Schematic Design

Schematic design is where program becomes form. The ExAC tests how you make and defend big early decisions: massing, parti, structural grid, and core place

What you'll be tested on

The skills behind Schematic Design questions.

Examitect drills each of these areas. The list below maps to the question categories you'll see inside.

  • Translating program into massing and parti
  • Structural grid selection at the schematic level
  • Core placement and circulation strategy
  • Building section logic and floor-to-floor heights
  • Egress strategy at the schematic stage
  • Documentation: SD drawings and deliverables

Why this topic matters. Schematic design questions test architectural reasoning at the moment design decisions are cheapest to change. Examiners want to see you weigh trade-offs and document choices clearly.

Try one

Practice ExAC-style questions free

See how Examitect explains every answer with real book references.

References

The books behind these questions.

Every Schematic Design practice question links back to the reference you'd use in the real exam.

Study tips

How to prep for Schematic Design.

  • Know the typical structural grid spacings per building type.
  • Floor-to-floor heights drive everything. Get the rules of thumb cold.
  • Egress at SD stage is about strategy, not exact code compliance.
  • Deliverables questions love percentages of completion at each phase.

Estimated study time. Most candidates spend 6 to 10 hours on Schematic Design. Adjust up if you don't see this work in your day job, down if you do.

FAQ

Schematic Design questions.

Schematic locks in the big moves: massing, grid, core. Design development locks in the details: materials, performance, dimensions.

Strategic, not detailed. You're placing exits and figuring out occupancy classification, not picking exit sign locations.

Yes. Know the typical drawing set at SD and what gets resolved by the end of the phase.

Mostly. CHOP gives the process. Studio Companion gives the rules of thumb.