Yes. PrepAwayExam offers a free PDF demo of the PDD practice questions so you can check the quality, the format, and the difficulty level before you spend anything. After you purchase, you also receive 365 days of free updates, and if the product expires you can extend the update service at a 50% discount from your member zone.

The PDD exam contains 100 (approx. 91 scored + 9 pretest items) questions and gives you 245 minutes to complete them. That works out to a brisk pace, so you cannot afford to stall on a single tricky item — flag it, move on, and circle back if time allows. Before exam day, run at least two timed mock sessions with the PrepAwayExam desktop or online test engine; practicing against a real clock turns the official time limit into a comfortable rhythm instead of a source of panic.

The PDD exam (full name: ARE 5.0 Project Development and Documentation Exam) is a NCARB certification exam that leads to the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) 5.0 credential, positioned at the Professional level. It validates the skills NCARB expects from professionals working with its technologies, and passing it is the key step toward getting certified. It also sits within a broader certification path that includes ARE 5.0 PA, ARE 5.0 PPD, ARE 5.0 PJM, ARE 5.0 PCM, ARE 5.0 CE, Architect License (US).

The NCARB ARE 5.0 Project Development and Documentation exam is organized into 5 domains. The main areas include Construction Documentation (32–38%), Integration of Building Materials & Systems (31–37%), and Project Manual & Specifications (12–18%). Scroll up to the exam syllabus section on this page for the complete topic-by-topic outline.

Eligibility for ARE 5.0 via NCARB Record and jurisdiction approval required

Eligibility requirements can change, so before you register, confirm the latest criteria on the official NCARB exam page.

To pass the PDD exam you need a score of Scaled score (cut score varies by form; not publicly disclosed), and the official registration fee is USD 235 (varies by jurisdiction and updates). Keep in mind that a failed attempt comes at full price: retaking the exam means paying the entire fee again. A smart way to protect that investment is to self-test first — work through the 102 practice questions at PrepAwayExam until your timed scores sit comfortably above the passing line before you book a seat.

NCARB recommends the following training resources for the NCARB ARE 5.0 Project Development and Documentation:

• NCARB ARE 5.0 Guidelines & Practice Exams
• ARE 5.0 Community Resources

Official courses build the theory; pair them with the 102 practice questions from PrepAwayExam to turn that knowledge into exam-ready speed and accuracy.

Delivery is instant: you can download your purchase right after payment, and a copy is sent to your email within one minute. If nothing arrives within 2 hours, check your spam folder and contact our support team. There is no limit on how many computers you can install the software on.

If you take the PDD exam within 60 days of your purchase and do not pass, you can apply for a full refund under the PrepAwayExam money back guarantee. To file a claim, submit a scan of your exam enrollment slip together with the official score report (PDF) within 2 days of taking the exam, and your claim will be processed within 7 days. The candidate name must match the payer name, and the policy does not apply to exams taken within 3 days of purchase, to purchases where the exam was never actually taken, or to free materials and expired orders. Prefer an alternative? Instead of a refund, you can exchange your purchase for two free exam products of equal value while keeping the update service on your original product.

You can register for the NCARB ARE 5.0 Project Development and Documentation through the official channels below:

• NCARB ARE Registration
• ARE Candidate Dashboard

The PDD exam is delivered Computer-based exam administered via PSI testing centers or online proctoring (where available), so choose the option that best fits your schedule when you book.