Building Design and Construction Systems (Bdcs) Are Mock Exam (Architect Registration Exam): Are Overview, Exam Prep Tips, Multiple-Choice Questions and Graphic Vignettes, Solutions and Explanations

Gang Chen

Jan 2011 · ArchiteG, Inc.

About this ebook

A Practical Mock Exam for the Building Design and Construction Systems (BDCS) Division of the ARE!

To become a licensed architect, you need to have the proper combination of education and/or experience, meeting your Board of Architecture's special requirements, as well as passing all seven divisions of the Architect Registration Examinations (ARE).

This book provides ARE exam overview, resources, exam prep and exam taking techniques, tips and guides. It also provides a realistic and complete set of Mock Exam, solutions, explanations for the Building Design and Construction Systems (BDCS) Division of the ARE. This book covers the following subjects:

1. ARE, IDP and Education Requirements

2. ARE Exam Content, Format and Prep strategies

3. Principles: Selection of Systems, Materials, and Methods, Historic Precedent, Human Behavior, and Design Theory

4. Environmental Issues: Sustainable Design Including Hazardous Material Mitigation, Thermal and Moisture Protection, and Adaptive Re-Use

5. Codes & Regulations: Zoning, Specialty and Building Codes, and Other Regulatory Requirements

6. Materials & Technology: Selection of Systems, Materials, and Methods, including Masonry, Metals, Wood, Concrete, Specialties, and Others

7. Project & Practice Management: Cost, Scheduling, Construction Sequencing, and Risk Management

8. Accessibility/Ramp Vignette: Designing a stairway and ramp connecting two levels that abides by the code and accessibility requirements

9. Stair Design Vignette: Designing a stairway connecting multiple levels that abides by the code and accessibility requirements

10. Roof Plan Vignette: Designing a sloped roof for draining the rainwater, locate equipment and accessories

11. Step-By-Step Solutions for 6 Graphic Vignettes Using NCARB Practice Program Software

This book includes 85 challenging questions at the same difficulty level and format as the real exam (multiple-choice, check-all-that-apply, and fill-in-the-blank), and 6 graphic vignettes. It will help you pass the BDCS division of the ARE and become a licensed architect!

About the author

Gang Chen holds a master's degree from the School of Architecture, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, and a bachelor's degree from the School of Architecture, South China University of Technology. He has over 20 years of professional experience. Many of the projects he was in charge of or participated in have been published extensively in Architecture, Architectural Record, The Los Angeles Times, The Orange County Register, etc. He has worked on a variety of unusual projects, including well-known, large-scale healthcare and hospitality projects with over one billion dollars in construction costs; award-winning school designs, highly-acclaimed urban design and streetscape projects, multifamily housing, high-end custom homes, and regional and neighborhood shopping centers.

Gang Chen is a LEED AP BD+C and a licensed architect in California. He is also the internationally acclaimed author of other fascinating books, including Building Construction, Planting Design Illustrated, ARE Mock Exam Series and LEED Exam Guides Series, which include one guidebook for each of the LEED exams. For more information, visit www.GreenExamEducation.com

Ratings and reviews

What Others Are Saying About “Building Design and Construction Systems (BDCS) ARE Mock Exam”... “Great study guide for broad range of BDCS Exam “This was a great resource supplement to my other study resources. I appreciated the mock exam questions the most, and the solutions offer an explanation as to why the answer is correct. I will definitely check out his other ARE exam resources! UPDATE: Got my PASS Letter!” —Sean Primeaux “Add this to your ARE study “This was a very helpful practice exam and discussion. I really appreciated the step-by-step review of the author's approach to solving the graphic vignettes. The BDCS is a challenging test and I believe that every bit of help finding the right solutions to the vignettes was necessary for me to make passing solutions within the allotted time. If I had made any other mistakes I would have been in real trouble. As I studied it last before taking the test Gang Chen's book probably made the difference for me.” —Dan Clowes (“XLine”) “Excellent resource! “This publication was very helpful in my preparation for the BDCS portion of the Architectural Registration Exam. It contained a mock exam with 85 multiple choice questions, followed by the answers and brief explanations to the answers. Also included, and most beneficial, were the overall strategies and tips for the ramp, stairs, & roof vignettes. Each practice vignette was solved step-by-step in a logical manner. The most valuable information for me were the "notes on NCARB traps", a list of common errors made by test takers, and a "summary of critical dimensions", which is a checklist of compliant dimensions to have in mind while taking the exam. There are also many websites referenced that add to the experience of studying for this exam...Good Luck on your exam! UPDATE: Received PASS letter!” —Doug Bentzinger (“Doug”) “Good supplemental mock exam “I found the mock exam to be very helpful, all of the answers are explained thoroughly and really help you understand why it is correct...Also the introduction and test taking tips are very helpful for new candidates just starting the ARE process.” —Bgrueb01 (Quoted from Amazon Customer Review) “Great Study Tool for ARE-BDCS Exam “This is a great study tool to use when preparing for the BDCS exam. I highly recommend. I used Mr. Chen's CDS Mock Exam book and found it very helpful. I also Passed the CDS after utilizing Chen's book. After reading the BDCS Mock exam book I found it to be setup the same way as CDS. Which has helpful tips for taking the exam both MC and Graphics portion. I like how it is similar to the way that NCARB asks questions on the exam and give explanation of why the answer chosen is correct or wrong. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for those going to take the BDCS exam. I would say this is the best study material out there!!! I hope that Mr. Chen would write books for BS, SS, PPP, & SPD. Thanks.” —James Lushbough “Essential Study Tool “I have read the book and found it to be a great study guide for myself. Mr. Gang Chen does such a great job of helping you get into the right frame of mind for the content of the exam. Mr. Chen breaks down the points on what should be studied and how to improve your chances of a pass with his knowledge and tips for the exam and practice vignettes. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is taking the BDCS part of the ARE Exams as it is an invaluable tool in the preparation for the exam as Mr. Chen provides a vast amount of knowledge in a very clear, concise, and logical matter.” —Luke Giaccio “Wish I had this book earlier “I used Mr. Chen's CDS mock exam, which was invaluable to me for passing CDS on my first attempt. Unfortunately, the BDCS mock exam wasn't out prior to my taking that exam, on which I did not fare so well. After having looked at the BDCS book, I know that I would have done better, much better, if I had it to study. Nevertheless, the vignette walk

About the author

Gang Chen holds a master’s degree from the School of Architecture, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree from the School of Architecture, South China University of Technology. He has over 20 years of professional experience. Many of the projects he was in charge of or participated in have been published extensively in Architecture, Architectural Record, The Los Angeles Times, The Orange County Register, etc. He has worked on a variety of unusual projects, including well-known, large-scale healthcare and hospitality projects with over one billion dollars in construction costs; award-winning school designs, highly-acclaimed urban design and streetscape projects, multifamily housing, high-end custom homes, and regional and neighborhood shopping centers. Gang Chen is a LEED AP BD+C and a licensed architect in California. He is also the internationally acclaimed author of other fascinating books, including Building Construction, Planting Design Illustrated, ARE Mock Exam Series and LEED Exam Guides Series, which include one guidebook for each of the LEED exams. For more information, visit www.GreenExamEducation.com