# Welcome to the PA Community! \[ START HERE \]

**URL:** <https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/welcome-to-the-pa-community-start-here/6750>\
**Category:** Programming & Analysis\
**Tags:** community-basics, help\
**Created:** [April 9, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/welcome-to-the-pa-community-start-here/6750 "2025-04-09T20:05:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kiaragalicinao](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/kiaragalicinao/32/1607_2.png) [@kiaragalicinao](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/kiaragalicinao)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/welcome-to-the-pa-community-start-here/6750/1 "2025-04-09T20:05:14Z")

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Have a PA question? Don’t forget to tag one or more of the below ARE Coaches to get a prompt response from a registered architect, who is an expert in PA content areas!

 ![PA](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/blackspectacles/original/2X/5/5a924648eb47081fba111cc3585e72cd293dbc9f.png) **[Programming & Analysis](https://community.blackspectacles.com/c/programming-analysis/8)**  
@coachjoeyandrada @coachfaithbroussard

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**Author:** ![kiaragalicinao](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/kiaragalicinao/32/1607_2.png) [@kiaragalicinao](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/kiaragalicinao)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/welcome-to-the-pa-community-start-here/6750/2 "2025-04-09T20:05:23Z")

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**Author:** ![archjavi](https://blackspectacles.com/uploads/images/1.png) [@archjavi](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/archjavi)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2025, 8:25pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/welcome-to-the-pa-community-start-here/6750/3 "2025-08-27T20:25:43Z")

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Hi could you please let me know, for PA exam, in the IBC what section should I study?

Thank you,

Javier Sanchez

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**Author:** ![kiaragalicinao](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/kiaragalicinao/32/1607_2.png) [@kiaragalicinao](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/kiaragalicinao)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/welcome-to-the-pa-community-start-here/6750/4 "2025-09-09T17:39:08Z")

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@archjavi For PA specifically, I would recommend focusing on these chapters of the **[IBC 2021](https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2021P2)**:

- **Chapter 3:** Occupancy Classification and Use
- **Chapter 4:** Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
- **Chapter 5:** General Building Heights and Areas
- **Chapter 6:** Types of Construction
- **Chapter 7:** Fire and Smoke Protection Features
- **Chapter 11:** Accessibility

There may be others - be sure to consult with the **[ARE 5.0 Guidelines](https://www.ncarb.org/sites/default/files/ARE-5-Guidelines.pdf)** to identify NCARB objectives (topics) in relation to the IBC. You definitely don’t need to memorize these chapters and their contents entirely, but you should understand key concepts and tables; focus on where to find information quickly. You’ll likely be provided excerpts of the IBC if asked to refer to specific sections on the exam.

Hope this helps!

Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB  
Product Coordinator  
**[Black Spectacles](https://www.blackspectacles.com/en-us/)**

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**Author:** ![eshatski](https://blackspectacles.com/uploads/images/1.png) [@eshatski](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/eshatski)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/welcome-to-the-pa-community-start-here/6750/5 "2025-09-25T16:22:29Z")

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When can I start PA 30 day challenge with beginning of the group. Do you have any specific day?