What Topics are Covered in LARE Section A?

About Section A of the LARE

Section A of the LARE has 70 multiple-choice questions covering topics in communication and team building, standards of practice, contract administration, construction evaluation, and construction practices. You have 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete Section A.  About 75-82 percent of candidates pass the exam based on CLARB's passing rate data.

What Topics Are Covered in Section A of the LARE?

• Communication
• Standards of Practice
• Contract Administration
• Construction Evaluation
• Construction Practices

Communication

Communication topics are 20 percent of the question in LARE Section A.  This means that approximately 14 questions cover communication topics. Under the communication section are questions about communicating with clients and managing consultants on multi-disciplinary teams. Other topics include effectively managing design team members and consensus building activities. Check out the LARE Section A suggested reading list for study materials.  

Standards of Practice

You will need to know and understand the landscape architect's code of conduct and be able to apply the concepts to ethical dilemas.  Additionally, you will need to know about how to resolve ethical issues and deal with professional liability issues.  Some of the questions are rather obtuse.  Just remember, Section A of the LARE is multiple choice.  Eliminate as many of the wrong answers as possible and then choose the best one. There are approximately 16 questions in this subsection of Section A. Refer to the Section A reading list for reference books and study materials. Sustainability and Design Ethics by Tom Russ is a good reference book.

Contract Administration

Contract administration can be a complicated topic and there are about 12 questions on administering landscape architectural contracts.  This subsection tests you knowledge of construction contracts, contract law, and how it applies to all parties.  It is very important that you know what your role as a landscape architect is in the design and construction bidding process and what your duties are to your client. Construction Contracts by Jimmie Hinze is a good resource to familiarize yourself with contract law and contract administration.  

Construction Evaluation

You need to understand what is involved in the construction administration and observation process. Know what your obligations and duties are for approving shop drawings, construction observation techniques, approval and rejection of work completed, and your duty to your client.  Make sure you are familiar with post occupancy evaluations and and how to evaluate the level of completion of a project.  Familiarize yourself the design-construction sequence from design, design approval, permitting and government approvals, project construction, and occupancy. Read some of the reference books listed in the Section A suggested reading list.

Construction Practices

This section is about 14 questions of Section A and covers your specialized knowledge of construction processes and techniques.  Know you construction equipment, standard construction technology, and green or sustainable construction materials and sustainable construction techniques and processes.  There are a couple of useful construction guides listed on the Section A of the LARE reading list. 

Here is the Good News!

Section A of the LARE consistently has the highest passing rate of any section of the Landscape Architecture Registration Exam (L.A.R.E.). The odds are in your favor of passing the first time.  However, make sure you know your stuff.  Study hard and good luck.

Related Articles:

• LARE Registration Checklist
• Section A Reading List
• Section B Reading List
• How to Register for the LARE Exam