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babybuggs
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| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Charlotte, North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 120 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 06:28 pm |
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I passed the exams in approx. 3 1/2-month period (late June-Oct). I did this while recovering from child birth (May 2006), Starting a new Job (August 2006), breastfeeding/caring for a newborn, and traveling between Georgia and North Carolina. I graduated undergraduate in 2002, then graduate school in 2004. I only took two weeks to study for each exam, with the only exception being Materials and Methods (1 month, since it was my first). I rescheduled twice due to gut instinct and readiness, often only delaying the exam a few days. Once you take the first one, you get the hang of it. The order in which I took them is listed below with valuable tips on studying. I think some candidates use entirely too many resources. This is a test of competency in material chosen by NCARB. It is my belief that the test has more to do with thinking through nebulous scenarios created by test writers than what it truly takes to be an architect. However, the material is still relevant in the event that these anomalies affect you, and, if you count the graphics exams, they can be somewhat fun at times.
My exam taking schedule was front loaded, to get more intense material out of the way early. I passed them all the first time, folks. Set a time each day to study, spend time with family, etc., and EXECUTE. There may be times where you feel like rescheduling because of work/other pressures, and if/when you do, relax, go see a movie, and then work towards the next deadline ruthlessly. It's your show. And that being said, YOU CAN TOTALLY DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OPERATION: DESTROY ARE!!!
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By the way, Here are the dates I took the tests:
This order was recommended by a close friend and mentor. I started studying for M&M 5/21/2006. I studied for each test thereafter on the day after I passed a section and only studied for one at time. Average study time: 2 WEEKS.
Materials & Methods 6/21/2006 very easy. PASS
General Structures 7/10/2006 intimidating, rescheduled from 1 week earlier. PASS
Lateral Forces 7/21/2006 rescheduled 2 days later b/c of fear, PASS
M&E Systems 8/2/2006 as scheduled, PASS
Construction Doc 8/15/2006 as scheduled, PASS
Building Tech 9/2/2006 as scheduled, PASS
Site Planning 9/16/2006 as scheduled, PASS
Building Planning 9/30/2006 as scheduled, PASS
PreDesign 10/16/2006 rescheduled from 1 week earlier for travel, PASS
LAST Pass letter was received by state board on 11/16/2006. FYI, I left WAY too much time between the graphic sections. I should have taken them 1 week apart. However, I was very relaxed when I took them, and even enjoyed myself. I would not recommend spacing them much closer unless you truly feel comfortable with all the material from those sections. Take your time.
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yOU MAY PREFER TO CUT OUT THESE SECTIONS AND REFER TO THEM ONE AT A TIME, DEPENDING ON WHICH EXAM YOU HAVE. IT HELPS TO CONSUME THE TESTS ONE BY ONE. DON'T OVERWHELM YOURSELF
Materials & Methods : Study ALS flash cards, book, and take practice exams
General Structures and Lateral Forces:
1) David Thaddeus notes all the way. Take workshop if possible.
2) Read Ballast Structural Topics
Mechanical and Electrical Systems: Study ALS flash cards, book, and take practice exams
Top 20 Pointers for M&E:
1) location of fans
2) STC, NRC, IIC, OSHA standards as it pertains to sound levels
3) typ. mechanical, electrical, plumbing symbols...what they mean
4) Definitions are necessary to understand questions posed (these can be studied using the ALS flash cards)
5) water filtration, water turbidity
6) how to control the sound of air hvac systems
7) plumbing schematics, what they mean
8) riser diagrams...how they work
9) know types and applications (building occupancies) and piping (hydronic) for HVAC systems (air, hydronic, and combined)
10) understand purpose of transformers
11) Calculating U-Value
12) Calculating R-Value
13) properties of pipes used for plumbing
14) where a cleanout and interceptor would be located
15) types of toilets and used for what (waterless, vacuum, composting)
16) Know how to calculate daylight factor
17) know how to use psychometric chart
18) know how to use lighting charts
19) calculation of resistance
20) calculation of power/voltage
21) difference between a stack vent vs. a vent stack
22) what types of electrical cables can be buried underground
23) what types of plastic pipes used for soil, cold water, and hot water
24) what types of plastic pipes cannot be exposed to light
25) Of MEP disciplines, equipment only drawn to scale on mechanical drawings
Mechanical and Electrical Systems: Study ALS flash cards, book, and take practice exams
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25 Pointers for Construction Documents
(1) Responsibility for Disposal of Hazardous waste
2) project closeout, know who initiates
3) When the contractor is entitled to final payment
4) understand punch list (i.e.A punch list is initated before final payment, and the items listed therein can be completed after substantial completion)
5) Understand what "time" means in A201
6) Know the differences between and purposes of the following:
change order (substantial change to cost/construction time)
architect's supplemental instructions(minor change, no money, no time extension)
construction change directives (a change order that is not agreed to by contractor)
7) Responsibility of consultant to the architect (C141)
8) know Who is responsible for coordination of work or lack thereof on construction site, and who has to pay as a result of the latter (the contractor)
9) Know how contractor communicates with the owner (A201)
10) Know how contractor communicates with other contractors/subcontractors directly hired by the owner (A201)
11) Know the logical order of the drawings (how the disciplines are ordered, as well as how the architectural drawings could be ordered etc.)
12) how bids are awarded (the process), and how bids are awarded on public projects
13) know bidding/negotiation (i.e., architect conducts bidding or negotiation....not both)
14) Some Acoustics questions, Know how to control sound through the use of partitions
15) ADA - ramps, headroom under stairs, guardrails, hallways, wheelchair access
16) Maximum length of a dead end corridor is typically 20ft.
17) Codes - purpose of a building code vs. a zoning ordinace, and what each affects
18) NFPA 101 is for life safety
19) know purposes of drawings (i.e., the structural framing plan and architectural sections are good for determining necessary plenum heights)
20) What information is typically shown in a a site plan
21) know What kind of information is shown on electrical site plan
22) Know purpose of and difference between bonds and insurance
23) Know when a subcontractor will need to claim against a performance bond (public project) and when they will file mechanic's lien (typical if not paid)
25) How each engineer contributes (i.e., The civil engineer can devise a stormwater management plan (site specific), while the plumbing engineer deals with the roof drains (building specific))
And remember, always divide by 9 to get from square feet to square yards and Read the hell out of the B141 and A201 contracts
Bulding Technology*********************************** Tricky
1) All about Practicing the software. Study for these one at a time.
2) All about Norman Dorf. Use his solutions book. it is invaluable
3) Try at least two solutions for each vignette on the NCARB practice software, then ask questions on the ARE forum
4) The roof layout is a tricky one. Get very familiar with this on practice software
See links:
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum9/17264.html
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum9/17236.html
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum9/17196.html
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum9/17234.html
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum9/17237.html
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum9/17175.html
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum9/17176.html Professor Dorf Himself said my solution looked good. I would use this.
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum9/17107.html duct/joist combination an important concept to understand
Site Planning**************************************** Easy
1) All about Practicing the software. Study for these one at a time.
2) All about Norman Dorf. Use his solutions book. it is invaluable
3) Try at least two solutions for each vignette on the NCARB practice software, then ask questions on the ARE forum
4) Get VERY familiar with the contours
See Links:
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum7/17559.html
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum7/17470.html
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum7/17489.html
Bulding Planning*********************************** Interior Layout can be Tricky
1) All about Practicing the software. Study for these one at a time.
2) All about Norman Dorf. Use his solutions book. it is invaluable
3) Try at least two solutions for each vignette on the NCARB practice software, then ask questions on the ARE forum
See links:
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum8/17987.html
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum8/17979.html
10 Easy steps to passing Building Planning
I passed and its all because of how thorough this forum is. I thought I would take a shot at helping.
(1) I would read "Things to watch for" at least 5 times.
(2) Interior layout is all about speed. Get good with the practice software, and know ALL the rules before you get to the test. I would take a day just place and rotating furniture as fast as I possibly could.
(3) Do NOT transcribe the program for Interior Layout. Switch back and forth if needed. I will refer to "things to watch for" since stl-guy was dead on:
(a) insert each piece of all the furniture from the list in room groups. You can make a large sketch rectangle for each room. Place it near but off to the side of the drawing area.
(b) Don't make a hand written list of all the furniture. There is not enough time. Place the furniture first and then flip screens and check each group that was placed around the plan before you begin to layout walls.
(4) When you do place the furniture in sketch rectangles (mock rooms), add a 5' rectangle, 5' sketch circle, 3' sketch circle, and a 4' rectangle to each. All rectangles should be created as others have suggested coincidently and then placed where need. Circles copy automatically and should also be placed at the same time.
(5) Walk through as gnrbernstein suggested. No changes without sketch layer. NONE.
Schematic Design................
(5) SD is all about the program and the code. Do not write anything down at first. Place the lobby on the side of the site where the entrance should be. Only move it along that side of
(6) Take your time and do really good bubble diagrams based on the program.. Again, do a really good bubble diagram (or adjacency diagram) using the symbols for visual connection (dotted line) and direct connection (solid line with arrows).
(7) Place large, double height rooms and their necessary adjacencies on the site next, preferably as a rectangles. Always try to have a buffer between the large double height room and the corridor, because the second floor will usually require that this space be utilized somehow, (usually by core function like elevators and toilets)
(8) Try to go through your bubble diagrams and mark where windows (including interior windows) and required exits WOULD be located, and then use this as a checklist for verifying doors, and windows.
(9) Verify your exit paths, egress widths, and efficiency of circulation. Don't you forget your openings in the corridors if necessary and to KEEP EVERYTHING (INCLUDING DOOR SWINGS) THE BUILDING LIMITS.
(10) I am confident You will have extra time left, so use this to go through the program requirements, and verify every single on of them one by one.
PreDesign
1) Lots of Real Estate Questions (easements, right-of-way, permits, zoning). If you have any experience in real estate, you will most likely pass this test.
2) Some water and waste management questions
3) construction management questions
4) Study ALS flash cards, book, and take practice exams
5) VERY FEW history questions. Only read the architectural history book if you have time (i surely did not)
CHECK OUT MY BABY GIRL!!!!! SHE DEFINITELY HELPED TO MOTIVATE ME. IF YOU HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN, READ THIS STUFF OUT LOUD TO THEM. THEY'LL LOVE THE ATTENTION, EVEN IF THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. I have some study materials for sale. Please see the following link:
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum17/20075.html
1) David Thaddeus Study Manual & Notes 2006 Value: not for retail (workshop was $275) Your Price: $50
2) Norman Dorf Solutions Manual 2005 Value:$54 Your Price: $35
3) PreDesign Archi-Flash Cards 2006 Value: $27 Your Price: $20
4) General Structures ALS Flash Cards 2005 Value: approx. $30 (not for retail) Your Price: $20
5) A study CD containing scans of items 1 & 2,
along with sample questions for each section,
as well as articles relevant to each section. Value: $100+ Your Price: $30
Price if purchased Together: $135
(Also Sold Separately...Prices include S&H. All shipments UPS ground)
Attached Image (viewed 5021 times):
 Last edited on Tue Jul 24th, 2007 12:32 pm by babybuggs
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Arch_Hero66
Member
| Joined: | Thu Sep 28th, 2006 |
| Location: | A_R_C_H_I_T_E_C_? +CSE, LEED AP, California USA |
| Posts: | 556 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP | | Describes Me: | Happy to have passed LEED |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 07:04 pm |
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I'm impressed! How long did you study for LF?
Thanks for the post.
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Architect wannabe, Boston, Ma
Member
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 07:10 pm |
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Double congratulations for your two babies, the ARE and the real one! You are obviously a running stream while doing something. And that appears from reading your very detailed report.
Thanks for your info, and may your experience inspire many other candidates.
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babybuggs
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Charlotte, North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 120 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 07:20 pm |
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Arch_Hero66 wrote: I'm impressed! How long did you study for LF?
Thanks for the post.
you're very welcome. i studied for 1 week after General Structures. I also took the 4-day Thaddeus workshop in February '06. Very good material.
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Kato
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 19th, 2006 |
| Location: | Architect, LEED AP |
| Posts: | 422 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 07:46 pm |
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| Congratulations, Babybuggs! I have a feeling that you will look back on 2006 as the best year of your life. May you have many years to come that are as good as this one!
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Arch_Hero66
Member
| Joined: | Thu Sep 28th, 2006 |
| Location: | A_R_C_H_I_T_E_C_? +CSE, LEED AP, California USA |
| Posts: | 556 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP | | Describes Me: | Happy to have passed LEED |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 08:32 pm |
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| It also occurs to me that your probably "smarter than the average bear". haha
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babybuggs
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Charlotte, North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 120 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 08:37 pm |
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Arch_Hero66 wrote: It also occurs to me that your probably "smarter than the average bear". haha
I'm flattered. But honestly, I know so many architects who have more experience and ability than I do, but have been overwhelmed by the tests. I think that the ARE is 60% Confidence 30% Preparation and 10% Experience
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baby_architect
Member
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 08:51 pm |
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CONGRADS ON THE FINISH..you are an inspiration
but i disagree on the percentage breakdown...i dont think confidence figures in at all..more like a "bull*** meter"...and apparently i keep getting sucked down...I will get it eventually...thanks for your post though..amazing amount of info..I swear I could write a book from all I have gleaned off this site...
"these tests are GENERALLY STUPID and I HATE them!"
M.
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Arch_Hero66
Member
| Joined: | Thu Sep 28th, 2006 |
| Location: | A_R_C_H_I_T_E_C_? +CSE, LEED AP, California USA |
| Posts: | 556 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP | | Describes Me: | Happy to have passed LEED |
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 09:03 pm |
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| I agree that these tests are stupid and I hate'm too. But, if I'm honest, I think people in this profession do an initial judgement on "licensure". When the new guy starts at the firm, I find myself doing a snoopy lookup on them. I hate myself, haha
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baby_architect
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Posted: Tue Dec 12th, 2006 09:41 pm |
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i think thats because we all want to know where we sit..I have 10 years of experience..no license..I would like to have the license..but these tests are stomping me into the ground..and I have no idea what's ***ing me up...Engineers study w/ me..Thaddeus lets me go to his seminars and stays in touch..I am not stupid...I know this isnt just me...you have to ask yourself..why do our own people do their damnedest to keep us down?..I want to finish this and go into Construction..keep the title..I just want to finish what I started now, and go make some real money..this is bunk..and I for one am sick of it.
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hippiechick
Member
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 01:48 am |
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babybuggs wrote: I passed the exams in approx. 3 1/2-month period (late June-Oct). I did this while recovering from child birth (May 2006), Starting a new Job (August 2006), breastfeeding/caring for a newborn, and traveling between Georgia and North Carolina................ OMG! Seriously, you must have that quadruple strand DNA helix......... i've been taking these stupid tests while raising two kids and there's no way i could have accomplished all this in your timeframe! you go girl! good for you! you're an inspiration to all of us mom's!!!
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transpace
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 25th, 2005 |
| Location: | A-R-C-H-I-*-*-*-*?, Wyoming USA |
| Posts: | 920 |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 01:53 am |
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| Do you go to work in the morning like the rest of us?
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hippiechick
Member
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 02:14 am |
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transpace wrote: Do you go to work in the morning like the rest of us? LOL 
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banda
Member
| Joined: | Tue Dec 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | Miami |
| Posts: | 62 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 03:49 am |
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For M & E Systems, when you say studied book, was it the ALS or Mech.& Elect.Equip. for Buildings, as alot of people in this forum seem to favor?
By the way thanks for your post, its very encouraging.
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ironwarrior
Architect
| Joined: | Thu May 25th, 2006 |
| Location: | Architect, LEED AP, Anime Freak, West Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 823 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Overall Anime-nutcase with blue-hair and full-upper body tribal tattoo |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 10:51 am |
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First, thank you for the post. I'm sitting here whining and moaning that I can't get focused and started on ME and I HAVE to take it the second week in Jan. I'm going to copy and paste all your info into a Word document for reference.
Realistically, I'm so envious, I'm preparing the necessary knots for the noose to hang myself. 3 1/2 months....unreal. That was my schedule at first, but I let too many other distractions get in my way. I may work 45-50 hours a week, but I DAMN well had enough time. Now I have no idea when I'm going to finish these stupid tests.
Congratulations! I'm off to beat my head against a wall for a bit.
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Smiley
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| Joined: | Sat May 20th, 2006 |
| Location: | A.R.C.H.I.T.E.C.T |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 01:09 pm |
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ironwarrior wrote:
Congratulations! I'm off to beat my head against a wall for a bit.
 you made me laugh ironwarrior. I think we all feel the sameway, not because we envy babybuggs, but because we all can do that if we stick to it.
Babybuggs, a big giant CONGRATULATIONS on finishing your exams. You really encourraged all of us. I know we can do it
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sageyxz
Member
| Joined: | Mon Mar 28th, 2005 |
| Location: | New York USA |
| Posts: | 184 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 01:18 pm |
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babybuggs,
CONGRATS on a job well done! Thank you for your great post. You are an inspiration.
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babybuggs
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Charlotte, North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 120 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 02:48 pm |
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Banda, I had MEEB and I opened it once...to look up the definition of CFM...and this is because my mother was buying a downdraft and wanted to know what CFM meant. I still haven't read the whole bible, and so I am morally opposed to reading that whole book.
I only used ALS for M&E...but I read through the entire book, went through the flash cards everday for two weeks, and took the practice exams. I even used the CD. Entire time dedicated to M&E: 2 weeks.
Thanks for the well wishes everyone...and I want to emphasize that we are still smarter than the people who are writing these tests--commonsensically (architecture school word, 2 points)....and that's really all that matters. The key is to get really angry and really motivated because we all deserve to be called architects if we went through the rigors of a demoralizing internship, a stressful and time-consuming matriculation period, and have ever been told "not to be an architect--doesn't pay". Even doctors are called "Doctor" during the residency. I'll slap anyone who calls me an intern again. For everyone.
Last edited on Wed Dec 13th, 2006 03:15 pm by babybuggs
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ironwarrior
Architect
| Joined: | Thu May 25th, 2006 |
| Location: | Architect, LEED AP, Anime Freak, West Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 823 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Overall Anime-nutcase with blue-hair and full-upper body tribal tattoo |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 05:29 pm |
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"Banda, I had MEEB and I opened it once...to look up the definition of CFM...and this is because my mother was buying a downdraft and wanted to know what CFM meant. I still haven't read the whole bible, and so I am morally opposed to reading that whole book.
I only used ALS for M&E...but I read through the entire book, went through the flash cards everday for two weeks, and took the practice exams. I even used the CD. Entire time dedicated to M&E: 2 weeks."
Ok, I'll bite. I'm fed up to no end. I've been in the field for 13 years with about 9 years of hand drafting and pen & ink renderings of historic buildings off and on before that (while getting my teaching degrees). BUT, instead of A-R-C-H-I-T-E-C-T, these tests have made me feel like I-D-I-O-T, particularly the ME studying. I've reached my threshold, and other then reviewing previous tester's experiences and reading two texts I have, I'm going to use Kaplan, Kaplan Flash Cards, Archi-flash Cards, and the test bank CD's. Screw the fawking MEEB book. At this point, pardon my language, but I don't give a fawk whether I pass or fail anymore. I'm just going to gamble every 6 months with any fails.
Babybuggs, I have spent about an hour just reading and re-reading your thread. I'm in utter awe and chronically depressed at the same time. I approached the testing with excitement about enhancing my career in architecture, but to be honest, these tests and studying for them (completely meaningless and useless studying) has left such a bad taste in my mouth that I may consider a career change after getting licensed (at least I'll have the "blessed paper" to fall back on).
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avatect1
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 31st, 2005 |
| Location: | A-R-C-H-I-T-E-C-T, New York USA |
| Posts: | 211 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 05:51 pm |
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| ...NO WAY. If I had no kids, no wife, no job, no life, no TV, no windows and no sleep (all of which I now have), I still couldn't possibly do this within 3 1/2 months!
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Architect wannabe, Boston, Ma
Member
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 05:59 pm |
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OK!! We all agree. Babybuggs has been exceptional!!! The exams are stupid and a pain in the a**. They also don't qualify anybody as a good Architect, except that in the eyes of NCARB.
But there are other people out there that nailed the ARE in one year (still pretty good!!) Which is roughly a month of study per exam and no failure. Rationally I am trying to justify my personal poor performance on taking the ARE. I came up with 3 categories of people:
1.Smart and very intuitive people (very effective while doing MC under the clock) Babybuggs is probably in there. 9 exams passed with 2 weeks of study cannot only come out of luck!
2.People that study with continuity and motivation and they effectively perform in MC under the clock (the majority of the candidate). They got one failure or two and moved on.
3. Everybody else that is getting fed up with this thing. It happens for many reason. Poor luck, low test taking skills, foreign first language, too much time in studying the subjects, lack of concentration, fear, stress, kids.....
In school and work I always experienced a relationship between efforts and time dedicated to an activity and results. The ARE is the only thing in my life that I cannot analyze, I have to accept as it is!
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tezla
Member
| Joined: | Wed Nov 2nd, 2005 |
| Location: | West Side Of Central, USA |
| Posts: | 76 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 06:34 pm |
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| You ROCK woman! That is pretty darn cute insiration, you've got there. Thanks for the great post.
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babybuggs
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| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Charlotte, North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 120 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 09:17 pm |
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tezla wrote: You ROCK woman! That is pretty darn cute insiration, you've got there. Thanks for the great post.
she is the best! i think i was so scared if I didn't do it this year, I would never do it. I think anyone's who's had a child can punk NCARB and the ARE with both hands tied. I felt superhuman after labor&delivery. INTENSE. But what I haven't done enough of is thanking the forum because a lot of what helped me came from other posters too! I wanted to return the favor.
And if it makes anyone feel better, C's and B's in structures...Actually, I got my first 'B' in structures when I was in grad school. I think I even celebrated that. I may have gotten a C in the M&E course in grad school and was just glad to escape. The ARE is the most random examination ever. I even heard that mechanical engineers get open book exams. No fair!!!Last edited on Wed Dec 13th, 2006 09:24 pm by babybuggs
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babybuggs
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| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Charlotte, North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 120 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 09:26 pm |
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transpace wrote: Do you go to work in the morning like the rest of us?
Unfortunately, that's where I spend the better part of my days. But, its very office space here, and no one cares I got licensed. I feel like Raphael from TBS...except my misnomer is "designer" or "intern". I did, however, get the ball rolling by taking 3 of my tests while on maternity leave. Kind of motivated me to finish strong.
Last edited on Wed Dec 13th, 2006 09:27 pm by babybuggs
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babybuggs
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| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Charlotte, North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 120 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Wed Dec 13th, 2006 09:30 pm |
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ironwarrior wrote: "Banda, I had MEEB and I opened it once...to look up the definition of CFM...and this is because my mother was buying a downdraft and wanted to know what CFM meant. I still haven't read the whole bible, and so I am morally opposed to reading that whole book.
I only used ALS for M&E...but I read through the entire book, went through the flash cards everday for two weeks, and took the practice exams. I even used the CD. Entire time dedicated to M&E: 2 weeks."
Ok, I'll bite. I'm fed up to no end. I've been in the field for 13 years with about 9 years of hand drafting and pen & ink renderings of historic buildings off and on before that (while getting my teaching degrees). BUT, instead of A-R-C-H-I-T-E-C-T, these tests have made me feel like I-D-I-O-T, particularly the ME studying. I've reached my threshold, and other then reviewing previous tester's experiences and reading two texts I have, I'm going to use Kaplan, Kaplan Flash Cards, Archi-flash Cards, and the test bank CD's. Screw the fawking MEEB book. At this point, pardon my language, but I don't give a fawk whether I pass or fail anymore. I'm just going to gamble every 6 months with any fails.
Babybuggs, I have spent about an hour just reading and re-reading your thread. I'm in utter awe and chronically depressed at the same time. I approached the testing with excitement about enhancing my career in architecture, but to be honest, these tests and studying for them (completely meaningless and useless studying) has left such a bad taste in my mouth that I may consider a career change after getting licensed (at least I'll have the "blessed paper" to fall back on).
I know this probably doesn't help....but I want to do real estate myself. What's really depressing is after you do all this and the management brigade doesn't show up to knight you. Getting licensed was somewhat anticlimactic for me...especially considering the fact that my last two project managers were NOT?!!!Last edited on Wed Dec 13th, 2006 09:32 pm by babybuggs
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daiku
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