Took PA Yesterday

Took PA yesterday evening and what was supposed to be a 3 hr exam lasted for a lot longer. I was met with multiple exam crashes despite a proproctor help staff remotely checked my computer and gave me a green to go for the exam.

Multiple crashes itself is the technical issue the software has and over that, the protocols of security checks over and over again made the whole process overwhelming.

The Exam

White board was quite Okay to use.

From a 95 questions exam to now 75 questions. Thank you Ncarb!

Questions required a lot of reading to fetch out the critical info and get to the answer.

However, I finished with 10 min remaining. I rushed through the exam for the fear of crashing again and again. Especially when I was on the last case study I didn't want to take another chance, so I finished the case study and hit the 'end exam' button. It's the first time ever that I got some time to review and I decided to not use it.

On a lighter note, I got to learn about my own speed and the ability to focus despite the rough ride. I am Impressed:)

I will most likely not opt for an online proctor option for the remaining exams.

Study Material

I invested in-

Ballast- Read Chapters 7-11 from PA Division & 12-15 from PPD Division.

BS- listened at 1.5x First to get an overview and later again after reading and going through other materials. This helped me bridge connections between information and concretize the concepts

Site Planning and Handbook- read and underlined, re-read & took notes

Hyperfine PA assignments- This really trains to use IBC, something I dreaded to use, but after the assignments I am comfortable with IBC now. Thank you Ben!

EricWalker Exam- I didn't finish it completely.

These were free

IBC-read Chapters 3 & 6, looked through 4, 5 & 10

ADA

Youtube Videos

Ncarb Demo Exam

This PA Community taught a lot. Learned from a lot of posts and comments. Thank You all here!

Issued form the local library

Building Codes Illustrated 2009

Problem Seeking

About Me

A stay at home mom. Now, prepping and getting ready to start the next phase of life!:)

Also, Waiting for the result.

Julie Foley January 28, 2021 14:08

thanks for sharing your experience! I appreciate all of the background information and knowledge too. Good luck waiting for your exam result.

Mark Baker January 30, 2021 15:15

Dhurva,

Good job taking it in adverse and trying circumstances.

I always say not to let the crappy software ruin your ability to focus on the knowledge you have gained. I have said before, I took the laggy software and the computer problems as little moments to take deep breathes and tell myself "I AM CONFIDENT." It worked for me - I passed doing this.

Hope it turns out on the positive side! And I commend you for (like me) being a parent and still taking the exams. It is sure not easy!

Mark, Archizam

Devina Parbhoo February 01, 2021 06:23

If anyone is looking for study advice for the PA exam, I made a YouTube video about how I was able to pass in one month. I cover the best resources to study from and a sample study schedule. Feel free to check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPKOq9rqgMg

I will also be releasing a new video every week, so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any future videos!

Took PA Yesterday

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