There are few things about this ARE process that bring me any joy. Receiving that letter in the mail which reads "PASS" is most certainly number one on the list!!
And this time, they didn't even send me a duplicate of the previous test results as a teaser! Such relief!
3 down, 4 to go...
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Architectureworld starring Kevin Costner and Dennis Hopper circa 1995
The expression I've often heard when it comes to finance is : "Invest in land, there's only so much of it". Which is typically good advice.
However, because architects are not businessmen, some of them are looking to build in the ocean. Like volcano in a tropical sea. Only much, much, much more expensive. Results = pretty cool.
Watertime!
Though, I can't help but have some of these schemes remind me of "Sea-Britain" from Arrested Development
I've made a huge mistake
However, because architects are not businessmen, some of them are looking to build in the ocean. Like volcano in a tropical sea. Only much, much, much more expensive. Results = pretty cool.
Watertime!
Though, I can't help but have some of these schemes remind me of "Sea-Britain" from Arrested Development
I've made a huge mistake
Saturday, January 7, 2012
More thoughts on the ARE's
You know, it occurred to me, since they have altered the ARE sections, there have been other changes that have been implemented concurrently. They got rid of the separate history exam some time ago and instead "incorporated" the history questions into all sections of the exam. I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that you pretty much need a bachelor of architecture to take the exam now, which implies that you have had several semesters of architectural history. Whereas in the old days, you didn't even need a college degree much less a bachelors of architecture to take the exam! How else could NCARB ensure you had some sort of architectural history education if not testing you about it themselves? Therefore, I think they perhaps got rid of that exam because it was no longer necessary - kind of redundant - given that most if not all ARE candidates have had secondary schooling in architecture.
That was a thought that occurred to me today that I thought I should share. I don't have any actual chronology that would connect the two (the time when a bachelors became a prereq for the ARE's and exactly when they got rid of the history exam), but I feel it is a sufficient enough correlation for this recreational conjecture!
That was a thought that occurred to me today that I thought I should share. I don't have any actual chronology that would connect the two (the time when a bachelors became a prereq for the ARE's and exactly when they got rid of the history exam), but I feel it is a sufficient enough correlation for this recreational conjecture!
Fun Facts about the ARE's
Some new information about the ARE's has been brought to my attention lately. My two sources are: 1.) the second-hand reports of some folks who attended an AIA chapter meeting where an NCARB representative presented information on the processes involved in establishing an NCARB records through taking the ARE's and receiving an NCARB certificate. 2.) my newly received Fall 2011 Volume 14 Issue 2 of NCARB's Direct Connection (I am just now realizing that this issue has arrived to me rather late, as it is no longer fall and certainly no longer 2011).
First of all, each ARE is graded through one single computer. So, while it may seem a stream-lined process to have all the exams graded via computer, it is actually not as stream-lined as many other standardized testing systems. The justification for this, is to maintain security as apparently many folks in the past have taken extremes to illegally obtaining exam questions and answers. Now, because it is all graded through one computer, it is also graded by one individual operating the computer. Therefore, if any answers or questions are leaked to the public, NCARB knows who is responsible. A tremendous amount of responsibility for one individual! However, knowing some of the limitations of NCARB, I agree this is an appropriate measure for the time being.
Second of all, each ARE (aside from Schematic Design which does not have multiple choice questions) contains "pretest" questions. These "pretest" questions "will not affect a candidate's actual test score and are not included in the content distribution breakdown. These pretest questions will be evaluated and may be included in future editions of the test." I have extracted those explanations directly from NCARB's publication. I am a little perturbed by this. I have had occasion to find fault with some of the questions on the exams I have taken so far. It is logical to suppose that some of these less refined questions I have encountered may in fact be "pretest" questions, but they also may just be faulty questions. I'm not sure of the point I am trying to make other than it is most distressful to find controversial questions when you are in the throes of a $210 professional examination, the unsuccessful completion of which may delay your professional development by a period of at least 6 months.
Anyway, I just wanted to report those discoveries to you under the guise that knowledge is power (although, as for the pretest questions, I think that knowledge is frustration!).
In summary: 1.) every single ARE is processed through one single computer, as operated by one single individual human. 2.) each ARE may contain "pretest" questions which do not count toward the final assessment of your performance on it.
First of all, each ARE is graded through one single computer. So, while it may seem a stream-lined process to have all the exams graded via computer, it is actually not as stream-lined as many other standardized testing systems. The justification for this, is to maintain security as apparently many folks in the past have taken extremes to illegally obtaining exam questions and answers. Now, because it is all graded through one computer, it is also graded by one individual operating the computer. Therefore, if any answers or questions are leaked to the public, NCARB knows who is responsible. A tremendous amount of responsibility for one individual! However, knowing some of the limitations of NCARB, I agree this is an appropriate measure for the time being.
Second of all, each ARE (aside from Schematic Design which does not have multiple choice questions) contains "pretest" questions. These "pretest" questions "will not affect a candidate's actual test score and are not included in the content distribution breakdown. These pretest questions will be evaluated and may be included in future editions of the test." I have extracted those explanations directly from NCARB's publication. I am a little perturbed by this. I have had occasion to find fault with some of the questions on the exams I have taken so far. It is logical to suppose that some of these less refined questions I have encountered may in fact be "pretest" questions, but they also may just be faulty questions. I'm not sure of the point I am trying to make other than it is most distressful to find controversial questions when you are in the throes of a $210 professional examination, the unsuccessful completion of which may delay your professional development by a period of at least 6 months.
Anyway, I just wanted to report those discoveries to you under the guise that knowledge is power (although, as for the pretest questions, I think that knowledge is frustration!).
In summary: 1.) every single ARE is processed through one single computer, as operated by one single individual human. 2.) each ARE may contain "pretest" questions which do not count toward the final assessment of your performance on it.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Blast from the not too distant past
Whoa! Just found this cleaning out my computer. This is the compliation footage I took while researching my thesis in Architecture school.
Does anyone have song suggestions? Currently there is no sound.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
ARE: Schematic Design
So I realize this post is a bit delayed. I figured I would just make a post about each exam after I took (and passed!) it, to give my advice on a study strategy.
For Schematic Design, I believe the procedure is quite simple. Start with the NCARB sample vignettes. This will get you familiar with the software, and will help you figure out how much time you will have to play around with layouts. You do not have a lot of time for the interior layout, so it is best to get very familiar with those tools. When I did the Kaplan & Ballast mock exams, I was thinking about how I would do my hand-sketching using the NCARB software.
You probably only need to do a handful of practice interior and building layouts. I did everyone I could get my hands on - I think there were like 20 total. Definitely overkill. I did SD first, though, so I wanted to be sure I had well-prepared myself.
I think 2 weekends in preparation for the exam is satisfactory. Maybe do 10 practice scenarios: 2 or 3 building layouts and 6 or 7 interior layouts. You should try to develop a shorthand for the different program requirements, that way you don't have to constantly flip back and forth between the drawing screen and the program screen. I used abbreviations for the different rooms (which NCARB gives you anyway), orientations/proximities, accesses, views, etc. For anything that is a program requirement you should have a shorthand symbol deduced.
And finally, NCARB practice exams are, again, your most useful resource.
For Schematic Design, I believe the procedure is quite simple. Start with the NCARB sample vignettes. This will get you familiar with the software, and will help you figure out how much time you will have to play around with layouts. You do not have a lot of time for the interior layout, so it is best to get very familiar with those tools. When I did the Kaplan & Ballast mock exams, I was thinking about how I would do my hand-sketching using the NCARB software.
You probably only need to do a handful of practice interior and building layouts. I did everyone I could get my hands on - I think there were like 20 total. Definitely overkill. I did SD first, though, so I wanted to be sure I had well-prepared myself.
I think 2 weekends in preparation for the exam is satisfactory. Maybe do 10 practice scenarios: 2 or 3 building layouts and 6 or 7 interior layouts. You should try to develop a shorthand for the different program requirements, that way you don't have to constantly flip back and forth between the drawing screen and the program screen. I used abbreviations for the different rooms (which NCARB gives you anyway), orientations/proximities, accesses, views, etc. For anything that is a program requirement you should have a shorthand symbol deduced.
And finally, NCARB practice exams are, again, your most useful resource.
Monday, December 19, 2011
ARE: Structural Systems
I took my third ARE this afternoon. Yet again, I feel I cannot even speculate as to whether or not I passed. However, I will offer the following advice to anyone studying.
I found the Kaplan study guides to very disjointed and error-laden. I would advise supplementing any studying you do with them by some other means. The practice vignettes are misleading, so do not use them as your only practice resource. I might actually recommend not using them at all.
I found the Ballast study guides to be more thorough.
I used the Ballast flashcards and the Archiflash cards from ARE 3.1. All of which were quite helpful.
Absolutely take the NCARB practice test and practice vignette software. This practice vignette is the single most important one for you to use. It not only provides you the opportunity to get familiar with the software, but its sample passing and failing solutions depict the important things you need to include or not include.
Take a look at the references NCARB offers, as well. I was surprised when I took the test today and saw just exactly what each of those referenced charts was. There is a ton of information available to you as a reference - it would definitely help you to be aware of what that is before you studied. In retrospect, I wish I had looked up each of those items and made myself familiar with them.
In conclusion, I feel the same as I did with the Building Systems test. I hope in my heart of hearts that I passed, but I would not be too surprised if I did not. I am certain my vignette was satisfactory, however.
Now I just wait it out the next couple weeks as I prepare for ARE #4: Construction Documents & Services.
I found the Kaplan study guides to very disjointed and error-laden. I would advise supplementing any studying you do with them by some other means. The practice vignettes are misleading, so do not use them as your only practice resource. I might actually recommend not using them at all.
I found the Ballast study guides to be more thorough.
I used the Ballast flashcards and the Archiflash cards from ARE 3.1. All of which were quite helpful.
Absolutely take the NCARB practice test and practice vignette software. This practice vignette is the single most important one for you to use. It not only provides you the opportunity to get familiar with the software, but its sample passing and failing solutions depict the important things you need to include or not include.
Take a look at the references NCARB offers, as well. I was surprised when I took the test today and saw just exactly what each of those referenced charts was. There is a ton of information available to you as a reference - it would definitely help you to be aware of what that is before you studied. In retrospect, I wish I had looked up each of those items and made myself familiar with them.
In conclusion, I feel the same as I did with the Building Systems test. I hope in my heart of hearts that I passed, but I would not be too surprised if I did not. I am certain my vignette was satisfactory, however.
Now I just wait it out the next couple weeks as I prepare for ARE #4: Construction Documents & Services.
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