Finally passed PPD and PDD!!! Here's my story....
Hi everyone! I know this write-up is long, but I included the details to pay it forward. Over the past 10 years, I’ve spent countless hours here searching for hope and often found it. I’m sharing my story in case it offers the same to someone else who needs it.
On July 14, 2025, I sat for my final ARE exam (PDD) and saw the most beautiful letters I’ve ever seen: “P-A-S-S.” I had passed PPD just two weeks earlier on June 30, 2025. I sat there in silence, staring at the screen, completely overwhelmed. That single word marked the end of a journey that spanned over 10 years.
My ARE journey started in summer 2014, back in the ARE 4.0 days. I passed my first exam (SD) that year. I eventually passed the CDS (2015), SPD (2015), and PPP (2017) exams.
When NCARB transitioned to ARE 5.0 in 2018, I thought I was nearing the finish line with only two exams remaining. I attempted both PPD and PDD that year and failed. In 2020, I retook both exams and failed again. Same in 2021.
When my rolling clock expired, I decided to move on and enroll in an MBA program, thinking that as a construction project manager, those three letters behind my name could open some new doors. However, just one semester into the program, I realized something: If I wanted true fulfillment in my career, I needed to get licensed.
Then came one of the happiest emails of my life: NCARB was retiring the rolling clock, and my four passed ARE 4.0 exams would be reinstated. Thank you, NCARB!!!
I made a promise to myself that day: I would give PPD and PDD everything I had until I passed them—no matter how long it took. This time, I changed my approach. I stopped cramming and rushing to meet an exam date deadline and started learning the material, especially MEP systems. I wanted to know MEP enough to apply this new knowledge on my job when reviewing A/E deliverables and GC submittals.
After completing my MBA in 2023, I took a year off to spend time with my family, a much-needed break. Then, in summer 2024, while recovering from ankle surgery (which left me confined to the couch for six weeks), I began studying by watching Amber Book Videos (40 M.O.C) on YouTube and taking detailed notes, trying to really understand the material this time.
In December 2024, I signed up for Elif’s video course, and I truly believe this was the turning point in my journey. At the end of her lecture series, Elif said two things that stuck with me (paraphrasing here):
“If English isn’t your first language, don’t expect to pass these exams without reading the NCARB-recommended textbooks.”
“Learn how to do the math—these are easy points because there’s only one right answer.”
That moment was sobering. I realized I wasn’t ready, so I rescheduled my exam from late February to the summer.
Next, I had to figure out how to read all Elif's recommended chapters with a full-time job, family commitments, and two young kids. My solution: I started waking up every day at 4:00 AM, Monday through Sunday, to study for two hours on weekdays and three to four hours on weekends—all before my family woke up. I also studied during my lunch breaks and for an hour after work, when the office was quietest. On weekends, I studied at my kids’ swimming lessons, soccer practice, and during their weekend TV time.
Two months before the exam, I added full exam simulations every Saturday and Sunday, using Elif’s ARE Questions, Black Spectacles practice exams, and NCARB’s practice exams. Simulating test-day conditions helped me build stamina and fine-tune my strategy. See below.
- First, tackle both case studies
- Then solve every math problem and any question that requires referencing a given chart
- Only then move on to the remaining multiple-choice questions
This strategy allowed me to budget my mental energy wisely and avoid running out of time on key questions.
Key Lessons Learned (PPD & PDD)
- Read the NCARB-Recommended Textbooks - There’s no shortcut here. Reading is how you learn that an expansion tank, compression tank, and air cushion tank can all mean the same thing - even though “expansion” and “compression” are technically opposites. Context matters.
- Practice Every Math Problem Like Your Life Depends on It - Don’t avoid the math. It’s limited, predictable, and a chance to earn points. I used ChatGPT to generate endless variations of common ARE math questions—and it helped tremendously.
- Stick to Your Strategy on Exam Day - The questions will feel hard. That’s okay. Don’t panic. You’re not expected to get every question right. Trust your strategy. Make your best guess, flag if needed, and keep moving.
- Limit Water Intake Before the Exam - Because my strategy required browsing through all the questions to find and do the math. I couldn’t afford a break. Plan accordingly.
These exams test more than technical knowledge—they test your patience, discipline, and ability to stay calm under pressure.
To anyone out there struggling, stuck, or burned out, I see you. Don’t count yourself out. Your journey may be long, like mine, but don’t lose hope. Your success is still possible.
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CONGRATULATIONS ofalomo!!! This is a HUGE accomplishment and you should be very proud of yourself. You are also extremely kind and generous to share your story and these awesome pieces of advice, as they will help others conquer their ARE journey too.
Best of luck on this exciting new chapter as a licensed architect!!!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Black Spectacles
ARE Community -
Huge congrats on passing—and for not giving up, even when things felt impossible. I’m so happy you came back after the rolling clock change and pushed through. That takes real grit.
Also, thank you so much for sharing your journey (and for the kind mention). I know this post will give a lot of hope to people who feel stuck right now. You should be proud. Congrats!
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