| الكاتب | ارسال |
|---|
bammer
Member
| تاريخ الالتحاق: | الاحد أوكتوبر 26th, 2008 |
| الموقع: | Bay Area, California USA |
| عدد المواضيع: | 4 |
| Exams Taken: | | | Exams Passed: | | | Describes Me: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| مستوى: |  |
|
كتب: الاربعا أوكتوبر 29th, 2008 07:16 am |
|
| Just curious - I'm new to the forum and am currently studying for my first exam. I am quickly realizing that paying for all the study materials and seminars are leaving me and my wallet feeling hollow inside. How much are you all spending to study? Would anyone recommend buying the entire Kaplan learning system for all the exams in one shot (ouch, btw). What about the AIA seminars? Are they really worth the forfeiture of hard earned cash? I would love to read anyones thoughts on this...
|
maxmin
Member
| تاريخ الالتحاق: | الجمعة أغسطس 22nd, 2008 |
| الموقع: | |
| عدد المواضيع: | 15 |
| Exams Taken: | CD | | Exams Passed: | CD | | Describes Me: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| مستوى: |   |
|
كتب: الاربعا أوكتوبر 29th, 2008 08:10 am |
|
I think Ballast and Kaplan are worth it. Although, what do I know, I have yet to pass any exams  . What I am doing, sort of as a consumerist incentive to myself, is that I'll buy one Kaplan study set at a time. More expensive in the long-run--> yes, but motivative in that I'll get 7 shiny boxes in the mail spread out through time, instead of just one major expensive one! Plus, the editions might update as time passes.. so one subject at a time could help you budget, as well as allow the Kaplan publishers to work out the kinks in their ARE 4.0 study material, until you get around to studying for the specific subjects. I notice in my Kaplan books a lot of typos and errors, it can get a little annoying. Ballast is an all-in-one deal, and just from the efficiency in the presentation of the info, and that it can dual as a reference book as well as study aid, I think it is very worthy. The PPI sample problems and practice exams are extra worthy, for all the practice you can get.
I went to one AIA seminar... but it was way over my head. I mean in the beginning I thought I was following, but then as the speaker busted out the Allowable Area calculation equations and area separation determination equations, he lost me. But that's my experience. Some people learn better when they hear it, I just get confused. I only went because someone in my office purchased the seminar, but ended up couldn't go. I don't think I would have voluntarily signed up for such a thing. Very expensive, and the material flew right through my head.
|
KonaKad
Member
| تاريخ الالتحاق: | الثلاثا مايو/أيار 20th, 2008 |
| الموقع: | Keauhou, Hawaii |
| عدد المواضيع: | 39 |
| Exams Taken: | CD, SP | | Exams Passed: | CD | | Describes Me: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| مستوى: | |
|
كتب: الاربعا أوكتوبر 29th, 2008 09:10 am |
|
bammer,
I've found so far that the whole enchilada from Kaplan (4.0) has been well worth it...other than the hand rendering vignettes they kick in. Many of our Forum peers have found the same about Kaplan's paper vignettes too. The series of texts & practice exams & flash cards have been invaluable in getting prepped. I've been doing my exams (AT) 30days apart, so having the whole set made most sense in my case. Just get the texts in some manner.
But, with that said... and the wide topic array we all have been finding in the actual ARE exams... you'll ALSO need to hit NCARB's recommended "reference" books. I own and recommend both the AGS and AHPP. AGS has had several vital items come up on exams that weren't in Kaplan or Ballast. As for the rest of the reference list, you could try what I've been doing... trying the large state library system to check out what's available. That way you can peruse, and only purchase the ones YOU feel are relevant off ebay or Amazon. I'd bet that with you being a mainlander, you'll have good luck with the library avenue. If I can find them on this rock of an island, you'll have exponentially better odds 
Last, but not least... is your BEST & FREE option... use this forum, use this forum, use this forum! once you've got your target exam you're studying for, play an archaeologist and DIG through every entry in that same category. DIG through the FTP site (hugely valuable too)... read all the entries from those who've just sat for the same exam... and post your graphic vignettes for peer feedback!
Hope this helps and best of luck on your journey! We're always here...
|
bammer
Member
| تاريخ الالتحاق: | الاحد أوكتوبر 26th, 2008 |
| الموقع: | Bay Area, California USA |
| عدد المواضيع: | 4 |
| Exams Taken: | | | Exams Passed: | | | Describes Me: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| مستوى: | |
|
كتب: الخميس أوكتوبر 30th, 2008 03:23 pm |
|
Thank you for your replies. I appreciate the advice. I think both of you made great points, and certainly the library was something obvious that I hadn't thought of before. I think financing (for lack of a better term) the Kaplan material piece meal makes sense to me also as I am not in too much of a hurry to get through everything. I guess this being my first exam, I have been a little unsure of what is a concise way of studying that won't break my pocket book. I have been checking out several of the treads here regarding the many different ways people have been studying, and it has been very helpful.
Thanks again and good luck on any exams you both may have going on...
Cheers!
|
bammer
Member
| تاريخ الالتحاق: | الاحد أوكتوبر 26th, 2008 |
| الموقع: | Bay Area, California USA |
| عدد المواضيع: | 4 |
| Exams Taken: | | | Exams Passed: | | | Describes Me: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| مستوى: | |
|
كتب: الخميس أوكتوبر 30th, 2008 03:34 pm |
|
And oh yeah, to answer my own question...
NALSA flash cards - $30
NALSA practice vignette - $20
AHPP - ~$200
Local AIA Seminar - $70
Kaplan (haven't bought yet) ~$200.
The AHPP I can sort of justify because I will use it for years to come, but I think I may seek my partial refund on the AIA seminar...
|
twingi
Member
| تاريخ الالتحاق: | الاحد مايو/أيار 1st, 2005 |
| الموقع: | |
| عدد المواضيع: | 189 |
| Exams Taken: | | | Exams Passed: | | | Describes Me: | |
| Status: |
Online
|
| مستوى: | |
|
كتب: الخميس أوكتوبر 30th, 2008 05:23 pm |
|
Bammer...
I am coming to the end of test taking and i have purchased many of the suggested books.. and yes.. they do add up quickly. Here is some advice...
If you work in a larger firm ask people if they have these books you could borrow.
There is a marketplace section on this forum with people selling materials. You do not have to buy all at once.
People sell books on ebay as well. Keep checking it out... I am sure you could find great deals.
Do not be concerned about getting the latest Kaplan editions. The last 2 prints are almost "exactally" the same as the previous ones. In fact... it's upsetting that it's like that.. even the quizzes are the same. The only noticeable changes I have seen is LF has the IBC code in it as opposed to the UBC. And a few others (ME in particular) has included "some" sustainable items... but you could find more info online... which you should do anyways.
Also.. check with your local AIA chapter. They may have books you could borrow.
Good luck with all...
Twingi
|
الوقت الحالي هو 11:04 pm | |
|
