Black SpectaclesReviews of blackspectacles.com

Thank you Black Spectacles, the ressources, especially the exams, have been helpful and helped me pass each exam, combined with the NCARB free exams and googling everything I didn’t understand. It is true the real exams are quite different from the mock exams, whether NCARB or black spectacles. But black spectacles gave me a good exposure and a good start to everything I didn’t know and a directions for my studies, especially with the mock tests, I did not use the videos much. It was helpful in which parts of the building or building codes should I look into and understand the process. There is so much we are supposed to know in architecture, what black spectacles and the exams thought me is that there is too much to know, and it is more about having a general understanding of what we don’t know, whether plumbing, hvac, waste management, stomwater, fire, and so on and applying these principles understood with a good amount of google research.

practice exams are very helpful

What makes Black Spectacles worthwhile is the very thing that some people say is boring. The methodical, consistent, clearly outlined and extremely organized set up is what I was missing in my previous studying. I failed PPD and PDD twice before purchasing BS, using the much more $$$$ Amber Book. I found that while his videos are much more entertaining, there was a lot content that went unmentioned and when I got to the exam, I felt like I hadn't been exposed to so many of the questions. The consistent and easy-to -understand lecture style of BS helped me to clearly move from one topic to another until I really felt like I had covered and retained information. Really knowing what is on the test is half the battle. At the same time, the ability to jump around was so important to my studying as well. The topics are outlined really clearly and I could jump around and review as I needed to. Some videos I didn't watch at all, and some I watched three times. I did watch them all on 1.5x which I thought was the perfect speed for me to learn and retain.

The content is massive and arranged well. Although I used much additional content from other resources Black Spectacles were my first step to get familiar with each exam and then I would use the results from the mock exams and quizzes to help me ID the weak areas in my knowledge. Also, the CS was excellent, Jessica was very responsive and helpful, that goes long way these days.

Great training program! The video lectures and virtual workshops were particularly helpful!!

Black Spectacles initially comes across as a well produced, and professional ARE prep. Unfortunately, my experience went downhill quick. I failed my first exam after extensive studying and I recall being so frustrated during the exam solely due to much of the exam content seeming so foreign to me. And good luck getting ahold of their customer service department; that should tell you everything you need to know. So, thank you Black Spectacles for your professionally shot and edited videos... super slick, just wish it hadn't cost me $1k and a failed exam.

Black Spectacles has literally everything you need to pass your AREs. The study guides are very thorough and helpful, as are the video lectures. I would recommend getting at least the Pro subscription so you get the study guides.

I like the fact that BS introduced the short quizzes in addition to their practice exams - the only one out there that comes close to the real NCARB exam. Taking those short quizzes and the practice exams multiple times, I think, helped me cross that finish line after multiple attempts. I'd highly recommend BS to anyone looking to conquer the AREs!