PDD passed on first try (help from AmberBook / Hyperfine Architecture)
I took PPD two weeks ago and failed, but I took PDD yesterday and passed it on the first try! So I just wanted to give kudos to the 2 main sources I used. One is the AmberBook, because their videos and animations helped me understand, not just memorize, the many concepts that I thought were needed to take the last 2 exams I had left. The other one is Hyperfine Architecture course, because the assignments that Ben Norkin has put together are a good mix of concepts that you will see on both exams.
For my failed PPD, my score was 508 out of 550, so I was not that off. I’ll just need to work extra on some of the sections to increase my passing percentage.
Anyway, I highly recommend the AmberBook to anyone that needs guided structure to tackle the study materials, specially for the more complex exams of the series, PPD and PDD. Also highly recommended is Hyperfine Architecture if you need extra reinforcing but don’t know where to start.
To Hyperfine Architecture, Ben Norkin, and Amber Book, Professor Michael Ermann: Keep up the good content and the good work you do to prepare future architects!
Good luck to everyone on the ARE path!
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congratulations!. That helps as I prepare for PDD. I could not pass PPD even after taking AB which was disappointing as I did not expect to go down to 40% from 80% in content area 3 which was my strength though improved in other areas. I also read most of the ncarb recommended books my last attempt which I did not do this time. How did you calculate 508 out of 550?
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Hi Anuradha! Thank you! The failed score was on the report you can download from your NCARB page and the 550 number is on a foot note on the report that reads something like this: “ *Scaled results range from 100 to 800 with a result of 550 representing the minimum threshold of acceptable performance.”
Good luck with PDD! :) -
We both need that little extra, we’re almost there! My plan of action now is to do practice questions as much as I can. I didn’t do practice questions for my first take of PPD and I think that’s what I missed. But for PDD, I did practice questions including the NCARB practice exam and I believe that helped my brain to get into test taking mode. All the books you listed are great resources. But, as I mentioned in my post, Hyperfine assignments are a great tool to reinforce concepts; so if you have the time, I would suggest you look into it. It’s not subscription base, you pay a one time fee for the course.
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Thank you, Ben!! your assignments have been a great resource! earlier this year, I credit my passing of PA on the second try to your assignments and I can't thank you enough for that. I recommend HF to anyone I know that's taking the exams! Thanks again for the work you put into keeping the courses up!
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