architect54

I have been searching for ways to stay exam focused. I found this AIA podcast, A.R.E. Strategies, that discusses Architectural Registration Exam strategies. It has been out since May 2009. You may not have seen it, if you’re like me. (I hadn’t clicked the “Subscribe” or “Get All” button in iTunes for the AIA Architecture Knowledge and Review podcast series.)

Download A.R.E. Strategies in mp3 or iTunes
or via the AIA Podnet feed xml. (Search for A.R.E. Strategies.)

Today looking through the list and updating my other podcasts, I downloaded and listened to it. In this podcast Umber Kazmi, CEO of Funkaar Studios, describes Architectural Registration Exam strategies. Below are some points paraphrased and summarized from the podcast.

Exam Strategies and Preparation

• Treat the 7 part exam as one exam
• What kind of person passes the ARE? “Someone who studies“
• Study on a daily basis
• Clear your mind and get a schedule
• Focus on one main resource to study from
• Follow a sequence to taking the exams

Question Formats (really Answer Formats)

• multiple choice
• alternative item types
  - fill-in the blank
  - check multiple (select the two that apply)

Question Types

• terminology or definition – what does this mean
• calculations
• comparative analysis – advantage of this system versus that system, or choose correct order (best to worst order)
• formula relationship – conceptual knowledge of a formula (what happens to one component, if another changes)

Make sure to listen to the audio file (podcast/mp3). My summary leaves out: the exam she recommends to start with, the “easiest”; the exam she considers the “most difficult”; brief mention of book knowledge versus real experience; and more. Umber mentions “recent graduates do better on the exam” than candidates further out from school. Another reason for interns to take advantage of IDP ARE concurrency in the states that allow satisfying the Intern Development Program while taking the Architectural Registration Exam. Don’t wait!

My planned approach is to execute the exams in batches 3, 3 and 1. Hopefully repetitive content on similar exams should assist my memory. Even if similar content doesn’t come up on the exams, I’ll be studying familiar material that hopefully assists my understanding. Knowing how lateral forces act on a concrete structure might help me remember the ratio of stone to sand to cement. (Roughly 7:5:3. It’s in compression, so it makes sense to have more stone.) So in one way I would be attacking both structures and methods and materials.

After office discussion and forum reading/posting, I was influenced to start with Construction Documents. Plus I was told getting a pass letter boosts your confidence, so start with something you think you can pass. (Thanks, “just”!). No way am I starting with Building Design and Construction Systems (Methods & Materials). I have so much trouble remembering certain basics that I freak out. For example, where does the vapor barrier go in humid climates? I find those to be tricky questions, so Building Design is in the second batch of exams.

I expect to reschedule the first three exams. But below is my expected order, with the currently scheduled exams noted:

Construction Documents & Services CDS (Aug postponed)
Programming, Planning & Practice PPP (Sep scheduled) (Pre-Design)
Site Planning & Design SPD (Sep scheduled) (Site Planning)

Building Design & Construction Systems BDCS (Jan) (Building Design and Methods & Materials)
Structural Systems SS (Jan) (General Structures and Lateral Forces)
Schematic Design SD (Feb) (Building Planning)

Building Systems BS (Apr) (Mechanical & Electrical Systems)

From what I’m reading, I think Site Planning should be closer to Programming, Planning & Practice. I placed Schematic Design in the second batch, because I suspect there may be a lag time in a pass/fail response, since it is all graphic. Actually all exams have a graphic component now, so in general the pass/fail letters may take longer than the two to four weeks mentioned on the forum. So essentially I’ll be studying for three exams for two to three months and then take three exams about two weeks apart. I have to throw a disclaimer on this. I will reschedule, if I think I’m not ready.