Finally.....

[MMC]

Hi All,

I received my final PASS letter last week. My state usually takes the longest time to send in the results. But they were very quick to send me the license. I received my result on Monday and by Friday I had already received all other documents by mail. Can't tell you how satisfying it is to finally receive it.
This whole process is not complete until I thank you all. Everyone who helped with my questions, checked my vignettes(Coach, Lug-nut, DWG, sbyrktct, spbnat, MikePM and all the others), cheered me up before and after the exam have supported me equally as my family did.

I gave my first exam SPD on 8th Dec 2010 and last, SS on 8th March 2012...so it took little over a year. I took 2 to 6 weeks of break after every exam for my 2 little kids.
I was fortunate to pass all the exams in my first try....I think a few imp reasons for this are :1) I had a study partner...it helps you to stay focused and committed.
2)I tried to go through all the material suggested on this forum and
3)I gave equal importance to the vignette. I think vignette is the key to passing. If you master the vignette, it helps you with the multiple choice but not vise versa.

My sequence was:
Site Planning and Design (1st and hence really scary, I think I passed b'cas I nailed the vignettes)
http://www.areforum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216377
Schematic Design (practice all alts and post and comment as much as you can)
http://www.areforum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=219320
Construction Documents and Services (easiest of all, don't forget those lectures when you study this one.)
http://www.areforum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=226638
Programming, Planning and Practice (too general)
http://www.areforum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=234180
Building Systems (hard but logical if you study well)
http://www.areforum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=241063
Building Design and Construction Systems (complete mix of all the others. I studied a lot; but it was the preparation that I did for the previous subjects that really helped me. Ching BCI is the best resource for this one)
http://www.areforum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=247679
Structural Systems (Too much to study, but once you are comfortable with the concepts you can nail this one too!)
http://www.areforum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=259645
I was not sure if what I did in the vignette was ok or not.....
....now I know, it is not that critical; definitely does not decide if you pass or fail.

This sequence worked very well for me, but now with the new revision NCARB has added a major section from BDCS to SPD, so I wouldn't suggest taking SPD as your first exam.

I took a break from work for my kids, for last few years. So, now the most difficult part has started. Job search....:-)). With the current economy that is going to be a BIG challenge. I am just keeping my fingers crossed (this is for praying....suggested by Corbu during BS....)

Thanks again and good luck with your journey ahead!

[archtern]

Awesome!! Congrats!!!

[ktkcad]

Well done!!

[MikePM]

Congratulations! Glad to be of assistance. All the best on the job search.
Mike

[pratima]

Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations

[LeCorbu]

Congrats MMC! I had forgotten about the praying emoticon. Good luck with the job search!

[MMC]

Thank you all!!!

I really need that Good Luck! ARE is looking easy compared to the Job Search right now!

[spbnat]

Congratulations!

[madeline]

congrats, and thanks for the great recap of each exam. good luck with the job search!

[MMC]

Thanks spbnat!! You have been a great help.

Thanks Madeline, congratulations to you too... and good luck with BS. Don't forget to use MEEB....its really good. Helped me a lot with all the basic concepts.