8 months pregnant, PPD pass. Only PDD left, but should I keep going???
I am currently 8 months pregnant and due with my second baby at the end of Aug. I started studying for PPD in February but due to working/caring for our toddler and life I really was only able to truly dedicate study time after I was laid off from my job in April. I used Amber books, ARE 5.0 Study material and some other referenced books briefly, but really that was it. I am 99% done with the amber books course and just passed PPD this afternoon preliminarily 🤞🏼.
All the advice I see out there say to keep going asap with the next exam since they are so similar. With some saying take PDD in two weeks. This advice seems to be directed at non-pregnant with an almost 3 yr old toddler so I don’t know if that is realistic advice.
I’d love to just get these over with, but also I really only get (3) study days in a week while the toddler is in daycare. I have a baby shower coming up in a couple weekends that I’m hosting at my house and then my toddlers bday party that we are also hosting at our house a couple weeks after that. Then at that point I will be 9 months pregnant with potentially 3+\- more weeks before I give birth… or maybe not! It would be much nicer to just enjoy the pre-life changing summer!
So the question is what do I / what would you do??? I knew enough to pass this last exam, I’m on a roll/rhythm study schedule wise, but with all these things coming up I had been hoping for a mental break. However, waiting until after I have a newborn in the house seems crazy too! I will probably be out of work until at least January when I will really dig into finding work again, but with another baby. We haven’t decided if the toddler should stay in daycare during that time yet given the decreased household income so that’s still up in the air. Thoughts??? Help fellow momma’s 😂!
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I vote to get it over with!! From what I am hearing from my 2nd time moms, it's quite the life change and to me, losing momentum takes twice the amount of time to bounce back from. I'd take the test, and if you pass you're DONE and if you don't - you at least tried!
I have a 2.5 year old, working full time (both me and my husband) and studying at night after all is taken care of has been really really challenging. I couldn't imagine doing this with a toddler + an infant even if I didn't work!
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Honestly I would keep going. I am not a mom, but I have been going in and out of taking exams and therefore lost momentum and it always takes me forever to get into the habit of studying again. I you passed PPD, you are probably at a good point to take the other one as well. Start by taking a practice exam of PDD and see how you feel! Also mainly wrote this because I wanted to say how inspiring is that you just took an exam while 8 months pregnant, really congratulate yourself, that is amazingggg!
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I agree with everyone who has commented! I'm a working single mom - granted of one 12 y/o, which is a different story, but I understand the juggling act! It is certainly worth trying to pass PDD within the few weeks you have left before your new bundle of joy arrives. Go for it, I'm sure you can do it! Otherwise, you'll have just one exam left, and it would probably be (realistically) a few months before you take it. My advice: ride the momentum you have now, and I'm sure you will pass!!!!
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kdegregorio166 you are such an inspiration!
Like everyone said keep the momentum kdegregorio166 and go for it. If this is your last one then you must do it because chances of getting remote job for registered Architect is more and it will be really perfect to get that remote job in your situation. All the best !
I am still in square one - just getting started to write my ARE and preparing for PcM. How to plan and prepare for these exams - Any advice is welcome :) Please share how you prepared for these exams, and how many hours/week is needed! What source helped you pass all your previous exams!!
Thank you!
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kdegregorio,
I've spoken with a few people in your situation over the years - it seems like your instinct is in the right place for your situation as you describe it.
"visualize it as a $250 try and if I don’t pass that's a later problem" - as when you're taking the actual exam, trust your instincts, they sound good to me. If you have the capacity to sit for PDD in the next few weeks, do it - even if you only have 8 hours to review notes beforehand, all the study you've done for PPD is useful for PDD, and since you've already passed CE, doubly so.
If you've passed PPD, you'll be at least close to passing PDD. The underlying topics are functionally identical, PPD tests earlier-design aspects of those topics around the 1/8-1/4" resolution, PDD is more granular and covers everything from 1/4" to full-scale. PPD has more "trivia" questions, PDD is more detailed. The NCARB practice exams do a good job of representing the scope of their difference.
I only know of three people who have ever written Amber Book wishing they had been less aggressive with their exam schedule - and I can't even count how many have written wishing they had been more aggressive than they were.
If you have the capacity, it seems really low-consequence - if you pass, you're done, if you don't pass, you wouldn't be testing for more than two months anyway, so it's really just your time sitting for the test and the cost of the seat that you're out. Think of it as sitting for an expensive practice exam and you'll be in about the right headspace.
I have an email I send to people who have been close to passing that contains a bunch of mindset and testing tips and tricks that might be useful to you - email us at architects@amberbook.com if you'd like it.
Best,
Ralph, the Amber Book Team
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