1. Posts on this forum that mention long-winded, riddle-type questions and an overall “What’s this all about” mindset.  Some people can be so pessimistic!
2. Only having 1 week to find resources, read, prep notes, review, try to work through mock exams, etc.
3. Not having read all the resources I found, and wishing I had more time to read them.

1. ALS - The old version, didn’t make a difference, it’s about understanding what influences the earthquake makes on a building, not in memorization of a formula.  When it comes to the seismic shear formula, look at the old one, look at the new IBC one, and know what are the contributing factors for developing the amount of seismic shear.  Understand the concepts and principles.
2. FEMA 454, Chapters 4 & 5.  Explains many of the same concepts from ALS/Kaplan, but in a different way, with many examples (both diagrams and photos).  Plus it discusses real earthquake situation and shows you what happened in buildings that failed. Some have had problems finding FEMA 454, probably should be handed to each student as they graduate, or at least on the reference shelf of most firms, since it is called, "Designing for Earthquakes: A Manual for Architects".  Here is the link:  http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2418   It is a very large pdf if you download the whole thing, so, if you can't, scroll down to grab each chapter separately.  I downloaded the whole thing, and will probably read more chapters down the road, quick and easy read, but very informative.
3. IBC 2003, Chapter 16, Sections on Earthquakes and Wind.  Good to know what the codes we are following today say.  You don’t have to read it word for word, or memorize things, just know what it is saying, have a basic understanding, and perhaps something important from it will be on your test.
4. Why Buildings Stand Up - This is a great "I'm taking a break book".  I used this one more for the GS test, but still informative for LF.  Short, Quick read, didn't have to read the whole thing, just the important chapters.  I won't tell you which chapters are important, look at the Table of Contents and figure it out, a task which should help your research and test taking skills.
5. Why Buildings Fall Down -  Again, another great (short, quick) book for those study breaks.  This one is more informative when it comes to LF, as it is typically the affects of lateral forces that cause structural failure.  There are at least two chapters in there that are pertinent to earthquake and wind issues.  Especially good for discussing real events.  Or you can even read the great story of the B-25 that hit the Empire State Building in 1945, which I found interesting in a Post-911 world.  I didn't read those two particular chapters (earthquakes/ wind) as closely as I should have before the test.  Probably should have!  Again, use the Table of Contents to figure out which Chapters are important, I cannot spoon feed you everything!
6. Some other small items, but very good found on the LF FTP site.

1. Simplified Building Design for Wind and Earthquake Forces by Ambrose/Vergun.  I requested it from the library.  It wasn’t at my branch, so I asked for a transfer from another branch on the upper north side of town.  It didn’t show up in time, received notice today at 11am that I can go pick it up at my branch now.  Um, yeah!

1. Day 4 of the David Thaddeus GS Seminar Notes posted under the General Structures FTP site.  Kicking myself now as I review them and see things that would have helped and made a few questions a little easier to answer and quicker to wade through.  That seminar must really be something.  Go to the FTP site and pull all 4 days prior to taking GS or LF.  Link:  http://www.areforum.org/guest/General%20Structures/AREseminar/AREseminar/seminar%20notes/

1. Base Shear Distribution
2. Overturning
3. Max Diaphragm Shear and Chord Forces - you should know how to calc this, but also the ends, outs and upside-downs of how diaphragms really work.

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