It’s slow going right now. I’m not studying well. Last week I got in 2 hours doing the practice question on NCARB’s software. The week before I cut out enough furniture to complete one PPI sample interior design problem. I copied the furniture page 10 times.
Monday I rescheduled Structural Systems and Building Systems. I’m committed to prepare for Schematic Design. Let’s see how I perform this week.
It is time for a strategy change. I’ve been having incredible difficulty studying for structures. I’ve decided to prepare for Schematic Design instead. I took it before and the interior layout whipped me like a parent beating a misbehaving child.
I’m giving myself three weeks to prepare two hours a day. If after three weeks I think I’m ready, I’ll reschedule schematic design for a closer date. That should give me one more week or so and put the exam date around the third week of February. For now I’ll leave my current exam appointment months off in the distance.
This means I’m going back to a 3-1-3 exam format. The first 3 exams I’ve taken and really studied for them as a group. The 1 in the middle being Schematic Design, which I’ll put myself to the grind for now. Then the last 3 I’ll study for as a group, similar to how I did the first group. That means essentially studying for Structural Systems (SS), Building Design and Construction Systems (BDCS), and Building Systems (BS) together. Somewhat like I did for the first 3 exams. It sounds like a good idea on the surface. I think there is enough overlap in SS and BDCS for the strategy to be effective, but I’m uncertain about Building Systems.
Happy New Year everyone! The new year has started and a few of you have made resolutions to pass your Architect Registration Exam (ARE) this year! I can tell you the following:
Finding out what you need to know to pass isn’t straight forward. Don’t let that deter you. Start by using NCARB’s free study guides. Focus on encouraging AREforum posts. Then seek out specific ARE preparatory materials.
You might experience a motivation lull after taking a few exams. Just keep at it. I know. Easier said, then done. Still just keep at it. Schedule an exam immediately after taking an exam. Do what it takes to push through. Reward yourself with cookies after a good study session or a night out after taking an exam. You may have to get creative. If a tragic event occurs, stay calm and remember you have a five year window from your first passed exam. Keep thinking about passing your exam. If you find yourself telling yourself you can’t do it, tell your other self you can!
Study regularly, preferably daily. Time and again it is mentioned as the best way for someone who is working to succeed in this exam. If you stop studying, start again where you left off. Like I’ve said before, keep going.
Lastly as the new year starts, in addition to telling yourself you will pass this year, start preparing. Gather your materials in one place, clean up a place to study, set a schedule. (The best way to set a schedule seems to be to schedule an exam.) You got thru architecture school. You can get thru the Architect Registration Exam. Happy New Year!
PPI
Sketchbook Project