Fail PA first time. Need help on study materials
For my first attempt. I used
- Site Planning & Analysis (read almost the whole book)
- Elif PA Practice questions + ADA questions (complete all quizzes)
- Designer Hacks questions (pretty easy peasy to me)
- Walking the ARE Practice questions (VERY DIFFICULT - my score was very very low and didn't complete it because I didn't have enough time)
- PPI Ballast Exam Review (read the whole PA division)
- PPI Ballast Practice + Mock Exam (got about 55-70% correct)
- Amberbook
- Sun, Wind, & Light (Chapter 4 only)
- Heating, Cooling, Lighting (only skim through graphics)
- Building Codes Illustrated (read only necessary chapters)
- Eric Walker Quick Study Guide
- Architect's Studio Companion (structure part)
- Problem Seeking (read the whole 1st chapter + some calculation on chapter 2)
- Architectural Graphic Standard (site work, foundation, enclosure etc.)
- NCARB Practice Exam (got only 60% for the first time, then took it again and got 80%)
So I used anything and everything for PA. I felt pretty good about the test; however, 1 of the case studies was very difficult and I was already very tired. These are 2 sections that I didn't do well.
SITE ANALYSIS & PROGRAMMING
ENVIRONMENTAL & CONTEXTUAL CONDITIONS
Which material should I re-study? Or are there any materials I should check them out ? I am thinking, at least, reading Heating, Cooling, Lighting cover to cover because it is much easier to read than SWL and I think it will help me prepare for PPD as well. I will also request ESL accommodation to bring in a dictionary since English is not my first language. There were a couple key words that I did not know what it means and it caused a HUGE disadvantage.
I actually took PDD as my first exam prior to PA but also failed and missed a couple questions.
this is my PA % (score 523) So, It seems like I missed only a couple questions also.
Any thoughts would help, Thank you.
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Hi, I did also failed PA first try and I have to retake it in July. I passed content 2 and 3 by 84% and 75%, so I missed content 1 and 4 by just a few questions. It feels pretty frustrating and I feel you. Did you also study Amberbook flashcard section for PA? I found them pretty helpful.
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Hi Apple! It's pretty funny because I also failed PA recently, (a week ago), and I used pretty much the same list of resources as you including hyperfine and also felt pretty good about the test (English is not my 1st language so thinking back on the exam maybe I did missed/did not get key words), and the 2 content areas that I had the lowest score were 1 &3. I'm a little confused on how to tackle the test for my second round. I'm considering on doing more questions to see if I can answer questions faster the next time. Good luck!
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You are welcome to check out the 2nd edition of our PA Exam guide. We added 120-page of new content to the 2nd edition. Here is the detail info for the 2nd edition:
“Programming & Analysis (PA) ARE 5.0 Exam Guide (Architect Registration Examination), 2nd Edition: ARE 5.0 Overview, Exam Prep Tips, Guide, and Critical Content
ISBN: 9781612650586”
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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Martha Fernandez I took mine the end of May! I have just finished reading Heating, Cooling, Lighting last week and did a quick review of 1&3 and still confused of how I did not do well as I feel I know the materials pretty well. Again, 1 case study is a beast and also there are 2-3 calculation questions that I did not feel super comfortable.
I am definitely going to review NCARB monograph for 1 and going back to do Walking the ARE and Elif practice tests for 3. Definitely do more practice tests as much as I can because I think my problem is not retaining the information but rather applying them :( Good luck to you too! We can do this!
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Hello Apple,
It sounds like you studied the right materials. I would focus mostly on source materials and doing more practice exams for the retake.
Did you read NCARB's Guidelines (which has sample PA questions)?
Did you do NCARB's practice exam which is available when you log into your myncarb account?
It sounds like you need a better exam strategy, rather than more overall study.
Also, how many other exams have you already passed?
Good luck & keep studying!
Rebekka
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Rebekka O'Melia Thank you, Rebekka. I did read NCARB Guidelines and did NCARB practice exam twice - the PA NCARB practice was much easier than the real exam.
I do need a better exam strategy. I have been restudying the PA content, but I feel like I played the same old tape and pretty lost at this moment for the PA. I will definitely do more practice exams.
I have not passed any divisions. I studied PA,PPD,PDD together as a whole for 4-5 months then add another month or 2 to individually focus on each exam. I know most people start with the pro practice divisions, but I I feel more confident the with technical ones. I took PDD in April, also failed by a couple questions.
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Hi Apple,
I’d advise you to take CE or PjM next. The strategy is that you take the “easier” exams and then work your way up to the more difficult technical exams. PA shouldn’t be taken first. You need to pass CE, PjM and then PcM BEFORE PA. Trying to take these exams out of order is going to cost you a lot time and aggravation. Have you studied for 6+ months and haven’t passed an exam? In 5 months I passed CE, PjM & PcM.I have written about exam sequencing and the exams’ relationships. All of it is on my website. I encourage you to rethink your strategy. A mentor might be useful as well.
Best wishes & keep studying!
Rebekka
www.stepuparchitecture.com -
Hi Apple Prasopphakdi,
I'm sorry to hear that you did not get the result that you wanted on your PA exam. I understand how frustrating it can be, but rest assured that you did great on this attempt and was very close to passing!
There is no "correct" order in which the exams should be taken. There are several approaches you could take, but ultimately, it should be what makes the most sense for you. If you feel more confident with the technical exams, keep at it! They are considered more difficult, but capitalizing on your experience and strengths could definitely help you conquer them. As a bonus, you would overcome these obstacles early in your ARE process, then the "easier" exams would be smooth sailing following :)
Your NCARB Score Report can be used as a tool to formulate a strategized study plan for your PA retake. I would love to meet with you to review your score report and help you establish a game plan for your PA retake. Feel free to reach out to kiaragalicinao@blackspectacles.com if you are interested!
Keep your head up and continue to persevere as you've been doing. I have all the confidence that you will pass your next PA attempt. You got this!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Black Spectacles
ARE Community -
I passed on my 2nd attempt !!!!!!! I did A LOT of practice tests. I did use Kaplan 4.0, WeARE, Gang Chen Mock Exam, re-do some from Elif's, redo Eric Walking the ARE. I also sat down with my boss for an hour a day before the exam to ask questions about the items that I did not understand.
I read:
- Heating, cooling, and lighting almost cover to cover.
- Gang Chen 2nd edition PA Exam Guide, only the sections I did not do well last time.
- Ncarb Monograph Indoor Quality.
- Re-read notes from my study for the first attempt.
PS. I panicked and bought CLARE subscription last week before the exam and skimmed through the & glossary, which is pretty helpful.
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Congratulations, Apple!!! This is a big accomplishment and you should be very proud of yourself for conquering such a difficult exam.
You are off to a great start and I know you will keep this momentum going. Good luck on your continued studies!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Black Spectacles
ARE Community
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