Since all prior results letters for me on this exam have shown the exact same deficient results areas, I know the points I have to cover. Because this is my last exam, I want this to be my last ‘take’ of this exam. So yet I still feel the need to prepare on the subject areas I confidently know.

For this Building Design Construction Systems exam I plan to rely on Edward Allen’s Fundamentals of Building Construction, HOK’s Guidebook for Sustainable Design, Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidlines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings, and my Ballast question and answer book and ARE Review Manual. Those along with plenty of vignette practice and any vignette tutorials I can get my hands on. Onwards.

See early-April I still had 4 chances to take my exam within my 5-year rolling clock. I wanted to capture that 4th chance. Now I only have 3 chances left to take BDCS.

I’m not worried. (That’s a lie. I am concerned.) That is one disadvantage to taking a long-term approach to this seven part exam. The longer you take overall, the more risk there is in meeting up with the dreaded rolling clock. So if you’re taking your architectural registration exam, let my example be a lesson to you. Onwards.

I agree at some point you just have to take a test, but that is after putting out study time and effort. If you use an actual test as practice it may not always be advantageous in overcoming that same test! Practice your architectural registration exam, before going into the Prometric test center. Good luck on your exams!

Opening the mailbox, and shuffling through standard letter sizes, hoping this is the one. Then turning it over to discover another piece of junk mail can be so frustrating.

Then of all things the opening of the letter. I have to be careful when I do it, because I have a tendency to stop breathing. I gasp or hesitate in breath while sliding a finger or pen through the envelope seam. It is quite a moment for me.

Getting the envelope has such a heightened sensation. One day maybe New York state will post results online. Until then I’ll do my best to enjoy both the momentary thrill that can become the soft cofusing blow of deciphering a fail result or the lasting victorious feeling of a pass letter. Onwards to licensure!

So I’ve got two architectural registration exams left, Schematic Design (SD) and Building Design and Construction Systems (BD). Because I’ve failed these exams before, everyone from whom I’ve sought advice has told me to spend more effort in preparation.

Since I’ve seen the SD exam I know what it encompasses and I know how I’ve reacted during an actual exam. What I need to do is find a way to focus on what’s correct. Figuring out what I did wrong, wouldn’t be a bad idea. But really concentrating on what is right is a better use of my time.

That means over analyzing the NCARB passing solutions. Things like figuring out the room and corridor areas and dimensions. It means practicing all of the sample exams in the Schematic Design Ballast booklet. It means setting aside a 3 or 4 hour block on Saturday and another on Sunday to practice some alts or just redo the NCARB practice exam.

It’s time for me to pass these last two straggling exams.

Maybe I have to take a week vacation with the sense of focusing on studying to place myself in a groove. Sounds very privileged, I know. But I have to do something.

I’ve just lost the enthusiasm and push that I had at the beginning. I still want it. But I’m so laid back. I’ll never get it like this. I’ve got to adjust something to put studying back in front.

With two architectural registration exams left, I’m too close to not make it. I’ve put in too much.