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NCARB Project-Planning-Design Exam Questions
- Topic 1: Environmental Conditions & Context: This section of the exam measures skills of architectural designers and covers how to use site analysis information to determine building placement and environmental planning decisions. It emphasizes applying sustainable principles and considering the neighborhood context to guide project design.
- Topic 2: Codes & Regulations: This section of the exam measures the skills of project architects and focuses on applying zoning laws, environmental rules, and building codes during the planning stage. Candidates are tested on how to integrate multiple regulatory requirements into a project’s design effectively.
- Topic 3: Building Systems, Materials, & Assemblies: This section of the exam measures skills of architectural designers and covers the understanding of building systems such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, along with structural and specialty systems. It also involves selecting appropriate materials and assemblies to align with program needs, budgets, and regulations.
- Topic 4: Project Integration of Program & Systems: This section of the exam measures skills of project architects and focuses on integrating decisions about environmental conditions, codes, and building systems into one cohesive project design. It highlights how to configure the building and incorporate both program requirements and contextual conditions in a unified design approach.
- Topic 5: Project Costs & Budgeting: This section of the exam measures skills of architectural designers and assesses the ability to evaluate design alternatives based on program goals, perform cost evaluations, and manage cost considerations throughout the design process.
Free NCARB Project-Planning-Design Exam Actual Questions
Note: Premium Questions for Project-Planning-Design were last updated On Apr. 09, 2026 (see below)
An architect has just received client approval of the Schematic Design documents for a three-story, outpatient medical clinic. The clinic is located within a mixed-use development governed by a City-approved Planned Development (PD) document. The medical clinic design utilizes standardized departmental layouts and includes outpatient clinics, as well as treatment spaces,
administrative spaces and public/lobby spaces.
The site needs to accommodate four different vehicular traffic flows: patient traffic, staff traffic, service and delivery traffic, and emergency services traffic. In addition, a pedestrian plaza
must connect to the mixed-use development sidewalks. The plaza must provide space for bicycle parking and will serve as the future bus stop.
The site design addresses several challenges related to building orientation. The southeast facade, with excellent visibility from the highway, is the location of all service equipment. The building entrance faces northwest, convenient to the parking but not visible from the highway.
The client believes future patient volumes will outgrow the clinic. The PD document allows for a planned Phase 2 development on the adjacent vacant site to the southwest. Phase 2 would include a second building (2 story, 80,000 BGSF) and/or a parking deck.
Other considerations for the project include:
Protected tree requirements are defined in the PD document.
Easy pedestrian access must be provided from Sycamore Boulevard.
All required parking for the clinic must be accommodated on site.
Programmed area includes 109,450 Departmental Gross Square Feet (DGSF) / 130,184 Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF).
Exterior material percentages are dictated by the PD document and shall not exceed specific percentages for Primary and Secondary Finishes.
All service equipment needs to be screened; see PD document for restrictions.
Signage opportunities are important to the client.
Acoustical privacy is a concern of the healthcare system.
The following resources are available for your reference:
Drawings, including a perspective, plans, and exterior elevations
Building Program, including client's departmental program and detailed program for Treatment 01 (Infusion)
Exterior Material Cost Comparisons
Planned Development Document
IBC Excerpts, showing relevant code sections
ADA Excerpts, showing relevant sections from the ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Which of the following design strategies would best address the vehicular circulation, visibility, and future expansion challenges for this project? Select the best answer.
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract: Based on the project description and site context:
Separating vehicular traffic flows into distinct entry and exit points improves safety and efficiency. Patient, staff, service/delivery, and emergency vehicles each have different operational needs and access priorities. This separation reduces conflicts and congestion.
Locating service equipment on the southeast facade, which has excellent highway visibility, is appropriate because service areas are typically screened but can take advantage of visibility for logistical purposes. The PD document restricts screening and material use here, so adherence to those guidelines is necessary.
Positioning the main building entrance on the northwest side facing the parking lot optimizes patient and visitor convenience, even though it has less visibility from the highway. This respects pedestrian access from Sycamore Boulevard and aligns with parking access, enhancing user experience.
Future expansion (Phase 2) on the adjacent southwest vacant site is planned, so site circulation and building orientation must allow for growth without major redesign.
Placing the pedestrian plaza connecting to existing sidewalks with bicycle parking and future bus stop meets ADA and site planning requirements, ensuring multimodal accessibility.
The strategy in Option B addresses client priorities, PD document constraints, visibility, safety, and operational efficiency, consistent with NCARB ARE 5.0 Project Integration of Program and Systems content focusing on complex site planning and programmatic coordination.
Options A, C, and D introduce compromises in circulation, visibility, or expansion potential that conflict with the project constraints and client needs.
ARE 5.0 Project Planning & Design Content Outline: Project Integration of Program and Systems --- Site Planning and Vehicular Circulation
City-approved Planned Development (PD) Document Excerpts
ADA Standards for Accessible Design --- Pedestrian Access and Circulation
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th Edition, Chapter 7: Site Design and Program Integration
Which of the following is the most effective way to reduce noise in mechanical air delivery systems?
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
Noise in mechanical air delivery systems is often caused by high air velocity and turbulence within ducts, which generate sound that can be transmitted to occupied spaces.
Increasing the size of the ductwork (A) lowers the air velocity for a given volume of air flow, which reduces turbulence and noise generation inside the duct. Larger ducts allow air to move more quietly and efficiently.
Exterior duct insulation (B) can reduce noise transmission through the duct walls but is less effective at controlling the noise generated by airflow itself inside the duct.
Reducing the free area of the supply air grille (C) increases velocity at the grille, potentially increasing noise at the outlet and causing discomfort.
Therefore, the most effective strategy is increasing duct size to reduce air velocity and noise.
ARE 5.0 PPD -- Building Systems and Assemblies, HVAC and Acoustics
The zoning approval process may involve obtaining which of the following? Check the four that apply.
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
Zoning approval can involve:
Variance (A): Permission to deviate from zoning requirements.
Grading permit (C): Approves site grading related to zoning.
Conditional use (D): Allows use under specific conditions.
Special exception (E): Permits uses not normally allowed but granted under certain circumstances.
Building permits (B) are separate from zoning.
Undue hardship exemption (F) is legal but not typically a zoning approval term.
ARE 5.0 PPD -- Codes and Regulations, Zoning
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th Edition -- Land Use Controls
An architect has just received client approval of the Schematic Design documents for a three-story, outpatient medical clinic. The clinic is located within a mixed-use development governed by
a City-approved Planned Development (PD) document. The medical clinic design utilizes standardized departmental layouts and includes outpatient clinics, as well as treatment spaces,
administrative spaces and public/lobby spaces.
The site needs to accommodate four different vehicular traffic flows: patient traffic, staff traffic, service and delivery traffic, and emergency services traffic. In addition, a pedestrian plaza
must connect to the mixed-use development sidewalks. The plaza must provide space for bicycle parking and will serve as the future bus stop.
The site design addresses several challenges related to building orientation. The southeast facade, with excellent visibility from the highway, is the location of all service equipment. The
building entrance faces northwest, convenient to the parking but not visible from the highway.
The client believes future patient volumes will outgrow the clinic. The PD document allows for a planned Phase 2 development on the adjacent vacant site to the southwest. Phase 2 would
include a second building (2 story, 80,000 BGSF) and/or a parking deck.
Other considerations for the project include:
Protected tree requirements are defined in the PD document.
Easy pedestrian access must be provided from Sycamore Boulevard.
All required parking for the clinic must be accommodated on site.
Programmed area includes 109,450 Departmental Gross Square Feet (DGSF) / 130,184 Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF).
Exterior material percentages are dictated by the PD document and shall not exceed specific percentages for Primary and Secondary Finishes.
All service equipment needs to be screened; see PD document for restrictions.
Signage opportunities are important to the client.
Acoustical privacy is a concern of the healthcare system.
The following resources are available for your reference:
Drawings, including a perspective, plans, and exterior elevations
Building Program, including client's departmental program and detailed program for Treatment 01 (Infusion)
Exterior Material Cost Comparisons
Planned Development Document
IBC Excerpts, showing relevant code sections
ADA Excerpts, showing relevant sections from the ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Refer to the exhibit.
What is the required wall finish for rooms 1201 through 1206 on the first floor?
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
Rooms such as medical treatment or healthcare spaces require wall finishes that are smooth, scrubbable, and water-resistant to maintain hygiene and allow for regular cleaning and disinfection.
Tight, sealed seams (A) and absence of fissures (B) are important but part of broader requirements.
The key is surfaces that can withstand cleaning agents and moisture exposure without damage.
This ensures compliance with healthcare facility codes and infection control.
IBC -- Healthcare Facilities Chapter
ADA Standards for Accessible Design
ARE 5.0 PPD -- Codes and Regulations, Healthcare
An architect is commissioned to design a lodge in a location where the water service is insufficient for a sprinkler system. The architect plans to maximize sight lines by using exposed columns and roof structure in the primary assembly space.
Which of the following systems meet these requirements? Check the three that apply.
Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
When designing in locations with insufficient water service to support sprinkler systems, architects must rely on inherently fire-resistant materials or assemblies that can provide passive fire protection while also meeting the aesthetic and structural needs of the space. This is especially critical in assembly spaces where sight lines are important and exposed structure is desired.
Option A: Steel columns with open web girders and joists are acceptable because steel does not combust and can be designed for fire resistance either by inherent fireproofing or applied fireproofing. The open-web design also supports maximizing sight lines by minimizing visual obstruction.
Option B: Large peeled log columns with glulam beams and wood decking are commonly used in lodge designs. Although wood is combustible, large timber members like glulam beams char on the surface and maintain structural capacity for a predictable duration under fire conditions, which often meets code for exposed timber in assembly spaces without sprinkler systems.
Option F: Cedar columns with light gauge steel purlins and fire retardant treated plywood decking can be suitable where fire retardant treatment extends the fire resistance of wood members. This is an accepted strategy in areas lacking sprinkler protection, particularly for visual warmth and compatibility with lodge aesthetics.
Options C and D: Concrete columns and beams are noncombustible but tend to be bulky and can obstruct sight lines. Additionally, precast planks with concrete may not fit the desired exposed wood or open aesthetic.
Option E: Light gauge steel columns with corrugated metal decking are lightweight and minimal, but 3' steel columns are structurally insufficient for large assembly spaces and metal decking without proper fireproofing is less common in exposed wood aesthetic projects.
These design choices align with NCARB's Project Planning & Design content regarding material selection for fire resistance, visual requirements, and assembly occupancy considerations. Specifically, the guidelines recommend using heavy timber, fire-retardant-treated wood, or protected steel systems where sprinkler systems are not feasible to comply with fire and life safety codes while addressing architectural intent.
ARE 5.0 PPD Content Outline: Building Systems, Materials, and Assemblies (NCARB)
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th Edition, Chapter 13: Building Codes, Standards, and Regulations
NCARB ARE 5.0 Guidelines: Fire Protection and Material Performance in Assembly Spaces
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