Real-World Practice
Our new Real-World Practice study experience is here! You can now access these in your ARE 5.0 Expert account.
What Changed
As of December 2, 2025, we transitioned away from live Virtual Workshops and have introduced a new Real-World Practice feature designed to give you the same depth of learning with added flexibility!
Virtual Workshops have ended as of December 2, 2025.
This evolution is based on feedback from our customers, who shared that they wanted more flexible, self-paced study options while still getting the same rigorous content and real-world application.
Why We’ve Made This Change
Virtual Workshops had been a cornerstone of the Black Spectacles study experience, helping thousands of candidates deepen their understanding through live, instructor-led sessions. Over time, we heard from learners that:
Their schedules made it hard to consistently attend live sessions.
They wanted more control to revisit complex topics on their own time.
They valued the real-world scenarios from Workshops and wanted even more opportunities to apply their knowledge.
The new Real-World Practice feature builds on the most effective elements of Virtual Workshops - scenario-based practice and applied learning - while allowing you to learn at your own pace.
FAQs
Q: What is Real-World Practice?
A: Real-World Practice is a collection of NCARB-inspired case study exercises built from our most effective Virtual Workshop content and focused on the most challenging ARE topics. Each exercise includes a realistic scenario, associated references, targeted practice questions, and a dedicated discussion thread in the Black Spectacles Community.
Q: How many Real-World Practice exercises are there?
A: There are 48 total exercises —8 per ARE division—each with 10 practice questions, giving you 480 new NCARB-style practice questions.
Q: Can I still attend a live Virtual Workshop?
A: No. Live sessions are no longer be available.
Q: Can I still watch recordings?
A: No. Recordings are no longer available.
Q: Will I need to upgrade my subscription?
A: No. The new case study feature is automatically included in all Expert subscriptions.
Q: Why were Virtual Workshops replaced?
A: The change was based on direct feedback from our members. Learners told us that they wanted more flexibility, the ability to study on their own schedule, and deeper practice on difficult topics.
Q: How does this work with the Pass the ARE Guarantee?
A: This feature will replace the Virtual Workshops, each new Real-World Practice feature for your division will need to be completed to qualify for the Pass the ARE Guarantee.
Q: Where can I learn more?
A: Learn more here - https://www.blackspectacles.com/study-materials/real-world-practice