Tuesday, June 22
Singh of the Times
Apologies, I took a position in India. ARE exams are postponed for now. I will update the blog, maybe just start from scratch later this years. Cheers
Monday, May 24
Various Study Tips
Books
“Mastering Multiple Choice” Stephen Merritt
“Memory Power” Scott Hagwood
“The 4-Hour Work week” Timothy Ferriss
I ordered the following tips the best I could.
- Create a weekly schedule Don’t check your email more than once a day. Try to limit it to once a week. For checking your finances, schedule it for once a week, or once every two weeks. Clean out your mail Inbox once a week. Cleaning apartment, once a week. Limit distractions to a scheduled time. That way you are not thinking about what you can be doing while you are studying.
- At night PREPARE A LIST 2” x 3.5” of tasks for the next day this way you can’t put too much on the list.
- Work out at least 15-20 minutes soon after you work out. This boost creativity in the brain and can help with problem solving skills
- Journal less than half a page about what you did the previous day. Not too specific just summary of actions. This will boost memory recall creating stronger pathways in you brain.
- Using your prepared list, CREATE TIGHT DEADLINES, you will be more efficient and feel accomplishment
Parkinson’s Law, Tasks will swell with time
- Pareto’s Law 80/20 law
80% of things will require 20% of your time
20% of things will require 80% of your time
Identify the 20% that will require the most of your attention
Identify the 80% that don’t require as much time, and don’t feel as guilty if you don’t spend as much time on this.
- For every hour of reading, READ 45 minutes, BREAK 15 minutes
Your mind needs time to absorb this information, your break can consist of reviewing other material, breaking down schedule, or small tasks like dishes, take a dump, get water
- When you read, trace under the words with your finger or a pencil, this reinforces a focal point so you don’t lose concentration thus skipping on information.
- To READ faster, Skip to the third word in each sentence and finish on the third to last word in each sentence. Your mind will automatically pick up that word in the peripheral vision, no need to start reading the blank part if you mind can automatically read 2-3 words ahead.
- Rules of “1”
If memorizing something. Once you can recall your tasks, wait 1 HOUR, then practice it again until you can recall the whole thing. Then, wait 1 DAY, after you can successfully recall it, wait 1 WEEK and recall it. You are trying to transition your memorization of this task into your long term memory.
- take an ICE COLD shower immediately after you successfully memorize something for an extended period. Some classical pianists do this to shock the body which focuses on your last actions and reinforces that memory.
- Watch 1 hour of TV at night
- Read 1 hour of fiction at night
- Write out your list for the next day.
- Eat Raspberry Jelly, ORGANIC KIND, raspberries are good for memory
“Mastering Multiple Choice” Stephen Merritt
“Memory Power” Scott Hagwood
“The 4-Hour Work week” Timothy Ferriss
I ordered the following tips the best I could.
- Create a weekly schedule Don’t check your email more than once a day. Try to limit it to once a week. For checking your finances, schedule it for once a week, or once every two weeks. Clean out your mail Inbox once a week. Cleaning apartment, once a week. Limit distractions to a scheduled time. That way you are not thinking about what you can be doing while you are studying.
- At night PREPARE A LIST 2” x 3.5” of tasks for the next day this way you can’t put too much on the list.
- Work out at least 15-20 minutes soon after you work out. This boost creativity in the brain and can help with problem solving skills
- Journal less than half a page about what you did the previous day. Not too specific just summary of actions. This will boost memory recall creating stronger pathways in you brain.
- Using your prepared list, CREATE TIGHT DEADLINES, you will be more efficient and feel accomplishment
Parkinson’s Law, Tasks will swell with time
- Pareto’s Law 80/20 law
80% of things will require 20% of your time
20% of things will require 80% of your time
Identify the 20% that will require the most of your attention
Identify the 80% that don’t require as much time, and don’t feel as guilty if you don’t spend as much time on this.
- For every hour of reading, READ 45 minutes, BREAK 15 minutes
Your mind needs time to absorb this information, your break can consist of reviewing other material, breaking down schedule, or small tasks like dishes, take a dump, get water
- When you read, trace under the words with your finger or a pencil, this reinforces a focal point so you don’t lose concentration thus skipping on information.
- To READ faster, Skip to the third word in each sentence and finish on the third to last word in each sentence. Your mind will automatically pick up that word in the peripheral vision, no need to start reading the blank part if you mind can automatically read 2-3 words ahead.
- Rules of “1”
If memorizing something. Once you can recall your tasks, wait 1 HOUR, then practice it again until you can recall the whole thing. Then, wait 1 DAY, after you can successfully recall it, wait 1 WEEK and recall it. You are trying to transition your memorization of this task into your long term memory.
- take an ICE COLD shower immediately after you successfully memorize something for an extended period. Some classical pianists do this to shock the body which focuses on your last actions and reinforces that memory.
- Watch 1 hour of TV at night
- Read 1 hour of fiction at night
- Write out your list for the next day.
- Eat Raspberry Jelly, ORGANIC KIND, raspberries are good for memory
Tuesday, May 18
Return to lateness
I am back in the saddle, no job, but four tests scheduled.
SD Jun 07
CD Jun 24
BDCS Jun 28
PPP Jul 02
I know it may be crazy...but before my "break" I was talking to a gal at the AIA study group about a good testing schedule. She had a friend who studied hard core for about three months then took all the tests in 2 weeks. While this intense period was no cake walk, he got everything done in 3 months as opposed to 6 months...and he passed.
After reading “The 4-Hour Work week” by Timothy Ferriss, I now understand Parkinson’s Law,...Tasks will swell with time
Even though I know the next 6 weeks will be a heavy lift, I won't have time to slack off.
In the next posts, I will provide a list of study tips I have assembled during my "break". Some MC tips helped a buddy take his PE Exam. Another friend is taking his Medical Boards out in NY, and I will update the blog after his braindump, and reveal what he found most successful.
Thanks for staying tuned!
p.s. lateness refers to the insane late hours I poured into the LEED exam
SD Jun 07
CD Jun 24
BDCS Jun 28
PPP Jul 02
I know it may be crazy...but before my "break" I was talking to a gal at the AIA study group about a good testing schedule. She had a friend who studied hard core for about three months then took all the tests in 2 weeks. While this intense period was no cake walk, he got everything done in 3 months as opposed to 6 months...and he passed.
After reading “The 4-Hour Work week” by Timothy Ferriss, I now understand Parkinson’s Law,...Tasks will swell with time
Even though I know the next 6 weeks will be a heavy lift, I won't have time to slack off.
In the next posts, I will provide a list of study tips I have assembled during my "break". Some MC tips helped a buddy take his PE Exam. Another friend is taking his Medical Boards out in NY, and I will update the blog after his braindump, and reveal what he found most successful.
Thanks for staying tuned!
p.s. lateness refers to the insane late hours I poured into the LEED exam
Thursday, March 18
The economy still sucks, trust me.
So, I apologize for the spottiness, but I was laid off from my job last Monday. In the scramble to get my bearings I have taken a brief hiatus from the exams. I plan to return to the books next week. Although the timing of losing your job is never good, I figure it gives me a little extra time to study for my exams.
Friday, March 5
ARE 4.0 Pass Rates...Scary
I finally looked at the pass rates from July 2008 – June 2009 for the new ARE 4.0 exam. It is quite shocking. The range is from a 53%-70% compared to 68-80% on the ARE 3.0 exam. I realize they have adjusted the test to make the test process shorter, but it feels that something is out of balance. I find it frustrating at a time that finances are tight, architects are out of jobs, and the costs of test has increased, that more people are faced with retaking their exams.
Schematic Design Week 1
So I have been studying for a little over a week for the Schematic Design exam. I have met a couple of people at my local AIA study group that have helped my motivation. This exam is quite strange in the fact that there is limited material out there, and you can go through the practice vignettes very quickly. I have taken two practice vignettes so far, and realize that my solution is nowhere close to the recommended answer. All in all I know it is more about using the program and managing the stress related to the 1 hour time limit for the first portion of the test. I have read some useful tips in Kaplan and on the ARE Forum and will highlight my favorites when I have time.
Tuesday, February 23
AIA Denver ARE Study Group
I attended the study group for AIA Denver last night. I liked the energy in the room, and there was a good range of test takers. Some people have already completed some of their exams, others are starting their first test just like me. We discussed best ways to communicate among the group, and different seminars for those interested. This study group is a free service of AIA Denver, but is limited to AIA members only. For those interested in either the group or membership contact Emily Ewing.
The group meets every Monday at 5:30 - 7:00pm in the AIA Denver office.
For the first 7-8 weeks, the group will focus on the following exam sections.
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
BUILDING SYSTEMS
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
PROGRAMMING, PLANNING & PRACTICE.
I will study with the newbies for Schematic Design for the first couple weeks, hopefully take the exam and then start studying for Building Systems.
Additionally, AIA offers a Review Seminar Schedule. The next session is Saturday March 13th, Programming, Planning & Practice
The group meets every Monday at 5:30 - 7:00pm in the AIA Denver office.
For the first 7-8 weeks, the group will focus on the following exam sections.
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
BUILDING SYSTEMS
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
PROGRAMMING, PLANNING & PRACTICE.
I will study with the newbies for Schematic Design for the first couple weeks, hopefully take the exam and then start studying for Building Systems.
Additionally, AIA offers a Review Seminar Schedule. The next session is Saturday March 13th, Programming, Planning & Practice
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