Women in Architecture: March 2013

Yes March.  March is the month I'm going to take my first exam for the Architect Registration Exam.  I've had some of my study material for a while and I got my Authorization to Test letter in August 2012, but I still didn't feel comfortable to take my test in December.  I was still saving up for my one study book and my motivation was really low.

Source: Amazon.com

Well, I finally brought it and it came in the mail last Friday.  I've been aiming to get the book for months and I finally got to hold it in my hands.  When I opened the book, I thought I was going to see this:

Source: Google Images

Instead, I saw this:

Source: Google Images

I felt like I was reading another language!  I was so overwhelmed that I closed the book over the weekend.  I talked with my co-worker, who received his book at the same time, and he told he me felt the same way.  I know 2013 is a new year, so I'm using this week to be my final week of procrastination.

In the meantime, I decided to revisit the order I'm going to take my test.  When I finished my IDP last year, I came up with this order:

1. Building Design and Construction Systems (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. On Wednesday, my boss asked me "what part of Architecture do you like most? Designing? Putting the pieces together? Specifications? Construction Administration?"  I thought about how I loved to design when I was in school, but after I graduated, I loved putting the pieces together.  Since I spend the majority of my internship putting the building together, I feel more comfortable with this test.
2. Construction Documents and Services (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. This is the second portion of my internship where I spent the most of my time.
3. Programming, Planning and Practice (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. Similar to CDS and a good transitition into this category.
4. Schematic Design (Vignettes)
   1. I know the codes but I haven't "designed" since college.  This would be a nice break from the multiple choice questions since this is just drawing.
5. Site Planning and Design (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. A subject that I haven't did since my 2nd year in college.  I have all the study books needed to pass this exam but I have to re-teach myself some of the material.
6. Structural Systems (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. While I took 3 types of classes for this subject, I can not remember anything from it!  I still have my notes and 4 study books, so this is yet ANOTHER subject I have to re-teach myself.  I loooove math and I have dealt with this during my 4 years in the field, so it shouldn't be too bad.
7. Building Systems (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. Just like SPD and SS.  Re-teach and keep going.

This year, I changed my order:

1. Construction Documents and Services (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. This is the only exam that has one vignette.  Also, this is one of the only exams I have the most study material on.
2. Schematic Design (Vignettes)
   1. I haven't seriously designed since college, but this exam only contain two vignettes.  I have to brush up on my code analysis.
3. Programming, Planning and Practice (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. Similar to CDS.
4. Building Design and Construction Systems (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. Originally, I wanted to take this first, but I changed my mind.  This exam contains pieces of 3 other exams and it would be crazy for me to take this first without taking the other ones first.  Also, this exam has 3 VIGNETTES plus multiple choice!  If I fail one, I'm screwed.  I want to make sure I'm set with the other exams before I even touch this one.
5. Site Planning and Design (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. I have all the study books needed to pass this exam but I have to re-teach myself some of the material. (I still feel the same way)
6. Structural Systems (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. While I took 3 types of classes for this subject, I can not remember anything from it!  I still have my notes and 4 study books, so this is yet ANOTHER subject I have to re-teach myself.  I loooove math and I have dealt with this during my 4 years in the field, so it shouldn't be too bad. (I still feel the same way)
7. Building Systems (Multiple choice and vignettes)
   1. Just like SPD and SS.  Re-teach and keep going. (I still feel the same way)

The one thing I didn't change is my time frame for take all the exams.  I'm trying not to burn myself out, so I'm going to study each subject for about a month or two and take an exam after each subject. 

I can do this!