Objective 3 / Building Systems, Materials, & Assemblies
What am I missing? I just failed PPD for the 2nd time. The first time by maybe 4 questions, this time, a year and a half later, by around 9 questions. I'm not super surprised by the fail but I'm baffled that I completely bombed this section - 35%. What the heck! Even if I would have gotten a 50% I probably could've passed. Maddening. I'm not sure how I can fix this because I feel pretty confident in the exam content and do fairly well on practice exams. Taking any tips..
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Sorry about that, Avery. I recommend checking out the MEEB for this section in particular, but it will also be a great help with Sections 1 and 4. I know the book is heavy and looks intimidating, but I think it can be very helpful, especially if you haven't tried it in your earlier takes. Focus on the active systems chapters, and if they get too deep in certain areas, I am sure you can just skim them and move on to the next section that needs more of your attention. For example, chapter 12 (12th edition, Active Climate Control) is much more important than chapter 31. I would just skim through 31, but read 12, three times if needed. As an experienced PPD taker, you will be better able to judge which parts need your attention more. But overall, I don't think you'll regret this effort. I hope this helps!
Best of luck with the retake!
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Thanks Elif. I have this book and utilized it as one of my primary study materials. I think I just need to hone in on it more and try to quiz myself in a different way to ensure this information is clicking. I also think I got a fairly difficult version of the exam - I don't remember my last exam being this difficult, of course still challenging.
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There are definitely different versions of the exam. But still doing another round of MEEB review with a deeper approach should help. Creating flashcards (using your own words) and reviewing them helps a lot. Or maybe try joining (starting) an online group and reading and discussing chapters with them. Some people find recording their voices and listening later helpful, too.
Btw, check out the Plumbing, Electrical, and Acoustics book. It is not as comprehensive as MEBB (it doesn't discuss active climate control, for example, which is a big deal if you ask me), but I like its language a lot. Much easier to engage. Might find it easier to fill in some gaps. Also, don't skip the architect studio companion to do an overall review. I like its table summaries. I think after a deeper book like MEEB, ASC can be used to quickly review things and scenarios.
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Hi Avery.
Sorry you didn't pass this time! My first question would be how and what you have been studying?
I think ASC and Building Construction are both very good. I'd recommend reading ASC cover-to-cover and reading any chapter in Building Construction on topics that you aren't familiar with (it's a huge book)!
I'd also tackle case studies first, as you results may indicate exam fatigue more than incompetence.
Good luck next time & keep studying!
Rebekka
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AGS is good for understanding systems integration and details. Chapters regarding foundations, and structural systems overall is important for PPD but imo most of the rest (especially all the details) of the book helps more with PDD than PPD.
MEEB on the other hand teaches almost all active and passive building systems (other than structural systems) on a larger scale which is super important for PPD. The exam tests your judgement of selecting building systems to respond different circumstances and scenarios and without having an understanding of (let’s say mechanical) systems, you can’t comfortably answer them. Btw, 13th edition of MEEB is perfect and I wouldn’t skip this book especially if you tried passing the exam without it before. Hope it helps. Best of luck! -
If one were “missing” the Building Systems, Materials, & Assemblies section, what PPD content WOULDN’T they study? I cannot think of any topic in a study regime that falls outside of that category. Which is one reason why chasing those categories is not helpful in planning your studying. It would be like taking an algebra exam and being told that you need help in an area called “formulas.”
-Michael Ermann, Amber Book creator
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