The Barracks are designed to hold a maximum of 56 Candidates. Absolute maximum capacity is 84.

The Candidate Barracks are comprised of two stories. The lower story contains the Candidates' sleeping quarters and bathing rooms. The upper contains Harper and Candidatmaster quarters and classrooms.

The lower floor has four main exits. The westernmost connects to the Weyrfolk Warrens. There is a notice board at the very beginning of the corridor, which lists chores, lessons, and other such important information. Estimated Hatching dates are posted here as well. In the Barracks proper, a hallway extends straight out from the corridor to the Warrens and divides the sections of rooms into two. Secondary hallways circle around the sections and provide access to the higher-numbered rooms. Each side has a bathing room next to rooms 1 and 8; these rooms also share a wall with the Warrens corridor. The north section and bathing room is restricted to male candidates. The southern section was originally for males as well, but, due to the increase in female Candidates, it is now set aside for them. In the case of significant male overflow, southern rooms may be assigned to male Candidates.

Each room is initially assigned one Candidate. Once all the rooms are filled, second Candidates of the same gender are added. Theoretically, a third Candidate could be housed in each room, though it would be cramped. The rooms are not incredibly spacious, and are much wider than they are deep. The doors are in the middle of each room, and provide a useful divider. Beds are set against the east and west walls, along with a moderately large trunk for clothing. There is a table against the wall opposite the door with two chairs.

The central hallway is interrupted near rooms 3 and 4 (least popular after 1 and 8 but before 7 and 14) by two sets of spiralling stairs. These are the main (and most direct) access to the upper floor. It is customary to ascend on the western stair and descend on the eastern.

There is a (temporary) diagram of the lower floor of the Candidate Barracks here.

The upper floor consists of six small classrooms and two large ones. Harper quarters are to the southwestern corner. There are private bathing rooms in the Candidatemaster and Harper quarters, and but Candidates are expected to use the stairs to their own. Candidatemaster weyrs are to the northwestern corner. A corridor connects the upper floor to the Weyrfolk Warrens, and it is a very short walk to the Dining Cavern.