Passed PPD and done with ARE's!!!
PDD Pass: 2.21.2021
PA Pass: 2.28.2021
PPD Pass: 3.8.2021
I have failed these 3 exams at least once, took a break, got married in November, and started studying hard for all 3 right after Christmas. For me, I relied on this community for the important chapters in recommended materials from ARE Handbook. However, this was simply not enough. I give most of my credit passing, in exposure to as many practice tests and problems I could get my hands on. I knew the material but needed to hash it all out and apply the knowledge in practice problems. I have always viewed myself as a person with a good GPA but horrible at tests. However, after crushing these out 3 weeks in a row, the failures, and hard work has paid off! I can also say I'm a much better test taker.
My advice would be to read, take notes, and then practice, practice, practice! Mix things up. Don't focus on one single study source alone.
Special thanks to:
- Hyperfine questions (the best- thanks Ben! This material really kept me engaged and focused!) PPD/PDD 8 week study guide is great as well.
- arequestions.com (answers with resources to brush up rusty spots)
- Black Spectacles exams (Best practice exams out there to work on your timing. I'm an awful test taker). If you get an answer wrong they show you what resources to study.
ARE handbook practice problems and NCARB online practice test to get used to navigating case studies and the new digital whiteboard.
- Ballast exams (I didn't like these questions as much, but still somewhat helpful)
Cheers everyone, you got this!
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Congratulations Joseph!
I just took my PPD exam today, and it looks like I failed. Not the end of the world.
I would like to get a little more insight as to what you did differently from myself. I think the only resource I didnt use was Black Spectacles, but otherwise everything else.
TBH I felt, at the end of the test, that I had a shot at passing. I was surprised to see that it say that I likely failed. If I were to take a stab at my trouble spots, it would have to be the case studies. I gave myself plenty of time on those, but still felt like I had difficulty with them. If anything I wish I could find more case study problems to practice.
Let me know your thoughts,
Cheers,
-Jared Hopkins
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Hi Jared,
Sorry to hear about the potential fail. I know how that feels all too well with these exams but stay on the grind!
I also have always had a tough time with case studies. The best advice I have for that is to be very familiar with where things are in the code, where to find information in zoning documents, ADA, etc. Another struggle for me was the lagtime I've experience scrolling through drawing sets in the resources. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about that...it just sucks. Hopefully, NCARB is starting to resolve these issues. I would go through the case study provided by NCARB in the free exam maybe once a week to keep yourself familiar. Also, the black spectacle exams really helped me out- seemed like I was always running out of time and rushing to get through the final 5-10 questions especially for PA and PPD. Although in my opinion, Black Spectacles seemed to steer from the actual exam content I faced, it still helped me practice timing and focus on week areas. Their case studies are also sub-par in my opinion...Many of the questions can be answered without reading the scenario or looking through reference materials. It's a good chunk of change but after failing a few times, I gave it a shot, and I think it helped.
For me, it was good to read materials recommended in the ARE5.0 handbook but it can be painful. Especially reading through MEEB. Again, Practice tests and questions were key for me. Once you know your weak spots, spend extra time reading the stuff that matters to understand the content better.
I was amazed to crush PA, PPD, and PDD in 3 weeks, but that didn't come with failures in all these exams beforehand. I was simply pissed after a series of the "likely failed this division" that I got up every morning at 5 AM, and studied a couple of hours before work. I spent a bit more time on the weekends studying mostly (practice tests/ questions). It's rough, but if I can finally get these things done, anyone can!
Good luck man, you'll get it soon.
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