So Many Fails, I Need Some More Resources, Suggestions...Anything
So I've taken PPD more times than I care to admit (+4). It's my last exam and I'm so close to giving up because I just can't pass this one and I'm beyond frustrated...not to mention out a lot of money. My score reports indicate that building systems is my weak area (both sections 3 and 4), which isn't great since that's basically half the exam and covers everything.
I've tried making notes immediately after the exam so I know what I need to focus on for next time, but for some reason I can never exactly pinpoint what those items are because this exam is so broad...and sometimes oddly specific. Plus I'm usually pretty defeated.
I can definitively say I'm weak in structures and how buildings / materials react in seismic situations. Acoustics and electrical / lighting could probably be added to that list as well. I'd like to say I feel okay about mechanical, plumbing, and different structural systems, but clearly that's not the case. Honestly I'm sure I need to cover every content area.
Below are the resources I've been studying from:
- Architect's Studio Companion
- Heating, Cooling, Lighting
- Site Planning & Design Handbook
- Building Construction Illustrated
- Building Codes Illustrated
- FEMA - Chapters 4 & 5
- Problem Seeking - An Architectural Programming Primer
- MEEB (read through once)
- Ballast 4.0 Structural (read through once)
- Architectural Graphic Standards (more so for PDD though)
- Hyperfine
- Amber Series
- Designer Hacks
I've read through most of these books multiple times now (mostly the first 6). Are there any other resources people recommend? I really need to branch out from this list...or need a new approach. I'm open to anything and everything at this point.
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Chelsea, have you tried Elif's questions? arequestions.com. Many mentioned that they're what got them over the hump. I think at this stage of the game, it's about doing more practice questions. You've read everything, so try to put it into practice with quizzes, quizzes, and more quizzes! I personally like the PPI learning hub questions. Best of luck!
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It is a good idea to do some mock exams, and the following tips may help:
The process of memorization is like filling a cup with a hole at the bottom: You need to fill it faster than the water leaks out at the bottom, and you need to constantly fill it; otherwise, it will quickly be empty.
Once you memorize something, your brain has already started the process of forgetting it. It is natural. That is how we have enough space left in our brain to remember the really important things.
It is tough to fight against your brain's natural tendency to forget things. Acknowledging this truth and the fact that you cannot memorize everything you read, you need to focus your limited time, energy, and brainpower on the most important issues.
The biggest danger for most people is that they memorize the information in the early stages of their exam preparation but forget it before or on the day of the exam and still THINK they remember.
Most people fail the exam NOT because they cannot answer the few “advanced” questions on the exam, but because they have read the information and can NOT recall it on the day of the exam. They spend too much time preparing for the exam, drag the preparation process on for too long, seek too much information, go to too many websites, do too many practice questions and too many mock exams, and spread themselves too thin. They end up missing the most important information of the exam, and they fail.
The ARE Mock Exam series along with the tips and methodology in each of the books will help you find and improve your weakness areas, MEMORIZE the most important aspects of the test to pass the exam ON THE FIRST TRY.
So, if you have a lot of time to prepare for the ARE exams, you should plan your effort accordingly. You want your ARE knowledge to peak at the time of the exam, not before or after…
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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Chelsea I highly recommend the Ballast ARE 5.0 REVIEW MANUAL
I cant believe you read the whole of MEEB.
I think you are overdoing it and should focus on reading ONE REFERENCE and then UNDERSTANDING all the topics in it.
i.e. Read a chapter, and then ask yourself What would I need to know from this section?
My coworker has super useful study methods if you email me I will send you what he taught me.
Mark, Archizam, mbarkitek@gmail.com
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Hi Chelsea ,
Besides all helpful above comments, I wanted to add there's nothing wrong with you & your overall knowledge...you read enough & you just need to believe on yourself that you can pass this one too.These exams are not at no way fair... it's good that we learned so many things through the studying process but questions & time & case studies in exams are unnecessarily confusing.
You did great by passing all other ones & you will soon on this one too.
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MEEB is a double-edge sword:
It can be very helpful, and it can be the most dangerous study materials for you.
The easiest way to fail an ARE exam is to get stuck with MEEB and get lost there.
Do NOT even think about reading MEEB line by line or from cover to cover. That will consume too much of your time, and you may NOT gain anything. Skim through it a few times, jump back and forth if you need to, and focus on the portions that you do not know or are not familiar with. Try to take as much critical information as possible from the book WITHOUT reading it line by line or from cover to cover. Focus on the images, diagrams and charts.
You goal is NOT to read MEEB line by line or from cover to cover, you goal is to prepare and pass the division with your LIMITED time and effort.
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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Hi Chelsea,
Ditto to everything that was said above. Ballast 5.0 will be a great resource. I also ventured on YouTube to watch some videos when I needed a break from the books. There are some playlists that you can find that have short videos that simply explain systems. I started with the amber books videos and went from there. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it can help break up the study routine.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5IBkB2yqnrxT-wtuxLI0Zg
Another resource that I found really helpful was Black Spectacles Sunday workshop sessions. Yes they are on the weekend, but definitely helped me pass PPD and PDD, i would highly recommend it if you have an account. If you are not able, consider doing a virtual study group. Sometimes talking through the topics is the best way to understand them.
I have also heard that Amber Books are super helpful!
I can image how it could be easy to give up, but you are soooo close, don't give up!! you GOT this!
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Chelsea,
I feel for you, but don't give up! Lots of good advice above. Maybe take a step back for a bit (if your rolling clock allows... :| )
Do you work in an A/E? I ask because I think a lot of the information in the above references make sense in a vacuum, but take on new meaning in practice. For instance, I've been working in the arch field in condition assessments, planning and the odd municipal renovation, and I don't think I've ever referenced Graphic Standard or BCI and pulled an entire detail out of those books. Something is always a bit different in reality.
Back to my question: if you work in the A/E industry, I'd suggest reviewing your firm's CDs. Esp ones that weren't straight forward because it will drive home the concepts and how to apply them to pull together a cohesive envelope with systems inside.
Good luck, stick with it, you can do it!
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