HYPERFINE ARE 5.0 COURSES
Welcome! You've found the Hyperfine ARE 5.0 Study Courses. The first architect-created study material by someone who actually passed 5.0 exams. I'm here to help, so get started with a course today.
“Hyperfine is the only other third-party exam prep material besides Amber Book that I recommend. It engages you with open-ended questions and prompts you to research the answers on your own.”
– Michael Ermann, Creator of Amber-Book
These study courses are half practice test, half Jenny's Notes, half study guide. Think of it as ARE homework. What could be more fun?!
They are NOT a replacement for your primary material. These courses ARE a way to study more efficiently and at your own pace. You still have to do the hard work, the courses make sure you're working on the right things.
HYPERFINE ARE 5.0 ALL COURSES PACKAGE
Instead of picking and choosing individual courses below, just sign up for all at once to save 20%. Get all four study courses covering all six ARE 5.0 exams, plus the PPD/PDD Case Study and the PCM/PJM financial workbook.
“I just wanted to thank you for your absolutely amazing PPD-PDD course! I just passed PDD and your study course was absolutely invaluable. The topics on the course helped me get a much better idea of what to expect and helped bridge the gap from what I studied from the primary sources to how it would be applied on the tests better than any of the other practice questions or practice tests out there for ARE 5.0. Thanks so much for creating this!”
– Harsha from Washington DC
Nine weeks of assignments, 63 total, plus a practice case study. Over a dozen video answers, plus another 18 just for the case study.
Visit the PPD/PDD study material page for free samples and a full list of the topics covered.
What do I get?
- Nine weeks of daily study assignment
- 63 study assignments with hundreds of questions, answers and exercises
- Suggested readings from 11 of the most commonly used reference books for PPD & PDD
- Curated links to free online resources, web sites, blogs, PDFs and YouTube videos
- $50 off Residential Architecture with Revit
- $170 Amber Book discount
- Refer-a-friend discounts for other Hyperfine courses
- Direct email access with the instructor (you're not doing this alone!)
- Video answers to selected assignments
- PPD and PDD practice case study
ARE 5.0 STUDY COURSE
PcM & PJM
Six weeks of study assignments, 42 assignments total, plus the Financial Formulas workbook. Seven streaming videos, with more on the way.
Visit the PCM/PJM study materials page for free samples and a full list of the topics covered.
What do I get?
- Six weeks of daily study assignments
- 42 study assignments with hundreds of questions, answers and exercises
- Suggested readings from the most commonly used reference books for PjM & PcM
- Curated links to free online resources, web sites, blogs, PDFs and YouTube videos
- $50 off Residential Architecture with Revit
- $170 Amber Book discount
- Refer-a-friend discounts for other Hyperfine courses
- Direct email access with the instructor (you're not doing this alone!)
- Video answers to selected assignments
- Financial Formulas workbook.
“Thank you so much for your study notes and everything. Two questions I answered correctly just because of the Week 1 assignments. They definitely helped me pass PPD, now I only have PDD left!”
– Nadine from Florida
“I passed PjM last week, and huge part of this success was due to the wonderful assignments on Hyperfine. I used the assignments to direct my studies and force myself to think “questions” instead of stuffing my head with information. “
– Emeline from Arizona
Five weeks of assignments, 35 in total, all with questions, answers and a bonus video answer.
Visit the PA study materials page for free samples and a full list of the course curriculum.
What do I get?
- 5 weeks of daily study assignments.
- 35 study assignments with hundreds of questions, answers and exercises
- Suggested readings from the most commonly used reference books for PA
- Curated links to free online resources, web sites, blogs, PDFs and YouTube videos
- $50 off Residential Architecture with Revit
- $170 Amber Book discount
- Refer-a-friend discount on other Hyperfine courses
- Direct email access with the instructor (you're not doing this alone!)
- Video answers to ALL assignments
Four weeks of assignments, 28 total.
Visit the CE course homepage for a free sample and to view the full curriculum.
What do I get?
- Four weeks of daily assignments
- 28 study assignments with more than 100 questions, answers and exercises
- Suggested readings from the most commonly used reference books for CE
- Curated links to free online resources, web sites, blogs, PDFs and YouTube videos
- $170 Amber Book discount
- $50 off Residential Architecture with Revit
- Direct email access with the instructor (you're not doing this alone!)
“I'm so happy to say that I passed my PA retake. i was so much more prepared, mentally and physically. your material really helped me to pass. it was like you read NCARB's mind. Thanks for all your help.”
– Mark from Connecticut
“I passed pa today, yoohoo! i had a population pyramid question which i could answer in 1 min thanks to your assignments. that and many more. i owe you for helping me read these charts and maps, decoding the codes and helping me finish with just 10 secs remaining and a likely pass in the end. this has by far been the best way of preparing for these exams!”
– GK from Indianapolis
Can I get all the assignments at once?
Yes! All the course content is available immediately upon your purchase. Go through the assignments at your own pace, on your own schedule.
What are the video answers?
These are short videos discussing selected assignments from this course. Assignments with video answers are marked with a +V and focus on questions that require equations, formulas, charts or other calculations. See these sample videos from the PDD/PPD course with my explanation of how to find Fire Separation using the 2015 IBC or how to read a sun path chart or how to figure out which beam has the greatest moment or where to place a vapor barrier.
Enrolled in a course before the video answers came out? Send me your video answer requests.
“Your videos were what made the difference for me; clear, informative and to the point. SO although the dedication and tenacity to keep going is up to me, the ability to understand major ARE concepts efficiently and accurately was because of you.”
– Amanda from Minneapolis
If these aren't practice exams, what are they?
These are study courses for each of the 6 ARE 5.0 exam. They are meant to enhance your regularly-schedule studies by providing daily study assignments. The assignments will help you focus on key topics from the ARE 5.0 exams and efficiently read some of the most important primary study resources.
Why are you making me do homework?
The number one question people ask me is where I found practice test questions. I used the Brightwood question bank, Black Spectacles and Designer Hacks, but the best questions were the personalized questions where I challenged myself to focus on the things I knew I did not know. There's a lack of affordable practice questions that focus on what's really on the exams and I don't know of any written by someone who has actually taken the tests for real. With these courses I’m sharing my method for studying by writing down the kinds of questions I asked myself. You'll get several weeks of study assignments (with multiple questions each) written by someone who has been through the stress of the exam process and passed, and knows what you should focus on.
These seem like the most amazing resources ever...but I was looking for actual practice tests?
That's cool.
Try out this PCM Practice Exam from my friend, licensed architect and recent ARE-passer Erik Walker.
Try out this PA Practice Exam also from Erik Walker.
Try out a CE Practice Exam from Designer Hacks.
Do you offer tutoring?
Yes, but I think of it more like coaching. I charge $100/hr, no minimum number of sessions. We can Skype, FaceTime or just talk. Visit my calendar to book a session and get the process started.
Things We Can Talk About:
- Test and study strategy
- How to handle question types
- How to stay confident
- Recommended resources
- Time management
- Your post-ARE career
- Some technical knowledge around ARE 5.0 Courses
Things We Can't Talk About:
- Actual questions you saw on your last exam
- Where the building goes next to the lake
About the Instructor
I’m Ben. I’m a licensed Architect practicing as a sole proprietor in the DC Metro Area. And a teacher. And a student, a parent, a Navy veteran.
Have a question? Send me a message!
No need for a contact form. We're informal around here. Send me an email.