, weekly live Zoom calls, Slack community access, and mentorship from licensed architects David and Eric.
- Ultimate Whole Enchilada
- ARE Podcast
- One On One Coaching
Products and services
- Practice Management (PcM) Study Package Focused study package covering contracts, business, and ethics topics for the ARE Practice Management division. Includes online study guide, audio companion, flashcards, case study guide, and exam simulator access.
- Project Management (PjM) Study Package Study package for running projects from kickoff to closeout with clarity. Covers project management concepts for the ARE PjM division including AIA contracts B101 and A201.
- Construction & Evaluation (CE) Study Package Study package covering construction documents, services, and evaluation skills for the ARE CE division. Covers punch lists to contracts and construction administration.
- Programming & Analysis (PA) Study Package Study package covering site analysis and early design thinking for the ARE PA division. Focuses on programming phase, evaluation rather than design, and feasibility analysis.
- Project Planning & Design (PPD) Study Package Comprehensive study package covering systems, codes, and materials for the ARE PPD division. Focuses on schematic design phase and integration of building systems.
- Project Development & Documentation (PDD) Study Package Study package covering buildability, detailing, and documentation essentials for the ARE PDD division. Focuses on construction documents phase and detailed decision-making.
- Platinum Coaching Premium coaching program with expert mentorship from licensed architects David and Eric. Includes daily study plans, coaching videos, live Zoom calls, Slack access, and one free one-on-one coaching session. Features Platinum Pass Guarantee for completing exams within one year.
- One On One Coaching Individual coaching sessions with co-founder Eric. Available in 15-minute ($60), 30-minute ($100), or block of 4 sessions ($350). Scheduling instructions provided after purchase.
- Ultimate Whole Enchilada - All 6 Divisions Package Complete study package with 12 months of unlimited access to all 6 ARE divisions. Includes over 2,800 exam simulator questions, 1,600+ pages of study guides, 400+ diagrams, downloadable audio companions (100+ hours), digital flashcards (1,440+), and 3 case study guides with 18 case studies.
- California Supplemental Exam Preparation Specialized study materials for the California-specific supplemental exam required for architectural licensure in California.
- Firm Licenses Corporate subscription packages for architectural firms. Offers discounts up to 50% off individual subscription prices for firm-wide access to study materials.
Quantifiable outcome
- 89%+ of Platinum Coaching students pass their next ARE division within 90 days
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use architect exam prep
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
architect exam prep technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature6 records
architect exam prep partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
architect exam prep competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards): NCARB is the body that administers the ARE and provides official exam guides, reference materials, and free practice resources. It is the upstream credentialing authority whose exam structure Architect Exam Prep's content is mapped to, and which approved AEP's materials.
- AIA (American Institute of Architects) Member Education: AIA chapters are listed as a customer segment for AEP and offer their own continuing education and licensure support resources. AIA is an ecosystem partner for firm and chapter licensing deals, not a direct product competitor but an adjacent professional body.
Direct peers
- Black Spectacles: Black Spectacles is a direct competitor in ARE 5.0 prep, offering video-based courses, practice exams, and study material across all six divisions. Architect Exam Prep explicitly positions on price versus Black Spectacles, making it the closest head-to-head comparison.
- Ballast (formerly Architect Boot Camp): Ballast (formerly Architect Boot Camp) provides ARE prep through live in-person and online boot camps, study guides, and practice exams. It targets the same NCARB ARE candidate audience with a more live-coaching-led delivery model.
- Amber Book: Amber Book is a direct ARE prep competitor offering exam prep courses across the six divisions with annual subscriptions. AEP uses Amber Book as its primary price comparison anchor (~$4,920/year vs. AEP's $828).
- Brightwood Architecture Education: Brightwood offers ARE 5.0 prep courses, study guides, and live review workshops for architecture licensure candidates. Operates in the same exam-prep category with comparable subscription offerings.
Broad incumbents
- PPI (Kaplan Engineering): PPI, part of Kaplan, provides test prep for engineering and architecture licensure exams including ARE, FE, and PE. It is a broader professional licensure prep incumbent with a wider exam portfolio that overlaps with AEP's ARE focus.
Emerging players
- Study.com: Study.com is a broad online learning platform offering exam prep across many subjects, including ARE-adjacent architecture coursework. It is not a specialist ARE competitor but represents a substitute for self-directed learners.
- Course Hero / CliffsNotes-style prep publishers: Course Hero and similar study-resource aggregators host user-uploaded and curated ARE study materials. They are indirect competitors on the candidate's wallet, especially for price-sensitive candidates considering lower-cost study aids.
Regional players
- The Architect's Academy (Practice Architecture Podcast / community): Eric Reinholdt's Practice of Architecture platform provides ARE-adjacent podcasts, YouTube content, and practice resources for emerging architects. It competes indirectly for the same candidates' attention and learning time, though its core focus is on practice management and business of architecture.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
architect exam prep social profiles
Digital presencearchitect exam prep financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
architect exam prep leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
architect exam prep funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
architect exam prep M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about architect exam prep
What does architect exam prep do?
Architect Exam Prep provides an online subscription-based platform offering study materials, exam simulators, audio companions, flashcards, and case study guides for the NCARB Architect Registration Examination (ARE 5.0). The company also offers live coaching programs (Platinum Coaching and One-on-One Coaching) and a weekly podcast, helping individual architects and architecture students prepare for and pass all six divisions of the licensure exam.
Is architect exam prep a public or private company?
architect exam prep is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was architect exam prep founded?
architect exam prep was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is architect exam prep based?
architect exam prep is headquartered in Las Vegas, United States, in the North America region.
How does architect exam prep make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Subscription Packages are the primary driver. The others are one-on-One Coaching Sessions and firm Licenses / B2B Subscriptions.
Who are architect exam prep's main competitors?
Others on record are NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) and AIA (American Institute of Architects) Member Education. Direct peers are Black Spectacles, Ballast (formerly Architect Boot Camp), Amber Book and Brightwood Architecture Education. PPI (Kaplan Engineering) is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Study.com and Course Hero / CliffsNotes-style prep publishers. The Architect's Academy (Practice Architecture Podcast / community) is listed as a regional player.
Does architect exam prep have an API?
No public API is recorded for architect exam prep.
What industry is architect exam prep in?
architect exam prep's product category is Professional Exam Preparation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAEAL, Certification & Exam Prep eLearning Modules, with a secondary code of EDAFACAO, Exam Prep & Standards-Aligned Review Courseware (Within Curriculum). Its NAICS code is 611691 and its SIC code is 7372.