MArch Master of Architecture Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MArch Master of Architecture facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is a zoning 'variance'? → An authorization to deviate from specific zoning requirements due to hardship
2. Practical research needs problem-solving → Applied Research
3. What is the smallest full-size bathroom? → 5'x8'
4. A maintenance-free coating system used to finish and topcoat wood flooring. → Polyurethane Floor Coating
5. Projects choose architects. → design competition
6. Which architect articulated the idea of the 'primitive hut' as the theoretical origin of all architecture in his 1753 'Essai sur l'Architecture'? → Abbé Laugier
7. Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) laying slang. → Asintada
8. In zoning regulations, what does the term 'setback' refer to? → The minimum required distance between a building and a property line or street
9. In masonry construction, what is the primary structural purpose of a steel lintel above a window or door opening? → To carry the masonry loads above the opening and transfer them to the jambs on either side
10. Which service is "sound insulation treatment?" → Specialized Allied Services
11. What structural advantage does a triangulated truss offer over a solid beam of the same span and material volume? → Members in pure axial force (tension/compression) rather than bending
12. The oldest inhabited city → DAMASCUS
13. Can a successful examinee be denied a Certificate of Registration if a lower court convicted them of a crime involving moral turpitude and they appealed? → Yes, the Board has the power to refuse issuance.
14. In the US, which rating system is most widely used to certify the sustainability and energy performance of new commercial and institutional buildings? → LEED
15. What's the biggest bedroom type? → Master
16. A 'green roof' (vegetated roof) provides which primary environmental benefits in urban settings? → Stormwater retention, urban heat island reduction, and improved building insulation
17. What is the minimum toilet area width? → 36"
18. Architect can get project through → invitation
19. What Architectural Service/Phase does the Architect and Client choose the Contractor? → Bidding/Negotiation Phase
20. Will the Architect-of-Record be criminally liable for plans, projects, and contracts he signed and sealed? → Yes, the AoR assumes the civil liability.
21. Educate non-specialist readers. Study-specific terminology. Sequenced alphabetically → 1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS (Thesis Content: Text/Body)
22. What is the primary structural function of a floor diaphragm in a building's lateral force-resisting system? → To collect and distribute lateral forces to vertical elements like shear walls and frames
23. Is a partner liable for malpractice by an architect-of-record? → Yes, he will also be liable.
24. A paint defect caused by application on damp or greasy surfaces, where the film peels off in large pieces. → Peeling
25. Who is responsible for non-registered people soliciting architectural work? → All of the Above
26. What is the purpose of a moment-resisting frame (rigid frame) in structural design? → To transfer bending moments across beam-column connections for lateral stability
27. Installing cabinet covers flush with cabinet sidings. → Inset or Interior
28. What does Floor Area Ratio (FAR) measure in zoning? → The ratio of a building's total floor area to the area of its lot
29. What do IBC construction type classifications (Type I through V) primarily regulate? → Fire resistance of structural and envelope components
30. Are registered and licensed architects the same? → Yes, an architect must be both licensed and registered.