ARE Bootcamp Reviews

5 Rating 82 Reviews

About Young Architect:

Young Architect began collecting customer reviews on Reviews.io in June 2025.

About Young Architect:

Since 2013, we've helped over 20,000 emerging architects on their path to licensure. Through our coaching and online programs, we've created 200+ hours of video content and 1,000+ practice questions, designed to support your success.

Our flagship program, the ARE Boot Camp, offers an innovative approach to preparing for the ARE:

Learn exactly what to study, when to study it, and how to align your preparation with NCARB’s objectives. It’s a method found nowhere else, and a big reason why Young Architect continues to be a leader in the ARE test-prep industry.

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Blair Steinmetz

Verified Reviewer

“I just wanted to take a moment to say how incredible the Young Architect Bootcamp experience has been. From start to finish, it was everything I didn't know I needed in my ARE journey. The content was on point; thorough, practical, and directly aligned with what the exams are really about. However, what truly made it stand out was the people. The sense of community, the support, the accountability; there's nothing else like it. I genuinely wish I had done it sooner. It made studying feel manageable and even enjoyable. It's a game-changer!”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 month ago

Sebastian Reyes

Verified Reviewer

“The small group feel and intense structure and support, along with the weekly syllabi and meetups made for a great motivator and reason to keep studying consistently and helped me to be intentional with my studying.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 month ago

Victoria Shirreffs

Verified Reviewer

“I highly recommend the ARE Boot Camp to anyone studying the ARE Exams and generally for anyone that wants to be the best architect they themselves can be. It provides guidance on where to start climbing this immense mountain of study material, it helps you not feel alone with the many many hours of studying you'll be completing and it provides resources for you to understand why you want to be an architect because somewhere between when you start and when you finish (and sometimes multiple times in-between) you'll question why you even wanted to be an architect, is it even worth it and why don't you quit. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon and the ARE Boot Camp is a great coach!”

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Posted 2 months ago

“I studied for PCM for almost two months using Black Spectacles and Amber Book provided by my employer, but I still failed. I honestly didn’t know why—the exam felt easy, yet I didn’t pass. I was disappointed and felt lost. I realized I needed better guidance and structure, so I started looking into different study options. There were so many out there and that is overwhelming, but what stood out about ARE Boot Camp was the mentorship, community and accountability. You get to meet people going through the same thing, share ideas, and learn together. There’s also a mix of materials for every learning style—videos, podcasts, practice questions, readings, and more. It doesn’t feel one-sided at all. Mike is amazing—he shares so many tips, is always available to help, and constantly improves the boot camp based on feedback. I also used AI study friends to help explain specific materials and concepts—it was a game changer! What I liked most is that Mike keeps it real. He said, “I have the magic mix—all you need is water. Water is your time and effort.” And that’s exactly how it worked for me. I’m happy to say I passed my first exam thanks to ARE Boot Camp, Mike’s guidance, and my hard work. I’d recommend it to anyone starting the ARE journey or not sure where to begin—it really makes a difference”

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Posted 2 months ago

Michael Rios

Verified Reviewer

“This program helps you think less about what to study and focus more on the actual content needed to pass these exams. Before I went through the pro practice bootcamp, most of my study time felt useless as I would jump from one resource to another without a real plan or system. YAA has allowed me to create a study schedule that aligns with my life and it has taken the burden off from deciding what I should study.”

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Posted 2 months ago

“ARE Bootcamp has been one of the best experiences I’ve had in preparing for the NCARB Exam. Unlike other third-party resources that often lack depth and real-world architectural thinking, this program truly focuses on how architects approach problems. We went through extensive training sessions and practical exercises that helped us break down complex concepts and develop effective strategies for answering exam questions. Beyond the study materials, you also gain access to daily live meetups where you can engage, collaborate, and exchange knowledge with fellow colleagues — creating a supportive and enriching learning environment.”

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Posted 2 months ago

Ben Jaworski

Verified Reviewer

“The community that Young Architect is. Being able to talk to others who have just gone through the same content. Also cross referencing all the sources with one another and watching Youtube videos on the content. Not studying in isolation.”

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Posted 2 months ago

Melissa Carter

Verified Reviewer

“You know you accomplish better results when you go to an exercise class and feel more motivated than when you try to work out on your own. That’s Bootcamp. They provide the structured study plan, metrics, and community that I personally need to get to the end of this process. Plus, studying with the Bootcamp community is a lot more fun than doing it by yourself. If you thrive in a supportive, responsive, and structured community, you’ll thrive in the Young Architect Bootcamp.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 months ago