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mrdcon
Member
| Joined: | Sat Nov 19th, 2005 |
| Location: | Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 379 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | a r c h i t e c - |
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Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 10:05 pm |
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Maybe it depends on the exam you draw, but I have to say if I would have been given all of the resources, open, in front of me, I'm still not sure if I could have answered 30% of the questions on this exam.
The different terminology, the way in which the question was worded and simply material that I did not see in the various texts and resources that I had used to study from really threw me.
Here's what I studied from:
David Thaddeus 4 day seminar, Kaplan 2008 study guide, CD test bank and Questions and Answers book, FEMA ( all the chapters that were recommended), IBC 2006, Ballast and Simplified Building Design for wind and earthquake forces by Ambrose and Vergun and reviewed materials and methods.
I studied for 3 weeks immediately after my general structures exam ( which I passed). I was told that was the best way to go ( and I still think it is). I felt going in to the exam, that I truely understood the concepts and terminology as well as many of the formulas and calculations as well as I could.
I walked out feeling like .... what was all of this studying for? Worse of all, I'm not sure how or what I would change if I have to re-take the exam.
Here's the recap:
NO....nada....nothing on.... max. chord force, ratio of soil to building period questions, normal force method vs projected area method, sign on the roof, shear in a roof diaphram, seismic moment in a parapet, no Richter or Mercalli scale questions, seismic force questions, no wind calculations or diagrams, no base shear calculations.
Here's what was on my exam to the best of my recollection:
No. of bolts to hold something down, Torsion calculations, COSTS!!!!????? ( I probably had a dozen or so related to cost), plan and vertical irregularities, lots of laterals resisting system questions, lots of diaphram questions, 4 or 5 glass / curtain wall questions ( it could have been a material and methods exam) as well as about 16-18 questions that I had never seen before and about 12 calculations that I wasn't expecting.
Very discouraging... the tally:
43 questions that I knew, 16 questions that I took educated questions and 16 flat out guesses. Pretty discouraging, especially since this is my last exam. So now the long hard wait. ...... 
Last edited on Sun Aug 17th, 2008 12:00 am by mrdcon
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Alright
Member
| Joined: | Tue Feb 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | A R C H I T E C T !!!, Houston, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 210 |
| 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: | Glad to be done. |
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Posted: Sun Aug 17th, 2008 06:42 pm |
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My exam was yesterday, and it was terrible as well. I prepared a TON for this test...won't be surprised if I failed it. Won't be surprised if I passed. Such is the ARE.
I don't think I took nearly close to 16 flat-out guesses. Maybe only 2-3. But I don't think I knew 43 questions for sure either. I think I took a lot more than 16 "educated guesses".
With 4 minutes left I still had two questions to try to answer that I was unable to previously. One was a calc, and I had tried several formulas for it and I tried one last one and came out with one of the choices listed! So I'm pretty sure I got that one right, and that took me like a minute and a half. Then with 2.5 minutes left I went to the final question, and after reading this one like 5 times and not understanding what was asked...I finally understood WHAT THEY WERE ASKING. I think I got it right.
That is the problem with these tests is that you spend like a minute just trying to figure out what the question is asking for, then 30 seconds to read the answers and make a decision. Groan.
I'll find out in 2 weeks I guess if I'm a FREE MAN!
- Alright
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dottie
Architect
| Joined: | Fri Sep 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Wasilla, Alaska USA |
| Posts: | 1001 |
| 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: | Taking Northern Design Course & passed the LEED test |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 01:12 am |
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Good luck to both of you! I felt the same way with LF, and I passed. Just found out this past week. I am now waiting for ME! I feel the same way with that one!
I didn't think the terminology was the same as when I studied. Very disappointed. Just wait and see.
Hope we all do okay!
I got some other things to keep myself occupied between now and February, I will have to squeeze in that study time after Christmas. Though, it sure would be nice to not have to worry about it ever again!!!!!!
Good luck again. Let us know.
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Alright
Member
| Joined: | Tue Feb 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | A R C H I T E C T !!!, Houston, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 210 |
| 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: | Glad to be done. |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 02:35 am |
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Yeah, whether I pass or fail, it's good to know I won't have to revisit this nonsense until 2009. In fact, right now I'm quite confused as to what to do with my time.
I'm actually cleaning my apartment. And enjoying it. This new free time is gonna rule. I boxed all my LF crap up and I'm getting it out of my place and taking it to work to give to the others. I don't want to see another Kaplan book ever again.
I may take a few weeks off then try to attack the LEED test. I'm assuming it's much easier than any ARE test. I heard it's a lot of memorization.
Good luck on ME dottie. That was my first soiree with Prometric back in January 2007.
- Alright
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mrdcon
Member
| Joined: | Sat Nov 19th, 2005 |
| Location: | Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 379 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | a r c h i t e c - |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 02:44 am |
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dottie wrote: Good luck to both of you! I felt the same way with LF, and I passed. Just found out this past week. I am now waiting for ME! I feel the same way with that one!
I didn't think the terminology was the same as when I studied. Very disappointed. Just wait and see.
Hope we all do okay!
I got some other things to keep myself occupied between now and February, I will have to squeeze in that study time after Christmas. Though, it sure would be nice to not have to worry about it ever again!!!!!!
Good luck again. Let us know.
Thanks dottie.... I sure am hoping for a last pass letter. It sure would be great to be done. For the last 7 months, I've been hammering away at the ARE and so while I'm still in the "study groove", I'm diving right into LEED. Ordered the reference guide today and downloaded the flashcards. It sure seems like a lot of memorization, which I don't particularly like. I'm more of a visual learner, so it will be a challenge. It's either LEED or something to do with CODE. I want to take advantage of this "mindset" before I shut it completely down.
Let me us know you make out with ME and ....Hey Alright .... let us know when you get your LF results!
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wither3d
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 |
| Location: | A-R-C-H-I-T-E-C-T - New York, New York USA |
| Posts: | 216 |
| 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: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 03:49 am |
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yep, i know the feeling you're going through right now. but keep positive - you never know what can happen. i was pretty sure i failed and look what happened.
i mean i think what happens is the wording throws us all off as to how we did and we probably got a lot more right than we thought. best of luck.
Last edited on Mon Aug 18th, 2008 03:54 pm by wither3d
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dottie
Architect
| Joined: | Fri Sep 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Wasilla, Alaska USA |
| Posts: | 1001 |
| 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: | Taking Northern Design Course & passed the LEED test |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 06:30 am |
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| Thanks wither3d! Nice to hear from you.
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mrdcon
Member
| Joined: | Sat Nov 19th, 2005 |
| Location: | Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 379 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | a r c h i t e c - |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 01:02 pm |
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wither3d wrote: yep, i know the feeling you're going through right now. but keep positive - you never know what can happen. i was pretty sure i failed and look what happened.
i mean i think what happens is the wording throws us all off as to how we did and we probably got a lot more right than we though. best of luck.
Hope your right wither3d! ... thanks! ...
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mgilman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 07:41 pm |
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Good luck mrdcon!
I'm going nuts waiting for the mail!!!
Last edited on Mon Aug 18th, 2008 07:41 pm by mgilman
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mrdcon
Member
| Joined: | Sat Nov 19th, 2005 |
| Location: | Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 379 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | a r c h i t e c - |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 07:45 pm |
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mgilman wrote: Good luck mrdcon!
I'm going nuts waiting for the mail!!!
WHAT!!!!! You haven't received your LF results yet? How long has it been? I'm now waiting as well ..... but I don't think my results will be like yours ....
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mgilman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 09:07 pm |
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11 days...
10 days was my record!
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mrdcon
Member
| Joined: | Sat Nov 19th, 2005 |
| Location: | Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 379 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | a r c h i t e c - |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 09:50 pm |
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mgilman wrote: 11 days...
10 days was my record!
Anyday now...... BTW.... I see you passed LEED. I've decided that while I'm in the "study groove", I going to tackle LEED. How long did you study and how was the exam? How did it compare ... or did it compare to any of the ARE exams?
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mgilman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 10:05 pm |
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It's a story:
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum12/50665.html
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btb
Member
| Joined: | Wed Aug 8th, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 161 |
| 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: | waiting for BT |
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Posted: Mon Aug 18th, 2008 10:07 pm |
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| Good Luck!
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mrdcon
Member
| Joined: | Sat Nov 19th, 2005 |
| Location: | Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 379 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | a r c h i t e c - |
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Posted: Tue Aug 19th, 2008 02:49 am |
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mgilman wrote: It's a story:
http://www.areforum.org/forums/forum12/50665.html
girl...you rock!
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mgilman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Tue Aug 19th, 2008 10:05 pm |
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thanks...
...still waiting for LF!!!
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mrdcon
Member
| Joined: | Sat Nov 19th, 2005 |
| Location: | Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 379 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | a r c h i t e c - |
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Posted: Tue Aug 19th, 2008 10:40 pm |
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mgilman wrote: thanks...
...still waiting for LF!!!
I can't believe you're STILL WAITING!!!!! Good grief!
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wantopas
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 21st, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 281 |
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 04:07 am |
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dear recent LF taker,
did anyone have difficulties using computer calculator?
is that true, we cannot use our own calculator any more??
please advise me. thanks!
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mrdcon
Member
| Joined: | Sat Nov 19th, 2005 |
| Location: | Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 379 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | a r c h i t e c - |
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Posted: Thu Aug 21st, 2008 12:41 pm |
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wantopas wrote: dear recent LF taker,
did anyone have difficulties using computer calculator?
is that true, we cannot use our own calculator any more??
please advise me. thanks!
No personal calculators. Practice with the Windows on-screen calculator and you'll be fine.
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