Each year the AIA Northern Virginia Young Architects Forum organizes seminars and study sessions for those preparing to the take the Architect Registration Exam (ARE).

The seminars offer the opportunity to learn from a professional in each discipline and use that knowledge in preparation for the ARE. In addition, study groups meet regularly to share resources and discuss the seminar material.

The ARE Prep Series for 2008 begins in February; the ARE Roundtable and Introduction is Wednesday, February 27.

The schedule of seminars is as follows:

February 27 - Roundtable
March 1 - Construction Documents I
April 5 - Construction Documents II
May 10 - Materials and Methods
June 6-8 - Structures I + II
June 14 - Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing I
June 28 - Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing II
July 12 - Pre-Design
All seminars will be Saturday mornings. Cost is $40 for members, $50 for non-members per seminar. Cost includes study groups, mock exams and refreshments. Registration is required one week prior to each seminar; the form is available for download here.

Additionally, AIA Northern Virginia welcomes back David Thaddeus, AIA for a three-day intensive seminar covering Structures I + II, June 6-8. The registration form for the David Thaddeus seminar can be downloaded here.

On July 26, Virginia Society AIA invites you to participate in an intensive seminar on the Graphics section of the ARE, instructed by Kurt Wassenaar, Bruce Grulke AIA and Greg Winkler. The seminar will be hosted at the University of Maryland from 8:15a to 6:00p. For more information, registration forms or to register online, visit the VSAIA website.

ARE study materials by Kaplan Educational Resources.

Kaplan's ARE materials, including study guides, question and answer books, practice vignettes, test bank CDs, and flash cards, are available for use at the Chapter House by Chapter members and those currently enrolled in our Chapter's ARE Prep Series.

Time to use this material can be reserved during regular business hours, as well as Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 7:00 pm and Saturday mornings, upon request. Times must be reserved in advance by contacting the Chapter at aianova@aianova.org or
(703) 549-9747.

If you wish to purchase any of the Kaplan material, the Chapter has formed a partnership with them to offer chapter members a 20% discount on all Kaplan study materials. The discount code for our Chapter is AIA537. Discounted materials can be ordered online at Kaplan Online by adding the code number in the promotional code field or by phone at (800) 420-1429. Just identify yourself as a member of AIA Northern Virginia.