NCARB Sample Questions

Question 1

The architect informs the owner that because of budget constraints and ceiling heights, the sprinkler piping must be exposed. The owner directs the architect to delete the sprinkler system. Prior to deleting the system, the architect should check the requirements for sprinklers in

o the building code
o the plumbing code
o ASTM
o ACI

Answer 1

o the building code

Question 2

Which of the following methods of bidding is required
on most projects for which government funds are to
be used?

o Direct
o Negotiated
o Invited
o Public

Answer 2

o Public

Question 3

Which of the following project delivery methods always
requires preparation of several individual bid-document
packages?

o Design-bid-build
o Fast track
o Design-build
o Turnkey

Answer 3

o Fast track

Question 4

In developing a list of bidders for a private project, the
architect’s role is to

o select the contractor
o recommend qualified contractors
o rank the contractors in order of preference
o discourage owner-recommended contractors

Answer 4

o recommend qualified contractors

Question 5

A contractor’s ability to obtain a performance bond for a
specific construction contract is determined by the

o owner
o architect
o contractor
o surety

Answer 5

o surety

Question 6

AIA Document A305, Contractor’s Qualification
Statement, includes a

o financial statement
o list of subcontractors
o list of proposed consultants
o list of proposed material suppliers

Answer 6

o financial statement

Question 7

After considering all bids, the owner favors a bid with
irregularities. According to AIA Document A701,
Instructions to Bidders, the owner

o has the right to waive irregularities and accept the bid
o has the right to extend the bidding period for corrections
o must informally request corrections from the bidder
o must only consider bids without irregularities

Answer 7

o has the right to waive irregularities and accept the bid

Question 8

A local bank has a budget of $30,000,000 to construct a new main office. The bank wants to use contractors who are customers of the bank; however, none of the bank’s contractor customers can bond the entire amount of the contract. Which of the following is a possible option?

o Design-build
o Fast-track
o Multiple prime contractors
o Additive change orders

Answer 8

o Multiple prime contractors

Question 9

Which of the following is an appropriate agenda item for
the prebid conference?

o Occupancy-permit procedures
o Notification of future addenda
o Pre-commissioning procedures
o Status of change orders

Answer 9

o Notification of future addenda

Question 10

A contractor under a fixed-price construction contract
has allowed the electrical subcontractor to install
lighting fixtures other than those stated in the contract
documents. The electrical subcontractor and the
contractor both believe the substituted fixtures to be of
equal value. The construction is substantially completed
[substantially performed] and the architect rejects these
fixtures. According to AIA Document A201,
General Conditions, which of the following is true?

o The architect must accept the lighting fixtures as
installed without a cost credit to the owner.
o The architect must accept the lighting fixtures as
installed but with a cost credit to he owner.
o The contractor is required to replace the lighting
fixtures with the fixtures specified without
reimbursement.
o The contractor must replace the lighting fixtures with
the fixtures specified but is entitled to reimbursement
for labor costs for the replacement.

Answer 10

o The contractor is required to replace the lighting
fixtures with the fixtures specified without
reimbursement.

Question 11

Architect estimates of construction costs based on final
documents should consider which of the following?

o Known change order sums
o The bidding climate
o The amount of monthly certificate of payment
o The amount of retainage

Answer 11

o The bidding climate

Question 12

A preconstruction conference is generally held in order to

o review bonds and affidavits
o determine whether a performance bond and a
payment bond are required
o discuss changes to completed work
o clarify responsibilities and operating procedures

Answer 12

o clarify responsibilities and operating procedures

Question 13

Shop drawings for dormitory windows have been
prepared by the manufacturer, checked by the local
distributor, and reviewed and approved by the contractor and the architect. During installation, it is discovered that the quantity of windows as indicated on the shop drawings is one less than that shown in the contract documents. Who is responsible for the discrepancy?

o The architect
o The manufacturer
o The distributor
o The contractor

Answer 13

o The contractor

Question 14

On- site field observations by the architect are made to
determine which of the following? Check the three that
apply.

A. The progress and quality of the work
B. The amount work completed for progress payment
C. The techniques of the construction being utilized
D. Whether the work is being performed according to contract documents
E. Whether the contractor is following the proper
sequence of installation
F. Whether the contractor is following proper safety
procedures

Answer 14

A. The progress and quality of the work

B. The amount work completed for progress payment

D. Whether the work is being performed according to contract documents

Question 15

The contractor for a project submits to the architect
shop drawings that contain deviations from the contract
documents not noted as deviations on the shop drawings. The drawings are then approved and returned to the contractor by the architect. According to AIA Document A201, which of the following is true in this situation?

o The contractor assumes responsibility for deviations
from the contract documents.
o The contractor is allowed to build according to the
approved shop drawings containing deviations.
o The architect assumes responsibility for deviations
from the contract documents because the architect
approved the shop drawings.
o The owner must be informed of all deviations from and alterations to the contract documents.

Answer 15

o The contractor assumes responsibility for deviations

from the contract documents.

Question 16

At a project site, the architect notices the mechanical
subcontractor unloading equipment for which shop
drawings have not been received. The architect’s most
appropriate first course of action is to

o stop the unloading at once and report the incident to
the owner
o advise the general contractor that the equipment is
subject to rejection pending the architect’s review
o ask whether the shop drawings are in the
subcontractor’s possession
o inspect the equipment to determine whether it meets the requirements set forth in the project specifications

Answer 16

o advise the general contractor that the equipment is

subject to rejection pending the architect’s review

Question 17

Which of the following conditions should be met before
the start of interior painting?

o The permanent heating system is operational.
o Exterior openings are sealed.
o The exterior temperature is above 50° F.
o Sidewalks have been completed for dirt control.

Answer 17

o Exterior openings are sealed.

Question 18

During a concrete pour, a portion of the third floor of a
project collapses because of inadequate shoring. The
architect informs the contractor that work in the area of
the collapse will not be approved until the architect can
fully evaluate the impact of the failure on adjacent work in place. The contractor states that the architect will be held responsible for the cost of delays unless the analysis is performed within 24 hours. The architect should

o perform as complete and thorough an analysis as
possible within 24 hours
o perform a complete analysis in a timely manner and
make it clear that the contractor will be responsible for
the schedule
o put the owner on notice that the owner may have to
pay additional costs for an extended completion date
o allow the contractor to proceed with work in the
adjacent area so that no time is lost

Answer 18

o perform a complete analysis in a timely manner and
make it clear that the contractor will be responsible for
the schedule

Question 19

In accordance with AIA Document A201, General
Conditions, the obligation to pay or to see to the payment of money to a subcontractor, except as may otherwise be required by law, rests with the

o contractor alone
o architect alone
o owner alone
o contractor, the architect, and the owner

Answer 19

o contractor alone

Question 20

When delivering brick to the site, the supplier offloaded
the bricks at a point very distant from where they are
needed. The contractor requests an extra for relocating
the brick. The architect should

o reject the request for an extra on the grounds that it is the contractor’s responsibility
o require the brick supplier to relocate the brick
o prepare an appropriate change order giving the
contractor a contract increase for relocating the brick
o prepare an addendum to the contract outlining the
responsibility of the brick supplier in the delivery
of brick

Answer 20

o reject the request for an extra on the grounds that it is the contractor’s responsibility

Question 21

Six months after final payment, the building manager
notifies the architect that an operating and maintenance
manual for a key piece of equipment was never received. The architect should do which of the following?

o Instruct the contractor to provide the manual.
o Withhold an amount of retainage necessary to provide for the manual.
o Suggest the building manager contact the
manufacturer directly for the manual, since final
payment has been made to the contractor.
o Contact the manufacturer directly to obtain
the manual.

Answer 21

o Instruct the contractor to provide the manual.

Question 22

After occupying a portion of a building, the owner
notices a dent in a wall. The dent was not noted on the
punch list prepared by the contractor and reviewed by the architect. What determination should the architect make?

o The contractor is responsible for the repair
even though it was not on the original punch list.
o The owner has taken occupancy and is therefore
responsible because the cause of the damage cannot
be established.
o The contractor is responsible because only a portion of the building is occupied and other construction
activities continue.
o The architect is responsible because he/she missed the damage during the original punch list walk-through.

Answer 22

o The owner has taken occupancy and is therefore
responsible because the cause of the damage cannot
be established.

Question 23

A contractor omits an item of incomplete or incorrect
work from the punch list accepted by the architect.
Who is liable for the cost of completing or correcting that item when the omission is discovered?

o The architect
o The surety
o The owner
o The contractor

Answer 23

o The contractor

Question 24

Which of the following types of test equipment is used to check for air infiltration on an already constructed exterior wall system?

o A smoke pencil
o A cylinder
o An HEPA filter
o An ultrasonic detector

Answer 24

o A smoke pencil

Question 25

Which of the following is commonly used as a reference
for testing materials?

o ANSI
o ASTM
o OSHA
o NAAB

Answer 25

o ASTM

Question 26

An occupancy permit is

o an agreement by the authorities that the building
complies with fire, safety, and health regulations
o certification by the architect that the building is
substantially complete and may be occupied by the owner
o legal acceptance of the building by the owner
o the act of taking possession of the building

Answer 26

o an agreement by the authorities that the building

complies with fire, safety, and health regulations

Question 27

Existing mature vegetation on a property line was
inadequately protected and, consequently, damaged by a subcontractor’s excavation equipment. The owner should require which party to remedy the damages?

o The owner’s own forces
o The subcontractor
o The contractor, with no additional compensation
o The contractor, with compensation for additional work administered in a change order

Answer 27

o The contractor, with no additional compensation

Question 28

After excavation, which of the following construction
sequences would be likely to be the most productive?

o Footings, walls, toilet partitions, roofing, carpet,
painting
o Concrete, structural steel, roofing, drywall,
painting, carpet
o Structural steel, concrete, walls, millwork, roofing,
painting
o Grade beams, walls, drywall, roofing, millwork,
site work

Answer 28

o Concrete, structural steel, roofing, drywall,

painting, carpet

Question 29

Which of the following is true of the list of incomplete
work and work to be corrected?

o It is prepared after the start of the warranty period.
o Work listed must be completed prior to occupancy by the owner.
o It is limited in value to one percent of the contract.
o It is prepared to cover all trades

Answer 29

o It is prepared to cover all trades

Question 30

A contract allowance for building signage is established
at $50,000. The signage chosen during construction costs only $45,000. In accordance with AIA Document A201, the contractor should offer a credit change order for

o $5,000
o $5,000 minus the contractor’s expense of processing the credit
o $5,000 minus the cost of installation, overhead,
and profit
o the cost of installation, overhead, and profit

Answer 30

o $5,000

Question 31

Which of the following are considered security for a
project? Check the two that apply.

A. Bid Bond
B. Payment Bond
C. Completion Bond
D. Performance Bond
E. Certified check

Answer 31

A. Bid Bond

E. Certified check

Question 32

The contractor decided not to purchase a specific material for a project near the time of bidding because there was no place on site to store the material and it would not be needed until months later after construction had progressed. When the contractor did purchase the material, the price had risen by 30 percent compared to the price at the time of the bid. Which of the following is true?

o The contractor is entitled to a change order for the
price increase.
o The contractor is entitled to a change order for half of the price increase.
o The contractor is entitled to a change order for the
difference between the added cost of the material and
the estimated value of appropriate storage space for
the intervening months.
o The contractor is not entitled to a change order.

Answer 32

o The contractor is not entitled to a change order.

Question 33

A contractor unbound the specifications for a project and gave specific sections to subcontractors for bidding. The contractor later discovered gaps in the overall coverage of the bids. In this situation, which of the following statements is true?

o The subcontractors should be forced to absorb the
cost of the work.
o The owner should sign a change order for the
omitted work.
o The architect or its insurer should pay for the cost of a change order.
o The contractor is not entitled to a change order.

Answer 33

o The contractor is not entitled to a change order.

Question 34

An architect is providing full architectural and engineering design services for a new detention center. The construction contract has been signed and the contractor informs the architect that the fire-sprinkler contractor does not have the fire line from the city main to the building in the price because it was not on the drawings or in the specifications. According to AIA Document A201, which of the following should be done?

o The contract amount should be adjusted by a
change order.
o The fire protection subcontractor should install the fire line at no additional cost.
o The fire protection engineer is required to pay for the installation of the fire line.
o The architect should issue supplementary instructions directing the contractor to install the fire line

Answer 34

o The contract amount should be adjusted by a

change order.

Question 35

During the construction phase, the owner and the
contractor have a difference of opinion about the quality
of the erection of the steel frame and the progress of the work. The first step that should be taken to resolve the problem is for the owner and/or the contractor to

o stop the project
o request arbitration
o consult with the steel fabricator
o request the architect’s interpretation

Answer 35

o request the architect’s interpretation

Question 36

During construction, the architect realizes that the
specifications did not include requirements for some
nondestructive testing of welds on some of the
structural steel. The city inspection department requires
the contractor to perform these tests. The individual
responsible for paying for the tests is the

o structural engineer
o architect
o owner
o contractor

Answer 36

o owner

Question 37

Which of the following methods of contractor
compensation would an owner be more likely to choose
when the construction time is limited and the design
criteria or construction cost is secondary to meeting the
deadline for completion?

o Cost-plus-fee
o Cost-plus-fee with a guaranteed maximum price
o Stipulated sum
o Unit price

Answer 37

o Cost-plus-fee

Question 38

Separate [other] contracts by the owner generally require

o more extensive services by the architect
o coordination of all separate contractors by the surety
o these separate contracts to be subcontracts
of the contractor
o a special consultant to assume overall responsibility
for compliance with the applicable health and
construction safety legislation at the place of work

Answer 38

o more extensive services by the architect

Question 39

Final completion [total performance] of a commercial
building occurred 2 weeks behind schedule. The contract contained a liquidated damages clause that required deduction of monetary damages from the final payment to the contractor. Deductions from the architect’s compensation should

o be a percentage of the amount deducted from the
payment to the contractor
o be an amount agreed to by the owner and the
architect
o not be greater than 10 percent of the architect’s total compensation
o not be made

Answer 39

o not be made

Question 40

Matters affecting the basic legal rights and responsibilities of the parties to the contract, but which may vary from one project to another, should be handled in

o the bidding requirements
o the owner-contractor agreement
o the supplementary conditions
o Division 1, General Requirements

Answer 40

o the supplementary conditions

Question 41

Before starting the construction documents phase, which of the following procedures would help assure quality control in preparing the construction documents? Check the three that apply.

A. Maintain documentation standards
B. Review documents with local code officials.
C. Provide detailed cost estimate.
D. Provide for thorough review and checking procedures
E. Use an approved set of design development documents
F. Have contractor check documents

Answer 41

A. Maintain documentation standards

C. Provide detailed cost estimate.

F. Have contractor check documents

Question 42

The architect can decrease the amount of construction related waste by doing which of the following? Check the four that apply.

A. Designing a materials flow plan for the contractor
and user
B. Specifying recycled materials and products
C. Requiring recycled product packaging.
D. Specifying a single dumpster on site.
E. Specifying masonry construction over wood construction
F. Assisting the owner and contractor in a waste
management plan

Answer 42

A. Designing a materials flow plan for the contractor
and user

B. Specifying recycled materials and products

E. Specifying masonry construction over wood construction

F. Assisting the owner and contractor in a waste
management plan

Question 43

Which of the following should be included in the
written contract for architectural services? Check the
two that apply.

A. Means and methods to be used in construction
B. Programming services
C. Description of reimbursable expenses
D. Name of the general contractor
E. Insurance requirements
F. Additional services that may be provided by
the architect

Answer 43

C. Description of reimbursable expenses

F. Additional services that may be provided by
the architect

Question 44

Which of the following is a true statement about
substitutions during construction phase? Check the three
that apply.

A. They may be accepted if they replace unavailable products.
B. They may be accepted if they replace unsuitable products,
C. They may be accepted if the contractor forgot to
order the product.
D. They may be accepted by oral agreement between
architect and contractor
E. They may be rejected as defective work if they lack
proper approval or authorization.
F. They may be included in the shop drawings
without official written notice

Answer 44

A. They may be accepted if they replace unavailable products.

B. They may be accepted if they replace unsuitable products,

E. They may be rejected as defective work if they lack
proper approval or authorization.

Question 45

The bids for a new office building exceed the owner’s
budget. According the AIA document B141, options
available to the owner include which of the following?
Check the four that apply.

A. Give written approval for an increase in the budget
B. Authorize rebidding or renegotiation of the project
C. Cooperate in revising the scope or quality of the work
D. Require the architect to modify the documents
without additional compensation once the scope is reduced
E. Require the architect to compensate the owner for
the difference between the budget and the bid
F. Terminate the agreement without paying full for
the bid documents

Answer 45

A. Give written approval for an increase in the budget

B. Authorize rebidding or renegotiation of the project

C. Cooperate in revising the scope or quality of the work

D. Require the architect to modify the documents
without additional compensation once the scope is reduced

Question 46

During the construction phase, the architect is responsible for which of the following. Check the three that apply.

A. Evaluating the change orders
B. Endeavoring to guard against defects in the work
C. Conducting continuous in-site inspections
D. Determining if the work is in general conformity with the contract documents
E. Verifying that the contractor’s construction methods and procedures are adequate
F. Assisting the contractor in the development of safety programs and reporting methods

Answer 46

A. Evaluating the change orders

B. Endeavoring to guard against defects in the work

D. Determining if the work is in general conformity with the contract documents

Question 47

According to AIA document B101, Owner-Architect agreement, which of the following is true about the preparation of the preliminary estimate of the cost of work?

A. The architect prepares the estimate based on current area or volume.

B. The contractor prepares an estimate based on the cost of major construction systems

C. The contractor does a conceptual take off based on the schematic drawing package

D. The architect and the contractor work together on a materials take off based on the design development package.

Answer 47

A. The architect prepares the estimate based on current area or volume.