3rd Attempt FINALLY PASSED PcM !!! Here's what helped!
I haven't seen a recent post about passing PCM on this forum in years. I can happily say this past weekend I finally Passed PcM!
First off if you have just taken PCM and didn’t pass. Please do not get yourself down! This is a really difficult exam to pass and I know the feeling, just know you are not alone and you CAN do this! Keep going, let this motivate you because one day you will become a badass architect! It’s a difficult exam but not impossible. I want to share here what helped me pass on my third attempt and hopefully, it can help someone out there too!
THE RESOURCES:
AHPP and the AIA Contracts B101, C401, A101, A201. THESE SHOULD BE YOUR PRIMARY STUDY RESOURCES. All the content for PcM comes from here. Everything else is good practice to get used to answering questions but one big tip is to get comfortable really Reading a lot for this exam!
SECONDARY STUDY RESOURCES that I used were:
- Designer Hacks: it's a great way to start understanding the overall concepts for this exam but didn't find it effective as I got closer to the test date. Their questions on Designer Hacks I feel are way too short.)
- WeARE: this is a fantastic site. I got it after my first attempt. It really helped me leap forward and I did improve on my second attempt but failed due to a high amount of calculation questions.
- Hyperfine Architecture: I did Erik Walkers Walking the ARE PcM exam after my second attempt and this really helped me the most with getting really confident with the calculation questions. It's a hard practice exam.
- NCARB Practice Exam: Helpful. took this after my second attempt a total of 5 times and passed 3. Can't really rely on this practice exam because you'll never see any of these questions again. It's helpful to get used to the question types but I wouldn't use these exams solely to study.
THE STRUGGLE:
What I struggled the most with on this exam were the Finacial calculations. So I committed the following formulas to memory just by trying to write them down on a Post-it or index card every morning and formed a habit until I knew it like the back of my hand. (see pic below)
- Overhead Rate: OHR = IDE / DL (Range 1.3-1.5)
- Break Even Rate: BER = OHR+1 (Range 2.3-2.5)
- Utilization Rate 2 Formulas below. Understand this will only be done in either Hours(hrs) or Dollars($) not both: UR = DL(hrs) / TOTAL(hrs) or DSE($) / BASE SALARY($)
- Net Multiplier 3 Formulas below that helped me answer any net multiplier questions
- NM = NOR / DL (Net Operating Revenue/Direct Labor)
- NM = BER / inv% (Break Even Rate / inverse profit %)
- NM = BR / HR (Billing Rate / Hourly Rate)
- Billing Rate= Revenue / DL (hrs)
- Current Ratio = all assets / all liabilities (For Solvency)
- Quick Ratio = all assets + all accrued / all liabilities (For LiQuidity)
Once I had these 7 or so formulas down, I also had the project delivery method chart in Chapter 9 of AHPP page #512 embedded into my brain.
THE GRIT:
Think of this test as more of a Reading Comprehension Exam. Read the questions CAREFULLY and try to highlight keywords. You may find that the answer is obvious for some questions but if you feel one is easy but tricky, flag it and come back to it later. When you do come back to it approach it from a different angle. There could be just ONE word in the question that can change the entire answer from the one you may have immediately written off or striked out. The best advice I received was -
“Don't make up a story in your head that isn't a part of the question.” I cannot stress this enough! Sometimes things sound correct but add to the story of the question which ultimately is wrong.
THE STRATEGY:
This may be unorthodox but I take this exam in reverse order. Starting from the case study's last question and clicking “previous” all the way down to number #1. This way I can see how many questions I have left to view and how much time left counting down. I start by trying to complete both case studies in under the first 40min. Flag anyone that I can't get or want to come back too. This also helps if you get any contracts as part of the case studies you can go back for if you get a question in the body of the exam. Then I complete every question down to #1 flagging ones that look way too long or I get stuck with and then start answering the marked/flagged questions after I’ve viewed the whole exam.
I did this strategy on all 3 attempts and was able to finish the exam with plenty of extra time at least 40+ minutes to review marked questions. I’ve always ended the exam early with about 10-15min left. Time shouldn't be an issue on this test. Just read and READ MORE and you WILL get faster.
THE SCHEDULE:
1st attempt: 6 weeks 20hrs a week (~2.5 hrs weekdays / 4 hrs weekends)
2nd attempt: 5 weeks 18hrs a week (~2 hrs weekdays / 4 hrs weekends)
3rd attempt: 4 weeks 16hrs a week (~1.25 hrs weekdays / 4 hrs weekends)
Remember if I can do this… You Got This!
-
Thank you for this post. I am starting to study for this exam. If it is not too much trouble, would you mind spelling out what your abbreviations mean? I want to make sure I am not assuming and getting these equations wrong. (ie. DL = direct labor costs, but is there ever an instance where you would combine indirect and direct labor costs to achieve a number?) Thanks!
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
9 comments