I am on my 3rd attempt at studying for my license. First time in 2000..yes 25hrs ago. Life got in the way and than the format was changing and had to start over again. Started again in 2018 and well got married and moved cross country to start a new life. I am supposed to be taking the PcM exam in 2wks and I have FAILED all my practice exams and most of the quizes. I am seriously struggling to shift my mindset from being a total failure in my career. For those who are older how did you get through this??
@kateloska. totally understand your struggle. Only thing I can say is don’t get discouraged and stop. Quitting will only make you feel worse. I struggled initially but after several attempts completed the Pro Practice exams.
What I learned through failing was valuable information and strategies for retakes. My mantra…Run your own race. You’re never too old and it’s not too late! . Best wishes
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Welcome to the ARE Community, @kateloska! We are happy to have you here!
First off - you are NOT and will never be a failure! The ARE is very challenging and it is so common to have a miss (or multiple) along the way. Many very successful architects did not pass an exam or two, but it does not make them less of an architect. The fact that you are here and tackling this endeavor again just shows your perseverance and commitment to becoming a licensed architect.
Have you checked out any of our Virtual Workshops? They are live sessions held every Sunday at 2-4 PM Central, and give you a chance to dive deeper into the most difficult ARE topics, all while collaborating with peers and a registered architect coach. If you are struggling with a particular topic or just need some additional practice for approaching tricky ARE questions, this is a great way to supplement your studying.
You should also check out our most recent ARE Live episodes, where we discussed how to pass the ARE 5.0 - how much to study, how to utilize your study materials to their greatest potential, how to tackle tricky questions, and general tips for staying focused along the way.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can further assist you along this journey. You got this and we are all rooting for you! 
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Black Spectacles