PA Pass

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6 comments

  • A very good suggestion: read the questions first, and then read the case study with a purpose.

    I'd also add: use the search function to find the info quickly.

    Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

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    Alexandra Grabel

    I find that the Black Spectacles practice exams ask a lot of very detailed questions about building systems and structures. Would you say that it would be more important to prioritize code knowledge over this? 

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    Joseph Fratoni

    I'm just curious how experience played a role in your pass? That's a tight timeline! My first ARE (PA) is in 3 weeks, and I've already been studying nearly every night for 2 hours per night, longer on the weekends. I have about 1 year full time experience, and was an intern for 3 summers before that. My first internship with a landscape architect has actually made me more familiar with a lot of these topics than practicing architecture.

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    Jiaxin Yan

    Alexandra Grabel

    I would say it's important to know building systems + structures and pros/cons, but not to a great detail. As for code, knowing what function falls into what occupancy and critical ADA requirements (like slope of a ramp) is the amount of detail I'd say you'd have to remember, since the exam provides you with relevant sections of the code to refer to for the case studies (and who says you can't use that for other questions). 

     

    Joseph Fratoni

    I have about 2.5 years full time experience mostly with projects in the DD-CD phase. However, I was on a corporate office building competition where I did most of the planning, and I found the process to be extremely similar to how I thought through the exam questions, so this experience helped a ton. 

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    Martha Martinez

    Jiaxin, Thank you! I am following your advice. please tell us how was it taking the exam with no scratch paper and a digital white board instead.

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    Jiaxin Yan

    Martha Martinez 
    I honestly really dislike the digital white board. it's unresponsive sometimes and annoying to draw with, but gotta work with what you have ahha

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