The design-heavy section. Programming, site, engineering coordination, cost, schematic design, and design development.
This is the section where your studio brain meets your office brain. You'll get asked how to set up a project, read a site, coordinate with consultants, sketch a building, and price it.
The references behind every practice question in Section 1.
Canadian Handbook of Practice
Building Construction Illustrated
Yardsticks for Costing
Construction cost data
Studio Companion
Advice from people who took the test and remember what tripped them up.
Try one
See how Examitect explains every answer with real book references.
Section 1 is the largest by topic count, covering six areas across design and analysis. Question counts vary by sitting, but expect the heaviest workload here.
No. Examiners aren't grading design talent, they're checking that you know the process. Strong process knowledge beats clever sketches every time.
Very. Yardsticks is the primary cost reference in Canadian practice and Section 1 leans on it for cost management questions. Get familiar with elemental cost categories.
Yes. Section 3's Final Project simulates the design process Section 1 tests in isolation. Section 1 prep makes Section 3 easier.
Each section is a separate test. Many candidates write them out of order.