4th PPD Fail
4th PPD Fail, over a span of two years.
I allowed 2.5 hours for the Case study hoping to use 1.5 hr and the remaining hour to review my MC questions. There was a serious computer lag of about 15-17 seconds to open each drawing, and when one goes back - it shifts to Scenario, then you have to reload. On top of that, there were 2 computer crashes on one, I got shifted to another that also lost connection with the clock counting down. With 20 minutes remaining for MC questions review, it only allowed question by question rather than the marked ones only, again losing time. Prometric noted the problems and NCARB gave a seat credit - but most importantly I lost 1 chance of my retake and they are dwindling down.
I wanted to avoid the proctoring exam. This time I did worse than ever before, (most of them in level 3) even worse than the first time when I had barely studied for a couple of weeks, and most of my score was in level 2. The more I retake the worse it gets. aarggh!!!
Anyway taking a break and picking myself up, and have to change my strategy.
Advice welcome. TIA.
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Hi. I see that nobody replied to your post, so I'm going to give you some free advice.
Firstly, you spent 2.5 hrs of the actual PPD exam on the case studies?! That is too much time... the exam is only 4.25 hrs, so you spent more than 1/2 of the time on approximately 24 case study questions, leaving 96 questions to be answered in 105 minutes. This is NOT a good strategy. Next time, watch the clock! Do NOT spend more than 1.5 hrs on the case studies! The new virtual exam is going to be shorter - the # of questions and time allowed - reduced to 4 hr 5 min and 100 questions. For the virtual exam, do NOT spend more than 1.25 hrs on the case studies, and do them first. If you haven't finished then in 1 hr 15 min, leave the rest unanswered and move on.
I think the virtual exam may reduce or eliminate some of the computer lags. When I took the exams, I remember dealing with a significant computer lag when loading the case study materials. Just roll with it and do not let it get you flustered.
I am an ARE group coach. Considering the # of times you have failed, I think you would benefit from structured PPD coaching. My program is 6 weeks for PPD and includes an outline, lessons, quizzes, and weekly live zoom meetings. What have you used for study materials thus far??
Please DM/email if you'd like to chat.
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hi Rebekka, Thanks for your help. yeah this forum is random, no response as times.
I transitioned from 4.0. I had BDCS as my last exam during the last few days of 4.0. I failed only one vignette because I had vignette freezing issues,(some elements froze) and for the first time ever for me, so for caught off guard. Many candidates (100's) failed due to this computer glitch in the last month, it was all over the forum, but NCARB did not acknowledge the problem and no retake was allowed.
For PPD this time I allowed 2.5 hours - not for the case studies - but my intention was to use an hour of that to review my marked MC questions, but because there was so much lagging, I lost most of my time waiting for reloading large drawings. then on top of that I had three computer crashes where they had to restart my computer and change desks.
I studied Kaplan, Ballast, AEP, Amber Video and book, DH, BS, lots of online youtube videos. Books ; AHPP, SPD, ASC, MEEB, HCL, Structure Ambrose, FBC, AGS, PEA, IBC, ADA, lost of online manuals from WBGD, Sect of Interior Stds. etc. My score was the best before I did preparation for 5.0 and gave PPD, ( almost passed). Further studying took my score lower and lower. I think ARE set answers and industry standards sometimes don't agree with each other.
what do you think?
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That was alot of time for the case studies but I highly recommend on NOT skipping questions. Even if you passed that 1.15 hrs, i would just try to quickly answer the last case study questions and move on (go back to them if time allows). You do not lose points for wrong answers so its much better to at least guess.
Otherwise, it seems like your test taking strategy might be at fault. To be honest, it shouldn't take you that long to answer questions, and maybe the way you are approaching them might need some work. With the new exam, you have less questions as well so it might not be as much of a problem.
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Suchita,
Try not to let the computer problems ruin your exam. I too had slow laggy references and one minor computer failure when the exam screen just went black on me for about 3 minutes. Honestly, after having taken 4 exams, I started to use the computer glitches and lag time as a moment to breathe. On my final exam, I actually laughed at the computer a few times and how painfully slow it was.
The key I found was BEING CONFIDENT GOING IN to taking the exam. My point here is, if you know the material, the computer can not keep you from passing.
Two huge things I did - The first became a project for my coworker and I - we created practice tests for each other and then compared and checked our answers and knowledge against each other.
To Rebekka's point, the second thing I did as I studied for the retake of my failed PPD was GROUP STUDYING. Find a group, and pick some topics that you do not know about or need to learn more about, and discuss these items. You will learn more by actively researching and discussing - than you ever will just reading what a study guide is telling you to know.
You can do it Suchita!
Mark, Archizam, ARE 5.0 Practice Exams
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I made a YouTube video covering all of the study materials I used in order to pass the PPD exam in two months. Check it out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOl17gIUWCM
I was able to pass without purchasing a course and instead by focusing my studying on the NCARB recommended resources. I found this was the most beneficial strategy because NCARB uses those resources to actually write exam questions.
My other suggestion is to take a lot of practice test! The ones I recommend are from Ballast (PPI) and Designer Hacks (free and paid versions available).
I also have videos covering all of the other exams and plan to release a new video every week so be sure to Subscribe so you don't miss any future videos!
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