There are a bunch of us in our office who are newbies and ready to get started in taking the ARE (5.0). There are plenty of study materials out there...Are there any recommendations on which ones to get and which ones to avoid?

thanks

I suggest looking/speaking in the ARE 5.0 part of the forum.

If your first is similar to the 4.0 CDS I used the following:
For CDS:
- Schiff Hardin Lectures, I am sure someone has them somewhere or has a link.
- Architects Handbook of Professional Practice
- Ballast
- AIA Contract Documents (print them out and follow along with the schiff hardin lectures, and listen to them while at work instead of music)

This is all I used to pass CDS.