by rvjr.arch » Sat Jul 02, 2016 6:10 pm
I learned on Friday that I finally passed my last exam, Building Systems, and I could not be more excited. I would just like to share my thoughts and praise on the insanely helpful Amber Seminar.
I had originally taken the BS exam in January and I had spent about a month and a half studying mostly Ballast and Jennys notes, as well as an ARE bootcamp course at the Center for Architecture, and of course MEEB. I went into the exam feeling fairly confident, or as confident as one can feel with these exams at least, and learned a week later that I was very weak in HVAC, plumbing and Lighting. Being that it was my last "hard" test I was pretty disappointed. I took and passed SD a month later and then found myself dreading diving back into MEEB.
I asked a few colleagues who had passed the exam recently about their preferred study materials and a few of them mentioned the Amber seminar and had nothing but good things to say. I bit the bullet and purchased the course. It was a little off putting - the idea of not even opening a book (aside from the Amber Book, or course), but I went through the course with an open mind and took the exam the day after the course ended. It is a very interesting and, in a way, easy way to study for this exam. Ideas are explained concisely and clearly and while every thing may not seem to be directly applicable at the time, it is a very well rounded set of videos that gives you the information you need to pass and doesn't waste your time with filler information. Michael keeps things interesting with graphics, animations and physical demonstrations and does an excellent job not leaving you wondering.
My point - if you want to pass BS, use the Amber Seminar.