ARCON PPCE study guide
ARCON PPCE · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ARCON Professional Practice Competency Examination (PPCE) is a professional competency assessment for architects and architectural candidates who want to demonstrate that they can carry a project from briefing through contract administration. It tests the practical judgement an architect uses in practice, not just design ability. The ARCON PPCE study guide has 9 sections and about 2,897 words.
01Professional Practice and Ethics
The Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) was established by Decree No. 10 of 1969 and now operates under the Architects Registration Act in the Laws of the Federation.
367 words, about 2 min02Architectural Design and Planning
The exam tests whether you can convert a client brief into a buildable, code-compliant plan. Start with the brief: budget, accommodation schedule, occupancy, growth, servicing.
342 words, about 2 min03Building Technology and Construction
This domain tests construction sequence and workmanship detail. Substructure: setting out from the site datum, excavation to the required depth, foundation type (strip, pad, raft or pile) matched to the soil, hardcore compacted in layers, damp-proof membrane, oversite concrete and a damp-proof course at least 150 mm above external ground level.
312 words, about 2 min04Structural Systems
Structure is examined as safe design, not member selection by habit. Design uses limit state philosophy: ultimate limit state against collapse with partial factors (commonly 1.4 on dead and 1.6 on imposed loads) and serviceability checks for deflection and cracking.
312 words, about 2 min05Building Services (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)
Services questions test sizing and the principles that keep a building safe and habitable. Water: estimate demand from occupancy (typically 150-200 litres per person per day for domestic use), size storage for at least a day plus any fire reserve, and provide a cold-water downfeed with a vented tank, gate valves and a washout.
319 words, about 2 min06Materials and Specifications
You are tested on choosing materials by performance and writing a specification a contractor can price and a clerk of works can enforce. Cement: ordinary Portland 42.5 for general work, sulphate-resisting for marine and sulphate-bearing soils, blended or pozzolana cements for lower heat and better durability.
305 words, about 2 min07Contract Administration and Project Management
Contract administration questions test the architect as impartial certifier and as the client's adviser. Know the procurement routes (traditional, design and build, management contracting), the tender sequence from prequalification to award, and the contract forms in use: the NIA form, JCT, FIDIC and the Federal Government standard form for building works.
316 words, about 2 min08Statutory and Regulatory Compliance
Compliance questions test the statutory chain from land title to occupation. Land is vested in the state governor under the Land Use Act 1978; the Certificate of Occupancy is the primary title, and transfers require the governor's consent.
307 words, about 2 min09Sustainability and Environmental Design
Sustainability questions reward principles applied to Nigerian climate rather than labels. In the hot-humid south, prioritise shade, cross-ventilation and air movement; in the hot-dry north, use thermal mass, small openings, courtyards and night ventilation.
317 words, about 2 min