Page 1 of 1

After 4 attemps I passed

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 12:18 pm
by blancovero
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...

Re: After 4 attemps I passed

PostPosted: Sun Jul 22, 2018 12:03 pm
by toshea13
Congrats!!! I have been following you for some time and you have just motivated me to keep pushing!

Re: After 4 attemps I passed

PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 12:04 pm
by tatamin
Hi,

Congrats! Can I ask what/how you used/studied for the lighting layouts for PPD? Thank you so much!

-tatamin

Re: After 4 attemps I passed

PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 5:14 pm
by blancovero
HI Tatamin, experience and Amber book best resource...
Good luck and thank you

Re: After 4 attemps I passed

PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:31 pm
by tatamin
blancovero wrote:HI Tatamin, experience and Amber book best resource...
Good luck and thank you

Thank you for your info.

-tatamin

Re: After 4 attemps I passed

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 9:25 am
by mamasando
blancovero did you pass PDD?

I am studying for these two and taking them in December. Really want to be done! Any suggestions on study material?

Re: After 4 attemps I passed

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 12:29 pm
by Raja
Congratulations on your pass, and on not giving up! I'm also an older professional with quite a lot of real life professional architecture experience, and I have been chipping away at these exams since 2003. They started to expire when NCARB decided to enforce a rolling clock, which for me was unfortunate as I often have been too busy to be able to set aside the needed time to study. I am transitioning to ARE 5.0 this month, I have PPD and PDD left. We'll see how it goes, but I take inspiration from your experience to keep going even if it takes a few tries. Good luck with the next one!

Re: After 4 attemps I passed

PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 1:22 pm
by Melon Panda
I just found out that I failed for the 3rd time... I don't know what to do now.....

-MP

Re: After 4 attemps I passed

PostPosted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:47 am
by brifont
blancovero wrote: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.


Congratulations on your pass! So you were not able to pass with the Black Spectacles group coaching program, or you did? Best.