Passed PPD and PDD -- thank you, Bootcamp!

October 16, 2019 15:30

After reading numerous books, watching the Amber and Thaddeus videos, working through the Hyperfine exercises, and taking Ballast and Ching practice tests, I took both PPD and PDD and failed. I was at a loss for what to do next, since I felt like I had already studied everything possible. The study materials listed above really helped me establish my base knowledge, but I needed more to get to the finish line.

I decided to sign up for Michael Riscica's Young Architect's ARE Bootcamp, which was the key to my success. The best part about the program for me were the meetups, since I'm more of an auditory, think-out-loud learner. Every participant is asked to host a couple of online meetups, which means gathering about 20 questions at a time for anyone who wants to join the meetup to answer. This results in numerous meetups per week to choose from. It was a great way for me to fine tune my knowledge, discover areas of weakness, and learn how to read a question (sounds simple, but it isn't always!).

The group is also an important source of camaraderie and moral support. And you log your study hours each day, which holds you accountable and helps you keep up a pace. As a working mom whose time is very limited, I really needed this.

After about 14 weeks in the Bootcamp, I passed both exams on the second try!

Comments

6 comments

Agustina Rodriguez October 16, 2019 18:05

Congratulations Abrah!

I'm in the same boat, I'm a new mom to a 5 month old and just cannot find the time, discipline, or self confidence to get PPD and PDD done (after two PPD fails and one PDD fail). I signed up for Bootcamp for the upcoming November session and I am sooooo glad to hear that this worked for you. I hope it works for me as well. I'm in need of major hand-holding!

Congrats again, this gives me hope.

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Beatriz Juan Miranzo October 18, 2019 14:24

Abrah,

On both attempts to pass PPD & PDD, did you take them back to back?

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Abrah Katcher October 25, 2019 04:13

Hi Agustina. There are a number of moms in the group in the same boat! The comraderie is very helpful and the Bootcamp is structured in a way that really helps foster self-discipline. A lot of people in my July group are passing! Keep me posted on how it goes.

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Abrah Katcher October 25, 2019 04:16

Hi Beatriz. The first time I took PPD first and then PDD 2 weeks later . . . I thought this was too close together. The second time I took PPD first and then PDD 3 weeks later, which was better. In retrospect, I think spacing them about one month apart would be ideal.

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Artem Melikyan October 28, 2019 03:15

Hello,

I wonder is these 2 books will cover all the material for systems so that I would not need to

read the huge MEEB book:

1.Heating, Cooling, Lighting Sustainable Design Methods

2.Plumbing, electricity, acoustics-Sustainable Design Methods

I really want to avoid reading MEEB - too dry too much, but not sure if the two above sources cover fundamentals or only specifically sustainability-oriented systems.

Do people have an idea?

Thank you,

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Steven Aydelott November 20, 2019 03:07

I’ve noticed that the books NCARB recommends in the handbook are direct sources for some questions. It’s hard to read but the concepts explained are directly associated with exam questions.

steve

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