NCARB Feedback from Me

NCARB,

I would like to understand the logic of candidates not being able to use a pen and paper during an exam. In college, every single one of us is trained to think with our creative minds. Using a pen(cil) and physical piece of paper during an exam would eliminate at least 25% of the stress that is involved in the test taking process. We already have to pretty much put ourselves back in college and learn the material by ourselves, because the current education system fails to prepare us on how to practice as architects. I'm sure most of us would even be willing to sacrifice the 30 minute break down to 10-15 minutes if that's what it takes. The whiteboard and calculator interface are so inefficient that we spend more time trying to jot things down than what I would spend on a break. Most of the math that is required can be done in the head, but just having a tangible tool to write it down helps us in the different steps of calculations/unit conversions. I'm 4/6 of the way through the process, but the whiteboard aspect has been, by far, the worst thing about this experience. It is not only unrealistic, because we will always be able to jot something down at any given time during practice, but it comes off as a setup for failure.

NCARB's goal should not be setting candidates up for failure. The 2 month wait between attempts is just enough time for candidates to forget what they've studied. The lack of feedback on what candidates did wrong (or even right) isn't fair, either. Even if I pass an exam I still care enough about not only my own growth, but so that I know whether or not the health, safety, and welfare of the people are at risk due to the content/matter of the incorrect answers.