EXAC FINAL TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
● How much liability insurance is an architect in Canada required to have?. Answer:
AIBC Bulletin 66, AIBC Bylaw 16.3 & Architect's Act Depends on the province; in BC
Architects are not required to have any liability insurance according to AIBC Bylaw 16.2d but
Bulletin 66 requires that (before entering into an agreement to provide architectural services)
a Certificate of Practice holder must notify the client in writing whether or not professional
liability insurance is held and under what terms. Section 24.2h in the Architect's Act states that
an institute's bylaws may or may not include requirements for liability insurance; in BC, there
is no requirement.
● What resources are available to an architect to produce a project cost estimate?.
Answer: CHOP 2.3.3, Techniques There are various types of cost consultants and/or
resources available to the architect to produce a reliable estimate if they do not have the
expertise or resources to produce one in-house. Quantity Surveyors - provide professional
service at hourly rates, or at a fixed or percentage fee of the construction budget. Construction
Managers and other Development/Construction Experts - Other sources of expertise directly
from the construction industry include construction managers, contractors, design-builders,
and developers. Construction Price Index - data usually published by government agencies
and private companies. These publications are useful only as a guide to show trends; usually
some months out-of-date; often presented in graph form for ease of communication.
Publications - available from government agencies, private interest groups, private
companies, and quantity surveyors. The information comes in printed or electronic form, and
the cost varies considerably depending on the amount of detail, completeness, and ease of
use. Data from government agencies are more useful for identifying trends and differences in
national, regional, and local costs than for calculating the cost of a specific building.
● What Factors influence construction cost? (12 answers... If you dare!). Answer: CHOP
2.3.3, Factors Affecting Cost 1. Type of project 2. Overhead 3. Profit 4. Market Conditions 5.
Difficult Access 6. Fast schedule 7. Escalation/Inflation 8. Tax 9. Season and Weather 10.
Change in functional program 11. Contingency 12. Regulations
● What are 3 different methods of construction estimation?. Answer: CHOP 2.3.3,
Methods of Preparing Cost Estimates & Hanscomb Yardstick for Costing, 2004 1. Composite
unit rates (broken into specification sections) Uses very simplified historic data as a basis for
calculating cost. Only reliable if the historic data is comparable. 2. Gross building costs or
,area calculation (least accurate) Cost per m2 or per ft2. Architects should limit the use of this
basic information by using it only as a general guide at the pre-design stage. 3. Elemental
building costs (most comprehensive) Quantity surveyors often use this method as the
standard format for presenting cost information. It divides the building into major elements
such as structure, exterior closure; and then applies relevant cost information from similar
projects.
● What is the purpose of progressive release of holdbacks?. Answer: This allows the
release of holdbacks to subcontractors or suppliers in advance of the substantial performance
of the work.
● what are 5 examples of additional services not covered under RAIC document 6?.
Answer: 1. feasibility studies 2. business cases 3. functional programming 4. submissions to
authorities 5. life cycle cost studies
● what are 3 advantages of water heating distribution systems?. Answer: 1. compact,
easily hidden 2. can be combined with domestic hot water systems 3. good for radiant floor
heating.
● what are 4 advantages of electric heating systems?. Answer: 1. most compact 2. quick
response to temperature changes 3. easily zoned 4. low initial cost
● What are three advantages of air heat distribution?. Answer: 1.quick response 2.can
also perform ventilation, cooling, humidity control and filtering. 3. no equipment in rooms
● What buildings require the services of an architect?. Answer: AIBC Bulletin 31 Under
Section 60 of the Architects Act... Group A (Part 3) - Public Assembly: -- any one-storey
building with an unsupported span exceeding 9 m or gross area exceeding 275 m²; -- any
building of more than one storey with gross area exceeding 235 m²; and -- all schools, any
size Group B - (Part 3) - Hospital, Sanatorium, or Home for the Aged, Institutional: -- any
building (excluding veterinary hospital) with a capacity exceeding 12 beds -- any building with
gross area exceeding 470 m² Group C - Residential, Hotel or similar occupancy: -- any
building containing 5 or more dwelling units -- any building containing 11 or more guest rooms
Group D & E - Commercial: -- any building with gross area exceeding 470 m² Group F (F1:
Part 3) - Industrial: -- any building with gross area exceeding 470 m²
● Is an architect required for all Part 3 buildings under the BC Building Code?. Answer:
AIBC Bulletin 31 Yes. In addition to the requirements of the Act, all projects must also satisfy
the current BC Building Code and local building bylaws. Under these building codes,
architects are required to be engaged for design and field review and to provide
corresponding assurances on all Part 3 buildings (of any occupancy or size) and any Part 9
, buildings with common egress systems and firewalls. It is important to understand that the
Part 3/Part 9 distinction is immaterial under the Act.
● What is RAIC Document Six?. Answer: CHOP 2.1.10 - Client-Architect Agreements
Canadian Standard Form of Contract for Architectural Services Between Client and Architect.
It is the accepted national standard contract used by architects.
● What is the purpose of the Schedule A?. Answer: Guide to the Letters of Assurance in
the B.C. Building Code Schedule A - Confirmation of Commitment by Owner and Coordinating
Registered Professional Schedule A is a confirmation of commitment by the owner and
coordinating registered professional to coordinate design work and field reviews of the
registered professionals of record required for the project. The Schedule A is submitted before
the issuance of the building permit, to the authority having jurisdiction.
● What is the purpose of the Schedule B?. Answer: Guide to the Letters of Assurance in
the B.C. Building Code Schedule B - Assurance of Professional Design and Commitment for
Field Review & Summary of Design and Field Review Requirements The Schedule B is to
provide assurance of professional design and commitment for field review, and is submitted
by each professional of record, including the coordinating registered professional. The
Schedule B is submitted before the commencement of construction activities.
● What is the purpose of Schedule C-A?. Answer: Guide to the Letters of Assurance in the
B.C. Building Code Schedule C-A - Assurance of Coordination of Professional Field Review
Schedule C-A is to provide assurance of coordination of professional field review (by the
architect). It is submitted after completion of the project, but before the occupancy permit is
issued or final inspection made by the authority having jurisdiction.
● What is the purpose of Schedule C-B?. Answer: Guide to the Letters of Assurance in the
B.C. Building Code Schedule C-B - Assurance of Professional Field Review and Compliance
Schedule C-B is to provide assurance of professional field review and compliance (by each
professional of record). It is submitted after completion of the project, but before occupancy
permit is issued or final inspection made by the authority having jurisdiction.
● What is Functional Programming (or design brief)? Is it part of an architect's basic
services?. Answer: CHOP 2.3.4, p.3 & 8 Functional Programming can be described as the
decision-making process that clearly defines the problem and scope of work for design. The
functional program describes the requirements which a building must satisfy in order to
support and enhance human activities. Architectural fees for functional programming are not
part of "basic services."
ANSWERS GRADED A+
● How much liability insurance is an architect in Canada required to have?. Answer:
AIBC Bulletin 66, AIBC Bylaw 16.3 & Architect's Act Depends on the province; in BC
Architects are not required to have any liability insurance according to AIBC Bylaw 16.2d but
Bulletin 66 requires that (before entering into an agreement to provide architectural services)
a Certificate of Practice holder must notify the client in writing whether or not professional
liability insurance is held and under what terms. Section 24.2h in the Architect's Act states that
an institute's bylaws may or may not include requirements for liability insurance; in BC, there
is no requirement.
● What resources are available to an architect to produce a project cost estimate?.
Answer: CHOP 2.3.3, Techniques There are various types of cost consultants and/or
resources available to the architect to produce a reliable estimate if they do not have the
expertise or resources to produce one in-house. Quantity Surveyors - provide professional
service at hourly rates, or at a fixed or percentage fee of the construction budget. Construction
Managers and other Development/Construction Experts - Other sources of expertise directly
from the construction industry include construction managers, contractors, design-builders,
and developers. Construction Price Index - data usually published by government agencies
and private companies. These publications are useful only as a guide to show trends; usually
some months out-of-date; often presented in graph form for ease of communication.
Publications - available from government agencies, private interest groups, private
companies, and quantity surveyors. The information comes in printed or electronic form, and
the cost varies considerably depending on the amount of detail, completeness, and ease of
use. Data from government agencies are more useful for identifying trends and differences in
national, regional, and local costs than for calculating the cost of a specific building.
● What Factors influence construction cost? (12 answers... If you dare!). Answer: CHOP
2.3.3, Factors Affecting Cost 1. Type of project 2. Overhead 3. Profit 4. Market Conditions 5.
Difficult Access 6. Fast schedule 7. Escalation/Inflation 8. Tax 9. Season and Weather 10.
Change in functional program 11. Contingency 12. Regulations
● What are 3 different methods of construction estimation?. Answer: CHOP 2.3.3,
Methods of Preparing Cost Estimates & Hanscomb Yardstick for Costing, 2004 1. Composite
unit rates (broken into specification sections) Uses very simplified historic data as a basis for
calculating cost. Only reliable if the historic data is comparable. 2. Gross building costs or
,area calculation (least accurate) Cost per m2 or per ft2. Architects should limit the use of this
basic information by using it only as a general guide at the pre-design stage. 3. Elemental
building costs (most comprehensive) Quantity surveyors often use this method as the
standard format for presenting cost information. It divides the building into major elements
such as structure, exterior closure; and then applies relevant cost information from similar
projects.
● What is the purpose of progressive release of holdbacks?. Answer: This allows the
release of holdbacks to subcontractors or suppliers in advance of the substantial performance
of the work.
● what are 5 examples of additional services not covered under RAIC document 6?.
Answer: 1. feasibility studies 2. business cases 3. functional programming 4. submissions to
authorities 5. life cycle cost studies
● what are 3 advantages of water heating distribution systems?. Answer: 1. compact,
easily hidden 2. can be combined with domestic hot water systems 3. good for radiant floor
heating.
● what are 4 advantages of electric heating systems?. Answer: 1. most compact 2. quick
response to temperature changes 3. easily zoned 4. low initial cost
● What are three advantages of air heat distribution?. Answer: 1.quick response 2.can
also perform ventilation, cooling, humidity control and filtering. 3. no equipment in rooms
● What buildings require the services of an architect?. Answer: AIBC Bulletin 31 Under
Section 60 of the Architects Act... Group A (Part 3) - Public Assembly: -- any one-storey
building with an unsupported span exceeding 9 m or gross area exceeding 275 m²; -- any
building of more than one storey with gross area exceeding 235 m²; and -- all schools, any
size Group B - (Part 3) - Hospital, Sanatorium, or Home for the Aged, Institutional: -- any
building (excluding veterinary hospital) with a capacity exceeding 12 beds -- any building with
gross area exceeding 470 m² Group C - Residential, Hotel or similar occupancy: -- any
building containing 5 or more dwelling units -- any building containing 11 or more guest rooms
Group D & E - Commercial: -- any building with gross area exceeding 470 m² Group F (F1:
Part 3) - Industrial: -- any building with gross area exceeding 470 m²
● Is an architect required for all Part 3 buildings under the BC Building Code?. Answer:
AIBC Bulletin 31 Yes. In addition to the requirements of the Act, all projects must also satisfy
the current BC Building Code and local building bylaws. Under these building codes,
architects are required to be engaged for design and field review and to provide
corresponding assurances on all Part 3 buildings (of any occupancy or size) and any Part 9
, buildings with common egress systems and firewalls. It is important to understand that the
Part 3/Part 9 distinction is immaterial under the Act.
● What is RAIC Document Six?. Answer: CHOP 2.1.10 - Client-Architect Agreements
Canadian Standard Form of Contract for Architectural Services Between Client and Architect.
It is the accepted national standard contract used by architects.
● What is the purpose of the Schedule A?. Answer: Guide to the Letters of Assurance in
the B.C. Building Code Schedule A - Confirmation of Commitment by Owner and Coordinating
Registered Professional Schedule A is a confirmation of commitment by the owner and
coordinating registered professional to coordinate design work and field reviews of the
registered professionals of record required for the project. The Schedule A is submitted before
the issuance of the building permit, to the authority having jurisdiction.
● What is the purpose of the Schedule B?. Answer: Guide to the Letters of Assurance in
the B.C. Building Code Schedule B - Assurance of Professional Design and Commitment for
Field Review & Summary of Design and Field Review Requirements The Schedule B is to
provide assurance of professional design and commitment for field review, and is submitted
by each professional of record, including the coordinating registered professional. The
Schedule B is submitted before the commencement of construction activities.
● What is the purpose of Schedule C-A?. Answer: Guide to the Letters of Assurance in the
B.C. Building Code Schedule C-A - Assurance of Coordination of Professional Field Review
Schedule C-A is to provide assurance of coordination of professional field review (by the
architect). It is submitted after completion of the project, but before the occupancy permit is
issued or final inspection made by the authority having jurisdiction.
● What is the purpose of Schedule C-B?. Answer: Guide to the Letters of Assurance in the
B.C. Building Code Schedule C-B - Assurance of Professional Field Review and Compliance
Schedule C-B is to provide assurance of professional field review and compliance (by each
professional of record). It is submitted after completion of the project, but before occupancy
permit is issued or final inspection made by the authority having jurisdiction.
● What is Functional Programming (or design brief)? Is it part of an architect's basic
services?. Answer: CHOP 2.3.4, p.3 & 8 Functional Programming can be described as the
decision-making process that clearly defines the problem and scope of work for design. The
functional program describes the requirements which a building must satisfy in order to
support and enhance human activities. Architectural fees for functional programming are not
part of "basic services."
