PPD Pass First Attempt. Here are my strategies
Hey guys
I felt like I should share some strategies that I used to study for this test. I really surprised myself with this one. I've been getting accustomed to taking ARE tests twice most of the time, but my approach for the technical exams was different and I ended up passing on my first try with almost 1 1/2 hours remaining on my clock. I hope these strategies help:
1. Find some ARE candidates you vibe with (this is important) & have meetings to go over content. Read a book, and then meet once a week to go over what you learned/read. Ask questions, and make your own practice questions. Discuss confusing diagrams. Argue about practice test questions. This was (by far) the most useful thing I have done. I joined the Young Architect Academy and it got me in touch with a great group. It is pricey but you also get a lot of useful content and syllabus to help focus your studying. Or you could make a group on your own (way cheaper). I personally think zoom meetings are a lot easier then meeting in real life because everyone can see one screen and annotate on it.
2. Pick a time to study and COMMIT to studying at that time every single day. Logging your hours helps keep you accountable. Doing this with a group keeps you even more accountable. I studied, on average, about 16-20 hours a week for 10 weeks.
3. Video's are a lot easier to digest. Watching a video about the variations of a hydraulic elevator was way easier to understand then reading about it in MEEB (Mechanical & Electrical Equipment for Buildings) and it was way easier to understand MEEB after watching videos.
4. Elif Questions are gold (arequestions.com). I wouldn't say they resemble the real exam, but they force you to think about the content on a deep level that surpasses what would be required for the ARE. These questions are great to take as a group and are very affordable. I'd suggest studying both the PA & PPD questions. I think the Young Architect "Drills" and Amber Book Practice exam are at a level similar to what you'd need to pass this test.
My main study sources were:
1. Youtube
2. Young Architect Meetup Videos (You'd need to join the ARE bootcamp for this)
3. Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings
4. Heating, Cooling, and Lighting
5. Architect Studio Companion
6. Sun, Wind, and Light
7. Site Planning and Design Handbook
Now I am going on to study for PDD (last test!) Thanks all.
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Thanks Elif! Yes your questions did help. I appreciate good affordable resources. At first it is very discouraging to take your exams, so I found it useful to treat them as open-book and looked for the answers with various material. I learned a lot just by researching for your questions. So for those getting discouraged by these questions, try finding the answers with the books instead of beating yourself up for getting the questions wrong.
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Using the questions as study tool to make sure that you are covering the content was actually my biggest goal/motivation to create them. But of course it is not always easy to transfer that intention to the users. Thanks for that tip!
And affordability was the second big goal for me. As someone who spent thousands of dollars on test prep, and knows how much an average architectural designer is making in this country, I had to make something cheap and accessible. Thanks so much noticing the effort too.
And congratulations again! What you have done is something very very admirable. It is not easy and requires a lot of perseverance. No matter how great the books and the prep materials are, you still had to do a lot to get here. Well done!! -
Thanks Mike! It was a pleasure working with you as well. The bootcamp definitely made studying for this test more manageable and enjoyable then doing it alone.
I am looking forward to getting that medal! When I get my license I'm gonna wear it around the office like it's no big deal.
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Hi Brent,
Congrats!! Very impressive! Especially having so much time left on your clock.
What was your time management strategy during the exam? Did you take any breaks?
I found with PA I had to really rush through the case studies at the end and I am debating if you recommend starting with those first? or just budgeting more time for them at the end? (I left 42 min which felt tight)
Thank you !
Danielle
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Hey Danielle,
Thank you! The extra time surprised me as well.
I went through the test in waves. Every question that took me over 1 minute to answer (or looked pretty involved) I skipped. I was able to get through most of the questions on the first pass... I think I just had 5 left unanswered on my second pass. It's easier to answer the involved questions, without too much pressure, when you don't have an entire test to complete.
For the case studies I found it beneficial to read the question first before looking through any scenario/documents. I personally retain more of the information I read when I am actively looking for a solution to a question. It is also easier to skim through the "fluff" and find relevant information. I've done the case studies first on a few of my exams and I do think that is a good strategy. Remember you can technically use the resources they provide for the regular questions. I actually verified some code questions with the IBC excerpts in the case studies.
I did not take any breaks. I just don't want to lock any of my questions.
PA is the worst! It's either the question is a novel, or it's some kind of IQ test with programming questions. I'd suggest going through the test in waves, check your clock often to make sure you're on track, and practice the programming/diagram questions routinely so you can get through them quickly. Elif's question's helped me out with PA. She has Programming questions that suck just as good as the ARE.
Hope this helps
Brent
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Hi Brent,
Thank you this is very helpful! Appreciate your detailed breakdown! I’m not sure I could do the whole test with no breaks, but agree the locking is so challenging. I will try if I can do it while practicing and maybe attempt it. Multiple passes does sound like the best way to focus without worrying about the time.
I surprised myself and passed the PA exam on my first try! With two breaks, but did feel rushed. I agree regularly drilling with practice questions is the best way to get the strategy/time optimized. I will give Elif’s exams a try for PPD and PDD. Sounds like a valuable resource.
Thank you so much! Best of luck on the final one!
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Congrats on the Pass!
If anyone else is looking for PPD study references, I made a YouTube video covering all of the study materials and sample study schedule I used in order to pass the exam in two months. Check it out here and be sure to Subscribe so you don't miss out on any future videos! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOl17gIUWCM
Devina | Exam Coach
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