PDD Study strategies, please advised
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I have both MEEB and HCL. MEEB is comprehensive... it's an overwhelming amount of detail, challenging to navigate, & you can't just read through it. That said, it's great information if you look at specific sections you're interested in. I use it to look up areas of specific information referred to elsewhere (things that I want more clarity on, that I first encountered in my primary study materials, which are Ballast and the NCARB practice exams). HCL is excellent at what it covers and I prefer it for clarity, but MEEB covers additional topics: electricity, acoustics, and plumbing so I'd probably start there since you already read HCL-- focusing on the diagrams as Ermann said.
My other main study materials are Architect's Studio Companion, Hyperfine, and Fundamentals of Building Construction just to look at the pictures of construction which are so helpful for me to remember (I don't have Ching- it probably covers some similar ground). Be familiar with how to find information in IBC Chapters 3, 6 and 10 Means of Egress- to deal with questions about number of occupants, fire separation requirements between different uses, and egress (at least, this was on my PPD exam). Look for the old NCARB version 4 practice tests as well if you can find them, for the relevant topics.
(Just passed PPD, studying PDD).
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I think this time around your approach is better. I know it is weird to hear from a third party test prep provider (LOL) but especially with PA, PPD and PDD, it is better to go with NCARB materials first and supplement it with 3rd party.
I think HCL and MEEB will be great for PPD. Yes, MEEB is an intimidating looking book but actually it explains things quite well. Since you read HCL (which is my all time ARE favorite 🤩) I think you can skip the environment, sustainability, passive techniques, etc chapters in MEEB and directly go into the HVAC chapters and start from there. I have 12th edition of MEEB and on that, it would be the Chapter 12. I read this book while studying my exams and afterwards, except a few chapters that are not part of ARE content. I think the best way to read it was with a group of people. If someone out there is also considering to read this book, you can make a plan together and get together a few times a week to compare your notes. It will be much more effective. If you can’t for a “book-club for MEEB”, then second best way is to make a plan and take notes/create flashcards as you read. Quiz yourself everyday with your own flashcards. This will make you repeat the information and hopefully retain better. While reading, if you feel like you already know a topic, you can skip those pages but pay attention to graphics and sample questions. Read the definition under diagrams/images and if it doesn’t make sense, then go read the section. This way you can save some time too. For PDD, I would get either Fundamentals book or Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems by Madan Mehta. Hope this helps! Good luck with the next tries!
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