It can be difficult to know where you should start studying for the ARE 5.0 Project, Planning & Design (PPD) exam, considered the toughest by licensure candidates.
To help you successfully tackle the exam by the end of June, we’ve created a 25-day ARE 5.0 PPD study guide, so you’ll have a game plan for learning everything you need to know. This day-by-day plan has links to our video lectures, practice exams, and flashcards, so you can stay on-track to pass your exam.
We also caught up with Josh Mings, Senior Associate at Antunovich Associates in Chicago, and one of our ARE 5.0 Prep coaches, to get his top 5 tips for passing the ARE 5.0 PPD exam:
1. Know the formulas for structures.
Understand what each part of the formulas stands for and the practical application behind it. It will be important to know the implications of changing steel/sizing of structural systems when integrating into a building’s design.
2. Get familiar with building codes.
A lot of cities, like San Francisco, New York and Chicago, have their own special building codes, however the exam focuses on the International Building Code. It’s good to focus on Chapter 10 Egress, as well as the ICC/ANSI 117.1-2003/2009 accessibility codes. Struggling to remember certain codes? Think of acronyms or other verbal cues to help jog your memory when you’re taking the exam.
3. Understand HVAC systems and plumbing.
Questions about these are common on the exam. Expect to see lots of HVAC questions, as different buildings require different systems, depending on use, size, energy requirements, etc. Plumbing and electrical questions are a bit more straightforward because a lot of the systems are similar for every job.
4. Remember your training!
There’s a lot to memorize for this exam, but don’t get freaked out. Out of all of the exam divisions, PPD is the most similar to your day-to-day work. You’ve probably already learned a good deal of this exam content on-the-job.
5. Don’t let the exam get to you.
This exam is the toughest to pass, but stay confident and don't get discouraged. Try pairing up with a study partner to keep you motivated. Plus, you and your partner can hold each other to sticking to the study schedule.
Want more practice with PPD? Check out our free ARE Live Podcast: PPD Mock Case Study.
Stay tuned next month for our 30-day guide to passing PDD.