PPD & PDD Pass - How I Passed the New Test Format
I learned yesterday that I passed PPD & PDD finishing up my ARE journey. After spending enough time on this forum I'm going to skip the part where I tell you my entire life story and cut straight to helpful part.
New Test Thoughts:
- You don't need to practice the demo test - it's really not that different. Don't stress the new format.
- The whiteboard sucks but I didn't have to use it that much. I find if you just close each page after each problem it incurs less errors. Keep in mind every line you draw the slower it gets. I found it helpful to draw the question scenario at one point and it was incredibly buggy - with that said, I think the white board cost me maybe 45 seconds total through my whole test.
- I found myself going to resources less which actually saves time. Since you either get the formula on the question or you have to know it, you basically spend less time in the tabs which saves time.
- The test length is better, less questions means less exhaustion and more effort in each one - this was nice
- The break is much more valuable now. Not being able to go back to questions sucks, but it also forces you to commit and move on. If you know the content then there's nothing to worry about. I will say being able to use my phone during the break was nice. I was able to go outside and listen to music and relax a bit on my break, I think this gave me a better headspace in my test.
Recommended resources
- Amberbook is a great resource, I think this is the most digestible material on the market and highly recommend. I did however fail PPD and PDD twice trying to only use Amberbook - I think most people need more than this just resource. That said, I would still recommend trying to pass with only Amberbook your first time through before moving on to other content.
- ARE Bootcamp - Hands down the reason I passed is because of bootcamp. If you are reading this post because you are struggling trying to pass these exams, sign up for bootcamp. You will pass if you join this, if you can only pick one resource this is what you need. More content than you could ever study, an actual study schedule and plan, multiple people to talk with and work through problems together, accountability and motivation to hit a set amount of study hours, and in general just a great experience.
- Elif Questions - solid content, a nice review before each exam, favorite practice questions. I think these are very well rounded and would highly recommend.
- WeARE questions - solid content, a nice review before each exam. Trash descriptions, unsure if all questions are correct. However, very valuable and the most difficult practice questions I used. Pairing these with Elifs are a great review before each test.
- I used the other 10 books that everyone names on here, you don't need me to list them.
General Advice
I failed 11 times on my ARE journey. 4 of those were PPD and 3 were PDD. I spent 3 months passing PA, CE, PjM, and PcM. I spent 14 months passing PPD and PDD. These are a different animal and you shouldn't get discouraged. I did something different this time around taking the new version of the test.
I stopped studying.
You read that right, if you have failed this test three times I'm recommending you stop beating your head against the books and ask yourself what else could be effecting you. Taking a couple weeks off I realized that the amount of hours I was studying was only making me more wound up and anxious. Sounds cliché right, humor me and try this. Set an alarm on your phone 10 minutes right now and close your eyes and try to zone out. How hectic are your thoughts? If you can't sit with yourself for 10 minutes now how are you going to do that for 4 hours in an exam?
I truly believe half of this forum is people working so hard that they don't take a moment to breath every day. They show up to the test thinking too quickly and second guessing every answer they can't recall immediately. Stop thinking the test is trying to trick you, stop trying to cram everything in the night before, stop telling yourself you won't pass until you read a certain book, stop saying its all luck. If you start talking to yourself positively and giving yourself the confidence that you know the material you'll show up to the test knowing you are ready and the rest work itself out. I failed 7 times on these tests and passed them both 2 weeks apart and I truly believe its cause I showed up in a different state of mind, give it a shot.
I'm rooting for you, you've got this.
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Congratulations on your passes and thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom. This is the EXACT study/mind-set approach I took this last couple of months and couldn't help but feel relieved and encouraged after reading your post. I will be re-taking PPD and PDD in a few weeks and already looking forward to acing these exams.
Best of luck to you and everyone else out there!
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Seth,
I am going to heed your advice. I have taken and failed the PPD far too many times. One of the things I did different this time around was to sign up for Elif's PPD quiz bundle. I really liked the challenging questions, even though a few were asking for information that was irrelevant (I recall one question dealt with the Section Modulus, I have never come across a question that involved that), they were very helpful. I know one of her questions did help me directly with an exam question. It was a question that had stumped me. Yet, Elif was able to explain it to me.
I know that I know the information. I just need to apply it.
What sucks is that I know not having my license is holding me back. I have a great resume and skill set, but if it come between me or someone else who has less experience but happens to be licensed, they will pick the licensed.
Also, I know that I did not have a good nights sleep and was not relaxed. That is the key.
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Congrats on the pass!
If anyone else is looking for PPD study references, I made a YouTube video covering all of the study materials I used in order to pass the exam in two months. Check it out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOl17gIUWCM
I also have videos covering all of the other exams and plan to release a new video every week so be sure to Subscribe so you don't miss any future videos!
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