I tested on 3/26 and received my pass today on first try. Thanks to Coach and everyone who helped review my vignettes!
I studied for around 2 months for this test. I passed Structures in December so that was definitely helpful. Materials I used for studying:
1. Kaplan – read 3-4 times
2. Ballast – read 4-5 times
3. Flashcards
4. Briefly reviewed lighting, acoustics, Plumbing, HVAC, fire protection notes from when I took BS
5. Ballast sustainability, environment chapters. EPA website for hazardous materials. LEED summary for material based credits.
6. Started reading FBC – didn’t finish. Reviewed for diagrams and images. Made some notes.
7. Ballast code chapters – full reading – twice
8. Historic preservation
9. CDS basics
10. Reviewed Thaddeus notes for basics including seismic and wind review
11. All practice tests I could possibly find – Kaplan, ballast, Gang Chen, NCARB
Vignettes: I practiced each vignette almost 12 times with various iterations. You just need to train your mind to work through various arrangements of ramp, stairwell and roof massing. I didn’t walk out feeling too confident – very happy and grateful that I passed.
Good luck to everyone!
A