The Amber Book Vs. Black Spectacles – A Detailed Comparison

When it comes to exam prep materials for the Architect Registration Exam (ARE), two popular options are The Amber Book and Black Spectacles. But what exactly are these resources and how do they compare when it comes to helping you pass the ARE?

This comprehensive guide examines the key features, pros and cons of The Amber Book and Black Spectacles to help you determine which is the better fit for your exam prep needs.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	The Amber Book	Black Spectacles
Format	Printed guide	Online digital access
Content Depth	High-level overview	In-depth video lessons
Practice Exams	None included	Multiple full-length exams
Cost	Around $100	$1000+ for bundles
Mobility	Not accessible on-the-go	Fully mobile accessible
Teaching Style	Informational summaries	Instructor-led video lectures
Exam Insights	Direct from ARE developers	Third-party provider

What Is The Amber Book?

The Amber Book is a renowned exam prep guide published by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). It provides a detailed overview of ARE 5.0, the latest version of the licensing exam.

The printed Amber Book contains information on all six divisions of the ARE 5.0 – Programming & Analysis, Project Planning & Design, Project Development & Documentation, Construction & Evaluation, Practice Management and Project Management.

It outlines the format, sections, time limits and content areas that will be covered in each division. The Amber Book also shares important exam policies and provides guidance on how to develop an effective study plan.

Aside from the general exam breakdowns, the guide contains critical study aids:

• Sample vignettes – These are examples of the practical problems you’ll encounter in the Project Development & Documentation division.
• Definitions – Key terms are defined to help you understand important concepts.
• References – Suggested readings, standards and resources are provided for each division.

Many consider The Amber Book an ARE prep essential because it offers insight straight from the source – the folks who actually develop the exam at NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards).

What Is Black Spectacles?

Black Spectacles is an online exam prep provider that offers a range of study materials and courses for the ARE. Their most popular offering is the Black Spectacles Ultimate Bundle.

This bundle includes:

• Video lessons – 100+ hours of video tutorials breakdown key concepts for each division.
• Practice exams – You get access to full-length practice tests designed to mimic the actual exam experience.
• Study guides – Digital flashcards and PDF study guides reinforce important information.
• Community – You can participate in discussion forums to exchange tips and advice with fellow exam takers.
• Performance analytics – Black Spectacles provides progress reports and feedback so you can focus your studies properly.
• Mobile access – All the materials are available on iOS and Android so you can study on-the-go.

In addition to the Ultimate Bundle, Black Spectacles offers supplemental prep courses for each ARE division individually.

Main Differences

Now that we’ve covered the basics of each prep resource, let’s compare some of the key differences:

Format

• The Amber Book – Published in print format only. No digital version is available.
• Black Spectacles – Materials are available online only. No printed guides are provided.

Depth of Content

• The Amber Book – Serves as more of an ARE overview. Content for each division is summarized concisely.
• Black Spectacles – Offers in-depth instruction across all exam topics with hd video lessons. More robust content.

Practice Exams

• The Amber Book – Contains a few sample vignettes but no full-length practice tests.
• Black Spectacles – Multiple timed practice exams included to build test-taking endurance.

Cost

• The Amber Book – Current edition sells for around $99 as a one-time purchase.
• Black Spectacles – Price varies based on package but expect around $999-$1500 for prep bundles including practice exams.

Accessibility

• The Amber Book – Can only study with the printed guide in-hand. No ctrl-F keyword searchability.
• Black Spectacles – Digital access allows you to study anywhere conveniently.

Teaching Style

• The Amber Book – Very straight-to-the-point informational guide.
• Black Spectacles – Utilizes video lessons to explain concepts in engaging ways. Instructor-led.

Pros And Cons

Based on these main differences, what are the major pros and cons of The Amber Book versus Black Spectacles?

The Amber Book Pros

• Affordable – At around $100, it’s budget-friendly prep option compared to online courses.
• Portable – Small size makes it easy to carry around and study on-the-go.
• Relevant – Coming directly from the exam developers provides accurate, up-to-date info.
• Visuals – Diagrams and charts help summarize complex processes and concepts.

The Amber Book Cons

• No practice tests – Lack of full prep exams means you don’t build endurance or experience the real exam format.
• No customization – Study plan is fixed based on the book content. Can’t personalize to focus weak areas.
• Difficulty gauging readiness – With no practice tests, it’s hard to know if you’ve covered all the material sufficiently.
• General guidance – Provides overviews but doesn’t go as in-depth as some may like.

Black Spectacles Pros

• Robust content – With 100+ hours of videos, the Ultimate Bundle delivers thorough instruction on all topics.
• Practice exams – The full-length simulated exams build confidence and familiarity with real test format.
• Custom study plans – Based on your performance, weak areas are identified so you can adapt your plan.
• Engaging delivery – Video lessons explain concepts in varied ways for better understanding and retention.
• Accessibility – Digital access lets you study anywhere, anytime while on the move.

Black Spectacles Cons

• Expensive – The Ultimate Bundle costs over $1000 so it represents a major investment.
• No official insights – Content isn’t directly endorsed by licensing boards like The Amber Book.
• Overwhelming – With so much content, it can be hard to know where to focus your limited study time.
• No visuals – Video lectures rely on oral instruction mostly without diagrams.
• Rigid access – Materials generally expire after 12 months so you can’t go back to refresh later.

Which Should You Choose?

So when it comes down to deciding between The Amber Book or Black Spectacles for your ARE prep, here are some key factors to consider:

• If you want robust practice exams, choose Black Spectacles.

The full-length simulated exams are invaluable for building exam-day endurance and evaluating your readiness.

• If you want affordable basic guidance, go with The Amber Book.

At around $100, it provides a budget-friendly overview of key ARE content.

• If you need flexibility for on-the-go studying, Black Spectacles is better.

You can access the video lessons and digital materials from anywhere with mobile compatibility.

• If you prefer condensed, visual summaries, The Amber Book has more diagrams.

The charts and tables help present complex processes in easily digestible ways.

• If you struggle with self-discipline, Black Spectacles offers more structure.

With customized study plans, scheduled lessons and progress analytics, you stay focused.

• If you want exam insights straight from the source, pick The Amber Book.

Coming directly from the developers, it provides the most accurate, up-to-date info on what to expect.

Can You Use Both Together?

Rather than choosing one single prep option, many architects use The Amber Book in conjunction with a supplemental resource like Black Spectacles.

This gives you the high-level overview and key details from The Amber Book plus the thorough instruction, practice tests and study discipline from a video course.

The combined approach is great if you have the budget for it because you get the unique benefits of both resources. Just be mindful that The Amber Book’s content overlaps heavily with any reputable prep course, so you may experience repetition.

But using both together can provide reinforcement as you study and gives you multiple perspectives on the material. Having a layered, well-rounded study plan is wise for such a challenging licensure exam.

Also Read: Comparison Between Master Books And A Beka.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Key Takeaways: Amber Book Vs. Black Spectacles

• The Amber Book provides authoritative, affordable guidance straight from the ARE developers.
• Black Spectacles offers robust video instruction and practice exams to build knowledge and test skills.
• Factors like budget, learning preferences and exam insights impact which option is better for you.
• Many architects use The Amber Book to supplement a video prep course like Black Spectacles for layered reinforcement.
• No single prep resource is perfect, so ideally combine multiple materials that complement your strengths and weaknesses.

Whichever route you take, be sure to leave ample time for thorough study, seek out additional references beyond any one prep guide when needed, and don’t underestimate the value of full practice exams. With smart preparation utilizing the wealth of ARE resources now available, you’ll be on your way to earning your license.