ARE 5.0 PROGRAMMING AND ANALYSIS EXAM
|ACTUAL QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-
2027 UPDATED EDITION |GRADED A+
Question 1
A multistory residential building is proposed for an undeveloped property. The following
observations are made during a site visit:
+ The property is located in an upper Midwestern state that regularly sees snow in the
winter months
+ The northeastern edge of the property is a wetland
+ There is a small detention area on the adjacent property to the west that drains through
the north side of the owner's property to the wetland area
+ The site is accessible from an existing cul-de-sac on the south-west border of the
property.
Taking energy conservation into account, which of the following design options would be
the best for building orientation and parking location?
(A) Orient the building on the east side of the property with a north-south axis and the
parking to the west
(B) Orient the building on the north side of the property with an east-west axis and the
parking to the south
(C) Orient the building on the
CORRECT ANSWER
(B) Orient the building on the north side of the property with an east-west axis and the
parking to the south
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,Location on the property is less important than the axis of the building. Maintaining an
east-west axis will allow the building to take advantage of solar heat and light, potentially
reducing heating and electric costs. Locating the building to the north provides better
access for parking to the south and, potentially a better view to the north
Question 2
While considering development of a site, the owner suspects that part of the land may
include a 100-year floodplain. Which of these agencies can confirm the location of this
plain?
(A) US Forestry Service (USFS)
(B) US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
(C) State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
(D) US Geological Survey (USGS)
CORRECT ANSWER
(D) US Geological Survey (USGS)
The USGS keeps topographical information on all parts of the United States, including the
location of floodplains
Question 3
The International Code Council updates the International Building Code every three years.
After each update is issued, how much time does a US state have to adopt it?
(A) three months
(B) one year
(C) two years
(D) no time limit
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
,CORRECT ANSWER
(D) no time limit
It is up to each state to decide when to adopt each update of the IBC, or whether to even
use it at all.
A state may use the IBC as it is, amend the IBC for use in that state, or create its own
model building code instead of using the IBC. Some cities also have their own local
amendments
Question 4
Which of the following requirements is NOT addressed in the IBC
(A) number of barrier-free parking spaces
(B) width of an exit stair
(C) maximum number of stories in a building
(D) maximum occupancy of a floor
CORRECT ANSWER
(A) number of barrier-free parking spaces
Exit stairs, number of stories, and occupancy rate, are all addressed by the IBC
The number and size of barrier-free spaces are addressed in local zoning requirements and
by ADA
Question 5
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Zoning requirements typically regulate which three aspects of a site? (Choose the three
that apply.)
(A) separation of use groups
(B) setbacks from property lines
(C) minimum green spaces
(D) storm water from roof drains
(E) loading spaces and parking
(F) accessible paths of travel
CORRECT ANSWER
(B), (C), (E)
Storm water is addressed in the International Plumbing Code
Separation of use groups and accessible paths of travel are addressed in the IBC.
Zoning typically addresses setbacks to maintain distances between buildings, maximum
coverage of development on a site (or minimum greenspaces that cannot be developed),
and loading spaces along with parking
Question 6
A site analysis is performed to find the best location and orientation for a home to be built
on a two-acre lot. Which of these factors would not typically be included in the site
analysis?
(A) climate and seasonal wind directions
(B) pollution and noise sources
(C) sun angles and views
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
|ACTUAL QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-
2027 UPDATED EDITION |GRADED A+
Question 1
A multistory residential building is proposed for an undeveloped property. The following
observations are made during a site visit:
+ The property is located in an upper Midwestern state that regularly sees snow in the
winter months
+ The northeastern edge of the property is a wetland
+ There is a small detention area on the adjacent property to the west that drains through
the north side of the owner's property to the wetland area
+ The site is accessible from an existing cul-de-sac on the south-west border of the
property.
Taking energy conservation into account, which of the following design options would be
the best for building orientation and parking location?
(A) Orient the building on the east side of the property with a north-south axis and the
parking to the west
(B) Orient the building on the north side of the property with an east-west axis and the
parking to the south
(C) Orient the building on the
CORRECT ANSWER
(B) Orient the building on the north side of the property with an east-west axis and the
parking to the south
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,Location on the property is less important than the axis of the building. Maintaining an
east-west axis will allow the building to take advantage of solar heat and light, potentially
reducing heating and electric costs. Locating the building to the north provides better
access for parking to the south and, potentially a better view to the north
Question 2
While considering development of a site, the owner suspects that part of the land may
include a 100-year floodplain. Which of these agencies can confirm the location of this
plain?
(A) US Forestry Service (USFS)
(B) US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
(C) State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
(D) US Geological Survey (USGS)
CORRECT ANSWER
(D) US Geological Survey (USGS)
The USGS keeps topographical information on all parts of the United States, including the
location of floodplains
Question 3
The International Code Council updates the International Building Code every three years.
After each update is issued, how much time does a US state have to adopt it?
(A) three months
(B) one year
(C) two years
(D) no time limit
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
,CORRECT ANSWER
(D) no time limit
It is up to each state to decide when to adopt each update of the IBC, or whether to even
use it at all.
A state may use the IBC as it is, amend the IBC for use in that state, or create its own
model building code instead of using the IBC. Some cities also have their own local
amendments
Question 4
Which of the following requirements is NOT addressed in the IBC
(A) number of barrier-free parking spaces
(B) width of an exit stair
(C) maximum number of stories in a building
(D) maximum occupancy of a floor
CORRECT ANSWER
(A) number of barrier-free parking spaces
Exit stairs, number of stories, and occupancy rate, are all addressed by the IBC
The number and size of barrier-free spaces are addressed in local zoning requirements and
by ADA
Question 5
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, Zoning requirements typically regulate which three aspects of a site? (Choose the three
that apply.)
(A) separation of use groups
(B) setbacks from property lines
(C) minimum green spaces
(D) storm water from roof drains
(E) loading spaces and parking
(F) accessible paths of travel
CORRECT ANSWER
(B), (C), (E)
Storm water is addressed in the International Plumbing Code
Separation of use groups and accessible paths of travel are addressed in the IBC.
Zoning typically addresses setbacks to maintain distances between buildings, maximum
coverage of development on a site (or minimum greenspaces that cannot be developed),
and loading spaces along with parking
Question 6
A site analysis is performed to find the best location and orientation for a home to be built
on a two-acre lot. Which of these factors would not typically be included in the site
analysis?
(A) climate and seasonal wind directions
(B) pollution and noise sources
(C) sun angles and views
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
