by JORDANARE » Fri Jul 28, 2017 12:03 pm
I took PPP on the 17th, Got my score on Thursday but still haven't checked it. I try to look at the ARE from a completely objective perspective, but because I put so much into this one, I want to have a game plan for either result before approaching it, and I'm moving this weekend, so it just makes sense to deal with this next week.
Anyways your comment about the vignette really struck a cord with me. I've mentioned this a few times, but on my first take of PPP I passed multiple choice, and accidentally exited myself out when the screen turned blank before starting the vignette (I never actually saw the vignette this time). I probably got some very subtle warning, but it happened quickly and it's not like we have a camera or anything to prove our case inside pro metrics testing center.
I argued with NCARB incessantly, mostly because this counted as one of my tests for the year, but the money lost also was an issue. Even if i did exit out, you shouldn't be able to do that without drawing anything. Regardless of my result, the software on the exam in my opinion is actually offensive to candidates. People have different issues with it all the time. NCARB should be held accountable if you truly believe your vignette passed, and that means you and anyone else should call them multiple times, just like I did. They actually did call back to say they had a meeting about what I was calling about and would implement my suggestions in the future.
That said, before calling them I would take even another moment to internally review your solution, because if you haven't done several alternates, it is totally possible to have missed something stupid. When I would practice the alternates, I was sure I was right, only to find out I missed something when reviewing.
Think direction of angle, section, setbacks, easements, rise of angle (remember if you're going westward, 45 degrees is actually 135). I'm not saying you didn't consider all of this, but I am saying that I've seen the vignette twice now on this exam, and it's never been nearly as difficult as the ballast or dorf examples, but who knows maybe i'll report back with a shocking fail of my own.