PDD Third Fail
Reposting this in a new thread in case someone else is in the same boat or if new people have fresh insight, here's a link to my other posts that follow my journey through PDD: https://are5community.ncarb.org/hc/en-us/community/posts/26248794581783-PDD-Second-Fail
UPDATE: I failed PDD for a third time. Pretty defeated and frustrated. Goal was to finish in 2024 (giving myself 1.5 years to finish from when I started) but now I have to wait until July 2025 to reattempt PDD as my last exam. My first attempt got a scaled score of 514, second was 490, and this recent attempt was a 518. Attaching my percentage scores here too in case any one has tips or insight in how this could direct my studying. I can see that I've improved in every category from my first attempt with the exceptions of Areas 2: Construction Documentation and Area 5: Construction Cost Estimates...where I've decreased drastically. According to Amberbook's calculator, I was about 2-3 questions from passing this attempt and had a 60%..which is extra frustrating when the overall passing score is apparently between 58-66%.
Just having a pity party right now. The time and money invested makes it difficult to stay motivated so I think a break is due before I tackle it again.
I plan to restudy everything I have thus far and try to emphasize what came up on this one. I've handmade about 300 flashcards based on NCARB's recommended reading materials, used ARE Questions by Elif Bayram, and started using Black Spectacles on the most recent attempt. I tried to focus my studying for 3 months prior to my latest attempt on structural concepts and equations, ADA, specifications, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, insulation and materials and felt fairly good going into the exam about my focus. I did this because I felt like my first two attempts were heavy in these sections and very detailed math/construction detailing questions. Unfortunately on this latest attempt, I'm pretty sure I never received a single 'math' structural equation question, barely any ADA questions if any, and so few HVAC/plumbing that I can't remember them. It felt conceptual and vague all the way through with the exception of very specific STC rating/acoustic questions and cost estimating. Feels like all they wanted me to know was about sound transmission and lighting fixtures.
So, anyway- good luck to anyone in the same boat as me, and I'll take any advice someone who has passed can give. Appreciate the conversations and feedback thus far.
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Hi Danielle!
Thanks for sharing and I'm sorry about the third failed attempt. I think a break is necessary to gain a fresh perspective and to rest your brain.
I also failed PDD 3 times and passed on the 4th time (just this past Friday actually). My last 3 attempts I was pretty close, around the 514 scaled score. I studied (added more material) to every attempt.
For my last effort (2024) I read Building Construction: Principles, Materials and Systems, Elif ARE Questions, a bunch of practice tests, which helped me gain confidence. I reviewed my notes from my last 3 attempts.
I think what made the MOST difference was my mindset - I told myself that even if I failed, I could take it 3 more times in 2025 and it lifted the pressure. And to know that I only need to know the minimum to pass, so it's a numbers game.
You can do it, don't give up!
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Hi Wei Sigala
Thanks for the encouragement and congratulations on your pass!! It’s motivating to hear someone who has had a similar experience and has made it the other side. Agreed that knowing I can retake it a few more times in 2025 relieves some pressure. Thanks for sharing your study tips- I plan to study those things more in depth after I take a short break too. Any tips for studying acoustics and lighting? Feels like all the things I studied for those topics weren’t detailed enough compared to what the exam asked. Did you have a similar experience?Again CONGRATS!! What a way to ring in the new year!
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Hi Danielle!
I only looked at lighting and acoustic details this time. I only got like 1 lighting questions and 2 acoustic question (1 of them was regarding which assembly has better sound insulation) and they weren't specific questions, more general.
For the acoustic I only learned the diff between STC, IIC and SAC and when to use in diff scenarios. I was able to get by reviewing Karin's PPD/PDD notes and the ARE questions from Elif. I do suggest reviewing some details for insulation from Architectural Graphic Standards.
Remember that you only need to answer like 60 or so questions correctly so don't get hungover on "needing" to answer every question right. If I'm unsure of something, I usually trust my first choice.
Good luck!! And thanks for the congratulations :)
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Just wanted to comment and share that I too have failed this test 3 times as well as PPD & PA. Honestly its a relieve to hear more people like you share and let each other know we are not alone in this, when it often does feel that way. After all, our ability and will to pass the test does fall on our own shoulders and it can be so discouraging at times. I have mentioned to my wife so many times how hard it is not being able to share the experience with any one. Seems like most everything I see on the communities are people passing so quickly but the truth is we all have our own timelines. But much like yourself my test scores are gradually improving and it is a step in the right direction, even though they are incremental steps. Just know there are other fellow test takers facing the same challenges you are and it will only make the passing that much sweeter. I've had to come to grips with my intentions of becoming an architect so many times throughout this process and I am dedicated to finishing. Take a break as the can be good to clear your head! Best of Luck!
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Sorry NCARB keeps blocking my posts so I will post in multiple parts to see if it gets thru.
Hi Ryan and anyone else reading this post and feeling the way Ryan does,
I just wanted to chime in to say that even though the majority of the posts you see on online ARE platforms make you feel alone in this, you are not alone in struggling with these exams. MAJORITY of the test takers do have the same struggles and they all take a few tries until they pass most of the exams. How do I know this? Check out the NCARB by numbers reports released by NCARB every year for the last 5 years and you will see what I mean. It takes an average of 2.5-2.9 years to complete these exams. Last year was the best with 2.5 years but the four years before that, was closer to 3 years mark. Also when you look at the pass rates of each exam they are all around 40-50%s. -
It is like social media. Everyone post their best moment. It looks like they are having a great time all the time. People are more encouraged to share their success than failures. That is why we see posts like that more than yours. You will get there. Don’t worry. 523 is a great score. Hopefully you will pass it next time 🙏🏼
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First off just want to say how absurd it is for nrespecki to block elifbayram posts.... someone who is actively making content and even going through these boards to educate and encourage young architects who are struggling right now.
Second - didn't the exams have a way that you could pay to retake an exam sooner or am I making that up? Just feels like kicking us while we're down. Like yeah we failed and now you're punishing us for it... cool thanks!
Third - my lil vent about PDD.. I work as a Fire Protection Engineer for a Major City and my last exam gave me a question about Seismic Fire Sprinkler design... This is what I do for a living and I had no idea so I think it really is just a numbers game & a bit of luck.
YOU CAN DO IT YOUVE MADE IT THIS FAR!!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks Michael! I don’t understand why either.
I think the wait time after a failure is 60 days, regardless. Also there is (unfortunately) an element of luck involved in the process. For example you can get lucky and get more questions from a certain area that you are good at. Or overall the questions may line up with your experience areas. And the most heartbreaking part is that you can really fail (or pass) by 1-2 questions. These factors definitely impact lower pass rates. But like you said, you will also pass PDD. You got this. Best of luck! -
All,
A little late, but maybe this will help someone else:
Know that #5 Cost Estimating is only 2-8% of PDD - it can be as few as two questions, it's no more than 8. I see scores fluctuate wildly in that section all the time because it is so tiny - there aren't enough questions to make a meaningful assessment of your understanding of that content, but there also aren't enough questions to seriously impact your overall score either, even if you miss all of them.
Area 1 and Area 2 are where the majority of questions are - they're also some of the broadest Content Areas on the ARE. There are way more technical topics that could be covered in either of those areas than there are questions available though - so it's common to see a lot of questions on one or two topics (acoustics and lighting in your case it sounds like), and then not see those same topics the next time you test.
Because of this, the most important thing for studying for a retake of PPD or PDD is that you can't bias your review with the topics you just saw - you should still review them, but you can't review just them. You'll be taking a new set of questions when you test again, and they might have a bunch of acoustics and lighting questions again - or they might have none at all, and instead have a bunch of electrical and plumbing questions. You have to be prepared for either scenario.
The big difference in PPD and PDD is that PDD is a lot more detail-oriented. Many people let themselves get tripped up in the specifics and second-guess their professional judgement. You are a practicing professional, trust your judgement, don't second-guess yourself. For questions you have a hunch about, only change your answer if you have a good reason to. Lots of people talk themselves out of passing when reviewing their questions before completing the exam.
The score report calculator just shows that you were in the passing range - the version of PDD you took likely had a cut score between 58-65% correct, your score was on the low end of that range, but with a 518 you are around 2-3 questions from passing. Don't lose your momentum!
Happy studying,
Ralph, the Amber Book Team
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