Argus Enterprise Certification Exam – Is there a physical manual, or just the software guides?

I'm prepping for the AE Certification Exam and bought the AE Certification Bundle from Altus Group. I keep seeing people talk about using a “manual book” to study. My bundle didn’t come with any kind of physical manual. Is there an actual printed book you need to get separately, or are people just referring to the in-software guides (like what you get when you hit F1 in AE)?

For anyone who’s taken the exam recently: how did you study, and did you use just the bundle materials? Has anyone here passed using only what’s in the bundle, or did you need to buy extra study materials or practice tests?

I’d rather not spend more if I don’t have to, since my bundle already includes a test attempt.

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, there isn't a specific mention of a physical manual being required for the Argus Enterprise Certification Exam. However, some users have referred to a "certification book" or eBook that can be purchased separately from the Argus website for $175. This eBook includes 14 step-by-step case studies and is often recommended for self-study.

For preparation, many users have successfully passed the exam using the materials provided in the AE Certification Bundle, which includes eLearning modules, practice tests, and the real test. Some key strategies shared include:

  1. Detailed Note-Taking: Transcribing video content from the eLearning modules to reinforce understanding.
  2. Practice Tests: Taking the practice test multiple times and building a database of questions and answers to prepare for the real test.
  3. Case Study Mastery: Ensuring you can complete the case studies without errors before attempting the real test, as retakes can be costly.
  4. Supplementary Materials: While not mandatory, the $175 eBook with case studies is a helpful resource for additional practice.

If you're diligent with the bundle materials and follow the strategies above, you may not need to purchase extra resources. However, if you feel underprepared, the eBook or additional practice tests could be worth considering.

Sources: Need to bang out Argus, how long will the certification take, ARGUS - Training, CRE Asset Management Learning Materials, ARGUS certification difficulty/time to complete, Argus Enterprise Training Material

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Eum placeat iusto ea. Aliquam consectetur architecto corrupti id incidunt dolore aut. Soluta ea quia dolores rerum. Repellat possimus harum dolorum rerum id. Magni a aut placeat aut recusandae. Nostrum dicta ex consequuntur distinctio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”