Help me understand why these answers are wrong? (NCARB practice exam)
There are 2 questions on the PPD practice exam that were marked incorrect for me, but I'm really struggling to understand why. I think that my answers should have been marked "correct" and I fear that something similar may happen on the actual PPD test and I'll never know or have a chance to contest it.
I've attached screen shots of my answers and the correct answers below. For the PV array question, I really can't imagine why mine would be incorrect. For the case study building addition area, the only difference is I rotated the proposed addition area, but again, why would that be incorrect? It's on the east side and not within any set backs. Please help?
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Hi Valerie,
I'm sorry, I cannot see all of the question. Part of it is cut off.
The pv panels are supposed to be hidden from the public's view. And it also looks like you put panels on a north-facing roof, if that arrow is the north arrow. pv panels on the north side wouldn't work.
If you could re-post with the entire question and scenario, I might be able to help more.
Thanks!
Rebekka O'Melia, Registered Architect, NCARB, B. Arch, M. Ed, Step UP, Step UP ARE 5.0 Courses
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I believe in the first question regarding the solar panels, the roof show (with panels) is a low slope roof with drain slope crickets in the middle. The panels should be located away from the parapets as they will cast shadows onto the panels and reduce the ability to collect solar energy.
Your solution has the panels too close to the parapets and therefore in shadow. I think the key here is that the roof is not a pitched roof.
I cannot reply to the second question as it is cut off and we cannot know the full text. From what I can see though they propose that there will be work done in the northern half of the existing building. Your solution would prevent that future work. Though I would say the 'correct' answer solution may as well, but to a lesser extent. I would place the building in the orientation shown in the 'correct' solution but move it south a bit to be out of the 'top half.
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Thanks, Both. I guess I was gearing my questions towards people that have taken the practice exam and were familiar with these problems.
For the PV problem, the correct answer is right below my answer in the image. It is identical. I've come across this question multiple times and already knew the answer, so I made my solution match the answer... and it's still marked wrong. I've designed PV arrays in real life - I'm very familiar with the requirements.
For the second one, this is part of a case study, so it's impossible to include all the pertinent information in a single screen shot- again, I was hoping someone that has taken the practice exam or that's familiar with it could help me understand this one.
Another question I have is - how do I get clarification on these practice exam questions? There's nowhere (that I'm aware of) to leave feedback on specific questions?
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Hi Valerie,
1st question: Could you please send a closer screenshot of your answer so it's easier to assess?
2nd question: If I remember correctly, that scenario has an automobile showroom as well as car repair bays. They are removing all but two repair bays; so we need to leave room for bringing the vehicles in and out (See Existing Plan and Scenario). The South side of this drawing includes the offices and directly North of that is where the existing showroom seems to be. That means the existing showroom is in the middle portion of the building with two auto repair bays directly North of that. Locating the expansion in the middle part makes sense, however, orienting the expansion the way you did would block the Eastern access to or exit from the auto repair bays, which are taking up what appears to be a third of the building's length.
I hope that was clear. Please don't hesitate to ask if not.
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I got the first one wrong as well. This is a flat roof with a minimum pitch for drainage and can be placed anywhere really. The correct response indicates placing them close to the drains though the drawings show otherwise. I would channel that energy into other topics as this is clearly an NCARB issue and might not even be a graded question. Good luck!
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Looks like in the first one the top 2 panels are either too close to the edge or touching each other or both. I think the exam is really picky about lines touching (or not touching in this case)
I can't remember the floor plan of the existing bldg in this question exactly, but I do remember rotating it as they did in the answer for some reason, maybe look at it again with fresh eyes? Something to do with the setback from angled property line or the new walls lining up the existing interior walls - maybe the rectangle you have is too long to fit nicely in those certain bays?
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Valerie, this is concerning for me. I thought that in the questions where you click or drag and place there is a tolerance of where you place things. Your placement looks almost exactly like the answer. The only thing, as Todd mentioned, is that they look like they are touching but they're pretty darn close in the answer and they shouldn't dock points for that.
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