PA exam

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Christopher Kono

February 27, 2021 19:21

I just took the PA exam. I did extensive studying on everything that was recommended. The test felt like it covered about 10% of what I actually studied for. Why would the study material not be relevant to the test? Where am I supposed to find the relevant study information if it’s not the information that was recommended. This doesn’t make any sense. What a joke! 

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  Mark Wang February 28, 2021 18:27

  PA tests concepts using very indirect and vague questions. I also had a hard time with it. What materials are you using?

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  Christopher Kono February 28, 2021 18:42

  The ppi2plan practice tests, quizzes, flash cards. And the site planning and design handbook. Was the amber book super helpful?

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  Mark Wang February 28, 2021 22:02

  Amber Book was very helpful - it doesn't contain "filler" like PPI and Site Planning Book. Those are 80% non-tested rambling just to fill pages and make the book long enough, and 20% content that you have to sort through to find.

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  Mark Baker February 28, 2021 22:47

  For PA I always recommend reading every section of every resource that is about the subject SUSTAINABILITY. 

  Trombe walls, and solar orientation.  Project planning, site features, etc are the extensive topics on this exam.

  Mark, Archizam, ARE 5.0 Practice Exams

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  Christopher Kono February 28, 2021 23:08

  Thanks mark. I think I’ll try the amber next, even tho it’s super pricey

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  Mark Baker March 01, 2021 00:42

  Christopher,

  I was referring to the Sun, Wind, and Light book, and the chapters of the review manuals on sustainability.

  Site Planning and Design handbook, Arch graphic standards, etc.

  I passed without using amber book.  I didn't have the money for that kind of thing.

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  Adam D'Elia March 03, 2021 02:32

  Mark, which sections of Amber, besides Site, did you feel helped most with PA? Looking at the matrix provided Amber, seems to touch almost every section for PA.

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  Mark Wang March 03, 2021 05:58 (Edited March 03, 2021 06:01)

  Amber book doesn't have too much material - which is why it's good. You actually can (and should) just internalize all of its environmental portions for PA. This includes thermal, light, acoustics, and anything else that affect the whole building and doesn't just talk about a single component of it. Go over it twice, the first time just listening and the second time taking notes. Quality of understanding > quantity of stuff looked at for PA.

  If you really are short on time, just filter out the stuff that's obviously too detailed for PA (types of light, nails, screws, copper piping designations) and study the rest.

  I feel that the PA test would be too easy if they didn't make it tricky or give extremely little information, or have open ended questions. They are testing a small amount of material tbh, but they really want you to know it through and through and be able to rank the situational importance of each environmental factor.

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