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Cody Zimmerman

January 18, 2023 04:41

I’m just going to get straight to the study resources I used because I know that’s what I always come here for when preparing for an exam In this order: Study Resources 1. Ballast 5.0 Review Manual 2. Site Planning & Design Ch. 2,3,7 and Appendix A 3. Problem Seeking. All chapters. It’s a long text but I skimmed through and read the big concepts at the beginning of each section. 4. ADA 2010. Focus on ramps, slope, and clearances 5. Architect Exam Prep Course 6. Amber Book videos/ flash cards Practice 1. Ballast Practice Problems 2. Ballast Mock Exam 3. Amber Book Practice Exam 4. Architect Exam Prep Multiple Choice Simulator 5. Logic Puzzles by Stephen Ryder. There are a lot of adjacency problems. I found the best way you can prepare for them is to simply practice logic puzzles because that’s essentially what they are. This text is great and you’ll have fun at the same time. I dedicated a few days to this workbook and it really boosted my confidence in solving the adjacency problems on the PA exam. Highly recommend it.

Good Luck!

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  Rebekka O'Melia January 20, 2023 14:45

  Hi Cody,

  Congrats on passing PA!

  Can you explain more about those logic puzzles?  I'm googling them, and it looks similar to a design matrix?  Is it math or text based?  Are they similar to these free ones online?  https://www.ahapuzzles.com/logic/logic-puzzles/printable/

  Thanks,

  Rebekka O'Melia, Registered Architect, NCARB, B. Arch, M. Ed, Step UP,  Step UP ARE 5.0 Courses 

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  Rebekka O'Melia January 20, 2023 18:17

  And I found a site of free online logic puzzles too!  

  https://www.ahapuzzles.com/logic/logic-puzzles/

  Rebekka O'Melia, Registered Architect, NCARB, B. Arch, M. Ed, Step UP,  Step UP ARE 5.0 Courses 

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  Cody Zimmerman January 20, 2023 20:19 (Edited June 03, 2024 20:28)

  Rebekka. That link you provided is exactly the type of problems you’ll find in Logic Puzzles except with a larger matrix and more components to link together. I found these so helpful because while the PA exam lists program spaces and the applicant fills out an empty bubble diagram (or floor plan), it’s the same concept. You’re given just enough information to get started and then it’s up to you to solve the remaining relationships based on the rules provided to you. I’m not kidding I used to be intimidated by drag and drop adjacency problems until I spent time doing these puzzles.

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  Rebekka O'Melia January 20, 2023 21:42

  Scroll down, there are easy ones at the top, then moderate, then more difficult.

  Thats for pointing these puzzles out - they are fun & useful!

  Rebekka O'Melia, Registered Architect, NCARB, NOMA, B. Arch, M. Ed, Step UP,  Step UP ARE 5.0 Courses 

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