198kevin wrote:Hi,
Everything requires random code knowledge or complex structural calcs/lighting calcs/heating calcs.
that sounds exactly like 5.0 and the case studies. I really don't think it would hurt to try to learn those calculations. Sure, there's a chance that some of them won't be on the test, but at least you will be ready if they appear. PPD and PDD are nothing like SPD, CDS and PPP and practicing test questions, as random as they are, can only help. Even though you're given 4 hours and 15 minutes, it sure will go fast and you had better practice and be ready for one or more of those calculations if they appear. Basically, you have to know pretty much EVERYTHING for PPD and even that's not enough. Hopefully, you are better with the "best guess" and "pick 3-4" questions than i was. Not sure there's a way to prepare for those, but you may as well capitalize on the code and calc type questions so i would definitely complete the other 50 questions. You can never take enough mock exams as random as the questions may appear, i doubt there nowhere near as random as what you're going to run into when you test.
I would try "ballast ARE sample problems" building systems, structural systems, ppp and bdcs" They are $50 a pop so i just scanned mine and resold on eby. They are the closest you are going to get to the actual test. Actually, they are far better. NCARB does a lousy job at making questions, but ballast is an actual publisher with editors. I've heard of many 3rd party publishers like amber and the whole enchilada, black spectacles, gang chen, etc. but i'd just stick with ballast. Unfortunately, half of the actual test questions are ALL OVER THE PLACE. Sometimes i wonder if the guy must have been smokin' on the crack rock when he wrote the question...I've had some very interesting and funny scribbling's on my test, personally. Anybody else have questions that looked like a first grade child drew it??