Examples of Questions

The sections of the ExAC are composed of the following question types:

• Multiple Choice;
• Pairing/Matching of components;
• Placing steps/statements in order – sometimes combined with multiple choice;
• Sentence Completion/Fill in the Blank;
• Short Answer;
• Extended Answer.

A few examples
The correct answer is followed by an asterisk (*)

Objective 1.1.1 Identify the components of an architectural program.

Question:  In developing a functional program which of the following questions is MOST important to answer?

A)    How many maintenance rooms are required on each level?

B)    What is the most appropriate door width for a corridor?

C)    What space is needed to operate the facility efficiently? *

D)    What lighting level is required for occupied spaces?

 

Objective 2.1.2 Explain urban design issues and planning processes that influence the design of a building on a specific site.

Question:  The design for a new building requires the building to be located 3.79 m from a side property line. The zoning bylaw requires a 4.0 m side yard setback. Which of the following is an appropriate procedure to address this non-conforming setback? 

A)    Proceed as designed because the variance is within 5% of the requirement

B)    Proceed as designed because the variance is within 10% of the requirement

C)    Seek approval for a revision to the Official Plan

D)    Seek approval for a variance of the specific requirement of the zoning bylaw*

 

Objective 3.1.1 Describe the main properties of the structural system.

Question:  Which of the following loads are NOT permanent (dead) loads?

1. Hydrostatic

2. Uniform

3. Live

4. Concentrated

5. Distributed

A)  1, 3*

B)  1, 5

C)  2, 4

D)  3, 5

E)  1, 2, 3

F)   1, 3, 5

 

Objective 4.3.1 Describe the methods for estimating cost.

Question:  Match each of the phases of a construction project to the corresponding estimating method and then select the appropriate answer. The same estimating method may be used more than once.

Project phase                                                                         Cost estimation method  

1)  The functional and technical program for a residential-care centre with 126 beds 

2)  The budget validation of the construction documents for a new bank branch<

3)  The schematic design for a 100-m2 addition to a residence with a clay-brick cladding

 

a) Elemental cost 

b) Area

c) Volume

d) Unit use

 

 

 

A)  1a, 2c, 3b

B)  1b, 2a, 3c

C)  1b, 2c, 3c

D)  1d, 2a, 3b*

E)  1d, 2c, 3c

 

Objective 5.3.1 Interpret the Code requirements for fire safety.

Question:  You are providing architectural services for a 4 storey 180 bed acute care hospital in Whitehorse.  Based on your code analysis, which of the following spaces do NOT qualify as areas of refuge?

 A)    Delivery rooms

B)    Intensive care suites

C)    Operating and surgical suites

D)    Radiology and x-ray rooms*

 

Objective 5.4.1 Apply prescriptive Code requirements for structural design.

Question:  The roof structure of a house consists of the following:

·      Rafters spaced 400 mm O/C

·      Span of 4.31 m

·      #1 Spruce

·      Snow load of 2.5 kPa

·      No collar ties are provided

·      Roof slope of 1 : 4

 

Question:  Which of the following is the minimum rafter size permitted by the Building Code?

A)  38 x 140 mm

B)  38 x 184 mm*

C)  38 x 235 mm

D)  38 x 286 mm

 

Objective 6.1.1 Identify the information required for schematic design, given specific conditions.

Question:  In schematic design, what is the client NOT responsible for providing?

A)    Construction budget

B)    Construction methods*

C)    Geotechnical report

D)    Legal survey

 

Objective 7.1.1 Identify the information required for design development, given specific conditions

Question:  A building design for residential apartments has been established with a separation distance of 1.2 m from a building face to a property line.  Which one of the following is required for the design of that wall?

A)    Availability of natural light based on adjacent buildings

B)    Encroachment of building projections into the setback

C)    Fire rating requirements for exit stairs

D)    Percentage of unprotected openings permitted in the wall*

 

Objective 8.1.1 Explain general structural principles

Question:  What is the applied force called in the following diagram? 

A)    Shear

B)    Compression*

C)    Torsion

D)    Traction

 

Objective 8.1.2 Explain general mechanical principles (plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire protection, conveyance systems).

Question:  In the following list, which comfort parameters are provided to the occupants by mechanical systems?

1.  Air circulation

2.  Thermal equilibrium between the interior and the exterior

3.  Relative humidity

4.  Barometric pressure

5.  Ambient temperature

A)  1, 2, 4

B)  1, 2, 5

C)  1, 3, 5*

D)  2, 3, 4

E)  3, 4, 5

 

Objective 8.1.3 Explain the principles of soil mechanics

Question:  Place the following soil types in increasing order of their drainage capacity (from low to high).

1.  Clay 

2.  Clean gravel

3.  Silty sand

4.  Peat

A)  1, 3, 2, 4

B)  1, 3, 4, 2

C)  1, 4, 3, 2*

D)  4, 1, 3, 2

E)  4, 3, 2, 1

 

Objective 8.2.2 Identify the main properties of load-bearing materials (metal, wood, concrete, masonry)

Question: Masonry elements that are bonded together with mortar are stronger in ________________ than wood.

A)    shear

B)    compression*

C)    shrinkage

D)    bending

E)    tension

 

Objective 9.1.1 Differentiate between the forms of project delivery

Question:  What are the advantages of traditional Design-Bid-Build project delivery?

A)    Contractor expertise, construction costs, sequential tendering

B)    Competitive tendering, lowest risk factor, most complete design resolution*

C)    Costs based on quantity, suitable when time is more important than cost, suitable where extraordinary quality is required

D)    Single point of responsibility, suitable when faster results are needed

 

Objective 10.1.1. Explain the roles and responsibilities of the architect in the administration of a given construction contract

Question:  In a CCDC 2 contract, which of the following is responsible for the preparation of a change directive?

A)    Architect *

B)    Building Inspector

C)    General Contractor

D)    Owner

 

Objective 11.1.1 Explain the roles and responsibilities of the architect in the administration of a given construction contract

Question: Which of the following is NOT the responsibility of the architect as prime consultant during the administration of a construction contract?

A)    Coordination of the services of consultants

B)    Follow up with warranty items during the warranty period

C)    Preparation of field review reports

D)    Safety and workplace regulations on the construction site*

 

Objective 12.1.1 Explain the project management process

Question: Which of the following tasks must be performed periodically during each phase of a project?

1.  Update the project schedule

2.  Update the drawing software

3.  Update the program

4.  Bill the client

A)  1, 2, 3

B)  1, 2, 4

C)  1, 3, 4*

D)  2, 3, 4

E)  1, 2, 3, 4