National Associates Committee

There are some good and bad things for me personally about the transition process.

What upset me the most was that I took my first 3.1 exam January of 07. I did not know anything at the time about 4.0. I thought I was given a whole 5 years to pass the exams, and now I don't. I am rushing myself to take the graphic portions before they transition and cancel out my passing MC exams. I find this very unfair!

However, I did find some good in this transition......I figured that if I try hard enough I can pass all the 3.1 exams except General Structures and Lateral forces. I will then wait for the two of them to combine into 4.0 "structural systems". This way I dont have to spend countless hrs studying for two exams. I can do just one!

I have had the same experience as Robert. I took my first 3.1 exam in December of 07 and then was told by someone in my office about the transition. I am completely frustated that I have passed MC exams that may not count due to the BT Vignette. I think that if you passed a petion of the BT that corresponds to the new 4.0 MC test you should get credit for both. It is unreasonable to make candidates retake exams they have already passed.

I have already passed several sections except Lateral Forces, Pre-Design and Mechanical. Now it is a whole new section for Structures which apparently invloves General Structures which I already passed. I am not quite sure what is new with Pre-design, Mechanical and perhaps with all the other sections of which I have passed already.
It is not reasonable to make candidates retake exams they have already passed.
Please comment.

I too am a transitional candidate and I must echo the previous sentiments that it seems unfair that some of the test we have taken will be erased if we do not finish before 4.0.

I just recently started taking the ARE in March. I knew what I was getting into but I felt it was attainable. I'm taking great strides to complete as many test as possible besides the structural ones before the end of the year. Fortunately I have passed BT, but I'm currently trying to finish SP before the end of the year. I know it's hard but it can be done, so stay focus. Set attainable goals for yourself and you'll be surprised at how quickly you will be able to get through this.

I am a new candidate and just took my first exam of the 4.0. I found the test to be fine, but the transition from one set of study material to the next was very difficult. I think it is difficult for people to afford all new study material. I borrowed as much material as I could from friends that have taken the old exam, but the content and mix of material was very different than what I studied. I am trying to get the local library to purchase some of the new study aids to help with the costs. There was a little free study material given by NCARB, but much too little.

I have a studying question that I hope someone can help with. What is the best approach to studying and is there a good computer study guide? It is my understanding that it's just as much about the content as it is about knowing how to use the cad program.

I think we should be either be given credit for the MC exams passed or extend the overlap time an additional 1 year. Since the information was not released widely. But I also worry that Thomson-Prometric is a for profit enterprise. I doubt if the BT or SP graphics exams are being graded fairly than if we were not going to 4.0 The more people fails the more they have to retake the exams and more revenue for them. Especially in the BT division. I wonder who the oversight is? Has anyone thought of this?

I personally feel that the transition is unfair to those who started with 3.1. When I first started this exam I thought that I had five years to pass! Having failed BT, I only have one more shot at this exam or it will wipe out the five multiple choice exams that I already passed. The correct way that this transition should have been handled is that the 3.1 test takers should have been grandfathered in to allow them to continue in 3.1 until their 5 years test period ran up. Or at least count a passing vignette on a 3.1 exam towards 4.0. For example, if you only fail the section vignette in BT then one should only have to take CD's in 4.0 and not retake four exams. I am very frustrated with the registration process. Looks like its time to consider another profession.

Regarding what to study....
Alot has changed including the contracts and I don't know if it is important to study old & new as well. Will one question regarding an old contract be regarded as the same answer with a new version of a contract - probably not. It cetainly is expensive to be buying both. For example, some study aids for construction documents include a building section and the NCARB website study guide contains different vignettes, which is it I wonder?

I am going to try and take the Three point one site planning exam by the end of June. I appreciate recommendations for study guides exam prep material