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Pass the ARE Guarantee

The Only Insurance Policy for Your ARE Prep

Failing exams is expensive. With our Expert membership, you can prepare with confidence knowing we will pay for your NCARB retake if you do not pass.

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Pass the ARE Guarantee

Pass Your ARE Exams on the First Try — or We’ll Pay for Your Retake

Prepare for the ARE 5.0 with Confidence

Your Expert membership comes with our Pass the ARE Guarantee, an insurance policy for your exam prep.

No other provider puts their money where their mouth is and stands behind their study materials like Black Spectacles.

In the unlikely event that you do not pass, we will buy you an NCARB seat credit so you can take the exam again and pass with confidence.

Prepare with Confidence Now
Prepare for the ARE 5.0 with Confidence

Join Tens of Thousands of Architects Who Trust Black Spectacles to Advance Their Careers

★★★★★
Rated Excellent
Based on 209 verified reviews
★★★★★

The test questions are difficult which…

“The test questions are difficult which is great and are in the same NCARB flavor”… “I like the fact I pass CE and I was able to transfer over my membership to PjM. All and all great product and would use it again for PcM.”
carolina suarez
★★★★★

expert subscription… WORTH IT

“I purchased the expert subscription because I needed as much support as I could find. To my avail, the video material was reaffirming and the virtual workshops served as good check-in communities to confirm thought strategies in weak subjects.”
CF
★★★★★

Quality practice exams and quizzes

“The ARE is overwhelming. Black Spectacles helped focus my studies with quality practice exams and quizzes. Each question has answer explanations and study material suggestions that I found valuable in my success.”
Patrick

How to Qualify for the Pass the ARE Guarantee

Pass Your Exam or We'll Pay For Your Retake

Pass Your Exam or We'll Pay For Your Retake

We are so confident you will pass your exams with our Expert Membership that we back it with the only guarantee in ARE prep.

To qualify:

  • Hold an active Expert membership for at least one month

  • Complete the full course for the division you are testing

  • Update your exam results in your dashboard if you do not pass

If you meet these requirements, we will buy you an NCARB seat credit for your retake. The cost for a single NCARB seat is $257.

How to Claim Your Free Retake

  • Step 1: Sign up for an Expert membership and complete the full course to qualify for the guarantee.

  • Step 2: (Most likely) pass your exam and celebrate!

  • Step 3: If you do not pass, update your exam results on your dashboard and follow the instructions to receive an NCARB seat credit.
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How to Claim Your Free Retake

Failing Exams is expensive. Invest in the right resource the first time and pass the ARE 5.0 exams on your first try, we guarantee it.

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Pass the ARE Guarantee FAQs: 

How long do I need to hold an Expert membership to qualify for the guarantee?

Individual Expert members must have an active Expert membership for a minimum of one month.

Can I request a seat credit after my subscription is cancelled?

Yes. You have 30 days after your exam date to request a seat credit, even if your subscription has canceled.

I'm a firm member who's company pays for my access through a group account, can I request a seat credit if I fail an exam?

Currently, the Pass the ARE Guarantee free seat credit is only available to individual subscription holders. Reach out to your group account manager if you have additional questions.