What others are saying about "Construction Documents and Service (CDS) ARE Mock Exam (Architect Registration Exam)"...

Check out “ARE Mock Exam Series,” and FREE ARE exam prep tips, ARE forums, slides, and mnemonics at GreenExamEducation.com


“Passed!!!
“I PASSED!!! Having Gang Chen's book helped out greatly the second time around. I did not have this resource the first time taking the exam. So, I would highly recommend it for those who are preparing for the ARE - CDS exam. The book gives helpful study tips and pointer to preparing for the exam. The sample mock exam is great because it asks questions in an equivalent format that the actual exam would. What also is great is there is a detailed explanation of all the answers right or wrong and where to look it up. Overall this book helped. It is a must have for study material. Thank You, Gang Chen.”
— James Lushbough

“Great Study Guide
“The ARE CDS Mock Exam provided realistic exam-based review questions which had a positive impact on my results. This review along with ARE Forum deserve credit for preparing me for my final exam. I am now a registered architect in my jurisdiction. Wouldn't have done it so soon without this valuable tool. Thanks again Mr. Gang Chen.”
— John Schaaf (“FarmerJ”)

“Excellent book!
“When used in conjunction with solid study materials, this mock exam was invaluable to me for passing CDS on my first attempt. For the vignette, the walk-through was particularly helpful in navigating NCARB's notoriously difficult software by proposing a logically ordered sequence and showing where inefficiencies could be eliminated to save time and perfect solutions. The MC questions are well written, and although a couple of typos are present, the meaning is obvious, and doesn't outweigh what makes this a 5 star book. They're written like the NCARB questions, with various types...check all that apply, fill in the blank, best answer, etc. The answer key helpfully describes why the correct answer is correct, and why the incorrect answers are not. At half the cost of other mock exams, this is a must buy if you want to pass CDS the first time you take it.”
— Domiane Forte (“Vitruvian Duck”)

“Very helpful
“I certainly recommend this book to everyone who is preparing to take this exam. It is very helpful, easy to read and understand.It covers various areas of the actual exams and gives you the information that you need to solve the MC questions and the vignette section. I liked the Mock-up practice exam in this book which is very beneficial and is similar to the type of questions that you would encounter in the real exam.”
— Seta Ohanesian (“SO”)

“A great supplemental study guide
“This book by Gang Chen is a great supplemental study guide for the ARE exam preparation. The overview is thorough and a great compliment to Ballast and Kaplan. This is a must have study guide as the practice questions are comparable to NCARB's. I will also be using the Building Design & Construction Systems's (BDCS) study guide by Gang Chen for my next exam.”
— Brian Fracasse (“BFracasse”)

“Invaluable Practice Test
“This is an amazing resource for studying the CDS portion of the ARE. After studying for months on my first exam trying to find a concise list of information that I should study from, I went into my first exam blindsided by the level of difficulty that the multiple choice questions had. This time around I wasn't going to take any chances. This book contains a step by step studying plan for this portion of the test and contains a full sample test for you to practice and see how your studying is progressing. It's nice to have some practice for those dreaded choose the best three answers out of the seven listed. After you go through the practice exam, there is a detailed explanation of all the answers to help give you some closure with the questions that just drive you nuts (compared to the real exam where you will never know what the correct answers to the questions really are).

Overall a great book that is definitely worth every cent I paid.”
— Michael Scott (“mscott”)

“Finally!
"An absolute necessity to understanding the practice of the construction/design industry at a practical level!

The text is an essential supplement for the study of Architecture License exams as it provides another dimension of information to other study material currently on the market.

Quick references to contract documents, official AIA, NCARB sites, and other texts for necessary information helps to reinforce answers to Mock exam. Even phrasing of questions, be it intentionally or poor editing, gets your mind into the right exam mode.

In addition, many answers to questions that arise even in your daily journey to licensure are addressed, many of which I personally have not seen printed in any study material to date.

A must-have!”
— Julie Babikian (BUILD "1COR.3:9-11")

“Highly recommended book - ConstructionDocuments and Service (CDS) ARE Mock Exam by Gang Chen
“This book is essential for the ARE candidates. It provides step by step instruction for the best vignette solution. The mock up exam's questions were similar to the actual exam. I personally find it really helpful to have taken this mock exam in preparation for my actual exam. Highly recommended!”
— Pooi Lee, who passed ARE CDS division on his first try.

“Very easy to read
“This book is very easy to read and it gives you extra information that I haven't found in other resources. It also gives you a very good insight for the vignettes. The mock up exam is very good
Thank Mr. Chen!”
— Paulina Mancilla (“pau”)

“It allows one to understand the Architectural field
“Mr. Chen has evidently thought of this book as a means of providing information that would more than just allow someone to pass the ARE CDS exam. It allows one to understand the Architectural field and all the issues behind Construction Documents and Services.”
— Manish Kalantri (“MK”)

“Very helpful for preparing for the exam
“This book gives a good overview of the actual CDS ARE test.It is a decent complement to other study materials when preparing for the ARE. It has overall lots of information, which are very helpful for preparing for the exam. I would suggest reading the entire manual at least twice before you take the CDS exam.”
— Ruchi Dhar (“Dhar”)

“Pretty Insightful
“I found Gang Chen's CDS review to provide another level deeper than my Ballast Book which is also good. I definitely recommend this book and he gives a couple very special insights on the vignette that nobody else does. He is to the point and clear, just the way I like it.
An easy and fast read. Thank you!”
— Demetrios Christopoulos (“Designeer”)

"Great practice
“CDS is a challenging exam that is best prepared for by review of the required contracts and understanding how to apply them to practical situations. The practice exam provides an excellent opportunity to test and retest your ability to apply your knowledge. The vignette breakdown is also all you need to understand to easily pass that section.

With a few other study materials this book helped me pass on the first try!

Thanks!”
—Sarah

“No other review material has been as helpful as this book
“Definitely a very helpful and well structured exam review.Very good tips and a step by step walk through in completing the vignette section. No other review material has been as helpful as this book. I strongly recommend it to whoever wishes to pass this exam.”
—Juan Marmolejo

“Excellent Resource
“Of the many study aides for the ARE this is simply hand down the best. It is precise and concise to the point. If you follow this book you will have the greatest chance of passing the ARE the first time. The book strength is laying out a step-by-step process of obtaining the necessary skills to pass each section. It contains an excellent mock exam both for the Multiple Choice and Graphic Sections. For Graphic Section he layouts a step-by-step method to develop a passing solution in the shortest amount of time. He makes the complex subject simple.”
—A Paul (“Elias”)

“Best Review Guide in the market
“This is the best Construction Documents review guide on the market. I had 4 days to study, so I needed to be efficient... All the books have a mock exams, all the books give you a reading lists to study. This books explains in detail what the answers are, and tells you where you can find them. Thereby, allowing you to study efficiently. There is nothing more frustrating than taking a mock exam, getting an answer wrong, and not knowing why. Chen's book alleviates this frustration by providing detailed answers with references for further reading. So instead of reading through thousands of pages of stuff you already know, all you need to do is; take the mock exam,read through the answers. For the questions that you get wrong, the guide tells you what to review and where to find the information. I do think the book covers the topics that would likely appear on the exam.

The best part of the guide is the explanation for the solution to the building section. There is nowhere else where this solution is as clearly described. If for no other reason, BUY THIS BOOK for the building section solution. You will not find the solution elsewhere and it will save you hours of head scratching and give you confidence in drawing the solution.”
— Judy Wong

Check out “ARE Mock Exam Series,” and FREE ARE exam prep tips, ARE forums, slides, and mnemonics at GreenExamEducation.com

  

What others are saying about "Building Construction" (or "Architectural Practice Simplified," 2nd edition)...

Check out “ARE Mock Exam Series,” and FREE ARE exam prep tips, ARE forums, slides, and mnemonics at GreenExamEducation.com

“Exceptional for what it does
“If I were becoming an architect, I'd want this on my bookshelf... but actually it wouldn't be there long. I'd have it opened every day! Table of Contents alone is an education in what's important and where to go. All in all, it's a thorough and yet digestible treatment about becoming an architect from which any student, intern and even newly licensed professional could glean helpful information and advice.”
—S. Freeman

“Gang Chen hits it on the spot!
“In a world of books that contain the words Architectural Practice, Gang Chen's book stands apart. They say the time it takes for a person to decide if a technical book is good or not is a few minutes. Go to any page of this book and you will find something useful. When I made the transition from school to a full time job at an Architectural firm, every day was a nightmare since I would find a hundred things that I didn’t know. I wish I had this book at that point.This is a must read and must have for someone making this transition from education to real world practice. Architecture is not just about design but also the numerous other processes which make it a whole. "Architectural Practice Simplified" makes you aware of those processes which you were not taught at school.

I could write a long essay about why you should buy this book, or I can summarize it one sentence. True to its title, this book does simplify the practice of Architecture into its most simple blocks! Architectural Practice Simplified: A Survival Guide and Checklists for Building Construction and Site Improvements as well as Tips on Architecture, Building Design,Construction and Project Management”
—Prashanth K. Mahakali

“Mother of all Handy books
“An excellent "handy book," Building Construction by Gang Chen is probably the only book that can be kept as a guide by both, a student and a practicing professional. It not only talks of codes and standards but also makes an attempt to simplify the Architecture profession for the students and the fresh graduates. It subtly hints and prepares you for the jump from academic Architecture to professional practice.

Project Management, Codes, Logs, Forms, Checklists, Standards, Spec writing tips, punch lists, types of bids and every possible detail you can think of from Project inception to Design Development and from Bidding to completion.

Language is simple, well illustrated and easy to understand which I have always found with Gang Chen's material. I am currently using it for my ARE and find it quite helpful. I have also used his LEED books for my exams and have cracked them with ease. A must-have and mother of all handy books.”
—swankysenor
                       
“Wonderful Desktop Resource
“When I became aware of this book, I knew I wanted a copy. To think that any book would be able to provide a comprehensive reference of that which is architecture is pure folly, but Chen's 'Building Construction' is a wonderful desktop reference.

I believe the book will prove to be of great value to interns and to design/build firms...

In my `previous life', I was responsible for training all sales and research personnel for an international construction data group and I really wish I had this book back then.”
—Bobby Darnell        

“Concise Compilation of Architectural Office Processes
“Having worked in a variety of offices for architects, engineers and construction firms of various sizes, I have become more and more aware over the years that there's a lot of content covered over the course of an education centered around the AEC industry which seems to be overseen by academics, leaving students ill-prepared for actual work in offices. Typically, internships and professional practice courses attempt to remediate this problem, but more often than not, they are insufficient in providing students with the necessary experience to avoid stumbling through their first few years as designers. In this kind of economy -trite as it is - it has become more important for those seeking entry-level positions to exhibit a greater understanding of that which helps an office operate on a fundamental level, beyond design. Realistically, individuals with strong business acuity and project execution ultimately end up more successful than those who have strong design skills and aesthetic sense.

This book essentially covers all the material that fails to be addressed in many professional practice courses in a concise, comprehensive manner. Large portions of the book cover the essentials of compiling construction documents, lists of resources used by offices, submittals, reviews, and many other functions. This book is highly recommended for architecture students in the process of interning, recent graduates, and younger licensed professionals.”
—TJ Tutay

“Great Source of Information
“I really enjoyed reading "Architectural Practice Simplified." The language is simple and coveys a lot...a fabulous survival guide for all of us.Thumbs up...”
—Dhar

“A Practical Guide
“It provides not only a transition from school to office, but it is also a complete and helpful checklist for day to day architectural practice. It is easy to understand, remember, and apply. Through it, you can understand how a project can be easily run. I found that much of the experience I gained from working in an architectural firm for a number of years is summarized and concisely presented here. Very practical, highly recommended.”
—Yingchun Lu "Eileen"

“A great book!!!
“This book was easy to read and follow. I found all the check lists very helpful. I would recommend this book to anyone making the transition from school into the working field or someone who just started working. It summarizes all aspects of the business of architecture, from client interaction to project management.Thank you.”
—Angie

“Useful Collection of Tips and Guidelines
“This book is a collection of useful information gathered over the course of a career. It provides a briefing for young professionals on what to expect and look out for as they start working. As such, it provides some valuable insights into the mechanics of the practice of architecture. I found the design development and construction document checklists to be particularly valuable for navigating some of the trickier aspects of the design and documentation process. Given the recent attention on the value of checklists in managing complex tasks topics, this book seems particularly timely...All in all, Architectural Practice Simplified is a useful collection of tips and guidelines for both new and seasoned professionals.”
—M. Kilkelly

“It is all here: a practical and straightforward guide, highly recommended!
“The transition from Architectural School is difficult for most young professionals for a number of reasons, such as:

1. Architectural education is not compatible with architectural practice: what you learn in school is different from what is needed for your job.

2. You can read books to teach yourself about architectural practice. Some large architectural offices have a copy of the"The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP)," but it has too many pages (1028 pages), and is too complicated. It is comprehensive,and a lot of the information is good to know, but you rarely deal with it on a daily basis. When you do need some information and zoom in to look for it in a certain section, AHPP is not detailed enough, and it is not tailored to your needs.
Most offices will only have one set of AHPP for everyone to share since it is expensive (about $250 each). Nobody really have time to read it from cover to cover either: it simply has too many pages, and you do not have so much time to plough through it.

3. If you have questions regarding your project, you could ask more senior staffs in your firm, but you do not want to ask "stupid" questions and make yourself look like you do not know want you are doing. You do not want to ask too many questions to annoy others either. As a result, your professional growth will be delayed.

"Architectural Practice Simplified" is a great book. It covers a lot of information that you use daily in an architect's office, it is concise and to the point, and covers just the right amount of information that you need to know to thrive in the constructionindustry.

For example, it covers entitlement, ALTA andCALTA survey, consultant coordination, governing agencies coordination, green buildings, marketing, the procedures of handling shop drawings and submittals, what to look for when you review shop drawings and submittals, what are the key elements in a contract between the architect and the owner, and a contract between the owner and the contractor, what to look for when you do a quality control of plans and specifications, sheet-by-sheet checklists for architectural plans and consultants' plans, how to create or modify a specifications book, how to deal with contractor's change order request, what are the key elements in the certificate of substantial completion, and collections, etc.
You probably learn more from this book about architectural practice than what you can learn in five years in an architectural school.

"Architectural Practice Simplified" works like a great mentor for young professionals, it is also very useful for experienced architects. It is a practical and straightforward guide. Highly recommended!”
—Brad Chandler 

Check out “ARE Mock Exam Series,” and FREE ARE exam prep tips, ARE forums, slides, and mnemonics at GreenExamEducation.com

  

ARE Exams Rolling clock question

Check out “ARE Mock Exam Series,” and FREE ARE exam prep tips, ARE forums, slides, and mnemonics at GreenExamEducation.com

Question:

"I have a silly questions, but anyway, I will go ahead and ask:
My 5 yr rolling clock expires March 20. Im taking my last SS exam on March 18.
I already failed SS back in september. Im not very optimisitic to pass, although I've been doing as much as I can to try to pass this time. But, if I fail, would that mean that I have to retake all 7 exams and start all over again?
I did pass all the graphics back in 3.1 version.
Thanks for your comments.
Sincerely,
Desperate SS SS SS"

Response:
The term "rolling clock", means you will only lose one test at a time. So whatever test you took (and passed) 5 years ago on March 20 will have to be retaken, but not all 7.

Excepton:
Find the ARE Transition chart on NCARB's website. If your first pass happened to be Building Technology (ARE 3.1) then you may have to retake the ARE 4.0 divisions that has those vignettes (5 of them).

Let's say your first pass was Building Technology (BT) (ARE 3.1) in May 2008. That's when your rolling clock started. You have until May 2013 to pass all divisions (now ARE 4.0). BT had 6 vignettes; now these vignettes are spread out over 4 different divisions (CDS, SS, BS, & BDCS). If your rolling clock runs out and you lose your first passed test (BT), you will need to take it over again... but you can't since BT is no longer there. You'd have to take the 4 divisions that have the vignettes that BT had.

Your situation (# of tests you will be req'd to take) may be different if you passed some/all of the 4.0 tests that have the vignettes that BT had.


Do NOT give up hope yet. You have not lost this battle yet, so focus on winning it, and deal with the “what if” later if you fail.


Focus on finding a way to pass for now, even though you may not be in an ideal situation.


It is still quite possible to study and pass SS by 3/18/13. SS has a narrow and focus scope, so it is possible to get it done in a short time.


SS is an exam for architect, NOT for structural engineer.


Focus on the concepts, and do the simple calculations questions, and pick the same guess answer for the complicated calculations questions (i.e., the ones take more than 1 minutes to do), mark them and get back to them later if you finish everything else and still have time.

Check out “ARE Mock Exam Series,” and FREE ARE exam prep tips, ARE forums, slides, and mnemonics at GreenExamEducation.com