ARE 5.0 Exam Prep · Interactive Tool · Updated May 2026
“What would happen if…” simulator
Pick a real-world construction situation. The simulator walks you through which contract applies, who is responsible, and what happens next — exactly the way the ARE tests it.
The owner wants to add a skylight mid-construction
Construction is underway. The owner calls the architect and says they want to add a skylight that was not in the original drawings. What happens next?
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The contractor says the project is substantially complete
The contractor notifies the architect that the building is ready for occupancy. There are still some punch list items remaining. What does the architect do?
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The contractor submits a pay app the architect thinks is too high
The contractor submits Application for Payment No. 6. The architect believes the contractor has overbilled for work not yet complete. What are the architect’s options?
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The owner needs work done but the contractor won’t agree on price
The owner wants to proceed with a scope change immediately. The contractor refuses to agree on a price. The project schedule is at risk. What can the architect do?
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Workers find unexpected underground conditions
During excavation, the contractor discovers a buried fuel tank that was not shown on any site documents. Work stops. Who is responsible and what happens next?
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The structural engineer makes a serious design error
A structural beam was undersized by the structural engineer. The error is discovered during construction. The fix will cost $80,000. Who pays?
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The owner asks the architect to skip construction administration
To save money, the owner asks the architect to provide design services only and skip CA entirely. The architect agrees. The project is built. Issues arise. What is the architect’s exposure?
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The architect is hired by a contractor on a design-build project
A general contractor wins a design-build contract and hires an architect to provide design services. A dispute arises between the owner and the design-build team. Whose side is the architect on?
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The contractor files a claim against the owner
The contractor believes the owner caused a 3-week delay and submits a formal claim for additional time and compensation. What is the process under A201?
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The contractor misses the substantial completion date
The contract required substantial completion by November 1. It is now November 15 and the project is not complete. The owner is losing $5,000 per day in rental income. What happens?
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The owner keeps changing the design — who pays for redesign?
The owner has changed the building layout three times after schematic design was approved. The architect has spent 40 extra hours on redesign. Can the architect charge for this?
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The owner refuses to pay the contractor
The architect certified a payment of $120,000. The owner refuses to release the funds, saying the work quality is unacceptable. What are the contractor’s rights under A201?
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