What does everyone think? Take three in 4.0 or transition to 5.0 and take two? Weigh in since I'm having a hard time deciding which route to take. I don't have any test expiring till 2019 and I'm confident that if I stay in 4.0 I can pass the three before June of 2018.
I've got BS, CDS, SPD, & PPP passed. I'm very nervous about structures. I took the 5.0 practice exam and really liked the format and felt it was pretty close to what I do daily at work. Seemed like the case study was pretty straight forward and played well into my 18+years of experience.
Pros of 4.0
-focused content
-I'd only need to study SS and BDCS (I view the SD test as a gimme)
-I'm familiar with the test type and have most of the study material
-I like that I can just focus on Ballast BDCS & SS and Kaplan SS & BDCS
Cons of 4.0
-Though I've never failed a test for the vignette, I do hate them and the counter intuitive nature of the program
-I hate having to study for vignettes and prepare for the quirks and what NCARB is looking for
-I'd have three tests to take
-I'm worried about structures and failing it. My firm reimburses my expenses so I could do Thaddeus.
-A bit worried about the three vignettes in the BDCS after all those MC questions
-I think I'd need 8 weeks to study for SS and probably another 6-8 weeks for BDCS and another 2 or so for SD which would make it late this year before I finish.
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Pros of 5.0
-Seems pretty straightforward. I only missed one on the practice test (the structures snow load question).
-I could buy the new Kaplan 5.0 PPD and PDD books and I like the idea of one massive tome to study
_ I would use the Ballast 4.0 in conjunction with the new Kaplan 5.0
-Less focused structures and more broad concept (so I hear)
-Might not need Thaddeus since structures is less of a focus?
-I think I could study for 8 weeks and take PPD and study for another two weeks and take PDD and potentially be done in late August
Cons of 5.0
-I'd be re-studying BS, SPD, PPP for the two 5.0 tests. Though CDS, PPP, and SPD have all been taken in the past 6 months
-I hear the test is very hard and very broad stroke and I have to admit studying Ballast 4.0 SS, BDCS, and BS plus a new Kaplan 5.0 PPD book seems like a ton of material to process but I do like that you can do the two tests back to back (I'd give myself 2 weeks between tests).
I'm losing sleep trying to figure out what to do. Simply at an impasse on what to do next. I need to decide whether to stay in 4.0 and go after SS first or transition to 5.0 and go for PPD first. I see advantages and disadvantages to both options but neither one really stands out as better or worse. I posted the same thing on a couple of the facebook groups and got mixed results with some saying to go for 5.0 for practice-esque nature of the test and some staying to stick with the monster 4.0 that I know.
Any help or feedback would greatly be appreciated. THanks.