PjM practice quiz
Here you can take our Project Management quizzes to help you study or if you’re simply wanting to keep your skills sharp.
We’re no longer posting new quiz questions to this channel but we will be releasing Project Management quizzes in our subscriptions later this year.
Question 7:
3/2/2020
An owner provided contract has the following clause:
“The Architect shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the client, and its officers, directors, employees, lenders, and agents, from and against all liability, loss, damage or expense, including attorney’s fees arising out of or related to the Architect’s services, whether caused by or contributed to by the Client or any other party indemnified herein, unless caused by the sole negligence of the Client.”
What should the architect do?
A. Sign the agreement as is because the clause is normal and expected and offers a high level of legal protection for the client
B. Strike out the entire clause because it places a high level of unnecessary risk on the architect
C. Edit the clause to indemnify only but not defend and hold harmless
D. Strike out the additional parties after the client “officers, directors, employees, and agents” in order to limit the risk to the architect
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Strike out the entire clause because it places a high level of unnecessary risk on the architect.
This clause places a higher level of risk on the architect than is required by the law or industry standards. The clause is written in a way that the architect would be responsible for things outside of their control and outside of the coverage of their professional liability insurance.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 8:
3/9/2020
An employee in an architecture firm receives an email from a client. In the email, the client asks to have a post-occupancy evaluation performed. The employee needs to check the contract in order to determine if this service is part of basic services or should be billed as an additional service.
Where should the employee look for this information?
A. A101
B. B101
C. C401
D. G701
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. B101.
The B101 is the Owner-Architect Agreement. Article 3 outlines the architect’s basic services and Article 4 outlines the architect’s supplemental services.
The A101 is the Owner-Contractor Agreement. The C401 is the Architect-Consultant Agreement. The G701 is Change Orders.
Ref: AIA B101
Question 9:
3/16/2020
A restaurant and bar has a mezzanine. The access to the mezzanine will be via a prefabricated steel stair. The design of the stair will be the responsibility of the supplier and shall bear the stamp of a professional engineer.
What is the name given to this transfer of responsibility from the architect to the supplier?
A. Design assist
B. Special design
C. Delegated design
D. Prescriptive specification
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Delegated design.
Delegated design is when the architect delegates a portion of the design to the contractor or their subs or suppliers. Other examples of delegated design are the design of excavation shoring and metal framing.
Ref: Architectural Graphic Standards
Question 10:
3/23/2020
A newly licensed architect is evaluating the risks associated with professional practice. Their firm focuses on large healthcare and school projects.
In which of the following situations might the firm be found liable for damages?
A. Designed a roof that doesn’t drain properly
B. Produced a poorly functioning floor plan
C. Failed to include door hardware information in the construction documents
D. Detailed a stair with 80 inches of headroom measured from the leading edge of the nosing
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. Designed a roof that doesn’t drain properly.
Designing a roof that doesn’t drain is outside the standard of care.
Producing a poorly functioning plan is likely not something the architect will have to pay damages for as there is no breach of contract or act of gross negligence. Failure to include door hardware information on a set of plans is not something the architect is likely to pay damages for because no set of drawings is expected to be perfect and this is easily fixed. Since a stair has a minimum code-required clearance of 80 inches, there is no error in answer D that suggest damages were incurred.
Ref: Law for Architects
Question 11:
3/30/2020
A performance bond guarantees the contractor will finish the contract. It protects the owner from an unfinished project or subpar work by the contractor.
The bond is between which of the following parties?
A. Owner and architect
B. Owner and contractor
C. Surety and contractor
D. Surety and owner
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Surety and contractor.
The surety company bonds the contractor. This means in the event that the contractor fails to carry out the contract, the surety will either complete the contract or pay the sum needed for completion.
Ref: AIA A201; The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 12:
4/6/2020
During the construction phase of a renovation to an historic building, a unique and interesting masonry bonding pattern was discovered after some siding was removed. The masonry and the mortar are both slightly deteriorated.
Based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standard for the Treatment of Historic Buildings, what should the architect recommend?
A. Replace the deteriorated portions
B. Carefully repair the masonry
C. Cover the deteriorated masonry
D. Leave the masonry as-is
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Carefully repair the masonry.
Because the deterioration is slight, the architect should recommend repairing the masonry. This is based on The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation Guidelines which say that historic masonry should be preserved and receive the least degree of intervention possible.
Ref: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
Question 13:
4/13/2020
A project team will produce the construction documents according to a predetermined schedule and release the documents in a series of bid packages.
How is this project delivery type identified?
A. Owner build
B. Fast-track
C. Multiple prime
D. Integrated project delivery
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Fast-track.
In fast-track projects, the design drawings are broken into multiple packages and bid as they are finished. This allows the overall project schedule to be compressed.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 14:
4/20/2020
An architecture firm hires another architecture firm as a consultant.
What is the name of the AIA document that is used for this type of agreement?
A. G703
B. B101
C. D200
D. C401
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. C401.
The C401 is the standard form of agreement for architects and consultants, including other architects.
The G703 is the continuation sheet which is attached to the contractor’s pay application. B101 is the owner-architect agreement. D200 is a project checklist.
Ref: AIA C401; The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 15:
4/21/2020
A project owner and a general contractor use the A101 and A201 for the basis of their agreement for providing construction services. The project owner wishes to hire a cabinetmaker directly to install some cabinetry and shelving units.
Which statement is correct regarding this scenario?
A. The cabinets may only be installed after the general contractor has completed their work in full
B. The cabinetmaker must submit a bid to the general contractor and win the contract for the cabinets and shelving
C. The owner must tell the general contractor of their intentions prior to bidding
D. This arrangement is not possible with the A101/201 documents and other documents must be used
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. The owner must tell the general contractor of their intentions prior to bidding.
The contractor needs to know what is not in their contract prior to bidding so they don’t include it in their contract.
Ref: A201 Article 6; Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings
Question 16:
5/4/2020
A project team determines they have 60 hours to complete the design and construction documents for a small office tenant space. They decide that 25% of the time should go to developing the schematic design presentation. This time will be split equally between two staff members, an intermediate architect and an interior designer. The architect is billed out at $150 an hour and the interior designer is billed out at $125 an hour. The firm’s multiplier is 3.15.
What is the total billing amount for the schematic design presentation?
$____
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is $2,062.50.
60 hours x 0.25 = 15 hours
15 / 2 = 7.5 hours
7.5 hours x $150 = $1125
7.5 hours x $125 = $937.50
$1125 + $937.50 = $2,062.50
Note that the multiplier given is not used in the calculation.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 17:
5/11/2020
A project owner and an architect use B101 for the owner-architect agreement. The owner wants to know what the schematic design phase is going to entail.
Which describes the purpose of the schematic design phase?
A. To research the scope of work to be performed
B. To develop an approach to resolve issues and requirements
C. To consider every design decision and revise as necessary
D. To clearly describe what is to be built
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. To develop an approach to resolve issues and requirements.
Schematic design is a period of analysis where key issues are identified followed by a period of synthesis where the design concept is formed.
Ref: Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings; The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice; B101
Question 18:
5/18/2020
An owner-contractor agreement for a construction project is the standard AIA A101 and A201.
Which correctly describe this agreement? Select the three that apply.
A. Multiple prime
B. Single prime
C. General contract
D. Subcontract
E. Stipulated sum
F. Cost-plus
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answers are:
B. Single prime
C. General contract
E. Stipulated sum
The A101/201 agreement is for a single prime general contract with a stipulated sum as the basis for payment.
Ref: A101 and A201; Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings
Question 19:
5/25/2020
At the beginning of a project, the owner does not have a program and would like the architect to develop one.
Based on the B101, which statement is correct?
A. The owner should engage the services of a professional programmer
B. The architect should recommend an AIA standardized program
C. The architect should allow the program to develop out of the site analysis
D. The architect can develop an architectural program as an additional service
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. The architect can develop an architectural program as an additional service.
Based on the B101, programming is outside the scope of basic services and is an additional service.
Choice A is incorrect because although the owner might want to engage a professional programmer, the question is asking about provisions in the B101. Choice B is incorrect because there are no such standardized programs published by the AIA. Choice C is incorrect because the program reflects the needs of the client such as square footage requirements and functional relationships.
Ref: B101
Question 20:
6/1/2020
A project is going out to bid.
Which of the following aspects of the project is covered in Division 01 of the specifications?
A. Site remediation
B. Geotech report
C. Payment procedures
D. Seismic information
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Payment procedures.
Division 01 of the specifications contains the General Requirements. This is where administrative and procedural information related to the job is found including payment procedures.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 21:
6/8/2020
The following consultants are on the team for the design and construction of a 600-unit independent living facility. The architect will retain most of the consultants in order to provide a single point of contact for the owner. However, some of the consultants are best retained by the owner.
Which consultants should be retained by the owner? Select the three that apply.
A. Land use attorney
B. Structural engineer
C. Geotechnical engineer
D. Kitchen equipment consultant
E. Interior designer
F. Traffic analyst
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answers are:
A. Land use attorney
C. Geotechnical engineer
F. Traffic analyst
In order to form a cohesive design, the architect should lead the design team. The design team includes the structural engineer, kitchen consultant, and interior designer.
Choice A is incorrect because land use attorneys advise owners on laws pertaining to zoning laws and land use ordinances. Land use attorneys are not part of the design team and their work does not need to be coordinated by the architect. Choice C is incorrect because the architect should not include geotechnical engineering in their scope for liability reasons. Geotechnical information is related to the existing site and is not a design discipline and therefore should be retained by the owner. Furthermore, most insurance policies carried by architects do not include coverage for errors or omissions related to geotechnical engineering. Choice F is incorrect because traffic analysts provide information to the owner to help make decisions about a project, but they are not part of the design team and their work does not need to be coordinated by the architect.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 22:
6/15/2020
The project manual for a large mixed-use building is being prepared.
Based on the best practices of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), which specification phrase is written correctly?
A. Installation of all equipment and materials shall provide required access for servicing and maintenance.
B. Furnish and install all electrical control circuit conduits, wiring, and control devices required to perform the equipment control functions as specified in Division 23.
C. The electrical contractor shall provide the best possible workmanship and perform all work in a first-class manner.
D. The M&O manuals shall be organized into suitable sets of manageable size and bound into individual binders properly identified and indexed.
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Furnish and install all electrical control circuit conduits, wiring, and control devices required to perform the equipment control functions as specified in Division 23.
Choice A is incorrect because specifications should be written in the imperative form. The imperative form often starts with a verb: “Install all equipment and materials to provide required access for servicing and maintenance.” Choice C is incorrect because the criteria for workmanship described in the specification is subjective. Specifications should give objective and measurable criteria such as referencing certain trade standards or giving specific allowable tolerances. Choice D is incorrect because abbreviations such as M&O should be avoided in specifications where there is ample room. Maintenance and operations manuals should be written out.
Ref: CSI Project Resource Manual; CSI Project Delivery Guide
Question 23:
6/22/2020
The fire-resistance ratings of building materials and assemblies are determined by procedures conducted in controlled environments.
These procedures are set forth in which of the following?
A. IBC Chapter 9
B. ANSI 117.1
C. ASCE 7-10
D. ASTM E 119
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. ASTM E 119.
ASTM 119 is the Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. The test methods described in this standard are applicable to structural materials for buildings, including bearing and other walls and partitions, columns, girders, beams, slabs, and composite slab and beam assemblies for floors and roofs. These test methods are also applicable to other assemblies and materials in buildings.
Choice A is the chapter in IBC that describes provisions for Fire Protection Systems (sprinklers and standpipes) in buildings. Choice B is the Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. Choice C is the Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. It provides requirements for building structural design including means for determining dead, live, soil, flood, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, and wind loads, as well as their combinations.
Ref: IBC 2015 Section 703.2
Question 24:
6/29/2020
A new manufacturing facility is proposed. The one story 70,000 s.f. facility will be used to manufacture custom plastic components used in healthcare. Alongside the manufacturing, design and engineering of the components as well as sales and marketing are also located in the building.
Which is the most important factor for addressing indoor air quality during schematic design?
A. Creating a waste management plan
B. Building location on the site
C. HVAC system design
D. Room adjacencies
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. Room adjacencies
Off-gassing is the major concern here. In schematic design, separating areas by use will do the most to provide a quality indoor air environment.
Choice A is not part of schematic design. Choice B doesn’t have much to do with this scenario. Choice C becomes important only after uses have been separated in a schematic layout.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 25:
7/6/2020
At the beginning of schematic design for a renovation to a 1920’s office building, the project owner tells the architect that an environmental site assessment (ESA) was already performed on the property.
When are environmental site assessments (ESAs) performed?
A. When the property was purchased
B. Concurrent with the topographical survey
C. During inspection by the jurisdiction
D. With the last upgrade of the HVAC system
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. When the property was purchased
Nearly all lenders for commercial and industrial real estate transactions require an environmental site assessment (ESA). A Phase 1 ESA is used to screen a site for potential environmental contamination. The assessment includes both the land and any improvements to the site.
Ref: Site Planning and Design Handbook
Question 26:
7/13/2020
Which are the primary benefits to using BIM software? Select the three that apply.
A. Quantity take-offs
B. Clash detection
C. Consultant coordination
D. Aligns with the business model
E. Ease of implementation
F. Assists with design visualization
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is
B. Clash detection
C. Consultant coordination
F. Assists with design visualization
Visualization, clash detection, and consultant coordination are three of the primary benefits that architecture firms experience by using BIM. Another primary benefit not listed is energy modeling.
While choice A is a benefit of BIM, it is not a primary benefit since the architect is not responsible for quantity take-offs. Choice D is incorrect and, in fact, the opposite is true because the traditional business model and workflow of architecture is changing to a more integrated approach in response to BIM. Choice E is incorrect because many firms, especially smaller firms, report difficulties related to adopting and implementing BIM software. According to the book, BIM and Integrated Design, it is the social factors that determine whether a firm successfully works in BIM.
Ref: BIM and Integrated Design; The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 27:
7/20/2020
An architect is contracted to design a mixed-use building.
During which phase should space for mechanical equipment be worked into the design?
A. Schematic design
B. Early design development
C. Late design development
D. Construction documents
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. Schematic design
Since mechanical systems have an impact on building planning, the initial system selection, initial distribution ideas, and required space allocations for the equipment should be made in the schematic design phase.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 28:
7/27/2020
What statements are correct regarding submittals in a construction project? Select all that apply.
A. Submittals are an important step in the value engineering process
B. Architects shall stamp engineering submittals after engineers stamp them
C. Contractors shall review all submittals before submission to the architect
D. The architect should mark the date the submittal was received in a log or database
E. Preparing submittals is a time-consuming process for the architect
F. Preparing submittals is a time-consuming process for the contractor
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Contractors shall review all submittals before submission to the architect
D. The architect should mark the date the submittal was received in a log or database
E. Preparing submittals is a time-consuming process for the architect
F. Preparing submittals is a time-consuming process for the contractor
Choices C, D, E, and F are all correct. Choice A is incorrect because submittals are not to be used to propose substitutions or change the contract sum. Choice B is incorrect because architects do not stamp engineering submittals.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, pages 724-726
Question 29:
8/3/2020
Tax increment financing (TIF) is a financing method used to help pay for development and infrastructure.
For what type of property is TIF financing often used?
A. Undeveloped
B. Blighted
C. Superfund
D. Gentrified
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Blighted
TIFs divert future property tax revenue increases to stimulate development. It is a type of government subsidy to spur private investment in areas that are blighted or rundown.
Ref: Planning and Urban Design Standards, student edition, page 403
Question 30:
8/10/2020
An architect is assisting a project owner with preparing the contract for construction. The project owner proposes several modifications to the standard contract.
Who else should the owner seek to help write the contract? Select the two that apply.
A. Legal counsel
B. Major subcontractors
C. Major consultants
D. General contractor
E. Construction manager
F. Insurance professional
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
**The Answer is **
A. Legal counsel
F. Insurance professional
Construction projects are risky and both the owner’s and contractor’s legal counsel and insurance professionals should be consulted.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 1083; Professional Practice, A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings, pages 90-91
Question 31:
8/17/2020
A construction project proceeds with the A101/A201 documents.
Who typically has no direct line of communication with the architect?
A. Subcontractor
B. Building official
C. General contractor
D. Construction manager
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. Subcontractor
Subcontractors only communicate directly with the general contractor. Architects should not give instruction to subcontractors and subcontractors should not seek information from or ask questions directly to the architect.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, figure 10.27
Question 32:
8/24/2020
An architect needs to know which services are basic services included in the owner-architect agreement and which are additional services.
Based on AIA B101-2017, what should be considered an additional service?
A. Assistance in bid analysis
B. Answer questions from the contractor
C. Revisions due to contractor substitution requests
D. Provide a cost estimate at design development phase
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Revisions due to contractor substitution requests
When changes to the design are proposed by the contractor via substitution requests, the architect and their consultants are entitled to compensation to make the changes. The other three choices are all part of the architect’s basic services.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 956, AIA B101-2015 section 3.5.2.3.
Question 33:
8/31/2020
Disputes can come up during the course of construction projects. These disputes can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful.
What form of dispute resolution is the most private, quickest, and least expensive?
A. Litigation
B. Jury trial
C. Mediation
D. Arbitration
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Mediation
The first line of defense is preventing disputes but when they do come up, mediation is the least expensive, quickest, and it is private. Mediation is a facilitated negotiation with a third party mediator. The AIA and professional liability insurers who protect architects from claims prefer mediation as the first step in the dispute resolution process for these reasons.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, section 16.4
Question 34:
9/07/2020
An architect is starting a new retail project and is researching the government requirements and restrictions that will inform the design of the project.
What is expected to be regulated by zoning? Select all that apply.
A. Sanitation
B. Lot coverage
C. Building height
D. Floor area ratio
E. Light and ventilation
F. Size and location of signage
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answers are:
B. Lot coverage
C. Building height
D. Floor area ratio
F. Size and location of signage
Zoning codes regulate lot coverage, building height and bulk, floor area ratio (FAR), and signage among other things.
Choice A, sanitation, is regulated by the plumbing code. Choice E, light and ventilation, is regulated by the building code.
Ref: Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings, chapter 12
Question 35:
9/14/2020
A single-story wood-framed structure will be used to store 3 vans and some supplies for a locksmith company. The building is accessory to the main building on the lot.
How is this building classified in the building code?
A. B-occupancy
B. H-occupancy
C. S-occupancy
D. U-occupancy
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. U-occupancy
Buildings classified as group U are utility buildings. This group includes sheds, carports, garages, greenhouses, agricultural buildings, and other secondary and accessory buildings.
Ref: International Building Code (2015) section 312; The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 36:
9/21/2020
A typical construction contract has several distinct parts that all work together.
Besides the drawings, what other documents complete a typical contract agreement? Select all that apply.
A. Specifications
B. Geotechnical report
C. Instructions to bidders
D. Qualification statement
E. Owner-contractor agreement
F. General and supplementary conditions
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answers are
A. Specifications
E. Owner-contractor agreement
F. General and supplementary conditions
A typical construction contract includes these essential documents: owner-contractor agreement, conditions of the contract (both general and supplementary), and the drawings and specifications.
Choices B, C, and D are not contract documents.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 1085
Question 37:
9/28/2020
A project is in early design and both the architect and client are actively making decisions about the design.
The architect should NOT make decisions regarding what? Select the three that apply.
A. Time
B. Codes
C. Scope
D. Quality
E. Materials
F. Aesthetics
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answers are
A. Time
C. Scope
D. Quality
The architect provides recommendations but it is the owner who makes decisions regarding scope, quality, and time.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 590
Question 38:
10/6/2020
An architect forms the results of the architectural programming phase into a couple of different preliminary concepts for a new medical center. The site is a whole city block that is currently a rundown parking lot.
Who should the architect meet with to determine what codes and laws apply to the design?
A. Zoning board
B. City engineer
C. Design review board
D. Local governmental authorities
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. Local governmental authorities
Early in almost every project, the architect should meet with the appropriate person in the local building and land use departments to determine what zoning, building, and other codes and regulations apply to the specific project.
Choice A, zoning boards, hear appeals of decisions rendered by zoning administrators and make decisions on applications from landowners to allow buildings and land use which vary from the zoning regulations. Choice B, city engineer, is a civil engineer who works for a municipal government and directs and oversees key engineering functions of the city such as transportation infrastructure, drainage, and utilities. Choice D, design review board, are found in some cities. Design review boards are often a board of citizen volunteers that review development proposals for consistency with local design standards.
Ref: Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings, page 128
Question 39:
10/13/2020
A developer approaches an architect with a project that they have deemed to be feasible based on a detailed financial analysis. The developer has a document that shows the calculations and projected return of the investment.
What is this document called?
A. Pro forma
B. Balance sheet
C. Profit and loss statement
D. Statement of highest and best use
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Pro forma
A pro forma is a financial document that is used in real estate feasibility studies to calculate the financial outcome of a proposed development.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 1132
Question 40:
10/20/2020
An architecture firm is providing design and contract administration services for a new building.
What activity is the responsibility of the architecture firm?
A. Provide quantity take-offs of materials
B. Ensure worker safety during construction
C. Determine means and methods of construction
D. Record project documentation and communication
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. Record project documentation and communications
While contract administration services vary from project to project, one of the roles of the architect in every contract administration is exchanging information with the owner and contractor and recording project documentation.Choices B, C, and D all fall under means and methods which is the responsibility of the contractor, not the architect.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 713
Question 41:
10/27/2020
An architect is preparing a project work plan for a new medical center.
What should be included in the plan?
A. Scope of work to be contracted to outside consultants
B. Plan for optimizing staff performance through technology
C. Potential scope changes that could result in additional services
D. Contingency plan to implement if the project does not go as planned
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. Scope of work to be contracted to outside consultants
A project work plan is a project management tool for accurately planning and monitoring projects. A project work plan includes information about:- The contracted scope of services
- The staff resources required to do the work
- Information about consultant requirements and scope of work
- Milestones and an overall project schedule
- Requirements for owner reviews and approvals
- Information about staff billing rates and overhead costs
Having a project work plan allows the project manager to gain a better understanding of the contracted work, develop fees, monitor scope changes and their cause, turn a profit, identify and take necessary corrective measures if the project is not performing according to the plan, and more.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, chapter 10.3
Question 42:
11/3/2020
A fire alarm pull is located in the corridor of an office building.
Based on accessibility codes, what is the maximum height on the wall the alarm pull can be located?
___ inches
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is 48 inches
The maximum accessible vertical reach is 48 inches.
Ref: ICC A117.1-2009 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities figure 308.2.1; 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design figure 308.2.1
Question 43:
11/10/2020
The design team must coordinate the space above the ceiling where the ductwork, lighting, sprinkler piping, and conduit are located.
What is the space above the ceiling called?
A. Void
B. Shaft
C. Cavity
D. Plenum
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D Plenum
The space above the ceiling is called the plenum. Several building systems are located in the plenum and must be coordinated among the various design team members.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 592
Question 44:
11/17/2020
The contractor for a new convention center sends the following RFI’s to the architect.
RFI#1: The notes on sheet A-700 Exterior Elevations appear to be partially cut off. Please provide this information in full.
RFI#2: The electrical plans show hard ceilings with wall-mounted lighting in the restrooms but the architectural plans indicate recessed lighting in a lay-in ceiling. Please clarify.
RFI#3: The specifications for the site furniture were not included in the project manual. Please provide the site furniture specifications.
RFI#4: The stairs down to the boiler room are not detailed to indicate the steps and levels needed to build them. Please provide details and sections through these stairs.
The architect budgets their time spent on RFI’s according to the following metrics:
Type 1: Confirming or clarifying illegible information: 2 hours
Type 2: Deficient coordination or missing information: 5 hours
Type 3: Serious code or contract issues that were overlooked early in the project: 8 hours
Based on the architect’s metric for estimating their time, how many hours should the architect plan for in reviewing the RFI’s listed?
____ hours
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is 17 hours
Tally up the hours as follows:
RFI #1: type 1, 2 hours
RFI #2: type 2, 5 hours
RFI #3: type 2, 5 hours
RFI #4: type 2, 5 hours
17 total hours
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 817
Question 45
11/24/2020
The architect must estimate the cost for a construction project.
What type of construction cost estimating is the most accurate?
A. Unit price
B. Assembly
C. Cubic foot
D. Square foot
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
Of those listed, assembly is the most accurate. Assembly estimating includes the cost of all the materials and labor to complete a unit of work. For example, an interior door assembly might include the door, frame, trim, hardware, and the labor necessary to complete the work. Assembly costs estimating makes it easy to compare different systems. Assembly cost estimating is also sometimes called elemental or subsystem estimating.
Choices A, C, and D are all conceptual methods for cost estimating and thus are only for preliminary estimating. The most accurate form of estimating is not mentioned in the question which is quantity surveying. Quantity surveying includes a detailed analysis of all material, equipment, and labor needed to complete the work.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 46
12/1/20
An architect is given the role of project manager at their new firm.
What is the key goal for a project manager?
A. Organize and facilitate the work
B. Allocate firm resources to projects
C. Manage the expectations of the client
D. Demonstrate leadership and authority
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Manage the expectations of the client
The key goal for a project manager is to understand the client’s goals, requirements, and communication needs and to align the firm’s services to these expectations and make adjustments as necessary.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, chapter 10.3; Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings, chapter 11
Question 47:
12/7/20
A design project in an architecture firm is to be staffed as follows:
Schematic Design: 2 weeks duration, 1 staff person per week, 38 hours per week
Design Development: 3 weeks duration, 0.75 staff person per week, 38 hours per week
Construction Documents: 5 weeks duration, 1.25 staff persons per week, 38 hours per week
Bidding and Negotiations: 3 weeks duration, 0.5 staff person per week, 5 hours per week
Construction Administration: 38 weeks duration, 1 staff person per week, 8 hours per week
The net architect’s fee is 3.5% of the construction cost. The average hourly billing rate of the firm’s employees is $130 an hour.
For the design development portion of the project, what is the firm’s anticipated fee?
$_____
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is $ $11,115
The duration of the design development portion of the project is 3 weeks. The staffing plan shows that 0.75 people for 38 hours a week.
3 weeks x 0.75 people x 38 hours a week = 85.5 manhours
Calculate the anticipated fee by multiplying the number of hours by the average hourly fee.
85.5 x $130 = $11,115
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 48
12/14/20
A construction project will be delivered with an integrated approach (IPD).
What AIA document establishes the duties of the owner, architect, and contractor for this project?
A. A133
B. A201
C. A295
D. A305
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. A295
AIA A295-2008 is the General Conditions of the Contract for Integrated Project Delivery. This document establishes the roles and responsibilities of the owner, architect, and contractor.
Ref: AIA A295-2008
Question 49
12/21/20
A design team is classifying building products according to systems and assemblies without regard to the material or method of construction. This system of organizing building data is used alongside the BIM software as objects are placed in the model while leaving specific properties of the element to be developed later.
What building classification system is described?
A. UniFormat
B. Master Specifications
C. Uniform Commercial Code
D. Preliminary Project Description
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. UniFormat
UniFormat is a specification and cost estimating tool developed by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) that breaks a building into seven functional elements without regard to material or methods of installation. The seven elements are also refered to as assemblies or systems and are categorized as follows: substructure, shell, interiors, services, equipment and furnishings special construction and demolition, and building site work. The UniFormat system allows the building to be priced by the system and allows the design team to evaluate alternatives and compare costs.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 694
Question 50
12/28/20
An architect’s basic services are typically divided into 5 phases.
What are these phases?
A. Predesign, Design Development, Construction Documents, Contract Administration, Post-Occupancy
B. Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, Bidding and Negotiation, Contract Administration
C. Schematic Design, Design Development, Bidding and Negotiation, Contract Administration, Post-Occupancy
D. Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation, Contract Administration
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation, Contract Administration
The 5 phases are: Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation or Procurement, and Contract Administration.
Predesign, programming, and post-occupancy evaluations are supplemental services.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice; AIA B101-2017
Question 51
1/4/21
A potential building site lies in a Special Flood Hazard Area as shown on flood risk maps provided by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
What is the annual percent chance the site will flood?
A. 1%
B. 2%
C. 3%
D. 4%
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. 1%
A site in a Special Flood Hazard Area has a 1% chance of flooding in a given year (100-year storms). These areas are given the designation Zone A and Zone V on flood insurance rate maps published by FEMA. Moderate Flood Hazard Areas have a 0.2% risk of flooding in a given year (500-year storms) and are often designated as Zones B and X. Minimal Flood Hazard Areas lie above the 0.2% risk elevation.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 145
Question 52
1/10/21
A portion of the project manual for a specific project outlines the administrative and work-related provisions. These provisions include instructions for payment applications, submittals, substitution requests, daily logs, and requests for information (RFI).
Where in the project manual is this information found?
A. Division 01
B. Special Conditions
C. General Conditions
D. Instructions to Bidders
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. Division 01
Division 01 or General Requirements communicates the administrative and procedural requirements that govern all of the technical specification sections. Division 01 includes information about payment procedures, substitution requests, submittal requirements, and closeout documents.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 690
Question 53
1/18/21
An architect is doing the code analysis for a new warehouse building. The client does not want to include fire sprinklers in the building.
What should the architect propose to accomplish the client’s goal?
A. Design the warehouse as a one-story facility
B. Change the occupancy classification to something less stringent
C. Reduce the number of occupants to a number below the threshold limits
D. Provide fire walls or barriers to separate the building into separate fire areas
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. Provide fire walls or barriers to separate the building into separate fire areas
The fire area is the combined area of the floor in between fire walls, fire barriers, (but NOT fire partitions), exterior walls or horizontal (fire barrier) assemblies within a building. Fire walls allow separate buildings to be created, codewise. Fire separations may be used as a design alternative to sprinklering a building or upgrading the construction type. As long as each individual area falls below the threshold limits, no sprinkler system is required.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 871; International Building Code (2018) section 907.1
Question 54
1/25/21
Refer to the diagram.
What description matches the diagram?
A. Design-build
B. Design-build bridged
C. Integrated project delivery
D. Construction manager at risk
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Integrated project delivery
Integrated project delivery (IPD) is a multi-party agreement between the owner, architect, and contractor. The project participants jointly share in the success or failure of the project.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, figure 9.1
Question 55
2/1/21
During the construction documents phase, the client requests that the rooftop unit (RTU) be relocated.
How should the architect proceed regarding this request?
A. Revise the construction documents
B. Issue a construction change directive
C. Review design options with engineers
D. Review the change with the contractor
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Review design options with engineers
The architect and engineers should review the proposed changes and resolve any coordination issues related to the change.
Choice A is incorrect because the architect would need to coordinate the changes with the consulting engineers. Choices B and D are incorrect because these actions occur during construction, not during the construction documents phase as given in the question.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 592
Question 56
2/8/21
Together with the drawings, the specifications describe the work to be completed on a construction project.
Generally speaking, what is the intent of the project specifications?
A. To provide details on the finishes to be installed in the project
B. To identify the quantity of each material to be used in the project
C. To communicate the quality of workmanship for the proposed work
D. To ensure that sustainable products and materials will be included in the project
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. To communicate the quality of workmanship for the proposed work
Generally speaking, specifications are written to communicate the type and quality of materials, products, and systems while the drawings communicate the quantity, design, location, and dimensions.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 689
Question 57
2/15/21
A construction project is fixed fee and bid by invitation only.
Who signs the owner-contractor agreement?
A. Contractor only
B. Owner and contractor
C. Architect and contractor
D. Owner, architect, and contractor
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Owner and contractor
The owner and the contractor are the two parties who are entering into a contract and sign the owner-contractor agreement.
Ref: AIA A101-2017
Question 58
2/23/21
The exterior cladding for a project comes with a 15 year warranty.
According to AIA A201 General Conditions, when does the warranty period start?
A. Owner makes final payment
B. General contractor accepts the installation
C. Siding contractor completes the installation
D. Architect issues the certificate of substantial completion
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. Architect issues the certificate of substantial completion
Section 3.5.2 of AIA A201-2017 General Conditions states that "All material, equipment, or other special warranties required by the Contract Documents shall be issues in the name of the Owner, or shall be transferable to the Owner, and shall commence in accordance with Section 9.8.4.
Section 9.8.4 states that the architect will issue a certificate of substantial completion that establishes a date of substantial completion and that warranties will commence on this date.
Ref: AIA A201-2017 section 3.5.2; The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 1090
Question 59
3/1/21
A project manager in an architecture firm must create a project work plan to allocate resources and project revenue.
What is an element of successful project work planning?
A. Alignment of the project work plan with the building’s program
B. Project budgets are developed using both bottom-up and top-down approaches
C. Monitoring of the project work plan at the 1/3 point and again at end of the project
D. Using percentage of construction cost as a way to determine a project’s design fees
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Project budgets are developed using both bottom-up and top-down approaches
Project work planning helps the firm achieve profitability, schedule staff, set project milestones, and monitor project progress. Top-down budgeting is when a budget is set from an upper limit. Top-down budgeting allows project managers to determine fees based on targets and macroeconomic forces. Bottom-up budgets are built from the ground up based on needs. Bottom-up budgets allow project managers to determine fees based on company specifics such as staffing and scheduling. Combining the two approaches creates a realistic starting point with less likelihood that firm resources will be either under- or over-allocated.
Choice A is incorrect because the project work plan aligns with the contracted scope of services, not the building program. Choice C is incorrect because the project should be monitored throughout. Choice D is incorrect because while using percentage of construction cost to determine a project’s fees might be something the project manager does, there are many ways to figure project fees and building type, client type, and project delivery method all influence this choice.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 621
Question 60
3/8/21
A subcontractor wishes to make several substitutions to a construction project.
Who reviews and approves the proposed substitutions?
A. Owner
B. Architect
C. General contractor
D. Construction manager
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Architect
Product substitution requests from subcontractors are reviewed by the architect. The substitution request should include sufficient information for the architect to make a reasonable comparison of the original product and the proposed substitution.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 727
Question 61
3/15/21
A project architect in a firm earns a salary of $80,000 based off of a 2000 hour work year. The firm’s overhead rate is 1.25.
What is the hourly billing rate of the employee? Ignore any profit goals in your calculation.
$____
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is $90
This question is asking you for the break-even point. The break-even point is the overhead rate plus 1.
1.25 + 1 = 2.25
Find the employee’s hourly pay by dividing their annual salary by 2,000 hours.
$80,000 / 2,000 = $40/hr
Now multiply the employee’s hourly rate by the break even point.
$40 x 2.25 = $90
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 415
Question 62
3/22/21
An architect’s fee proposal is 8% for a mixed use project with a construction cost of $16,000,000. The fees for the architect’s consultants are 40% of the gross fee. The fee breakdown by phase is as follow:
- Schematic Design at 10%
- Design Development at 20%
- Construction Documents at 35%
- Bidding and Negotiations at 5%
- Construction Administration at 30%
Based on an average hourly rate of $120, how many hours does the architect have to complete the Schematic Design phase?
____ hours
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is 640 hours
First find the total fee.
$16,000,000 x 0.08 = $1,280,000.
Now find the architect’s portion of the fee which is 60% of the total fee.
$1,280,000 x 0.60 = $768,000
Find the amount of the fee allocated to the Schematic Design phase which is 10%.
$768,000 x 0.10 = $76,800
For the last step, find the number of hours available for Schematic Design based on the hourly rate given.
$76,800 / $120 hour = 640 hours to complete the SD phase.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 623-624
Question 63
3/29/21
An architecture firm’s total fee for a complex renovation project is $96,000. Of that fee, 40% goes to the architect’s engineering consultants. Of the remaining fee, 65% is allocated for the architect’s production team, and 35% for the management team.
The construction documents portion of the project is 40% of the fee.
How much of the fee is allocated to the architect’s production team for the construction documents phase?
$_____
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is $14,976
$96,000 x 0.60 = $57,600
$57,600 x 0.65 = $37,440
$37,440 x 0.40 = $14,976
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 64
4/5/21
Refer to the critical path diagram.
What activity has the most float?
A. HVAC
B. Roofing
C. Electrical
D. Sheathing
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Electrical
A task that can be completed in less time than the critical path has float. Float is slack in the schedule where the time frame that a task can be completed can be delayed without affecting the overall schedule.
To find the activity that has the most float, first find the critical path which is the longest path from start to finish. The critical path is excavation, foundation, framing, roofing, finishes.
Electrical has the most float because it can start at milestone 2 and end at milestone 3. Framing is the activity with the longest time to complete with the same beginning and ending as the electrical work. Since framing is shown to take 18 days to complete and electrical will take 8 days, electrical has a float of 10 days.
Choice A has a float of 4 days. Choice B has a float of 0 days as it forms part of the critical (longest) path. Choice C has a float of 4 days.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 11th edition, page 632
Question 65
4/12/21
An architecture firm was recently awarded a project for a small restaurant. The architect’s fee is fixed at $6,000. The project is expected to take 60 hours to complete.
If the firm’s net multiplier is 3.3, what is the maximum hourly rate of the employee that should complete the project? Provide your answer to the nearest whole number.
$____
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is $30
First find the target billing rate.
$6,000 / 60 hours = $100
Then divide the hours by the net multiplier.
$100 / 3.3 = $30.30, which rounds to $30.
Note that the math could also be performed in reverse order:
($6000 / 3.3)/60 hours = $30.30
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, chapter 10.3
Question 66
4/19/21
An architecture firm reports the following financial data:
Indirect expenses: $2,600,000
Direct labor $1,600,000
In order for the firm to break even, how much is an employee who makes $40 an hour billed out to the client?
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is $105
First calculate the firm’s overhead rate by dividing the total indirect expenses by the total direct labor expenses.
$2,600,000 / $1,600,000 = 1.625
Then find the break even rate by adding 1 to the overhead rate.
1.625 + 1 = 2.625
To find the employee’s billable rate, multiply the employee’s hourly rate by the break even rate.
2.625 x $40/hour = $105/hour
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition
Question 67
4/26/21
Consider the following project.
Total construction cost: $600,000
Gross design fee: 10%
Consultant share of the fee: 35%
Direct expense and contingency budget: 10% combined (5% each)
What is the project labor budget?
$____
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is $35,100
First find the total design fee as a percentage of construction.
$600,000 x 0.10 = $60,000
Next find the architect’s portion of the fee, which is 65% of the total design fee.
$60,000 x 0.65 = $39,000
For the last step, find the amount of the fee allocated to the labor budget by subtracting the direct expense and contingency budgets.
$39,000 x 0.10 = $3,900
$39,000 - $3,900 = $35,100
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 623
Question 68
5/3/21
An employee at an architecture firm needs to find the net service revenue in order to prepare a project work plan.
How can the employee calculate the net service revenue (NSR)?
A. Subtract the consultant’s fee from the gross fee
B. Divide overhead amount by direct labor amount
C. Multiply their hourly salary times the break-even multiplier
D. Subtract the non-reimbursable expenses and contingency from the net fee
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. Subtract the consultant’s fee from the gross fee
Net service revenue is the net fee which is determined by subtracting consultant fees from the gross fee for a project.
Choice B finds the overhead rate. Choice C finds an employee’s hourly billing rate. Choice D finds the project labor budget.
The Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 625
Question 69
5/10/21
A project nears completion of the design development phase. The project report shows the following:
Schematic design:
- Budgeted hours: 25
- Job to date hours billed: 32
Design development:
- Budgeted hours: 48
- Job to date hours billed: 46
Construction documents:
- Budgeted hours: 120
- Job to date hours billed: 0
The architect on the project has a billable rate of $125 an hour.
What is the amount left to bill on the job? $_____
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is $14,375
First, add up the budgeted hours.
25 + 48 + 120 = 193 hours
Then add up the hours already billed.
32 + 46 = 78 hours
Subtract the total hours already billed from the total budgeted hours.
193 - 78 = 115 hours
Find the amount left to bill by multiplying the hours remaining times the employee’s billable rate.
115 hours x $125 = $14,375
The Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 633
Question 70
5/17/21
An architect is preparing to respond to a list of RFIs (requests for information) from a contractor on a junior high school building.
What RFI would take the architect the longest to respond to?
A. There is no window sill finish called out in detail drawing 9/A9.03.
B. Details in casework detail drawings do not match the plan dimensions.
C. The stair landing depth does not appear to meet minimum required depth per building code.
D. Ductwork and beam conflicts will not allow the 16 foot ceiling height in the multi-purpose room as shown on the reflected ceiling plan.
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. The stair landing depth does not appear to meet minimum required depth per building code.
RFI’s with code issues that should have been addressed early on will take the longest to answer. Addressing a stair landing that is too shallow will likely take a significant amount of time to address.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 817
Question 71
5/24/21
A young architect is learning to budget design projects in their firm. They have been given a net service revenue (NSR) of $120,000 for their project team.
What is included in the net service revenue (NSR)?
A. Permit fees
B. Consultant fees
C. Design contingency
D. Direct labor expenses
E. Reimbursable expenses
F. Non-reimbursable expenses
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answers are
C. Design contingency
D. Direct labor expenses
F. Non-reimbursable expenses
Net service revenue is the firm’s compensation minus the consultant’s fees. The architecture firm’s compensation covers direct labor, non-reimbursable expenses, and the design contingency.
Choice A, permit fees are not covered in the architect’s net fee. Choice B, consultant fees, are subtracted from the gross fee to get the net service revenue which is the amount of compensation for the firm to complete their portion of the project. Choice E, reimbursable expenses are not included in the net service revenue and are billed separately per project.
The Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 623
Question 72
5/31/21
Refer to the critical path shown.
What is the critical path?____ days
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is 10 days
The critical path is the longest path to complete the work. The longest path is: Procure steel (7 days) → Place steel (1 day) → Pour piers (2 days).
7 + 1 + 2 = 10 days
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 11th edition, page 632
Question 73
6/7/21
An architecture firm has a total design fee of $30,000. The Project Manager must estimate the weekly hours for each team member.
The following criteria must be considered:
-
The design team has 4 weeks to complete the work.
-
40% of the architect’s fee will go to engineering consultants.
-
The Principal Architect will need to devote 2 hours/week to the project
-
The Project Manager will need to devote 5 hours/week to the project
-
The remaining hours will be allocated equally to the Project Architect and Interior Designer
-
The Principal Architect’s hourly salary is $50/hour
-
The Project Manager’s hourly salary is $40/hour
-
The Project Architect’s hourly salary is $35/hour
-
The Interior Designer’s hourly salary is $25/hour
-
The firm’s multiplier is 3.0.
How many hours a week will the Project Architect work on the project?____hours
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is 20 hours
First find the amount of the design fee by taking out the fee allocated to the engineering consultants.
$30,000 x 0.6 = $18,000
Divide the net fee by 3 to work in direct labor costs.
$18,000 / 3 = $6,000
Since the project will last 4 weeks, divide by 4 to get the weekly fee allocation.
$6,000 / 4 = $1,500
Now find the amount that the Principal Architect and Project Manager will use every week based on the information provided.
Principal Architect: 2 hours x $50/hr = $100
Project Manager: 5 hours x $40/hr = $200
Now subtract those amounts from the weekly fee.
$1,500 - $100 - $200 = $1,200
The Project Architect and Interior Designer have $1,140 weekly to split between them. Set up an equation to find the number of hours that each will have to spend.
$35(x) + $25(x) = $1,200
x = 20 hours
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 74
6/14/21
A firm owner wishes to integrate the Six Sigma approach to quality management in their firm.
The Six Sigma approach is based on reducing what in production processes?
A. Risk
B. Variability
C. Redundancy
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is C. Variability
The Six Sigma management approach was developed by Motorola to improve production processes by reducing variations. The approach can be applied to any process, practice, or team including architecture firms. Some examples of the Six Sigma approach applied in the architecture industry are reducing variation in deliverables, employing consistent drawing and documentation processes across the firm, and approaching the construction drawing process from a critical path methodology to identify the activities that should occur at various phases during the design process.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, pages 672 and 814-815
Question 75
6/21/21
An architecture firm takes a gross fee of 6% for a new building. 40% of the gross fee will go to engineering consultants. The construction cost is $1,200,000.
Assuming an average of $150 an hour billable rate, what is the firm’s project labor budget in hours?____hrs
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is 288 hours
$1,200,000 x .06 = $72,000
$72,000 x 0.6 = $43,200
$43,200 / $150 per hour = 288 hours
The firm has 288 hours to complete the project.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 623
Question 76
7/1/21
Refer to the network diagram.
How many days of float are available for steel procurement?
__ days
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is 0 days
Float (or slack) is the amount of time that an activity can be delayed or extended from its start date without extending the completion of the entire project. Since procuring the steel will take 7 days and this activity is the longest of the concurrent activities (excavated and drill piers) there is no float, or slack. Any delays in procuring steel will delay the overall project finish time.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 11th edition, page 632; Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings, chapter 11
Question 77
7/26/21
A wood-framed one-story office building is under construction.
What task must be completed before a framing inspection can be done?
A. Roofing
B. Interior trim
C. Electrical rough-in
D. Install sediment control
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. Install sediment control
Installing sediment control is performed before any land is disturbed which is before excavation, foundations, and framing. All of the other activities occur after the framing and framing inspection are complete.
Ref: Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings, chapter 11
Question 78
8/03/21
A firm has a fee of $50,000 to design a custom home. The pre-design and schematic design phases are complete which together represent 20% of the contract amount.
What is the backlog of the project?
$___
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is ** $40,000**.
Backlog is the future revenue that can be expected to come into the firm with relative confidence. Since 20% of the fee is already earned, subtract that from the total to find the backlog.
$50,000 x 0.2 = $10,000
$50,000 - $10,000 = $40,000
The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 438
Question 79
8/10/21
An architecture firm has a design fee of $60,000 for a new hotel project. The firm manager must decide which team members should work on the project.
Employee A
- Experienced in the project type
- Billable rate is $130/hour
- Availability: 20 hours a week
- Licensed
Employee B
- Experienced in the project type
- Billable rate is $110/hour
- Availability: 20 hours a week
- Not licensed
Employee C
- Experienced in the project type
- Billable rate is $150/hour
- Availability: 15 hours a week
- Licensed
Employee D
- Not experienced in the project type
- Billable rate is $100/hour
- Availability: 40 hours a week
- Not licensed
The project shall be completed in 8 weeks.
What combination of employees should be selected to deliver the project?
A. Employee B for 20 hours a week, Employee C for 8 hours a week, and Employee D for 40 hours a week
B. Employee A for 20 hours a week, Employee B for 25 hours a week, and Employee C for 15 hours a week
C. Employee A for 10 hours a week, Employee B for 20 hours a week, and Employee C for 10 hours a week
D. Employee A for 25 hours a week, Employee C for 10 hours a week, and Employee D for 20 hours a week
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. Employee B for 20 hours a week, Employee C for 8 hours a week, and Employee D for 40 hours a week
Choice B can be eliminated right away because Employee B cannot work 25 hours a week and Choice D cannot be the correct answer because Employee A cannot work for 25 hours a week.
This leaves us with Choices A and C. First find the weekly fee allocation by dividing the total fee by the number of weeks.
$60,000 / 8 = $7,500
Check answer choice A to see if it meets the needs of the project:
Employee B: 20 hours x $110/hr = $2,200
Employee C: 8 hours x $150/hr = $1,200
Employee D: 40 hours x $10/hr = $4,000
Total: $7,400
Weekly total is just under the weekly fee allocation, so this looks like a good choice.
Now check answer choice C:
Employee A: 10 hours x $130/hr = $1,300
Employee B: 20 hours x $110/hr = $2,200
Employee C: 10 hours x $150/hr = $1,500
Total: $5,000
This weekly totally is too low, the project needs more employee hours than this answer choice allows.
A quick check verifies that answer choice A is the right answer choice because it has at least one team member experienced in the project type and at least one team member that is licensed. Answer choice A is the only one that makes sense here.
The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 80
8/18/21
An architecture firm takes a gross fee of 8% for a new building. 40% of the gross fee will go to engineering consultants. The project manager determines that the net service revenue is $360,000.
What is the construction cost??
$__
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is $7,500,000
This question asks you to work backwards to determine the construction cost given the architect’s fee.
Allow C to stand for construction cost and write the values in an expression to solve.
$360,000 = (0.60)(0.08)(C)
$360,000 / 0.048 = $7,500,000
The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 623
Question 81
8/24/21
A client’s kitchen consultant needs to coordinate their design with the plumbing engineer.
Based on AIA B101, who should the kitchen consultant contact to perform the coordination?
A. Owner
B. Architect
C. Plumbing engineer
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is B. Architect
Based on B101, the architect performs coordination between the work of their consultants and the owner’s consultants.
Ref: AIA B101-2017 3.1.2
Question 82
9/13/21
Refer to the project schedule for an office renovation. The project manager is reviewing the schedule for accuracy and found an error.
What is the error in the schedule?
A. 10/19/21 (end of schematic design)
B. 11/4/21 (start of construction documents)
C. 12/31/21 (end of building department approvals)
D. 6/22/22 (end of construction)
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. 6/22/22 (end of construction)
The end of construction should fall on 6/20/22, not 6/22/22.
Ref: Professional Practice, A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings, page 122
Question 83
10/11/21
During the bidding phase of a construction project, the architect needs to send out information changing the roofing specifications.
What document modfies bid documents?
A. Addenda
B. Allowance
C. General conditions
D. Supplemental instructions
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is A. Addenda
Changes to the drawings or project manual during the bidding phase are issued as addenda.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 84
11/8/21
A project is proceeding with the AIA suite of documents including A201, B101, and C401.
Which consultant service not included in the consultant’s basic services?
A. Coordination with other consultants
B. Correcting errors in the consultant’s work
C. An estimate of cost of the consultant’s portion of the work
D. An estimate of construction schedule of the consultant’s portion of the work
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. An estimate of construction schedule of the consultant’s portion of the work
The contractor, not the consultant, provides the construction schedule as part of the general conditions given in A201.
Ref: AIA C401-2017, AIA A201-2017 3.10
Question 85
12/13/21
A client would like to build a 32-bed, 20,000 square foot residential drug and alcohol treatment center. The site is 13,000 sf. The local zoning authority limits the square footage of the building with a floor area ratio (FAR) of 2 and limits lot coverage to 50%. Parking requirements include one parking space per resident, 5 dedicated staff spaces, and 2 spaces for visitors.
Underground parking is exempt from FAR and shall not be included in the 20,000 sf required area.
What project should the architect propose?
A. One story building with surface parking
B. Two story building with 1 level of underground parking and no surface parking
C. Three story building with 3 levels of underground parking and no surface parking
D. Four story building with 3 levels of underground parking and some surface parking
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is D. Four story building with 3 levels of underground parking and some surface parking
First find the allowed footprint of the building by applying the lot coverage ratio.
50% x 13,000 sf = 6,500 sf
Since the footprint is limited to 6,500 sf, find the number of stories required for a 20,000 sf building.
Item D is the only answer choice that can provide the required square footage of the project.
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice
Question 86
1/18/22
The weekly timesheet of an architect employed at a small firm is shown below:
- Marketplace Shopping Center, code research: 6 hours
- Cottonwood Apartments, redlining drawings: 12 hours
- Juice Cafe, responding to RFIs: 3 hours
- Juniper Lodge, writing proposal: 2 hours
- Marketing: 12 hours
- Continuing education: 3 hours
- General admin: 2 hours
What is the architect’s utilization rate?
___%
Answer: (Click blurred text to reveal)
The answer is 52.5%
Utilization rate is the ratio of billable hours to total hours, expressed as a percentage.
First, determine which activities represent billable tasks, and then add up the hours spent performing those tasks:
Code research for a specific project, redlining drawings, and responding to RFIs are activities that are billable to a specific project. Therefore:
6hrs + 12hrs + 3hrs = 21 hours
Then, add up the total hours worked for the week:
6hrs + 12hrs + 3hrs + 2hrs + 12hrs + 3hrs + 2hrs = 40 hours
Finally, divide the billable hours by the total hours worked:
21 / 40 = 52.5%
Ref: The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, page 417
