PcM 2nd Try and Pass
4 wk preparation for my 1st try on PcM and got a fail (see lessons and learn below)
2 wk preparation for my 2nd try on PcM and got a pass
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For my 1st round exam prep (4 wk, average 2 hr during the workday and 5 hr during weekends), I used AHPP / Black Spectacles (vidwo+flash cards+practice exams) / AIA Standard Form. The main reasons that I didn't pass it on my 1st try might be:
1) Time Management during the test (would recommend having at least 60 min for case studies and final review marked questions)
2) Lack of Prep on AIA Standard Form (B101 A201 A101 - shall be familiar with these three for sure!)
3) Spent too much time read through AHPP (should focus on more specific chapters based on your own study progress)
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And this time, 2nd round study (2 wk before the test average 4 hours study on daily basis), I was using the following materials and study sequence:
I). Ballast - more like full summary from AHPP, and focus on the exam items
II). Ballast Problems & Exam & Black Spectacles (Practice Exam Only)
By reviewing all the correct answers, identify the items I need to do a further study from AHPP.
For me, I went through AHPP - Chapter 16 - Risk Management / Chapter 9 - Design Project Delivery
III). AIA B101; AIA A201 (must read carefully! read through at least twice for each one)
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Good luck! I have mine next Friday, hoping I can pass. If you're looking for resources on the AIA documents you should check out the Schiff Hardin lectures on youtube. He's a lawyer who specializes in architecture contracts, and he goes through each document line by line. I don't think he has an A101 lecture, but he definitely does the B101 Owner/Architect agreement and the A201 General Conditions.
They are kinda long, but if you listen as 1.25 or 1.5 speed they're not too bad.
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Hi Suxian Sun ,
I have scheduled my exam for may 30th. Could you help me out with the study materials. Actually I have one month membership with Black spectacles & have AHPP. If you wouldn't mind could you suggest me some more study material.
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https://www.amazon.com/Review-Manual-Architect-Registration-Exam/dp/1591265150i
this is the one. My office actually purchased this material for designers who are preparing the ARE exams.
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I use Black Spectacles via a company account. After log-in, I only went through the Practice Exam part.
Best,
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You are a good example showing the ARE can be passed with one or two weeks prep. ARE exams are difficult, but over exaggerating the difficulty helps no one.
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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hi Gang Chen
The entire exam prep I spent on PcM is almost 6 weeks' study (1st round - 4 wk and I failed; 2nd round 2 wk and got a pass).
I tried to recap all my lessons and learn from my 1st fail before I started my 2nd round of study (also need to follow the 60-day-rule to retake the failed exam). And that really helps me to speed up my 2nd round of study - pay attention to the items that I need to emphasize my memory.
ARE is no doubt a long journey to take, and definitely need to build a routine study pattern to go through all the studying materials and try to get other useful practical experience during professional practice.
Best,
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Congratulations Suxian!! I am preparing the PCM right now, and I almost used the same materials as you! Ballast, Black Spectacles(video+flashcard), some parts of AHPP and AIA contracts. I thought I had read through all the materials, and then I used the Practice Exam on Black Spectacles to test myself, but I only got 50% or even less score. So I am wondering how do you think the real exam, compared to the practice exam on Black Spectacles? Is it easier or harder? Also the question format is similar? Cause I didn't find more practice, Black Spectacles is the only source I did mock up test, so any information about that would be helpful! Thanks!!
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hi Lily F.
I normally finish Black Spectacles Practice Exam with 40 min left, without a second review on uncertain questions (so I could have more time to review answers and back to study materials again), and got 55% - 65%. But during the real test, I would need to use full test time, review questions that I marked.
I would say the questions in real test is more practical compared with the Black Spectacles Practice Exam. also the tension during the real exam definitely slows down your speed on answering the questions.
Hope it helps.
Best,
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