PJM Pass on 1st try - Test Taking Tips
I took PJM last week and passed on my first try! Instead of focusing on what study materials I used (mostly AHPP, AIA contracts, and Brightwood) and how long I studied for (1.5 months), I think it might be more beneficial to share some test taking tactics that I feel helped me pass!
1. Skip to the case studies when you start the test: this way you get a feel for what type of attachments they may provide (i.e. aia contracts). I found it helpful to skim through the table of contents on the contracts just to refresh myself on where to find references for the rest of the test in case I would need it.
2. Skip all the questions that involve math and deal with it later: I ran through the test in chronological order, but when i get to questions involving math, i skip it for later. I suggest though to scribble down on your scratch paper the question numbers that involve math and note what kind of problem it is (i.e. fee calculation, conversion math etc..) that way you've categorized it and it will be easier to get back to later.
3. On the topic of math, know your imperial conversions ahead of time: remember - there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard ;)
4. Know how to navigate yourself through the case study interface: Those tricky pdfs can be annoying to sift through even with a search option because it takes so long to load. What really helps is the bookmark button that outlines the contents of the documents because it hyperlinks you to the section where you need to be instead of sifting through the search results.
5. If you are taking too long on a question, flag it, and come back to it later: i found this test to be really time consuming with the amount of math related questions it had and reading through project schedules and such. if you don't pace yourself you will definitely run out of time. I would say out of the 3hr 15 minutes, 2hr 15 minutes of it was the first pass of flying through the entirety of the test and the last 1hr was going back through flagged and skipped questions. time management really is your friend. don't spend too much time on a question, especially because you may be able to find an answer to that question from another question on the test.
5. On that note, answer every question: even when you know you have absolutely no idea what it could be, put something down. every point counts. i wouldn't get too hung up on the case studies either because those are also just a point each. i definitely bet on answering as much of the standard multiple choice questions correctly as you can than getting caught up on the case studies because they will obviously take a bit more time to answer.
lastly 6. don't underestimate using the ARE 5.0 handbook as a study material: the day before my test, i went over the sample questions on the handbook, especially the math related questions and really worked through the problems. not just reading the question and the write up for the answer, but actually reworking the problems myself on another piece of paper and understanding how they got to their conclusion. i honestly don't think i would have been able to answer as much of the math related questions on the exam if i hadn't done this!
as far as topics you definitely need to make sure you understand:
- AIA contracts (who is responsible for what, relationships between owner, arch, contractor, consultant...)
- project delivery methods (who does what, responsibilities for different phases of the proj...)
- fee calculations
- how to read and adjust project schedules
Hope this helps!!
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Very good tips, especially this one "Don't underestimate using the ARE 5.0 handbook as a study material."
I'd add:
After each test, you will know the real ARE questions are very, very similar to those in the ARE 5.0 handbook.
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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thanks for the tips, but just need a few clarifications!
1. how did you know what parts to read in the AHPP, and did it help?
2. when you guys are referring to the ARE Handbook 5.0 are you talking about the 12 sample questions? and to the extent of the math problem questions, are you saying the handbook provides enough substance to study?
3. for fee calculations, is there any study material that can help expand it more?
4. for project schedules, is there any study material that can help expand it more?
Sorry for the many questions, this will be my first test and i wan to make sure i pass too!
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Tyrone - I'm not sure about that. I've never tried it before!
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1. i referred to this for AHPP chapters to read: http://narmourwright.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/AHPP15e_ARE5_PjM.pdf
2. Yes, this handbook: https://www.ncarb.org/sites/default/files/ARE5-Handbook.pdf there are a couple of sample questions here that are pretty similar to the ones i encountered on the test, so yes i think it provides enough substance in terms of getting you to understand the big concepts. i found that once you have a grip on the big concepts, whether it's the math related questions or the contracts, that you will find the test to be quite simple.
3. for fee calculations i actually referred to the Amber book a little bit. But if anything the sample question on the handbook got me closer to understanding the questions I had on the exam.
4. for project schedules, i don't think i really used anything directly, but mostly went off of my personal experience working on projects. not sure how much PJM experience you have in real life, but looking at your own project schedules and getting familiar with how they work is a good start. i think also understanding the basics of how long typically are each design phase helps too. in the end, i found those questions to be more of a critical understanding and simple logic if anything.
hope this helps! and good luck!
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Every person is different, but on average you need about forty to eighty hours to prepare for each ARE division. You need to set a realistic study schedule and stick with it. Make sure you allow time for personal and recreational commitments. If you are working full time, my suggestion is that you allow no less than two weeks but NOT more than two months to prepare for each ARE division. You should NOT drag out the exam prep process too long and risk losing your momentum.
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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This was very good advice, thanks for sharing. It helped me pass the test.
Just as test taking strategies for these exams.
1. I think it really helps me to skip to the case studies first. They are harder to do in a rush and having to go through the documents used in the case studies can be a nice refresher for the other questions.
2. Skip the math questions and do them last. I found that doing the math related questions back-to-back helps keep momentum going while you are taking the exam.
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I just PASSED PJM a couple of weeks ago. This advice was very helpful. Defiantly skip all math questions to the end. Skip all long questions for that matter. Answer something then come back to it. I like working up to Case Studies but I think the best strategy is to go through case studies first as they tend to take a lot of brain power. Do what works for you but the only way to do that is to KNOW BEFORE you take the exam and do many practice tests.
Lastly if you are interested in doing AMBER BOOK email me at tbunyonjr@gmail.com. I want to get enough people together to get the dropped rate from $395 to $195 but we need 6 people.
Tyrone
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