Pass PDD
I pass PDD on my first try in November, right before the new exam standards, and I am now done with the ARE (hurray!). Here are my recommendations for studying PDD :
- I started by reading Ballast, and taking notes. Didn't look at any of the calculation examples. In general, I will not recommend using Ballast for any calculation examples/explanations. Dont get intimated by these crazy calcs! Instead, I used the formulas provided by NCARB and only study examples using these formulas. In retrospective, I will not have stress too much about it because I didn't have to use the formulas during my exam...
- I hate when people are suggesting to read a whole book, but sometimes it might be helpful. I completely read The Fundamentals Building Construction really fast (took me 2 weeks), Building Construction Illustrated and Building Code Illustrated again (which I already studied for PPD). I read Studio Companion again and studied my notes from MEEB.
- I like to study by taking practice exams, so I did as much as possible on Black Spectacles, Designer Hacks and ARE Questions. I have to pay for all of these myself. I can be quite expensive, but worth it.
- I studied Karen's Notes which I found really helpful. I think the Quick Study Notes are not really helpful, you can skip it.
- Reviewed my PPD notes a lot! PPD and PDD are very similar. I also went thru my notes from all previous exams.
- I reviewed ADA, read FEMA chapters 4 & 5 and ARE SS Guide (4.0).
Good luck!
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Congratulations! This is a major milestone in your architectural career.
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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Congratulations. Must be an excellent feeling. I hope to be in the Passed and Done club tomorrow afternoon.
I will add couple of resources I found incredibly helpful on PPD and PDD.
Ben Norkin's HYPERFIBE course (one course for both PPD and PDD)
I would say if you only have $40 to spend...spend it on Hyperfine.
The questions are exactly in the ballpark of the actual exam questions.
It's really important to understand the level of detail the ARE is at. If you read the entire MEEB...you're going way too deep.
Ben does a series of 9 weeks of assignment...each week being about six or seven topics...questions, and very detailed answers. Ben also has videos on many of the answers as well- which are very good. Also, in his homework, he includes various links to sources where you can go learn about the topic. He also does a pack for the Case Studies which is a small additional charge. I highly recommend it as there are almost no resources that deal with the Case Studies.
the second resource I can't say enough about is Elif Bayram's AreQuestions.com
She puts together packages for each division.
Each package contains TWELVE quizzes with I think 20 questions each.
And..Two full tests with 120 questions each.
The questions are VERY similar to actual ARE questions.
She has drag and drop, fill in the blank (number), multiple choice, etc. It VERY realistically mimics the ARE.
She also includes some explanation for the correct/incorrect answers.
The quizzes and the exams are scored at the end.
The exam also runs a timer if you are tying to gauge your speed.
Again, about $40. Incredible value,
Lastly, for PDD...Architectural Detailing, by Allen/Rand. This softcover book goes through various topics in a systematic way and describes the essential principles behind the details so you understand why something is being done a certain way. The drawings and explanations are just right. I personally think that most of the stuff in Graphic Standards is overdone. There's too much complexity and sheer volume of stuff to be able to use it effectively as a resource.
I have been an architectural detailer in an office for over 20 years and I found this book extremely helpful.
Again, congratulations on the Pass, Audrey!
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Hi Christopher! Yes I read Building Code and Building Construction from cover to back... I think these are easy books to read. I skipped the last couple chapters of Building Construction (about finishes and stuff) and maybe very specific chapter of Building Code (like high rise building). Questions in the exam are not as specific. The Building Code is a good one to have at the office. If you only buy one, I will recommend this one because it will be more useful in the future. Good luck !!
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Audrey, congratulations on your success. I passed PPD on first attempt, studied Ballast from PA - parts of PDD, Studio companion, and a construction detail book my mom gave me for Christmas. I also looked at some black spectacles and hyperfine videos, did designer hacks and PPI's practice exams. Only about 25% of the material from this was on PPD. Since you studied very similar content, will there be much of it from PDD?
best,
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