PA Fail

Hello

I would first like to thank all of you for your posts that have guided me and helped me a lot while preparing for the ARE tests. A first advise is to take the time to read posts on this blog, to get a better understanding of what to study and where to find the appropriate study material. S. Barber was a great reference, so make sure to check his posts.

As a quick intro about my background, I have a bachelor in architecture and 3.5 years post graduation, my experience is mostly in SD, DD and CD with some on-site experience

That's the sequence that I am going for: PCM (pass). PJM (pass). CE (pass). PA (fail) . PDD. PPD

Quick notes about the exam:

- I had quite some time to study for this exam so I was able to read most of the material recommended by previous test takers. This test was tricky because there was more study material than any of the previous exams i have done

- Topics in the exam:

. there were a lot of soil questions (types, cohesion, for which use...)

. occupancy groups (mostly in case studies)

. solar orientation - where to place the building on site depending on site features and climate

. topography

. landscape/building restoration, preservation..

. programming/ adjacency diagram

. net area

. building density/ FAR

. environmental site assessment (ESA phase 1 and 2)

. brownfield

. water management

. construction phasing

. several questions about ADA standards (slope, ramp size, path width, landing dimensions, turning radius)

STUDY MATERIAL

Check out the NCARB website to know more about the format of each exam and the ARE 5.0 community online.

1. Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition (AHPP)

To know which chapter to study for what follow this: http://narmourwright.com/wp/index.php/wiley-publishing/ - this book is worth skimming through for PA but is not enough

2. Site Planning and Design Handbook - Chapters 1.2.3.4.7.8.9.app A - i think most important ones: chapters 3.7.9.app A: brownfield, ESA, soils

3. Ballast book - If you buy it make sure you have the Revised version (yellow logo to the top right of the cover page) Good resource for PA

4. Problem seeking - p.96-125 - in specific building efficiency gross vs net p 110

5. Building Codes Illustrated (Ching) - Chapters 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.10.18 - This was helpful as a general knowledge but i didn't get any questions about it

6. If you prefer starting with a general overview lecture for each exam: Black Spectacles lectures - they’re good but not necessary. just gives as an overview of what's coming

7. For practice tests: Designer Hacks they’re good but not so great - a lot of the questions asked are not in the exams so it’s a lot of extra info. but it can be good practice

8. Brightwood book - I never read the book but the practice tests are great

Hope this helps.

Any tips/advise on how to approach this exam the next time i take is highly appreciated!

Hoa Dang December 05, 2018 14:01

I felt very good after the test and got a surprise on the test result, failed. This is second time I failed; very sad, and I don't know where to go from here. this community is helpful, but NCARB system is not since you never know what you did wrong.

Not discouraging, but feel like it is testing my patience, and it is draining out.

Good luck to all!

Derek Mason December 05, 2018 14:50

Hoa,

I failed 3 times. The first two times I was not fully prepared. Too much going on and reviewing the wrong study material. I reviewed solely the AEP, which was wrong. I found this forum and was helpful. I will take it in a few months. After I take the PPD & PDD.

I agree. It is a little discouraging and testing the patience. The test covers such a broad category you wonder what you know and don't know.

RJ December 05, 2018 16:32

Failed 5 times, studied every resource given in the handbook as well as a lot of googling & tube. I throughly went through everything listed in that handbook, took it for the 5th time, felt pretty good about most of my answers and yet another fail. I don't know what else to do except maybe take a year off and come back to it. A true feeling of hopelessness is on the horizon:(

Yu Jen Su April 15, 2019 19:04

thank you guys i failed today but it's really good to know i'm not the only one frustrated by these exams.

WE CAN DO THIS.

Ethan O'Brien April 15, 2019 20:30

Those of you who have failed and have taken other tests; how do you feel this one compares in difficulty? I failed this one, but it is the only test I have tried so far.

Maria Tejero-Campos July 22, 2020 04:43

I have taken this 2x and failed. I am taking it again this October but I feel like this one is the broadest to study! I don’t know what else to do.

Derek Mason July 22, 2020 12:50

Maria - I've taken it 5 times and passed on the 5th try. You can do this. Look at your score report and see the area you are weak at. Look at the sections with the most percentage of the questions for the exam. Concentrate on those areas. It's about getting the correct amount of questions correct to pass.

PA Fail

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