CE pass: there is hope

It is my third exam after PcM and PjM, and it is not easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. It is rather hard-hard-lemon-hard.

Passing PjM and PcM helped me a great deal but it is also necessary to learn new material. Since I do not have much experience in CDs, I had to work diligently to make up for it.

Exam felt overwhelming, there is plenty of calculations and questions that include review of drawings. Case studies attachments load forever so allow yourself an hour just for case studies questions. Search command does not work if you search for a phrase, only one word. I almost ran out of time and had 6 seconds to "review" my marked questions.

I used the following sources to study:

Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods. Very informative for young professionals who had never dealt with construction documents. Read, remember terminology and study photos/sections from Chapters 2,4,5,3,16,19,20. Pay attention to waterproofing, construction sequence, site work.
Young Architect CE and Contracts courses. Very helpful, the topics are broken down per objectives, suggested sources are listed, case studies are on point, contract lectures are great. Especially when one already remembered every pro-practice joke from Hannahan A201/B101 lectures.
Architects Handbook of Professional Practice. The Bible of the PcM/PjM/CE triplet. If you had not memorized it by now, read chapters 9, 10 or refer to Narmour's reading list https://sganwdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/AHPP15e_ARE5_CE.pdf .
Building Codes illustrated. Study the general rules, occupancy, egress, soils and foundations, roof assemblies and ADA. All Chapters are useful.
Building Construction Illustrated. Chapters 3 and 7. Study these chapters well, pay attention to the water proofing.
Architectural Graphic Standards. Study ADA dimensions, standards and clearances. Very good guide for detailing in construction documents.
Ballast Practice Exam and Practice Problems (2 different books). This is where one can learn how to evaluate a question and choose the best answer. The trickiest questions I had encountered so far. Answers include generous explanations. I would spend 2 hours answering questions, and then 4 hours reviewing answers and making flashcards.
Flashcards. I don't type my notes, I make flashcards and record the source/page where it comes from. I flip through them when I have time.
QX for ARE5.0 app by Kevin Griendling. Nice app, great questions. Replaced my social media doomscrolling with it.
DesignerHack. Easy going questions that are helpful to keep your memory fresh. Don't underestimate it.
Blackspectacles on Spotify. OK to listen when your eyes are tired of reading.
Seth Wiley notes. Thank you Seth! Especially for the part with timing in contracts. https://are5community.ncarb.org/hc/en-us/community/posts/360033585753-CE-pass-notes-comments
CDS 4.0 by Kaplan. Nice material review source with quizzes and final exam questions.
Building Construction by Gang Chen. Easy read, describes entire Project Life from conception to completion with actual examples.

Finally, I recommend to answer exam questions as if you will not have time to go back and review them. Learn to look for the key words and sort out the wrong answers. Take a day off before the exam. You have to feel impeccably good to give it all for the exam. Good luck, you can do it.

Meredith Neistadt August 28, 2020 20:31

Congratulations Iuliia! I got a pass on CE this week as well, after taking PcM and PjM. I agree with much of what you outlined above and found many of those sources very useful for studying, especially Young Architect's courses for all three of PcM, PjM and CE.

I would say for anyone out there taking exams right now and need to follow COVID-related procedures, it helped me to do practice tests at home wearing PPE (masks/gloves) so that it doesn't feel distracting or overwhelming on the test day. If anything it helped me get into the right mindset and stay calm during the exams.

I agree that time can be tight and the case study material takes a LOT of time to sift through, even when you know what to look for, try to give yourself at least an hour for the case studies alone. And no matter what answer EVERY question on the exam.

I recommend to everyone to use these forums, I found everyone's advice really helpful and reassuring.

On to PA! And good luck to everyone on this journey!