What's the best way to study for the Schematic Design Exam

Login or register to post comments
3 replies [Last post]
amoeggenberg
Offline
Joined: 11/06/2009
Posts:
Fri, 11/06/2009 - 12:37
What's the best way to study for the Schematic Design Exam
printprint

Hi There,

I just registered to take the schematic design exam.  I had to sign up to take my first exam or I would have to re-register and have to do the IDP program.  I'm wondering what's the best way to study for this and what are the best materials.  I'm currently unemployed and don't have a lot of money to throw at this.  I do have the old 3.1 study materials (Kaplan).  Anybody have any advice?  I've downloaded the practice exams from NCARB, are there enough practice examples there to be successful?  Also, any advice on how to post a trial vignette on this website?  I've seen others and it looks like a good way to get help.  I'm in the Bay Area and would like to meet up with anybody who's studying the ARE.

Thanks,

Andy

Thanks,
Andy

Top
Tags:
JFBArtist
Offline
Joined: 01/28/2010
Posts:
Thu, 01/28/2010 - 19:35
#1
P, P, P S, S, S Study, Study,
printprint

P, P, P

S, S, S

Study, Study, Study, eventually I'll Pass P, P, P

Top
admin
Offline

Location

CA
United States
See map: Google Maps
Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts:
Sun, 11/15/2009 - 11:23
#2
You should study the
printprint

You should study the following:
NCARB software: lots of people do not pay enough attention to it. Carefully review all tips and drafting techniques. I know some people who do not know how to use wall opening tool after they took an exam. That is not good.

Download Study Guide (4.0) from NCARB website and compare all details passing / not passing solutions.

Schematic Design exam requires design experience. If you do not have enough experience, you may want to do many solutions (papers & pencil, computer) to develop quick space planning skills, especially for Building Layout vignette. Old study books (such as Kaplan) are absolutely ok to use for it. There is no difference between Building Planning 3.1 and Schematic Design 4.0. NCARB simply renamed vignettes.

SD vignettes are not single correct solution problems. You may develop many correct solutions with the same program and background file such as the ones you can find with default NCARB software. In fact, some people do one solution and they move on to the next problem. I encourage you to do as many solutions as you can for the same problem. Some of your solutions will be better, some will be worse. But the process forces you to be more flexible and develop better design skills.  

Many sites offer alternative practice problems. Some you have to pay for, some are free. You can download alternative practice problems on this website by going to the class schedule and clicking on the respected class. You need to be logged in order to see downloadable zip files at the bottom of the page.

Top
mikep
Offline
Joined: 11/05/2009
Posts:
Mon, 11/09/2009 - 09:01
#3
Andy, I will be studying this
printprint

Andy,

I will be studying this starting 11-18-09. I  test for PPP on 11-17-09. My SD test is scheduled for 12-17-09. I will be doing the sample test in a great multitude of configurations. I will also be needing some help with this. I will post my solutions for this and encourage you to do the same. We can review each others for some sort of external review to help provide the necessary guidance.

Thanks,

MikeP

Top