Passed all 6 divisions, only 2 total Fails. Here is what I studied.
I just passed PDD on my second try. Had to take PJM twice, but passed all the other exams on my first try including PA & PPD, which surprised me. My retake of PDD seemed so much easier than the first time.
I won't go too much into Amber book and how much I recommend it, there are enough of those posts on here, but it definitely worked for me. The most important thing to add, is Amber book will get you most of the way there on content, but you absolutely will need to add in some other materials.
I used the Architects Handbook of Professional Practice, The AIA contract documents, FEMA 454 Chapters 4 & 5 (super helpful for multiple exam questions), Architectural Detailing: Function, Constructability, and Aesthetics, and MasterFormat (make sure you study this, especially for PDD), as my supplemental resources outside of Amber Book. I really feel like this was the difference on PPD and PDD especially on my retake of PDD. Amber book just didn't cover quite enough for the specifics of some of the questions. That being said, Amber book is still amazing and for sure got me most of the way there.
I'm posting because now that I have passed all 6 divisions, I want to help others on their journey, not just with what content I used for studying and how many hours I spent on each topic, but testing strategy in general. Testing strategy and how to take these exams is way bigger of an issue than I first anticipated. After working through all 6 exams you start to realize that a proper strategy on answering the questions on test day can actually be the difference between a pass or fail.
Please feel free anyone who is interested to message me and I can give you a longer breakdown on anything you would want to know on testing strategy, study time & Materials and which order I took the exams.
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Yes, so if you Google FEMA 454 (Designing for Earthquakes: A Manual for Architects) it will take you to a free PDF you can download. You can skip all the chapters except for 4 and 5, and I would recommend reading them twice, or until you understand the concepts. It gives you a good overall understanding of how to design for seismic, which there will likely be multiple questions on PDD and PPD for.
For the MasterFormat, Google that and go to CSI's website (they are the ones who compiled the MasterFormat for specs). Learn at least the first 9 divisions ( Div 0 - Div 9) and what is included in each one, in a broad sense, not total memorization. Also understand everything that goes into the Project Manual and specifications are one of them. This is also a free online guide through their website, to learn about MasterFormat Divisions.
Hope this helps!
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Wolden85,
Congratulations on completing the ARE!! We're all cheering for your win - now go celebrate with all the people you've had to ignore while you completed this career milestone!
AIA contracts are and always will be required reading - we direct you to them in the course at the appropriate time. We've made a note to improve the Pro Practice / Specs content you note in our next major course revision. Thanks!!
Cheers!!
Ralph, the Amber Book Team
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