Question 1

Which of the following best describes a construction manager (CM) at risk?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: The defining characteristic of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR or CM at Risk) project delivery method is that the CM commits to delivering the project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). In this model, the CM acts as a consultant to the owner during the design phase and as the equivalent of a general contractor during the construction phase. The CM holds the contracts with the subcontractors and is financially "at risk" for any construction costs that exceed the GMP, distinguishing this role from a CM as Advisor (CMa).

Question 2

During the preparation of the construction documents, it was noted that the survey inaccurately
located the property line. Consequently, the parking layout had to be redesigned to fit within the
corrected property boundary.
The architect's additional costs and associated delay are the responsibility of which one of the
following parties?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: According to standard contractual agreements, such as the AIA B101, the owner is responsible for furnishing essential project information, including surveys. The architect is entitled to rely on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided by the owner. When this information proves to be inaccurate, as with the incorrect property line, the resulting redesign work constitutes an additional service. Therefore, the owner is contractually responsible for compensating the architect for the additional costs and delays incurred. The owner may have a separate claim against the surveyor for their error, but the owner's obligation to the architect remains.

Question 3

According to ATA owner-architect agreements, who is responsible for the cost of evaluating
significant substitutions proposed by the contractor, subcontractors, or suppliers and the cost of
making subsequent revisions to drawings, specifications, and other documentation?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: According to the AIA B101™–2017 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect, services related to evaluating substitutions proposed by the contractor are not part of the architect's basic services. Section 4.2.2.3 explicitly lists "providing services in connection with evaluating substitutions proposed by the Owner’s contractor and making subsequent revisions to Instruments of Service resulting therefrom" as an Additional Service. The owner is responsible for compensating the architect for any authorized Additional Services. Therefore, the owner bears the cost of the architect's time and effort to evaluate the proposed substitution and revise the necessary documentation.

Question 4

During the bidding phase, what is the architect’s role regarding addenda?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: During the bidding or negotiation phase, the architect is responsible for preparing and issuing addenda. Addenda are formal modifications, clarifications, or corrections to the bidding documents (drawings, specifications, etc.) that arise after the documents have been issued to bidders but before the bids are due. The architect distributes these addenda to all registered bidders to ensure that every participant has the same information, promoting a fair and equitable bidding process. This ensures all bids are based on a consistent set of requirements, preventing discrepancies and potential disputes.

Question 5

What is the architect’s role regarding shop drawings?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: The architect's role concerning shop drawings is defined by standard industry contracts. The architect reviews submittals, such as shop drawings, for the limited purpose of checking for conformance with the information given in the contract documents and for compliance with the design concept. This review is not an approval of the means, methods, techniques, or safety precautions, which remain the contractor's responsibility. The architect's action (e.g., "No Exceptions Taken," "Revise and Resubmit") confirms that the submitted item, as detailed, aligns with the project's established design intent.

Question 6

Which four factors will most affect the choice of project delivery method? Check the four that apply.

Accepted Answer

A, C, E, F

Explanation: The selection of a project delivery method is a critical early decision driven by the owner's primary goals and constraints. The project's scope and complexity (A) dictate the level of integration and expertise required. The owner's capabilities (C) and desired level of involvement determine how much management responsibility they can or want to assume. The owner's risk tolerance (E) is a fundamental driver, as different methods allocate risks for cost, schedule, and performance differently among the parties. Finally, the construction cost (F), including the budget, the need for cost certainty, and funding requirements, heavily influences whether a method with early cost guarantees (e.g., CMaR with a GMP) or one focused on low-bid price (e.g., DBB) is most appropriate.

Question 7

Who is typically responsible for verifying the contractor’s schedule of values?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: The architect, in their role as the administrator of the construction contract, is typically responsible for reviewing the contractor's schedule of values. This schedule serves as the basis for all subsequent applications for payment. The architect must verify that the schedule is balanced, meaning the values allocated to various portions of the work are reasonable and proportional to the contract sum. This review is a critical step to prevent "front-loading," where a contractor overvalues early construction activities, and to ensure that payments certified by the architect accurately reflect the value of work completed.

Question 8

An architecture firm is negotiating a contract with an owner for a $2,000,000 project. The proposed
architectural-only fee is 5% of the cost of construction through the end of the Construction
Document Phase. During the negotiations, the owner wants to apply for a building permit in 7 weeks
without exceeding the original budget constraints. The project staff currently consists of 2 people
who have an hourly rate of $100.
What is the minimum project staff required to meet the owner's new schedule?

Accepted Answer

C

Explanation: This problem requires calculating the necessary staff to complete a scope of work within a specific timeframe and budget. 1. Calculate the Total Fee: The fee is 5% of the $2,000,000 construction cost, which equals $100,000. 2. Calculate Total Billable Hours: The total fee budget ($100,000) is divided by the average hourly rate ($100/hour), resulting in 1,000 total billable hours for the project. 3. Calculate Weekly Hours: These 1,000 hours must be completed within the 7-week schedule, requiring approximately 143 hours of work per week (1,000 hours / 7 weeks). 4. Determine Staffing: Assuming a standard 40-hour workweek per person, the required staff is calculated by dividing the weekly hours by 40 (143 hours/week / 40 hours/person). This equals approximately 3.57 people. Since staff cannot be fractional, the firm must assign a minimum of 4 people to meet the schedule.

Question 9

A contractor has hired a subcontractor to construct a parking lot for 60 cars. The parking lot will be 60
feet x 270 feet. The subcontractor has quoted a price of $13.25 per square yard to the contractor.
If the contractor adds a mark-up of 15%, what is the cost of each parking space?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: The total cost is determined by first calculating the area of the parking lot in the correct units, applying the subcontractor's unit price, and then adding the contractor's mark-up. 1. Area Calculation: 60 feet × 270 feet = 16,200 square feet. 2. Unit Conversion: Since the price is per square yard, convert the area: 16,200 sq ft / 9 sq ft per sq yd = 1,800 square yards. 3. Subcontractor Cost: 1,800 sq yd × $13.25/sq yd = $23,850. 4. Contractor's Total Price (with mark-up): $23,850 × 1.15 = $27,427.50. 5. Cost per Space: $27,427.50 / 60 spaces = $457.13. This value rounds to $457.

Question 10

The architect is on site to evaluate the completed work by the contractor. During the evaluation, the
architect notices a structural connection that deviates from the contract documents.
According to AIA B101, to which party should the architect report this observed deviation?

Accepted Answer

D

Explanation: According to the AIA B101™–2017, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect, the architect's primary responsibility during on-site observations is to act as the owner's representative. A core duty within this role is to keep the owner reasonably informed about the progress and quality of the work. The agreement explicitly states that the architect shall report to the owner any known deviations from the contract documents. While the architect will also communicate with the contractor to address the non-conforming work and consult with the structural engineer, the contractual reporting obligation is to the owner.

Question 11

Near the end of a routine job site visit, the architect begins to assemble notes. The owner's
representative then arrives on site unexpectedly. The architect, owner's representative, and
contractor discuss and resolve several outstanding project issues. The architect begins writing
correspondence to distribute to the project team when the architect returns to the office.
In addition to a Meeting Record, which of the following documents should the architect create?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: The scenario describes a meeting where outstanding issues were discussed and resolved. While a Meeting Record documents the discussion and decisions, an Action Item List is the specific project management tool used to translate those resolutions into concrete, trackable tasks. This list assigns responsibility for each task and sets a due date, ensuring that the agreements made during the impromptu meeting are formally implemented and not overlooked. Creating this list is a crucial step in maintaining accountability and project momentum following a decision-making meeting.

Question 12

During the predesign phase of a project, the architect discovers that the owner's budget is insufficient to meet the program requirements. Which of the following should the architect do?

Accepted Answer

C

Explanation: The architect's primary professional and contractual responsibility is to serve as the owner's trusted advisor. When the architect determines that the owner's program requirements cannot be met within the established budget, the immediate and most crucial action is to inform the owner of this discrepancy. This step is foundational; it clearly communicates the project's infeasibility under the current constraints, upholding the architect's duty of care and honesty. Only after the owner is aware of the core problem can a productive discussion about potential solutions—such as modifying the program, increasing the budget, or phasing the project—take place.

Question 13

While conducting a site visit for a residential tower delivered through the design-build method, an
architect observes several construction workers without hard hats and other unsafe working
conditions.
How should the architect proceed?

Accepted Answer

B

Explanation: The architect is not responsible for construction means, methods, or job site safety; this is the sole responsibility of the contractor (in this case, the design-builder). However, upon observing an obvious safety violation, the architect has an ethical and professional duty to act. The appropriate action is to formally document the observation and notify the party contractually responsible for site safety—the contractor. Directing the workers would make the architect liable. Notifying the contractor in writing creates a formal record and directs the information to the entity with the authority and obligation to correct the issue. Copying the owner is appropriate to keep them informed about the contractor's performance regarding safety protocols on their project.

Question 14

In response to a request for qualifications for a prospective project, the architect assembles a project team of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineers. What is the project?

Accepted Answer

A

Explanation: The consultant team described—Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection (MEP/FP)—constitutes the standard engineering disciplines required for a new, fully-serviced building. A new K-12 school is a complex institutional project that necessitates comprehensive design for HVAC, power and lighting, water and sanitation, and life safety systems (e.g., sprinklers, fire alarms) to meet building codes and functional requirements. The assembly of this full MEP/FP team at the qualifications stage is a clear indicator of a project involving the design and construction of a new, occupied building like a school.

Question 15

According to AIA Document B201, the architect must perform which of the following services during Construction Contract Administration? Check the three that apply.

Accepted Answer

C, E, F

Explanation: According to AIA B101™–2017, which AIA B201™–2017 supplements, the architect's Construction Phase services are clearly defined. The architect acts as the owner's representative, advising and consulting with them throughout construction. A core responsibility is visiting the site at appropriate intervals to observe the work's progress and quality. Furthermore, the architect is the interpreter of the contract documents and makes decisions on matters of performance, including those related to aesthetic effect, which are considered final if consistent with the contract documents' intent. These three duties are fundamental to the architect's role in administering the construction contract.

Free NCARB Project-Management Actual Exam Questions