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.

So get over to NCARB. Start to figure out what you should be studying and practice those vignettes!

Grab a study guide, or flashcards, or reference book, or all of the above. Start using them!

Get onto one of those helpful sites that address the ARE, like AREforum, and it’s ftp, or dive into the ftp ‘backup’ at Ironwarrior. Use your resources people!!!

Let’s conquer the ARE!!!

I’m not exactly sure what I did wrong, which is disappointing. I have to guess at my errors. I think it was too many L-shaped and skinny rooms. It probably came down to room porportion. There may have been other things too. I had an overhang over the entry. Maybe it was too deep. I also had a visual control solution that may not have been as acceptable as I considered. But I really think it was all because of too many L-shaped and skinny rooms. Damn.

I’m disappointed because the interior layout was managable in the time allotted. Next time who knows what I may get!

At least this mishap will encourage more practice on my part. I had lost a bit of heart and had admitted to ‘throwing money’ at a previous exam. Well it wasn’t money alone that did it. In addition it was throwing some practice, time and effort. I’ll have to step up my efforts next time with more consistent practice. Onwards to conquer the architectural registration exam!

And that’s just it. “As far as I could tell.” Finished, I think back and say I really hope I didn’t have a fatal error.

Exit doors swung in the exit direction. No dead end corridors. Six foot clear corridor distance. Had the 60″ diameter circle in every room. 36″ clearance to all pieces of furniture, except some coffee tables placed in corners. Correct door clearances at both door sides of all doors. I mean those were the fatal errors that popped into my head.

Could I have missed something? Maybe. And that’s just a part of the after-exam-guessing torture some of us put ourselves through. Good luck on your exams!

One problem was the ratio of some of the room sizes. I didn’t realize it until towards the end of the exam. My understanding (from maybe the AREforum) is that rooms should be somewhere close to a 2:1 ratio for room sizes. So a 200 square foot room should be close to 10 feet by 20 feet.

This is an example and I didn’t have any rooms exactly this size. Let’s say a room is 25 feet by 8 feet, which is 200 square feet but has a 3.125:1 ratio. That might be ok, but it’s my understanding closer to the 2:1 ratio is better. I think it also depends on how may rooms have an exaggerated ratio. One or two is not as bad as five or six.

I modified everything to as close to a 2:1 ratio as I could with time remaining. I was too committed to risk the amount of shifting it required to really feel comfortable. There was a good few feet of space I could have shifted my plan to make room to widen some skinny rooms. Matter fact that’s an easier way of saying it. Some rooms were too skinny. That’s how I noticed them in my head, while reviewing the plan. “Aren’t those rooms kind of skinny?”, I thought.

I think I made all the necessary corrections and have a passing result. I’ll let you know. Good luck on your exams!