Taking Exam in 2 Weeks / Need help targetting specific topics of study
Hello! I am taking my PPD exam in 3 weeks. I have passed PcM, PjM, CE and PA on my first try. I have done all of the amber book coursework, review some flaschards and taking 3 practice exams ( 1 Amber, 1 Eric Walker and the NCARB exam). This was my score on my last practice exam for NCARB.
How can i target or best study concisely for the categories I missed? Thank you so much and im open to any tips!
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I would begin by analyzing the questions in those sections you did not do well in, and review each one, the wording of the questions, and the answers provided that you selected and which answers are correct. What is being asked in those questions? Where is it going wrong or what is being missed or misunderstood? Where can you build your understanding and further improve your chances of passing on the real attempt?
You won't get the same questions on the real exam run, but you can start to build up your approach to the real questions better if you're able to understand the questions and what's being asked in those instances, and what topics you may come across/how to handle them. It can also help identify areas to improve your studying. Are you getting stumped on questions regarding structures, or is it mechanical systems, or is it the wording in general?
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Hi,
I would recommend reading Building Construction by Mehta to improve your score in the Building Systems, Materials and Assemblies category. At least read chapters on topics that you aren't familiar with. Reading Architect's Studio Companion is also good. For project costs and budgeting, be ready to do math to find the new cost of something when materials change or the sf is reduced or increased.
Hope this helps & keep studying!
Rebekka
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For PPD, I found Architect's Studio Companion very beneficial in terms of selection of structural and hvac systems. You need to make sure you are familiar with those, when to use which one... Elif's are questions is a good one for practice exams. For last day memory refresh, Karin's PPD-PDD notes (if you google, it pops up). I suggest reading thru FEMA 454 as you may see many seismic related questions. Know wind pressures, where it is positive, where it is negative.
But overall I found PPD to have the largest context area. I passed my PPD today but before hitting end the exam button, I thought I failed, I got some questions that are pure memorization (like names, types, etc). I had failed PPD once in November, back then I had gotten many wind-seismic related and structural calc and diagram questions. In today's exam, I got many lighting related questions, and a couple of very interesting, niche questions that caught me off guard.
I feel like one can never feel ready for this exam tbh, so if you feel like you have a decent grasp of the topics, go and try.
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