Hi all, I took this exam yesterday for the second time. This is my last one and I didn't pass. I ran through all of it this time marking anything that had numerous steps and then went through case studies. After that, I had an hour left and didn't take a break. I ran through the marked or unanswered questions two more times and failed. The following is a bit long but if anyone is interested....
In hindsight there is always a couple of questions that I don't ever figure out, even when I'm home with all of my resources. There is also a fair amount I feel pretty good about but....? I passed PPD first try. For MC if the question doesn't seem clear I'll read through and pick out what I know is wrong first.
Tips and Info:
-On note taking during the test. The prometric said not to write down notes until I saw question #1. Typically in the past I'll dump whatever equations I've memorized on the note sheets and get comfortable with the keyboard and mouse before I begin. In hindsight they weren't any equations that would have been useful anyway.
-I think a few people have mentioned the software. Get really familiar with it before you go. I was about 3/4 through the case studies when I found the pan tool - would have been helpful to be familiar with it from the beginning. I've practiced the online software a few times but never noticed that feature.
-The scale jumps to 300% when you change whatever is given --- whatever that is when the drawings in the reference tabs are accessed. On the case studies it would be nice to be able to see things at typical architectural scales. I spent a lot of time sizing, scrolling and waiting for drawings to load to comb through. This is when that pan feature would have been helpful too.
- I struggle with not having autocad in front of me to work through all of the info and code. I've also used a foot/inch calculator for over 20 years so any math with unit conversions really slow me down. Someone mentioned the strikethrough tool being helpful for multiple choice but I couldn't get that to work. Likely user error - I'm old.
Unfortunately I've had experience with 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 --- I'm running out of reasons to pay for more exams! I've been taking them for 15 years. It's brutal. When I took 3.0 I didn't even realize that there was reference material during the exams....when my generation went to school the test was given 2X a year. I don't recall any tips from anyone because the computer testing was brand new. And after you failed the wait time to retake was 3X as long as it is now. I lost steam when I started a family.
About me: I have over 20 years of experience and have been taking these tests for 15. I have an experience mix of public, private, historic, residential, and industrial project types. I've gotten most of my resources from our library. I've done both Kaplan(now Brightwood) and Designer Hacks online tests. All of Jenny's notes. I love Ching books and have studied all of them. I used the Dorf study guides at one time. I have MEEB for in depth referencing. I have a Graphic Standards that I enjoy reading. I've read the pertinent 4.0 Ballast books for PDD. I've listened to Grant Adams and the construction attorney's lectures online.
All in all, I prefer the current format. Now, I'm planning to turn my efforts to all of the referenced materials included on the test and hope that the third time is the charm. I think moving through all of the q's as swiftly as possible is key. I didn't do that on the first time I took PDD and I ran out of time before I got through it all.
Does anyone know if they do a number of "test questions" that aren't graded? Knowing won't help me pass, I'm just curious:)