My First ARE Milestone

Hallelujah! I’ve passed my very first ARE exam — Practice Management (PcM). It feels like marking the first notch in the final leg of a long but rewarding path toward licensure. From completing my Bachelor’s degree and getting licensed in India to immigrating to the USA, earning my Master’s in Architecture, and working in various firms to gain experience and complete my AXP hours — every step has led me to this moment, finally eligible to sit for the ARE exams in Illinois.

Navigating personal and professional hurdles over the years, this provisional pass feels like the start of conquering the last stretch of an arduous process.

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The Mindset Shift

In the past, the ARE exams felt overwhelming. I would often run out of time, get stuck on case studies, and leave questions unanswered. What changed this time was not just my studying, but my mindset - thanks to my coaches Eric and David!

The night before PcM, I made a conscious choice to prepare my mind as much as my notes. I went to bed early. The next morning, I started with some Wim Hof breathing and meditation. I reread mindset notes from my coaching program that reminded me: control your mind, stay present, and trust yourself.

Even on the train ride to the testing center, I kept my nerves in check by listening to music. Instead of spiraling into anxiety, I felt centered — like an athlete heading into a big game.

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Strategy in Action

Once inside the exam, my approach was disciplined and deliberate:

• Time management: I aimed for 20 questions in 20 minutes as advised by my coaches and strived to do this for every increment of 20 questions. Breaking the exam into increments kept me on pace and prevented me from lingering too long on one question.

• Highlighting for focus: I diligently used the highlighter tool to underline key words and clues. This helped me avoid second-guessing and stay attentive to what was really being asked.

• Presence over panic: I reminded myself constantly to take it one question at a time. Not the next 80. Not the case studies waiting at the end. Just the question in front of me.

For the first time, I finished an ARE exam without leaving a single question blank. That alone felt like a victory.

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Tackling the Achilles Heel

Case studies have always been my stumbling block. In previous attempts, I’d run out of energy, lose focus, and fall behind. This time, I treated them differently.

Before starting the case studies, I took my scheduled break. I stepped away, did some box breathing, and reframed my mindset: This is not my weakness. This is just another section I am capable of solving.

When I returned, I paced myself and worked through the two case studies steadily. I didn’t let them control the outcome. When I finally clicked “Submit,” my heart raced. Then I saw it: Provisional Pass!

Tears welled up. I felt relief, disbelief, and gratitude all at once.

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The Power of the First Mark

Passing PcM is one of six final steps toward licensure. On paper, it’s just a fraction. But symbolically, it’s the hardest one — the first mark etched into the journey.

Like the first line on a blank drawing, this milestone gives shape to what comes next. It proves that the effort, the mindset, and the strategies work. It’s the mark that transforms hope into momentum.

I walked out of the testing center exhausted, but victorious. I grabbed ice cream as a treat — the kind of small ritual that made the achievement feel real. One down. Five to go.

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Lessons for Fellow Test-Takers

If you’re on the ARE path, here are the strategies that helped me turn the corner:

1. Prioritize mindset as much as study time. Anxiety management, sleep, and breathing techniques matter as much as practice questions.

2. Break the exam into chunks. Setting a pace gave me structure and confidence.

3. Use the tools. Highlighting key words kept me from missing details or overthinking.

4. Don’t fear the case studies. Take a break before them, reset your mind, and approach them with focus, not dread.

5. Celebrate the wins. Even one pass is proof of capability. Use that momentum to fuel the next.

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Looking Ahead

This provisional pass in PcM is my first ARE milestone, and I’m choosing to mark it boldly. It’s not the end of the journey, but it’s the beginning of believing I can finish it.

Each exam ahead will bring its own challenges, but now I know: with the right mindset, the right strategy, and the right support, I can cross them one by one.

One mark down. Five to go.

And yes, the ice cream was worth it. 🍦