After 4 attemps I passed
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 12:18 pm
Hi All, After falling 3 consecutive times I finally passed this test. My journey started with 4.0 passing SD, SPD, CD, PPP and BS in that order, failing twice (horribly) SS and then doing the transition which was not exactly as beautiful as I expected, but anyway,,, 3 failing in PPD and the 4th times was the charm... Now I have to pass PDD, which I already failed FOUR times...
I took PPD on Tuesday and PDD on Wednesday and I got this one right... The test is massive, but I learned that starting in the case studies, left me enough brain power to go thru the questions with more energy and positivity. Time was never an issue for me, I always have left anyway between 45 minutes to an hour to spare. Be focus in what NCARB is asking you, forget about your day by day practice (if you are in the field of architecture) think as NCARB; they do not care if you are a great designer, they want to know where you will be locating a box in a lot looking at a pond; this is not for the Pritzker, is for your lovely people at NCARB.
Now I will be pushing myself for one more attempt in PDD which will be hopefully my last one, I have a clock running out of time in December...
Study material:
EVERYTHING that is available.
I found Brightwood (ex-Kaplan) to be the least accurate and useless; PPI (Ballast) boring as hell but somehow helpful if you can pass the reading and reading portion without shooting yourself of boredom. I also found the Amber book to be fun and even when not everything is there, kind of hit the spot for architects in the making, fun to watch videos, Michael Ermman makes everything a little fun.
Black Spectacles is a lot of information, I am actually part of the first coaching group and the best part of everything is the endless support from your fellow mates int he group; it makes you feel you are not alone in this painful journey.
Guys, my advice to you is DO NOT GIVE UP; if you struggle like I do, do not give up, do not compare yourself with those over confident people who passed all tests in a month and they are rubbing off they great achievement. I am human, I am not a machine, I have to balance, life, work, study, clients, personal issues like health, death, etc.
I am a native from another country, English is not my mother's tongue and I am in my fifth decade of age, which does not make me a young brain full of energy, I am simply human, trying to conquer this process, I am finally close to the end.
Good luck to all and best of luck...
I took PPD on Tuesday and PDD on Wednesday and I got this one right... The test is massive, but I learned that starting in the case studies, left me enough brain power to go thru the questions with more energy and positivity. Time was never an issue for me, I always have left anyway between 45 minutes to an hour to spare. Be focus in what NCARB is asking you, forget about your day by day practice (if you are in the field of architecture) think as NCARB; they do not care if you are a great designer, they want to know where you will be locating a box in a lot looking at a pond; this is not for the Pritzker, is for your lovely people at NCARB.
Now I will be pushing myself for one more attempt in PDD which will be hopefully my last one, I have a clock running out of time in December...
Study material:
EVERYTHING that is available.
I found Brightwood (ex-Kaplan) to be the least accurate and useless; PPI (Ballast) boring as hell but somehow helpful if you can pass the reading and reading portion without shooting yourself of boredom. I also found the Amber book to be fun and even when not everything is there, kind of hit the spot for architects in the making, fun to watch videos, Michael Ermman makes everything a little fun.
Black Spectacles is a lot of information, I am actually part of the first coaching group and the best part of everything is the endless support from your fellow mates int he group; it makes you feel you are not alone in this painful journey.
Guys, my advice to you is DO NOT GIVE UP; if you struggle like I do, do not give up, do not compare yourself with those over confident people who passed all tests in a month and they are rubbing off they great achievement. I am human, I am not a machine, I have to balance, life, work, study, clients, personal issues like health, death, etc.
I am a native from another country, English is not my mother's tongue and I am in my fifth decade of age, which does not make me a young brain full of energy, I am simply human, trying to conquer this process, I am finally close to the end.
Good luck to all and best of luck...