PDD 3rd Try - Pass & Done!

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adrian martinez

July 09, 2020 20:43

Just received my formal pass & ARE completion notice. Still can't believe it.

I'd like to dedicate this post to all the terrible test takers like myself. Like others have said, failing a test isn't indicative of anything other than it's all part of the process. Remember, if it was easy, everyone would be an Architect.

Like I mentioned, this was my 3rd re-take. My last one was a few months ago and I thought I was definitely going to pass. I must have failed that one by a few wrong answers. This last one definitely felt harder, even though I was better prepared I was honestly surprised I passed. I literally started shaking/crying when I read the "likely to pass".

Primary sources I used for this last try:

• ARE Handbooks. Go through all of them. Especially 3.0 & 4.0. There's really good information in there.
• Fundamental's of Building Construction - This was my main workhorse. I think that 65-70% of the test is right in here. 
• Architect's Studio Companion - Also another workhorse. 
• Building Construction Illustrated - Supplemented really well, particularly for Division 07 stuff.

Other sources I used:

• arevisuallearner Summary Sheets. Really good information. I used her as a guideline and structure to my studies.
• Hyperfine & Amber Book. I studied this for my 2nd retake and were instrumental in my education, even though I didn't use them much for this re-take.
• MEEB - Only for diagrams. 
• AHPP & Contracts. Also didn't study much this time, but I did or my 2nd retake and was really helpful.

I studied for about 4-5 weeks, keep in mind this was all information I already had read. So i was able to go through it slightly faster. What I believe was different this time is that I did my own index cards from the sources mentioned above. 

Lastly, I'd like to thank this community, I couldn't have done it without you. Onto the California Supplemental Exam!

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  Alyssa Dirks July 12, 2020 17:28

  Congratulations! Thanks for mentioning Fundamentals of Building Construction! Forgot how great that book is.

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  Artem Melikyan July 13, 2020 17:34

  Adrian,

  Congratulations!

  I have 5th edition (2009) of Fundamentals of Building Construction. Do you think it would work for preparation?

  Also you are mentioning AHPP & Contracts. Should we really study the contracts? The Handbook says:

  "None of the standard list of AIA Contract Documents related to
  the ARE have specific content covered in the Project Development
  & Documentation division".

  Thank you,

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