NCARB PJM Exam - General terms | Verified Exam Questions and
Answers | Latest Updated Study Material 2026
Question:
1. Arbitration
Answer:
- a legal remedy if mediation fails
- A neutral third party hears the arguments of each side and makes a
legally binding decision
Question:
2. Mediation
Answer:
- the first step of the dispute resolution process that should be taken,
per the AIA B101 agreement.
- A neutral third party assists in negotiating an agreement
Question:
3. Planning Commission Re- A type of review that is required for all projects involving building
view
Answer:
exterior work or site work
Question:
4. Site Plan Review
Answer:
- A type of review usually required by the local jurisdiction as part
of the larger approval process for large-scale developments. Items
reviewed for compliance with limiting criteria determined by the
local jurisdiction include parking layout, landscaping and screening,
signage, and on-site water retention.
- For larger, more complex projects
Question:
5. Building Department Re- Type of review that occurs only after the project's proposed design
view
,Answer:
has received approval from the local planning commission.
Question:
6. Public workshop
Answer:
Events designed to gather public feedback on a proposed project's
planning concepts, but they do not provide code-based review or
feedback to a project team.
Question:
7. Fire extinguishers
Answer:
a code requirement for occupancy
Question:
8. Fire sprinkler system
Answer:
- IBC Chapter 5
- allows most buildings to be increased by one story and 20 feet. Note
that this is not applicable to all occupancy and building types.
Question:
9. Pre-application meeting
Answer:
with building officials
type of meeting that provides owners and architects with information
about land development processes and protocols within a jurisdic-
tion, and the development application process.
Question:
10. Alternates
Answer:
Used in fees to customize the bid price and/or give different options
with different prices, etc.
,Question:
11. Meeting Minutes
Answer:
a written record of the major discussions held, decisions made, and
action items assigned.
- Minutes are always considered business records
- Prior to distribution, any involved party can modify the minutes
- primary purpose is to facilitate communication among project par-
ticipants
- two styles of meeting minutes are narrative report or action item
report
Question:
12. 10% of the total design
time
Answer:
the reasonable amount of time for design contingency
Question:
13. Preliminary project de-
scription (PPD)
Answer:
- a format that describes the expected project quality in a way that
all stakeholders can understand. In lieu of a full set of drawings and
specifications, the PPD format can be used to describe the project in
the early phases.
- helps capture the project's quality and performance requirements
Question:
14. UniFormat
Answer:
- system breaks down projects by system rather than material or
method. The UniFormat system is useful for classifying and estimating
construction costs during schematic design
- A method of arranging construction information based on function-
al elements...without regard to the materials and methods used to
accomplish them . It is often seen in performance specifications and
preliminary project descriptions (PPD). Its most notable use is as a
, format for estimators to present cost estimates during the schematic
design phase.
Question:
15. Sustainability consultant - (a role) a professional on a project who introduces the concepts,
design implications, and cost impacts of sustainability objectives to
the client and other team members. Throughout the project's de-
guidelines, and management and administration of green building
principles, including design and building operations, performance
impacts of site conditions, climate, energy, water, waste, indoor air
quality, and building materials.
- Provide the project team with guidance, management, and admin-
istration of green building principles
Answer:
Question:
16. Charette
Answer:
a long, perhaps multi-day, design meeting that features discussion
among design professionals, government oflcials, and the public.
Comments from the public can come from a number of different
modes of participation, can be integrated and synthesized quickly,
and then presented to receive more feedback.
Question:
17. Public hearing
Answer:
for the public to learn about, and comment on, a specific develop-
ment. Comments from the public are limited.
Question:
18. Planning Advisory Com- A group that assists in the preparation of a plan for a building, site,
mittee
Answer:
landscape, etc.
Answers | Latest Updated Study Material 2026
Question:
1. Arbitration
Answer:
- a legal remedy if mediation fails
- A neutral third party hears the arguments of each side and makes a
legally binding decision
Question:
2. Mediation
Answer:
- the first step of the dispute resolution process that should be taken,
per the AIA B101 agreement.
- A neutral third party assists in negotiating an agreement
Question:
3. Planning Commission Re- A type of review that is required for all projects involving building
view
Answer:
exterior work or site work
Question:
4. Site Plan Review
Answer:
- A type of review usually required by the local jurisdiction as part
of the larger approval process for large-scale developments. Items
reviewed for compliance with limiting criteria determined by the
local jurisdiction include parking layout, landscaping and screening,
signage, and on-site water retention.
- For larger, more complex projects
Question:
5. Building Department Re- Type of review that occurs only after the project's proposed design
view
,Answer:
has received approval from the local planning commission.
Question:
6. Public workshop
Answer:
Events designed to gather public feedback on a proposed project's
planning concepts, but they do not provide code-based review or
feedback to a project team.
Question:
7. Fire extinguishers
Answer:
a code requirement for occupancy
Question:
8. Fire sprinkler system
Answer:
- IBC Chapter 5
- allows most buildings to be increased by one story and 20 feet. Note
that this is not applicable to all occupancy and building types.
Question:
9. Pre-application meeting
Answer:
with building officials
type of meeting that provides owners and architects with information
about land development processes and protocols within a jurisdic-
tion, and the development application process.
Question:
10. Alternates
Answer:
Used in fees to customize the bid price and/or give different options
with different prices, etc.
,Question:
11. Meeting Minutes
Answer:
a written record of the major discussions held, decisions made, and
action items assigned.
- Minutes are always considered business records
- Prior to distribution, any involved party can modify the minutes
- primary purpose is to facilitate communication among project par-
ticipants
- two styles of meeting minutes are narrative report or action item
report
Question:
12. 10% of the total design
time
Answer:
the reasonable amount of time for design contingency
Question:
13. Preliminary project de-
scription (PPD)
Answer:
- a format that describes the expected project quality in a way that
all stakeholders can understand. In lieu of a full set of drawings and
specifications, the PPD format can be used to describe the project in
the early phases.
- helps capture the project's quality and performance requirements
Question:
14. UniFormat
Answer:
- system breaks down projects by system rather than material or
method. The UniFormat system is useful for classifying and estimating
construction costs during schematic design
- A method of arranging construction information based on function-
al elements...without regard to the materials and methods used to
accomplish them . It is often seen in performance specifications and
preliminary project descriptions (PPD). Its most notable use is as a
, format for estimators to present cost estimates during the schematic
design phase.
Question:
15. Sustainability consultant - (a role) a professional on a project who introduces the concepts,
design implications, and cost impacts of sustainability objectives to
the client and other team members. Throughout the project's de-
guidelines, and management and administration of green building
principles, including design and building operations, performance
impacts of site conditions, climate, energy, water, waste, indoor air
quality, and building materials.
- Provide the project team with guidance, management, and admin-
istration of green building principles
Answer:
Question:
16. Charette
Answer:
a long, perhaps multi-day, design meeting that features discussion
among design professionals, government oflcials, and the public.
Comments from the public can come from a number of different
modes of participation, can be integrated and synthesized quickly,
and then presented to receive more feedback.
Question:
17. Public hearing
Answer:
for the public to learn about, and comment on, a specific develop-
ment. Comments from the public are limited.
Question:
18. Planning Advisory Com- A group that assists in the preparation of a plan for a building, site,
mittee
Answer:
landscape, etc.
