ARE Update: CDS Scores

It has officially been a month since I took the Construction Documents and Services portion of the Architect Registration Exam.  Last Wednesday, I talked about how I was waiting, waiting and waiting some more for my scores.  Thursday morning, I got an email from my State Board with my scores.  I just got to work and I was already having a rough morning.  After seeing the email, I freaked out and told my co-workers and my bosses that my scores had came.  I should have told them after I opened the email so I wouldn't have an audience, but after waiting for almost a month, I didn't care.  My computer froze for a bit when I clicked on the attachment, but when it finally opened, I saw this:

FAIL

I failed my first exam.  Guys, I had a feeling I didn't do so well.  My nerves got the best of me and I did the one thing that everyone says don't do for these exams and that is "don't think practical."  I applied everything I learned at work and that hurt me.  As I stared at the sheet, I tried not to cry.  I didn't want to be known as the "cry baby" at work, especially being the only female designer.  I took a few seconds to let it soak in, then I told my boss.  He told me don't let this exam break me and don't let it deter me from taking my future exams.  He also told me about his personal experience with the exam and how he had to retake a portion a couple of times.  My other boss had the same experience with his exams.

Then I had to let my study partner, T, know the scores were in and my results.  He started to freak out.  He was driving at the time, so he pulled over and checked his email.

FAIL

Once I saw that, I couldn't concentrate.  I was hoping that both of us passed, but after I received my scores, I wanted him to pass even mroe.  What did we do wrong?!  We decided to go out for lunch to go over our results to see where we went wrong.  Below are the areas that I either got moderate or major deficiencies* in and what I figured out went wrong for myself (I passed content area 2: Environmental issues):

I needed to get at least 75% correct in each content area.

Content Area Vignette No. 1 - Building Section Vignette (moderate deficiencies)
The vignette was a breeze.  I had 3 minutes left and then I figured out I drew the wrong wall.  I didn't have a chance to fix it.

Source: Google Images

Content Area 1 - Codes & Regulations (moderate deficiencies)
I got too confident and decided not to study this portion.  Once I saw the questions, I knew I mess up.  I'm surprised I didn't get major deficiencies.

Source: Google Images

* Content Area 3 - Construction Drawings & Project Manual (major deficiencies)
Content Area 4 - Project & Practice Management (moderate deficiencies)
I was too practical and chose the answer close to what I do on a day to day basis.

Source: Google Images

The scores don't tell me if I was below failing by one point or if I just sucked, but I know what to look for when I retest.  After we figured out our mistakes, T and I pinky promised each other this will be the last time we cry about our exams.  We are starting our study group up again next week, so that will be the time we revamp our study habits and stay strong.

Let see how Site Planning and Design goes in September!  And I will fight CDS again in December (around the holidays). 

Merry Christmas ARE.

Exam Day (CDS)

My first exam is finally done!  On Monday I took the Construction Documents and Services portion of the Architect Registration Exam.  While I am glad I finally took it, the experience was interesting and I wonder if I should have taken it after the black out date (or at least later in the week).

On Monday, I woke up at 530am.  My exam started at 8am and Prometric said to be there at 730.  Atlanta traffic is horrible in the morning, so I rushed to make sure I was there 30 minutes early.  On my way to the testing center, I put on one of my favorite songs from the CD I got from Brian from our anniversary on repeat so I could remain calm and get pumped:

I made it there at 715am and stayed in the parking lot to pray and take a deep breath.  Afterwards, I walked in with this face:

Source: Google Images

I went inside the building, got on the elevator and went on the second floor to meet other test takers.  The thing about Prometric is that they schedule various tests in the room, not just one.  After Prometric got every one's information, I found out I was the only one taking the ARE.

An employee guided me to my seat, wished me well and I started my 4 hour exam.  While I can't tell you the contents of the exam, I can show you my reactions.  I studied every bit of study guides I had and expected something in those lines.  While I did see that material on the exam, a couple of the questions made me do this:

Source: Google Images

I finished the 100 questions within an hour and was able to double and triple check my answers before 2 hours was up.  Finally, I was able to take my first break.  I bolted out of there to take a quick breath and figure out what in the world just happened.  I came back to my computer 10 minutes early and started to figure out how am I going to do the next part.  Then this started to happen:

Source: Google Images

Yes, I was quietly bawling my eyes out like a baby.  That exam broke me.  During the crying session, I caught a glimpse of a camera and also realized a Prometric employee was behind me!  Was Prometric watching me cry the whole time!?!  I wiped my tears and started the Building Section Vignette.  My fear went away pretty quick when I saw the program and the floor plan and realized how super easy it was!  I wrote down all my notes and proceeded to draw the section.  I finished 2 minutes before time ran out.  I didn't have time to check the other half of my calculations or if one of my walls were correct, so I prayed that my solution was correct and finished the exit survey questions.

Walking out of the building, I felt like this:


Yay, the exam is over but my head is about to explode.
Source: Google Images



Then I remembered this:

I have to wait ~2 weeks for my results.
Source: Google Images

I made it back to the office and my bosses were excited to hear what happened.  While they told me they think I did well, I'm still 50/50 about the outcome.  I was able to double check a couple of my questions and realized I got it right, but a couple didn't have the same outcome.

These are going to be a loooooooong 2 weeks.

ARE Update: Chela's Study Guide for the CDS

My first portion out of seven for the Architect Registration Exam is officially in 3 weeks.  To stay focus and not become overwelmed, I have come up with different ways to study for a month.  It has worked for myself and my study group so far and and hopefully it shows on the Construction Document and Services exam. 

Weekdays: Monday - Friday (Multiple choice questions)

1. Study two hours a day using a combination of study material.
1. This allows me to still function as a wife, friend and family member to others.
2. Listen to Schiff Hardin's lectures on the AIA contracts during work.
3. Study with the ARE study group on Wednesdays via Google Hangout.

Study Material for the multiple choice questions:

1. Ballast ARE Manual
2. Ballast Flashcards
3. AIA Contracts
4. Jenny's Notes (Great for specifications, Insurance, bonds, and fees)
5. Schiff Hardin Lectures (Great for AIA contracts)
6. FTP Sites:
1. AREForum FTP Site (Download EVERYTHING but here are a few that summarizes everything on the CDS)
1. Caroline Joseph's Notes
2. Rich's Notes
2. Breakdown of AREForum FTP Site (Codes and all sections of the ARE)
3. Second FTP Site
4. Third FTP Site

Weekends: Saturday and Sunday (Vignettes)

1. Study four hours a day using a combination of study material.
2. Study with the ARE study group on Saturdays.

Study Material for the vignettes:

1. NCARB practice programs
2. Ballast ARE Manual
3. Kaplan Practice Vignettes
4. AREForum FTP Site (Download EVERYTHING)
1. The AREForum!  Post your answers of the Practice exam and they will let you know your errors.

Two weeks before the exam:

1. Practice both the multiple choice questions and the vignettes timed.
2. For the vignettes, use NALSA or the AREforum to receive comments.
3. Continue to study.

Study Material for the timed exams:

1. Kaplan practice questions
2. NCARB practice questions
3. Kaplan Practice Vignettes
4. NCARB practice programs

One day before the exam:

1. Stop studying, relax and get a good night's sleep.  I didn't do this for the SATs and over studied. My Mom had to take my study material away from me.
2. Show up 30 minutes early to the testing site and pray. Standardized and timed exams make me nervous.  I have to calm down a lot to focus.
3. In the words of my 5 year old cousin-in-law while playing a questions game: "GO WITH YOUR FIRST CHOICE!"

Thank you to Life of an Architect and the AREforum for the tips!  Tonight, my study group is meeting on Google Hangout to study! 

PSA: If you are currently studying for the Construction Document and Services portion of the ARE, join us on Google Hangout every Wednesday!   Go to my Contact page and send me a message and we will invite you!

How do you study for exams?  What methods work for you?