cabara01 wrote:mpc123,
I was having a hard time deciding as well. I passed CDS, PPP, SPD and thought about transitioning to only take two more exams (less money, less exam time). I read the posts both here and NCARB blog and tried to find study material for 5.0. I have friends who say to stick it out and those that say transition. So after all that, I realized that there are going to be people who highly suggest transitioning and those who highly recommend staying. I decided to set up my exams for the last four 4.0 (two in Sept and two in Oct), I figured I'd at least try when I have a chance, because we'll all be forced to transition in June 2018 anyway.
Don't be like me and waste time trying to figure out which one is better instead of studying for an exam. Pull the band-aid, make a decision, then study your butt off.
Either way, just do it!
I don't know about the state specific exam.
ekelsey15 wrote:Some people will post about how terrible 5.0 is. I didn't think it was any worse that 4.0. Very similar questions, in fact I had at least one of the exact same questions on a 4.0 and a 5.0 exam.
I decided to transition because I was taking nearly 6 months between each test and at that rate I wouldn't have any safety net if I failed an exam. I would have likely not had a chance to retake an exam before the deadline at that rate.
So I transitioned and ended up passing both tests on my first try, PPD and PDD. They weren't any harder than the old tests and the lack of vignette was very nice. I always hated how open to interpretation the vignettes can be..
Zanno wrote:I agree that staying with the 4.0 exams is probably better. Give yourself 6-8 weeks per exam and you'll still have time in case you don't pass one, but it sounds like you're doing well in the 4.0 format. I wish I had stayed.
One tip: don't schedule your 'hardest' test for last...in case you don't pass it (whatever 'hardest' is for you).
The 4.0 exams are more straightforward and the compartmentalization of content makes your life a lot easier while trying to study for the last big three. Hard enough to cram all of Building Systems into one test, why add all the other stuff from structures, and the refresher content from PPP and SPD?
Coach wrote:I guess it needs to be said again...
The vignettes are the easiest part of the exam!
ekelsey15 wrote:As much crap as you guys give out for 5.0 I really didn't feel like it was any harder or easier than 4.0. Almost all of the questions were the same type as 4.0. The only thing I didn't like about the vignettes was the program and the lack of smart efficient design.
kerzzo wrote:I would like that the NCARB accepted an oral exam on the ARE. they are licensing people without even meeting them. I carry licenses in other countries and in-person interviews/exams are mandatory. well, it cannot be all perfect everywhere. Like Coach says, "be careful what you wish for". now a lot of us are stuck with ARE 5.0.
vrcat25 wrote:kerzzo wrote:I would like that the NCARB accepted an oral exam on the ARE. they are licensing people without even meeting them. I carry licenses in other countries and in-person interviews/exams are mandatory. well, it cannot be all perfect everywhere. Like Coach says, "be careful what you wish for". now a lot of us are stuck with ARE 5.0.
I can't say i agree with that...these tests are subjective enough without bringing in personal politics...So are you saying they should/shouldn't be licensed based on an interview?? I think it should be based solely on their qualifications. The problem with the test questions is that come nowhere near giving an accurate gauge on what somebody knows about the architecture profession.
ekelsey15 wrote:vrcat - I hang out just because I am curious as to what is going on with some of the other posts. I would like to say I want to be helpful with people but honestly I tend to keep to myself most of the time. But there are some other threads posted in the general discussion section that I am interested in.
Was I just supposed drop a mic and say "Deuces!"?
Raja wrote:I'm in a similar position...I've passed CDs and PPP in ~5 months, next up is SPD in 2 weeks. Do I transition to 5.0 if I pass SPD? Then there are only two exams but a whole new format.
Or try and cram the rest of 4.0 (four exams...) into this short period of time, knowing I am extremely weak in structures (non-math brain) and allowing for AT LEAST one fail?
Opinions anyone? Coach?
vrcat25 wrote:Raja wrote:I'm in a similar position...I've passed CDs and PPP in ~5 months, next up is SPD in 2 weeks. Do I transition to 5.0 if I pass SPD? Then there are only two exams but a whole new format.
Or try and cram the rest of 4.0 (four exams...) into this short period of time, knowing I am extremely weak in structures (non-math brain) and allowing for AT LEAST one fail?
Opinions anyone? Coach?
Stick with 5.0 dude....I did what you're talking about and failed both PPD and PDD. The test questions are RIDICULOUS and many are impossible to answer because they are so vague. At least with 4.0, the questions are more reasonable. Either way, you need to know SS, BS and BDCS...with 5.0, you even have to backtrack and have the worse of the SPD and PPP questions. For example, there's a question about ponds that almost everybody gets wrong in 5.0. I've looked high and low in sun, wind and light and many other sources and it's a trick question apparently where you're suppose to focus on "best view". I'd suggest studying for BS, SS, BDCS and give all 3 a shot in 4.0 since you'll need to know them anyway if you have to transition to 5.0 if you run out of time. Best case scenario, maybe you pass SS or BS on your first try. It's more probably since the 5.0 tests are much more ambiguous. Don't think that 5.0 is a cake walk by any means. For most, it's harder and i know people that have failed PPD and PDD 3 times. Just a heads up and i wish i wouldn't have transitioned until June 2018.
Raja wrote:Did you pass PPD and PDD yet?
vrcat25 wrote:Raja wrote:Did you pass PPD and PDD yet?
No, I took PPD and PDD once and didn't even come close to passing...Now i'm in position where i am eligible to retake, but there's no way to prepare for the many WTF questions..they have basically made it impossible besides a very select few who happen to be gifted at answering these crap questions....As I said, there are MORE WTF questions in 5.0....Yeah, somehow NCRAB managed to make 5.0 WORSE than 4.0. As for the case studies, i'd rather have vignette's....The case studies sometimes require 5 minutes of navigating thru code and doing a a calculation or two...AVOID 5.0 like the plague! I envy you for being able to take SS, BS and BDCS...PPD is basically all 3 of the wtf's of those test and more. Hope that helps.
atmosquare wrote:I passed SS (9/27), BDCS (9/28), SPD (9/29) last month, in the same week.
I live abroad, so my situation forces me to take several of them at once. I have SD left now.
I studied 1 month for all three of them, but I took work off. I think the study time was adequate.
It's different for everyone, but I would finish off 4.0 in as short time as possible, even if that means taking time off.
Best would be 2 weeks study and test, and right onto another. Even if you fail, you can test twice more.
I avoided 5.0 because I can't imagine studying for BS and SS in a single exam. It must be hell.
Plus, vignettes are the easiest by far (for most), so 4.0 feels like a certain amount of points is guaranteed.
..and besides, even if you don't pass all 4.0 in time, you would have studied enough to pass 5.0 by then.
Melon Panda wrote:Option-2: Study & take BS and transition to 5.0 after BS either pass or fail. [/b]
cabara01 wrote:@melon panda: did you say you passed SS on the third try or failed? If you are locked out of taking SS for a year that might be your key factor to transition. If you aren't able to retake SS before June 2018 then you should transition already.
Melon Panda wrote:Rolling Cock: My first exam will expire 06/2020
SS retake: I will be eligible to retake SS early December. (Less two more months)
Seems like Transition to 5.0 sooner will be the option for me...
-Melon
Coach wrote:Melon Panda wrote:Rolling Cock: My first exam will expire 06/2020
SS retake: I will be eligible to retake SS early December. (Less two more months)
Seems like Transition to 5.0 sooner will be the option for me...
-Melon
You have two, and only two choices:
1) Take and pass SS, BS, BDCS, and SD before 4.0 sunsets, or,
2) Transition now.
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