Preparing for the LARE gave me a better understanding of how broad landscape architecture practice really is. I initially focused heavily on design, but my preparation showed me that the exam also requires knowledge of site analysis, project management, construction documentation, grading, drainage, and stormwater management.
Understanding the LARE Exam
The LARE is a four-part, computer-based examination administered by CLARB. The four sections are Inventory, Analysis, and Project Management; Planning and Design; Construction Documentation and Administration; and Grading, Drainage, and Stormwater Management.
I found it helpful to study each section separately while still considering how the subjects connect during an actual project.
What My Preparation Revealed?
My LARE Exam Study Guide became more useful once I stopped treating the content as a list of isolated subjects. For example, site information gathered during inventory and analysis can influence planning decisions; while grading and drainage considerations can affect the feasibility of a design.
CLARB's current blueprint shows that the sections contain different subject distributions. Inventory, Analysis, and Project Management includes physical and contextual analysis, while Planning and Design covers master planning, schematic design, and design development.
Learning From Different Question Types
Working through LARE Multiple Choice Questions helped me practice reading carefully and identifying what a question was actually asking. Some questions required knowledge of terminology, while others called for applying professional concepts to a particular site or project situation.
I also learned that reviewing an incorrect answer can be more valuable than simply moving on. Understanding why an option was incorrect helped me recognize similar concepts when they appeared in a different context.
Connecting Design with Technical Practice
The construction and technical portions became an important part of my preparation. Construction Documentation and Administration include construction plans and details, specifications and bidding, and construction administration. The grading, drainage, and stormwater section focuses on designing and evaluating systems that support functional landscapes and protect public health, safety, and welfare.
oakleighbrewer 
Loading ...  Practice Test Experience: What I Learned){kind=link}
 Practice Test Experience: What I Learned){kind=link}