Pcm Fail first time first exam

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    Keonwoo Kim (Edited )

    Sorry to hear that you've failed your first trial in PcM Sergio.

    I totally understand you because I've also experienced the failure as you did in my first exam. However, don't be too disappointed with your failure. ARE is a long journey and strong mentality is a MUST HAVE until you end this journey.

    Based on my personal experience, you seem to be on the right track in terms of your study materials you have as well as your time input. I would strongly suggest go deeper with AHPP. As NCARB suggested in their ARE5.0 Handbook, AHPP is the key study material for PcM.

    Also, if you need more practice questions prior to your second try, MyAREguide could be helpful. Exposure to many practice questions will improve your pass rate.

    Let's look at the bright side. At least it's a good sign that you did not feel extremely difficult with your exam (because some people do) and as you said, I also agree with your idea to move onto PjM since both divisions share many common topics. Studying PjM can actually help you finding the missing piece of the puzzle.

    Anyways, keep up your effort and good luck with your next exam.

     

     

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    Sergio Eduardo Claure

    Okay yeah I like all the feedback and info I'll look into the links. I'm going to keep at it and I'm learning a lot I understand that the ARE is basically a journey. I see it as a learning process, I will check out more practice questions and dig deeper into AHPP. It was a good learning experience that I took my first exam and will get back to PcM soon. Like you said the good thing is that some of the content overlaps in the exams.

    Good luck to you too, thanks.

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    Kristen Stanford

    Sign up for the Bootcamp with Michael Riscia!  He has the best program to help candidates succeed!  Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

    kristen.joaquim@Gmail.com

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    Mu-Yen Lee

    Sergio Claure,

    Sorry to hear that. It is my strategy as well to move on to PjM if I fail PcM.

    My PcM exam is coming up, and I am also using WeARE. I am wondering what is your opinion on their practice exams and questions? Are they similar to the actual exam, harder or easier? 

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    Gang Chen

    The easiest way to improve your PcM score in a short time is to read the AIA documents listed in NCARB handbook multiple times. Know them like the back of your hand. Just reading them once will not work, it take several readings to master them

    Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

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    Sergio Eduardo Claure

    The WeARE questions in my opinion were mostly easier than the actual exam but they helped me understand the concepts of the content for the exam. Gang Chen I agree that's a good point, I am going to do that when I get back to the PcM exam. I'm gonna go over it for the PjM exam as well because the AIA documents content overlap. 

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    Shannon McDonald

    Sergio - While it is disappointing to have a fail for your first test, kudos for not letting this hold you back.

    I agree with Gang that for PcM and PjM you really need to understand the codes that NCARB lists on the reference matrix. To help understand the contracts deeper, I listened to the relevant Schiff Hardin lectures by Michael Hanahan. You can find them on the Futur of Design channel on YouTube. Focus on the roles and responsibilities of the contract parties at each stage of design service.

    AHHP is a huge book, so the publisher, Wiley, consulted with an architecture firm to identify which sections align with test objectives. You can read more about this at https://sganwdesign.com/2017/10/31/wiley-publishing/.  I found their lists helpful for PcM, PjM, and CE.

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    Heather Medina

    Hi Sergio, I am so sorry to hear you failed.  I failed the SD test from ARE 4.0, then we had cancer, a preterm baby with issues, lay offs, and I'm getting back into it with 5.0.  Everybody is healthy 7 years later and gainfully employed, thank God.  I just recently passed PcM.  It was hard and I was down to the last seconds finishing it.  I have been using Black Spectacles for practice exams.  I think the exams are pretty spot on to the actual test.  There are a few questions with errors on Black Spectacles, which I alerted them to.  I have read mixed reviews about Black Spectacles, but I think there is a lot of value in the practice exams and flashcards.  The main thing I would say is just focusing on what is being asked in the question.  There are a lot of really wordy questions that give a lot of background, but doesn't really wind up being relevant to what is being asked.  I hope my 2 cents helps.  Keep your head up, failure is part of the process.  I do not know a single architect that didn't fail a few exams along the way.  You'll do it!

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    Sergio Eduardo Claure

    Hi Shannon yeah thanks I know it's a learning process, not gonna let it hold me back. I use the NCARB Handbook as reference. I have listened to the schiff hardin lectures by michael hanahan they do help, I still listen to them for review of the contracts. I've seen that by wiley it helps to have more accurate reading for the section, I think I have to dig deeper into AHPP. Heather that's tough glad you got over that, I've used some of Black Spectacles content they do help I am gonna try to use it more.

    Thanks for all the feedback.

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    Devina Parbhoo

    Don’t give up!
    I made a YouTube video with my tips for the Practice Management exam. I have given this advice to 20+ friends and colleagues and they have all passed. Hopefully this helps! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTme7fsJBhw

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    Sergio Eduardo Claure

    Yeah for sure! I'll check it out thanks.

     
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