CE Fail

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Sarah Al-Tekreeti

September 14, 2022 21:37

I studied the Amber book, used their practice exams and Black Spectacles practice exam for CE. Passed all practice exams and got the confidence to go ahead and take CE exam as first in the list. I failed the real exam 2 days ago. Amber book and BS practice exams were informative and taught me a lot, but never realized how much harder the actual exam was that none of the practice exams taken were near as hard to it. It was filled with questions of different excavation scenarios, plumbing, wall components that even Amber book didn’t have and I studied all Amber material before starting taking the exams. The case studies were ridiculously long and confusing. Now I’m afraid of taking the the rest of ARE exams as I feel no matter how much I study, practice exams I take I’ll eventually fail. What should I do?

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  Heidi Rodriguez September 14, 2022 23:52

  First of all, take a deep breath, and know that you are NOT alone. I did Amber Book, Black Spectacles, Building Code Illustrated, Building Construction Illustrated, read contracts, read AHPP.. and still failed it. But I felt confident that I was *really* close, and sure enough, my score card reflected that I was very close. What I do is spend some time right after my exams taking notes of what I should review for next time. I get the impression this was your first exam? If yes, my recommendation is to move on to another one. There is large overlap between them all. Also, make sure to do Amber Book's flash cards and practice exams. Those were really helpful too. As you move on to other exams, you will see so much overlap that eventually your knowledge will come full circle. I wish you the best of luck!!! And don't feel bad - I passed CE on my third try. You just have to keep at it.

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  Hans-Christian Karlberg September 15, 2022 01:09

  I passed CE last week. It was not my first try. You're not alone. It was my last exam, so I know what lies ahead of you. I recommend retaking in 60ish days, or at least as soon as the material is still fresh in the mind. Consider also studying for another exam and take it a few weeks apart from CE. PcM maybe. Did you read the AIA A201 together with Michael Hanahan lectures? If you haven't already, I would get Elif Bayram AREquestions (this was very helpful for my studies, with great explanations to understand why a question was wrong or right), Hyperfine study guide/questions (this was a great way to navigate primary sources through well organised questions), Erik Walker's questions (always good idea to mix sets of questions from different sources),... Heidi is right, you have to keep at it. As Kevin Griendling says, be okay with knowing that you will be throwing away money. But it's not entirely thrown away - you get experience with the exam and it will lead you to a pass. Onwards and forwards, comrade.

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  Rebekka O'Melia September 16, 2022 14:04

  If you don't have much professional experience in architecture or construction, maybe switch gears and take PjM next instead.  You also should be reading source materials in addition to using 3rd party materials.  Read AHPP, Ballast, and the contracts.  The Hannahan lectures are also good.  The Fundamentals book and BCI will help with construction knowledge. 

  Hope this helps & keep studying!

  Rebekka O'Melia, Registered Architect, NCARB, B. Arch, M. Ed, Step UP,  Step UP ARE 5.0 Courses 

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