Finally Passed PDD and I'm Officially Done with the A.R.E.'s
Just wanted to share with my fellow NCARB community, that I got a PASS on my PDD test today. This was my 6th and final exam!
First off. Wow, these tests are so hard, it took me almost 3 years to complete. It took multiple attempts on every exam. It seriously took everything I had.
To those of you that are in a rut or feel like you have ran out of steam. You are not alone! A year ago I had 3 exams left and was striking out every time I tried and couldn't make any progress. But I stuck with it, dug deeper, widened my study resources and I had to really look inward at what my intentions were with my career. I had to be serious with myself. And I passed 3 exams in last 12 months.
If you are like me, life does not stop. Marriage, work, family, social life.. It is so hard to balance everything. But one way or another you have to find what time you can and prioritise these exams.
Overall the best advice I can give on resources are: Ballast Book, Amber books, Black Spectacles, YOUTUBE VIDEOS(there are so many playlists put together for each exam that offer alternative and more common knowledge on concepts and their real life applications), PRACTICE EXAMS!! So important, you could argue they are the most important thing and you could probably get by with just practice exams non stop leading up to your test. In my humble opinion, if you're good at managing your time well on the test don't worry about finishing the time on practice exams. Do rapid fire repetition of questions. Treat them like flash cards. Everytime you get a question you don't understand, look it up until you get the explanation you need. NCARB has the practice mode that gives you answers as you go. Custom flashcards and notes. Take a little bit of everything throw it on your phone notes and treat it as your last minute panic notes. I wish there were a one stop shop with studying but the reality is it takes multiple sources to have in your 'toolbox'. Honestly each time you gear up for a test, you really do learn a ton and that is the silver lining in retaking exams. It will help you be better and smarter in the end.
If you're battling with passing and failing. Remember if at first you don't succeed try try again. I always had a mantra in my head when I got anxious before tests "pass or fail, I will prevail".
Don't give up guys, the end goal is worth the work and you will learn so much about yourself and you will be proud of yourself!
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CONGRATULATIONS ryancw11!!! What an awesome accomplishment - you should be very proud of yourself! Thank you for sharing your story and helpful words of advice - it will help others who are going through this difficult endeavor. I love your mantra and mindset! We, at Black Spectacles, are honored to have been a part of your journey towards licensure.
Best of luck on your new chapter as a licensed architect!!!
Kiara | Black Spectacles | Community
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