Passed PcM...the second time around
- Black Spectacles videos/flashcards/quizzes/practice exams
- NCARB practice exams
- AHPP
That's all I used, and I failed back in July. I added Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings and only read the relevant chapters to PcM, rewatched Blk Spec, took all the practice exams, and I passed this weekend.
As others have done, I would love to list out all the tips and tricks, and secrets to success, but the truth is, none of that really matters if you do not remember the #1 rule of taking the AREs:
There is no straight line between what you study and the actual questions or scenarios on the exams. The exams require you to be able to absorb, comprehend and then recall what you have studied so that no matter how a question is presented, you can recognize the subject matter, analyze it and pick the correct answer(s). All in under a minute.
If you are willing to accept the rule (I just made up from years of taking and failing the AREs), then I would offer this simple advice about PcM and PjM. Put these two exams off until you have some experience or significant exposure to them in your real-life firms.
The resources tab on the exam will not give you the definitions or formulas for any of the project financials, delivery methods, schedules, legal terms, insurance types, etc. You'll have to memorize all that and be able to recognize it in all its forms because no question on the ARE is straightforward.
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Could you please share which chapters in Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings helped you the most or are most relevant to PCM. I just took this exam for the second time and did not pass. Now kicking myself for not reading this book more thoroughly when it's on my shelves! I had to use this book in architecture school some 4 years ago. It's a great book! I also only used AHPP, NCARB practice exams. But also WEARE and Designer Hacks. Do you think I should keep going with PcM or move onto a different exam?
Cheers! Thanks
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