Unable to Return to "Viewed" Questions after Break
When did NCARB changed the guidelines about being locked out of questions you skim through? This was the first time taking a test since the pandemic shut down.
I looked through almost 80% of the questions while answering some and marking most to return to them and complete before my time was up, but after taking a 10 minute bathroom break i was not able to get back to all the questiones i didn't answer as a result failed the test.
This is just another brutal reality we have to live with. It shoudn't be this difficult especially taking the test in a controlled environemnt (i.e. prometric test center). I hope someone from NCARB can explain this to me and can get a refund so I can retake the test again soon.
Hard Lesson Learned!
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Hi Yohannes -
I'm sorry this happened to you! I'd definitely familiarize myself with NCARB's testing policies and procedures before testing again - I know you're working hard to study the material and it's frustrating when something like this happens that causes you to not be successful.
As for the reasoning - my understanding is that NCARB needs to provide the same testing experience in testing centers as they do at home. If they allowed you to view all of the questions, then take a break, then return to the questions, candidates who test at home could simply stash their resources in their bathroom or something and look up the answers while on break. To alleviate this security concern and to keep the exam format the same for both in-person and at-home testing, viewed questions get locked after a break.
Chris Hopstock RA
Black Spectacles
ARE Community -
Thank you Chris, now i understand why this policy is in place. My point is as long as we are in a controlled environment (i.e. Prometric testing center) while taking the test, I just don't see the reason to prevent people access the questions after taking a break but then it has to be the same level of experience whether taking it at home or at a test center.
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As I understand it, you are now unrestricted from referring to resources during your break at a testing center. So you could somehow mentally remember all the questions you encountered, go out and take your break, and then come back and answer all the questions correctly.
Its like going into the test knowing the questions already.
That was a big change when the home proctoring came to be allowed - locking out of questions viewed before the break. Very good to highlight that to everyone before they take their first exam. Thank you for your post.
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These new 'rules' when into affect last year. Once you confirm your break, you cannot review any questions you already saw... It totally changes exam strategy, for sure!! Make sure you get NCARB's emails or follow them on social media. They make announcements about things like several times before implementing it.
If you really love reviewing and marking things first, you could try to just take a quick break and just leave the clock running. Personally, I think it wastes too much time.
Plan to do the case studies first next time, and try to finish about half of the exam (and review everything, making sure you answered all the questions) before taking your break.
You can also look at a CHEAT SHEET during your break, if you take a scheduled one. I have some exam strategies for this in my courses. Sorry you didn't know about the changes; it's unfortunate because you had very little chance of passing after looking at most of the exam and marking a lot of questions before a break.
Best wishes next time!
Rebekka O'Melia, Registered Architect, NCARB, B. Arch, M. Ed, Step UP, Step UP ARE 5.0 Courses
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