NCARB Sample Questions

Question 1

After the contract for construction has been awarded,
the contractor shall next prepare which of the following
for the architect’s review?

o A request for payment
o A list of materials
o A schedule of construction
o A lien release

Answer 1

o A schedule of construction

Question 2

According to AIA Document C141-1997, the
consultant’s services should be performed in a
coordinated sequence with the

o owner
o contractor
o architect
o construction manager

Answer 2

o architect

Question 3

Which of the following consultant engineers typically
consumes the greatest percentage of project fees on
school projects?

o Civil
o Electrical
o Mechanical
o Structural

Answer 3

o Mechanical

Question 4

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
which of the following is true about lead-based paints in
an existing building that is being renovated as housing
for the elderly?

o The lead content concern is less for buildings
constructed after 1960.
o Occupant health risks are less of a concern if no
children will be living in the facility.
o The lead paint must be completely removed in
areas being renovated.
o Contractor health risks are a concern only if the
lead paint is sawed, ground, or sandblasted.

Answer 4

o Occupant health risks are less of a concern if no

children will be living in the facility.

Question 5

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Accessibility Guidelines, curb ramp slopes shall NOT
exceed which of the following ratios?

o 1:10
o 1:12
o 1:20
o 1:24

Answer 5

o 1:12

Question 6

Which of the following creates the majority of indoor air
quality problems?

o Inside contamination
o Inadequate ventilation
o Construction materials
o Contamination from the outside

Answer 6

o Inadequate ventilation

Question 7

Which of the following types of estimates is the
most accurate?

o Order of magnitude
o Square foot and cubic foot
o Assemblies system
o Unit price takeoff

Answer 7

o Unit price takeoff

Question 8

Two professional design firms join together for a project
in which both firms are parties to the contract with the
owner. This arrangement is known as

o an associated firm
o a joint venture
o partnering
o a multiple prime

Answer 8

o a joint venture

Question 9

When the architect is analyzing the choice between
renovating an existing library or demolishing it and
constructing a new library, the architect should first
recommend that

o a feasibility study be prepared
o renovation costs be compared with costs for
new construction
o the owner obtain community input
o the local historical society be consulte

Answer 9

o a feasibility study be prepared

Question 10

Outline specifications written during the programming
phase of a project are generally broken down by

o rooms
o divisions
o costs
o products

Answer 10

o divisions

Question 11

Which of the following client categories most often
requires the architect to transfer ownership of the
architect’s construction documents to the owner/client?

o Corporate
o Health care
o Commercial
o Governmental

Answer 11

o Governmental

Question 12

Bid alternates to choose between concrete block and
clay masonry, wood and plastic windows, and slate and
asphalt shingles are most likely the architect’s attempt to

o incorporate energy-saving options
o control construction costs
o anticipate neighborhood covenants
o accommodate various climatic conditions

Answer 12

o control construction costs

Question 13

According to The Architect’s Handbook of Professional
Practice, a project manager’s first key challenge is to

o meet profitability goals
o meet contractual obligations
o clearly identify the client’s expectations
o manage the team members’ judgments and creativity

Answer 13

o clearly identify the client’s expectations

Question 14

The threshold for sound levels that cause fatigue after
prolonged exposure is approximately

o 20 db
o 50 db
o 80 db
o 110 db

Answer 14

o 80 db

Question 15

Geotechnical observation reports are usually paid for
by the

o structural engineer
o contractor
o architect
o owner

Answer 15

o owner

Question 16

An architect is asked to design a county courthouse and
government center. The architect should advise the client that a detailed program for this project is likely to result in

o a more aesthetically pleasing building
o a more efficient building
o a longer construction duration
o higher life-cycle building cost

Answer 16

o a more efficient building

Question 17

Blocking and stacking within the programming process
is most critical when considering

o space requirements
o special equipment
o site limitations
o building systems

Answer 17

o site limitations

Question 18

STC ratings as applied to buildings represent the

o specified thermal comfort zone
o sound transmission class
o summer temperature conditions
o secure territory controls

Answer 18

o sound transmission class

Question 19

In order to provide the most effective coordination of
the engineering consultant’s work during the construction documents phase of the work, the architect should

o call the consultant daily to make sure that progress
is being made
o meet with the consultant at the beginning and the end of the work period
o hold regular weekly or monthly meetings to review
the consultant’s progress
o send memos of telephone conversations as needed

Answer 19

o hold regular weekly or monthly meetings to review

the consultant’s progress

Question 20

Which of the following is the most important
consideration when the architect/owner contract is
negotiated?

o Client background check
o Type of consultants
o Construction delivery method
o Scope of services

Answer 20

o Scope of services

Question 21

The object of the programming process is to establish

o aesthetics
o evaluation of materials
o realistic requirements
o project financing

Answer 21

o realistic requirements

Question 22

A municipal impact fee assessed on a proposed project

o pays for the building permit
o offsets local infrastructure improvement costs
o is distributed to the owners of neighboring properties
o ensures speedy planning board review and approval

Answer 22

o offsets local infrastructure improvement costs

Question 23

To resolve contractual disputes with clients, an
architect should

o resign the contract
o refund the fees
o amend the contract
o consider mediation

Answer 23

o consider mediation

Question 24

According to standard owner/architect agreements, a
presentation model for the client’s promotional use is

o part of the design process
o standard practice
o not a basic service
o not reimbursable

Answer 24

o not a basic service

Question 25

Zoning ordinances are used by municipalities
as a means of controlling all of the following EXCEPT

o density of development
o project costs
o flood impact
o land usage

Answer 25

o project costs

Question 26

The cost for asbestos removal in a building to be
renovated must be borne by the

o local regulatory agency
o general contractor
o owner
o federal government

Answer 26

o owner

Question 27

Which of the following is the most frequently used
method of estimating construction cost when
programming is completed?

o Unit-area cost
o Contractor estimate
o Construction loan value
o Capitalization ratio

Answer 27

o Unit-area cost

Question 28

The most appropriate strategy for predicting and
preventing conflicts between architectural and
engineering documents is to

o hold regular coordination meetings
o have the owner review drawings
o schedule peer review of documents
o use in-house engineers

Answer 28

o hold regular coordination meetings

Question 29

Buildings in urban cores, which have been permitted to
achieve floor area ratios and heights in excess of those
permitted by zoning, may have been awarded these
bonuses because they

o are clad in materials specified by the city
o have excess vertical transportation capacity
o include street-level functions that are regarded as
public amenities
o are on sites that can take advantage of the potential
for superior views

Answer 29

o include street-level functions that are regarded as

public amenities

Question 30

A deed restriction includes which of the following?

o Topography
o Utility locations
o Benchmarks
o Covenants

Answer 30

o Covenants

Question 31

The architect for a new shopping center has been told
that the city has a “ponding” requirement for the site.
This means that the architect must provide

o a decorative water pond as part of the
parking-lot landscaping
o a French-drain system in the parking areas to
pond water
o an area where excess rainwater can be retained and
discharged into a storm sewer
o a system for the underground collection and disposal
of rainwater

Answer 31

o an area where excess rainwater can be retained and

discharged into a storm sewer

Question 32

Production management is an important element in the
success of an architectural firm. Which of the following is a major ingredient for improvement of production?

o Employee benefits
o Communication with employees
o Office renovation
o Purchase of reproduction equipment

Answer 32

o Communication with employees

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT normally governed by
zoning regulations?

o Densities
o Setback and height requirements
o Parking requirements
o Life-safety requirements

Answer 33

o Life-safety requirements

Question 34

The size and/or configuration of public rest room facilities is regulated by which of the following?

o Deed restrictions
o Building codes
o Zoning ordinances
o Life-safety codes

Answer 34

o Building codes

Question 35

During the programming phase, building construction cost estimates are normally based on which of the following?

o Itemized materials takeoffs
o Operating proformas
o Cubic-foot costs of similar buildings
o Square-foot costs of similar building

Answer 35

o Square-foot costs of similar building

Question 36

Finding mold on pipe insulation is a sign that which of
the following is present? Check the three that apply.

 o  A.   Excess moisture
 o  B.   Poor soils
 o  C.   Improper ventilation
 o  D.   High water table
 o  E.   Organic feedstock
 o  F.   Insufficient light level

Answer 36

o A. Excess moisture
o C. Improper ventilation
o E. Organic feedstock

Question 37

An architectural program should contain which of
the following? Check the four that apply.

o A. Budget limitations
o B. Soils bearing capacity
o C. A statement of the owner’s goals
o D. An inventory of spaces required
o E. Statements of functional relationships
o F. Determination of the structural system

Answer 37

o A. Budget limitations
o C. A statement of the owner’s goals
o D. An inventory of spaces required
o E. Statements of functional relationships

Question 38

Governmental bodies regulate the development
of projects through which of the following? Check the two that apply.

 o  A.   Regional master plans
 o  B.   Zoning ordinances
 o  C.   Enterprise zones
 o  D.   Restrictive covenants
 o  E.   Tax incentives
 o  F.   Sewer permits

Answer 38

o A. Regional master plans

o B. Zoning ordinances

Question 39

During predesign, which of the following should be used as a basis for setting room sizes?

A. Activity area requirements
B. Cabinet or equipment modules
C. Structural modules
D. Building code occupancy loads

Answer 39

A. Activity area requirements