amberbook 2025 honest review needed

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Architect_inprocess

November 10, 2025 20:48

I would like to know an honest review from the ARE community! Is studying whole of Amberbook and giving tests helpful!? I used amberbook for PCM, PJM AND CE. However i only studied the primary content for those exams. I personally did not feel amberbook was enough, i had to refer to multiple resources to pass the exams after few failures. Only passed PCM and PJM until now. Before i proceed with my next 4 tests. For which i was planning to study all of amberbook and give them together! I want to understand if it has helped others in this community. Please let know your thoughts

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  JCorrington November 12, 2025 22:14

  You said yourself you didn't use all the content. When you reached the slide that said "go and read these contracts" or "go and listen to this lecture" did you do it? Did you do the flashcards? And take notes? Personally, I found amber book extremely useful, and I used very few outside resources. Mainly contracts, youtube lectures, and some online papers (most of which are suggested in the amber book slides).

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  Architect_inprocess November 12, 2025 22:21 (Edited November 12, 2025 22:22)

  Yes! I did go through all the flashcards,including videos jn them! By only studying part of the content i meant focused for that specific test. Did exactly what they had asked to. Did you take all your tests together? Or studied for specific ones and gave them accordingly? Cause i am referring to the second part of test giving.

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  JCorrington November 12, 2025 22:31

  I watched all the video lectures start to finish, then did the flashcard section for a given exam leading up to the exam. I did 3 months studying, then 2 exams per month for 3 months. 6 Months total

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  Architect_inprocess November 12, 2025 22:34

  Okay! So that make sense! Thats what i have realised in order to pass through amberbook you have to go through the whole content instead of focusing on one specific test! Which is what i was doing! I was studying for one test at a time focusing only on the content for that exam. Thanks for clarifying!

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  JCorrington November 12, 2025 22:36

  You're welcome! The amber book video lectures actually do throw in random, seemingly out of order content in order to force you to watch the whole series (in a good way imo).

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  battjes2006 November 14, 2025 17:36

  Here is my Amber Book plug and general ARE experience FWIW:

  I had a very good experience with Amber Book, and I believe working through it comprehensively from start to finish is the only effective way to use it. Watch all the videos in order, take detailed notes, follow the links, and try to stick to the schedule they provide. Review your notes often. The Amber Book flashcards are incredibly helpful, though time-consuming.  It sounds like you are already doing this. 

  It took me over four months just to get through the content. After that, I scheduled all of my exams about 2–3 weeks apart, which gave me enough time to review notes, go through flashcards, and take mini breaks between tests. I also work full-time. I completed ARE process with studying in nine months start to finish (with two fails and a couple of breaks). Testing in close succession is really where Amber Book pays off. My testing order: PCM, PM, CE, PA, PPD, PDD

  In addition to AB, I used the NCARB practice tests, AIA contract documents, and select YouTube videos (Archicorner on certain topics) as supplemental material. Keep in mind that not all exam terminology matches exactly what you study; quick Google searches on key topics can help expand your ARE and professional vocabulary. I'd say the supplemental material was about 5% of my study time.

  For me, these exams were largely about quick identification, broad subject knowledge, and eliminating options to get to the most reasonable answer—while staying clear-headed. I preferred testing at home, using the same keyboard, mouse, and environment I studied in for a home-court advantage. While testing at home has its issues, this is a gift from NCARB.  

  One thing I learned during test-taking: no matter what happens during the exam, do not give up. Stay calm and answer every question, even if you’re guessing. I would also skim the answers first before reading the question.

  Your remaining four exams are, in my opinion, where Amber Book’s content is strongest

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