Black SpectaclesReviews of blackspectacles.com

Great Exam Prep

I have been using Black Spectacles to support my ARE studies. In addition to their classes and practice tests, they have a great group of resources from an ARE community board where you can post your questions, to phone calls with their team to talk through study topics and strategy. It's been a great help during what can be a long, difficult process.

What I enjoyed about Black Spectacles is, when coupled with the NCARB recommended reference books, the lectures introduce you to the material and provide a broad overview of the topics as outlined from the ARE handbook. I appreciated how the lectures were structured with the outline, so I better understood what was required of me as a test taker. The practice exams are the best available, as they capture the "randomness" of the actual exam questions. I would recommend Black Spectacles to anyone studying for the ARE.

The videos and real life architectural experience that goes into Black Spectacles makes studying feel more in touch with the profession. The flash cards are also great for the “between” moments like waiting at the permit office. The explanations are concise and clear so I don’t feel like there is a ton of gray area that I’m getting confused with on topics.

I was having a lot of trouble with passing PPD. I felt like anything I studied did not apply in the actual exam. With a ton of books recommended as references I was overwhelmed. Black Spectacles finally gave me hands on material that actually applied within the exam. I couldn't have done it without Black Spectacles. I highly recommend them.

Excellent, comprehensive primary study material source. I recommend you print the associated PDF and place it in a 3-rinf binder. Follow along with each lecture video and take notes on the corresponding page you printed. Pace yourself on the lecture videos, I watched in the mornings or late at night between work hours, in 30min to 1hr segments to not overwhelm myself. The closest mock exams to the real ones I could find. Make sure to resize the window to what a 22" monitor would be like. This helps you understand what you'll have to scroll down for during the real exams vs. what is immediately visible on-screen. The flash cards are nice, but the complete lecture series videos and mock-exams are the prime content that will help prepare you. Use the flash cards in bed before sleeping on your phone in their iOS app if you purchase the upgraded subscription.

Great practice tests, they really put you in the mindset of the actual tests.

The lectures alone are worth any fees for this program. Thank you Black Spectacles!!!