ARE 5.0 PJM Exam Questions with 100%
Correct Answers | Graded A+
RFI - ✔✔RFI Type 1: Graphic/Confirming RFI
RFI Type 2: Coordination/Missing Information RFI
RFI Type 3: Code/Contract Information RFI
RFIs are issued by contractors during the Construction Administration (CA), and
Bidding & Negotiation phases of a project.
During bidding and negotiations Architects respond to RFIs with Addenda and
during the CA phase RFIs should be addressed through the AIA G716 and/or
change orders/directives.
In order to track the cost of quality on a project, RFIs should be tracked by the
amount of hours that are required to respond to them.
top down approach - ✔✔Top-down approach takes less time and decisions can
be taken faster
The top-down approach is more effective when the project cost is can only be
roughly estimated
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©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
,A combination of top down and bottom up approach would yield more accurate
estimates
Personal injury protection - ✔✔protects against charges of defamation, libel,
and slander.
Test borings - ✔✔Test borings are performed by a geotechnical engineer by
drilling holes into the soil in order to determine some or all of the following:
Ability of the soil to support structures on the surface with or without additional
assistance from footings, piers, and other aids
Permeability of the soil to determine whether it will percolate sufficiently for an
on-site septic system
Discover and monitor leakage from underground storage tanks or the presence
of other contaminants.
quality management actions during programming - ✔✔Teaming: Two or more
people should convene to gather information through client interviews, work
sessions, and direct observation; Benchmarking Tours: Benchmarking includes
the direct observation of state-of-the-art facilities similar to that being
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©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
, programmed; Consensus reviews: A second series of interviews or work sessions
is held to confirm that the knowledge was accurately communicated to the
design team; Phasing: Phasing includes setting priorities for detailed client
information and assembly of information.
The UniFormat framework establishes costs based on what - ✔✔The UniFormat
system breaks down projects by functional elements rather than material or
method. These functional elements are often defined by system or assembly.
The UniFormat system is useful for classifying and estimating construction
during schematic design.
How does the completion of a schematic design help the preparation for the
next project - ✔✔It creates an ongoing critical discussion concerning its qualities
and familiarizes all team members with the products and process of the firm's
creative approach.
an example of a special condition - ✔✔Union labor rates
What type of survey should the owner order - ✔✔ALTA
According to the AIA document B101 Section 5.4, the owner is to provide a
survey that describes physical characteristics, legal limitations, utility locations,
and a written legal description of the site. ALTA stands for American Land Title
Association and an ALTA survey is a comprehensive survey that reveals
Page 3 of 30
©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
Correct Answers | Graded A+
RFI - ✔✔RFI Type 1: Graphic/Confirming RFI
RFI Type 2: Coordination/Missing Information RFI
RFI Type 3: Code/Contract Information RFI
RFIs are issued by contractors during the Construction Administration (CA), and
Bidding & Negotiation phases of a project.
During bidding and negotiations Architects respond to RFIs with Addenda and
during the CA phase RFIs should be addressed through the AIA G716 and/or
change orders/directives.
In order to track the cost of quality on a project, RFIs should be tracked by the
amount of hours that are required to respond to them.
top down approach - ✔✔Top-down approach takes less time and decisions can
be taken faster
The top-down approach is more effective when the project cost is can only be
roughly estimated
Page 1 of 30
©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
,A combination of top down and bottom up approach would yield more accurate
estimates
Personal injury protection - ✔✔protects against charges of defamation, libel,
and slander.
Test borings - ✔✔Test borings are performed by a geotechnical engineer by
drilling holes into the soil in order to determine some or all of the following:
Ability of the soil to support structures on the surface with or without additional
assistance from footings, piers, and other aids
Permeability of the soil to determine whether it will percolate sufficiently for an
on-site septic system
Discover and monitor leakage from underground storage tanks or the presence
of other contaminants.
quality management actions during programming - ✔✔Teaming: Two or more
people should convene to gather information through client interviews, work
sessions, and direct observation; Benchmarking Tours: Benchmarking includes
the direct observation of state-of-the-art facilities similar to that being
Page 2 of 30
©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
, programmed; Consensus reviews: A second series of interviews or work sessions
is held to confirm that the knowledge was accurately communicated to the
design team; Phasing: Phasing includes setting priorities for detailed client
information and assembly of information.
The UniFormat framework establishes costs based on what - ✔✔The UniFormat
system breaks down projects by functional elements rather than material or
method. These functional elements are often defined by system or assembly.
The UniFormat system is useful for classifying and estimating construction
during schematic design.
How does the completion of a schematic design help the preparation for the
next project - ✔✔It creates an ongoing critical discussion concerning its qualities
and familiarizes all team members with the products and process of the firm's
creative approach.
an example of a special condition - ✔✔Union labor rates
What type of survey should the owner order - ✔✔ALTA
According to the AIA document B101 Section 5.4, the owner is to provide a
survey that describes physical characteristics, legal limitations, utility locations,
and a written legal description of the site. ALTA stands for American Land Title
Association and an ALTA survey is a comprehensive survey that reveals
Page 3 of 30
©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025.
