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ARE Forum > ARE 3 Format > ENTER Pre Design Forum > Coming back from Prometric



Coming back from Prometric
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Sajjad
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Mana: 
 Posted: Tue Mar 4th, 2008 03:17 am

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To my surprise, it happened to be relatively easy exam.

Of course its ARE, never absolutely easy here.  There were approx. 5 questions which were foreign, 5 questions I couldn’t do more than absolute guessing and 4 questions that I would vote not to be included and asked in our profession.  20 questions I marked for review initially and was able to unmark 5 of them easily during my review.  Remaining 10 made me to re-re-re-reread and I could only make my best judgment.  Remaining 80 questions were noble:D and relatively easy.  I had no problem of time infect, I took a short brake just to cease mental monotonous.  I am sorry for gauging my exam so mathematically but, this is how I figure out that how I did.

I was very happy when I left Prometric Testing Center but, gradually getting low as finding about questions that I wrongly answered:(.  I have stopped checking it any further because it’s not going help the result anyhow.  Let’s see what my mailman brings after two weeks.

No question about LEED, new urbanism, FAR, material properties, {swamp/ weir/ check dam/ culvert/etc}, erosion, land value calculation methods or transportation.

There were various other questions I don’t need to list due to the fact that they were either self explanatory or hard to miss by a graduate Architect.

*   Only two question each from urban planning and ADA.  Know where ADA applicable and where not.

*   No calculation-oriented question at all.

*   Approx. 7 questions about history. 

Know about pioneers of international style, piazza Saint Peter, urban patters of development of American cities, falling water, work of frank Lloyd Wright, work of Mcakim, work of Philip Johnson, etc.

*   Approx. 5 questions about historic building adaptive reuse.  Know design procedures, not-prohibited and prohibited practice in decision making of adaptive reuse planning.

*   One question about historic preservation technique - Easy one.  I can’t emphasize enough to read “Historical preservation” chapter from GAS, student edition.  You can cash at least these questions easily.

*   One question about LF- knows plan and height irregularities.

*   A hand full of questions about site planning – know best locations for building for prevailing winds protection, etc.

*   Here goes the biggest part – project and practice management.  At least 25% - 30% of the exam consisted on it.  Not so difficult though especially if you have read AHPP.  Reading AIA Doc A201 and A B141 is not sufficient alone.  Well, I didn’t get chance to read this book properly but still helped.  And majority of the questions involved Design-Build delivery method.  I have read in previous post about it also and I don’t know why they stress Design-Build method so much. 

Even though didn’t have much difficulty in answering many of the questions during the exam but, now as I am checking, I find a few questions that I answered incorrectly.

*   One question about Environmental Assessment Statement – know what is included in which par of the statement.

*   One question about Architectural Area – definitely read AIA Doc D101. its easy and short (only 2 pages).  Know which areas are multiplied by 0.5.

I greatly appreciate flats’s contribution to exam taking skill.  It came out to be really useful and helpful.  I took a print out of his post about “thought process when it comes to selecting the best possible answer” and studied it before entering to the exam room. I refer it to everybody

***

Last edited on Fri Sep 26th, 2008 07:41 pm by Sajjad

flats
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Mana: 
 Posted: Tue Mar 4th, 2008 06:07 pm

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Great write up. Looks like we had completely different exams. Imagine that? PD is just so difficult to describe. Some say take it early, some say take it last. Do you feel another week of study would of helped you?

Sajjad
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Mana: 
 Posted: Tue Mar 4th, 2008 09:17 pm

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flats wrote: Looks like we had completely different examsYes!! I can bet on that:).Do you feel another week of study would of helped you?For the kind of exam I had...Yes!!!   A little help, though.
Still I would say the same thing.  Only 50% counts that how much you know about PD, remaining is "Test Taking Skill".

flats
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Mana: 
 Posted: Tue Mar 4th, 2008 09:47 pm

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During my exam, it just seemed I would come across question after question where I felt comfortable in saying something like 'nope, never ran across this in Kaplan.' It's not that I did not know, or couldn't determine the correct answer on my own, but I started to question why I even studied. I estimate perhaps a dozen questions came directly from my studies, the remaining I could of figured out on my own. PD was just a very weird experience for me. It's like one of those Rorschach ink-blot tests.

Disclaimer: I am not advocating this exam should be taken without studying. :cool:

Sajjad
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Mana: 
 Posted: Wed Mar 5th, 2008 04:11 am

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flats wrote: During my exam, it just seemed I would come across question after question where I felt comfortable in saying something like 'nope, never ran across this in Kaplan.' It's not that I did not know, or couldn't determine the correct answer on my own, but I started to question why I even studied. I estimate perhaps a dozen questions came directly from my studies, the remaining I could of figured out on my own. PD was just a very weird experience for me. It's like one of those Rorschach ink-blot tests.

Disclaimer: I am not advocating this exam should be taken without studying. :cool:

Well, I had exactly this type of exam when I took it previously.  This time it was entirely different though.  I have also read in different posts saying that PD has different type of set of exams.  For example in one type of exam there are plenty of urban deign, history and mild intensity of calculation type questions whereas, in another type there are plenty of CD, a few history, plenty of site planning, a few environmental and moderate intensity of zoning, codes & covenant type questions.

My friend who took PD a couple of days ago told me that she had exactly same type of exam like I had this time.  I guess this is week of this nature of PD exam. What else I could say.

To me best policy is to be prepared for as much as possible.  No mater which area they stress on, most of the questions are gauging professional decision making ability within specified time constraints.  In addition, be prepared that there would be questions which would be completely foreign and hard to figure out what exactly is being asked. 

Far Galaxy
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Mana: 
 Posted: Wed Mar 5th, 2008 05:41 pm

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flats wrote: During my exam, it just seemed I would come across question after question where I felt comfortable in saying something like 'nope, never ran across this in Kaplan.' It's not that I did not know, or couldn't determine the correct answer on my own, but I started to question why I even studied. I estimate perhaps a dozen questions came directly from my studies, the remaining I could of figured out on my own. PD was just a very weird experience for me. It's like one of those Rorschach ink-blot tests.

Disclaimer: I am not advocating this exam should be taken without studying. :cool:
The reason that you could ans. most if not all the questions in the test on your own because you've read and covered a broad range of info. So, in other words, the questions in the tests didn't come directly out of your text books word for word, but the info you read and studied indirectly supported you for analyzing the correct ans. And so, all those studying is absolutely not a waste of your time.

flats
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Mana: 
 Posted: Wed Mar 5th, 2008 08:11 pm

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Far Galaxy wrote: The reason that you could ans. most if not all the questions in the test on your own because you've read and covered a broad range of info. So, in other words, the questions in the tests didn't come directly out of your text books word for word, but the info you read and studied indirectly supported you for analyzing the correct ans. And so, all those studying is absolutely not a waste of your time.

Interesting perspective Oklahoma. So I learned to apply knowledge I studied without realizing it? That just sounds sneaky. Guess I just got used to my previous multiple choice exams where there was a lot of regurgitation of what I studied as opposed to the analysis nature of PD. Thanks for making see outside the box.

Far Galaxy
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Mana: 
 Posted: Wed Mar 5th, 2008 09:59 pm

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flats wrote: Far Galaxy wrote: The reason that you could ans. most if not all the questions in the test on your own because you've read and covered a broad range of info. So, in other words, the questions in the tests didn't come directly out of your text books word for word, but the info you read and studied indirectly supported you for analyzing the correct ans. And so, all those studying is absolutely not a waste of your time.

Interesting perspective Oklahoma. So I learned to apply knowledge I studied without realizing it? That just sounds sneaky. Guess I just got used to my previous multiple choice exams where there was a lot of regurgitation of what I studied as opposed to the analysis nature of PD. Thanks for making see outside the box.
You better believe it.;)

I realized it right after I took my first MC exam, the MM, that unless questions that have to do with definitions, then you will find one obvious correct ans, other than that, all my reading helped me understand the questions and answers clearly.

SpaceMonkey
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Mana: 
 Posted: Sun Mar 9th, 2008 08:32 pm

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*** wrote:


I can’t emphasize enough to read “Historical preservation” chapter from GAS, student edition.  You can cash at least these questions easily.





Apologies if I should know this, but what is GAS?

(Besides what happens to me when I eat cauliflower I mean. That particular situation calls fur full capitalization of the word, maybe even a backronym, never an ambulance, but often an embarrassed apology.)

flats
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Mana: 
 Posted: Sun Mar 9th, 2008 08:45 pm

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Apologies if I should know this, but what is GAS?

I'm guessing a typo for Architectural Graphic Standards.

SpaceMonkey
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Mana: 
 Posted: Sun Mar 9th, 2008 08:48 pm

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Ah! Thank god it had nothing to do with cauliflower!


I just looked and it isn't in the eleventh edition of AGS that I could find. Is it possible it would only be in the student edition? how odd.

Sajjad
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Mana: 
 Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 06:25 pm

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*** wrote: To my surprise, it happened to be relatively easy exam.

To my another surprise I just got a FAIL letter:(.

Surprised more than sad & vice versa.  This really S***S. I’ll be retaking it after 6 months which is a nightmare to me.  I am already too tired of this fiend and retaking seams like a trip to hell:(.

Last edited on Wed Mar 19th, 2008 06:33 pm by Sajjad

SpaceMonkey
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Mana: 
 Posted: Wed Mar 19th, 2008 06:29 pm

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Gaaah!  Endless condolances, homeboy.  As your attorney I prescribe a three day therapy of booze and women.  You will feel better when you come up for air.

Keep your chin up.

dragonfly
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Mana: 
 Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 02:03 am

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koy nay- inshallah agle daffa hoogaygai yar!

Sajjad
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Mana: 
 Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 03:03 am

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dragonfly wrote: koy nay- inshallah agle daffa hoogaygai yar!I know this is not french:shock:.

Far Galaxy
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Mana: 
 Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 02:45 pm

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*** wrote: *** wrote: To my surprise, it happened to be relatively easy exam.

To my another surprise I just got a FAIL letter:(.

Surprised more than sad & vice versa.  This really S***S. I’ll be retaking it after 6 months which is a nightmare to me.  I am already too tired of this fiend and retaking seams like a trip to hell:(.

wow! that's not right.
Sorry to hear that.
I will be getting my letter some time next week.
and I know I am not very far from you:)
because I did not feel good about my exam like you reported urs.
So mine went down hill from the start.


flats
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Mana: 
 Posted: Fri Mar 21st, 2008 03:40 pm

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*** wrote: *** wrote: To my surprise, it happened to be relatively easy exam.

To my another surprise I just got a FAIL letter:(.

Surprised more than sad & vice versa.  This really S***S. I’ll be retaking it after 6 months which is a nightmare to me.  I am already too tired of this fiend and retaking seams like a trip to hell:(.



Flats sad.:(

Hang in there ***. This will be nothing but a slight detour along the ARE marathon. Where did they ding you?

Sajjad
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Mana: 
 Posted: Wed Mar 26th, 2008 05:51 pm

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Thank you guys for such a kind and encouraging words.  It is hard to forget about unexpected Failing result but, I can’t keep it in my nerves any further.  I have to get myself together for remaining exams therefore, dusting this melancholy off my shoulder gradually.  I can’t thank you guys enough for sharing your thoughts and giving me encouragement for remaining exams.

Sajjad
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Mana: 
 Posted: Thu Sep 25th, 2008 06:49 pm

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*** wrote: Thank you guys for such a kind and encouraging words.  It is hard to forget about unexpected Failing result but, I can’t keep it in my nerves any further.  I have to get myself together for remaining exams therefore, dusting this melancholy off my shoulder gradually.  I can’t thank you guys enough for sharing your thoughts and giving me encouragement for remaining exams.

Took this time with my max… With the grace of God its a ***PASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS***
This time due to the exhaustive studies I feel completely (literally) exhausted both physically & mentally.  Good this is … it worked.  End is well, all is well.
Once again thanks a lot the forum including flats & dragonfly.  Without this forum member’s help & encouragement it could have never been possible.

Last edited on Thu Sep 25th, 2008 06:52 pm by Sajjad

flats
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Mana: 
 Posted: Thu Sep 25th, 2008 07:58 pm

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Way to go ***!!!! It looks like you are going to beat me to the finish line. Feel free to take a break so I can catch up to you.:P

Sajjad
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Mana: 
 Posted: Thu Sep 25th, 2008 08:16 pm

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flats wrote: Way to go ***!!!! It looks like you are going to beat me to the finish line. Feel free to take a break so I can catch up to you.:PDon’t worry flats.  You started taking ARE after one year of when I started and you are almost there too.  You are going excellently rapid... Keep it up... Good luck.:D:D:D
And yes!! your post” ODE TO PD”
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum1/39766.html
 is one of my favorites. I even read it at Prometric waiting area before entering inside the testing room.  Once again thanks for that.
:)

Last edited on Thu Sep 25th, 2008 08:22 pm by Sajjad

flats
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Mana: 
 Posted: Thu Sep 25th, 2008 08:24 pm

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Thanks for the kind words. I'm waiting for the results of my SP retake. I really don't want to take the PD exam again in 4.0. Once was enough, thank you.:cool: Is SP the last exam for you?

Sajjad
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Mana: 
 Posted: Thu Sep 25th, 2008 08:42 pm

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flats wrote: Thanks for the kind words. I'm waiting for the results of my SP retake. I really don't want to take the PD exam again in 4.0. Once was enough, thank you.:cool: Is SP the last exam for you?

Same here...Don’t want take any exam again actually.

I highly wish you a very Good Luck with SP... 

:D

Last edited on Thu Sep 25th, 2008 08:43 pm by Sajjad

dragonfly
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Mana: 
 Posted: Thu Sep 25th, 2008 09:34 pm

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mubarak ho yar! ;)

good job!

dcarch2006
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Mana: 
 Posted: Thu Sep 25th, 2008 09:44 pm

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Can someone explain "where ADA applicable and where not"?

Public space - lobby, elev, stair, restroom, stairs?

Thanks!!!

Coach
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Mana: 
 Posted: Sat Sep 27th, 2008 07:52 pm

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dcarch2006 wrote: Can someone explain "where ADA applicable and where not"?

Public space - lobby, elev, stair, restroom, stairs?
You can read the law. The best approach is to consider it required everywhere except single family residences. There are few exceptions and I don't think the exam concentrates o exceptions. It's kind of like the building department that way.

architect54
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Mana: 
 Posted: Sun Oct 5th, 2008 09:30 pm

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*** wrote: *** wrote: Thank you guys for such a kind and encouraging words.  It is hard to forget about unexpected Failing result but, I can’t keep it in my nerves any further.  I have to get myself together for remaining exams therefore, dusting this melancholy off my shoulder gradually.  I can’t thank you guys enough for sharing your thoughts and giving me encouragement for remaining exams.

Took this time with my max… With the grace of God its a ***PASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS***
This time due to the exhaustive studies I feel completely (literally) exhausted both physically & mentally.  Good this is … it worked.  End is well, all is well.
Once again thanks a lot the forum including flats & dragonfly.  Without this forum member’s help & encouragement it could have never been possible.


When I was starting out the ARE and we met up, I was new to the forum. I had no idea what alts were and I had no clue this guy *** created the *** alts. I'm glad we met up for that study session. So far two of the three of us have passed the ARE. (Anything positive regarding this exam, I take as a sign now.) I'm trailing behind to make a trifecta! I take my second exam soon in 4.0!

CONGRATULATIONS DUDE! It must be sweet! You knew your stuff when we met up, back in March. These questions are particularly tricky. That's all. You didn't let defeat settle over you. You regrouped and conquered.

Ah man, I can't wait to have what your feeling. Sharing that feeling with family must be great! Again, CONGRATULATIONS! :D

gracecol
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Mana: 
 Posted: Mon Oct 6th, 2008 03:34 pm

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