Good Luck ARE Testing Groups

Good Luck ARE Testing Groups!

I just wanted to put a post out there wishing our ARE and LEED testing groups good luck in the coming weeks. I have been in good contact with your team captains, and I have heard nothing but positive reports about the study sessions. Before we all get too busy with last minute cramming I just wanted to give y’all some study tips. Also, in the next couple of days I will be posting the next sections for each group, (as determined by you), and also some scheduling announcements.

1.       Remember to eat some brain food. Choline from eggs has been shown to improve memory, also consider green tea which can boost dopamine levels, making you feel better the day of the test. Dark chocolate has both Flavonoids and Caffeine to increase blood flow to the brain while also helping you to have more energy to focus. Finally, Acai berries are full of antioxidants and Omega-3’, again boosting blood flow and mood. Try them all on test day. Best case scenario you do better on your test, worst case? Well, you’ve had a yummy breakfast.

2.       Get a good night’s sleep. One of the best ways to fail the test is to fall asleep right at the beginning of it. So make sure you get a full night’s rest for a couple of days before. I know it is tempting to cram, but pumping yourself full of caffeine to compensate for the lost 6  hours of sleep will undoubtedly make you jittery and uncomfortable.

3.       Take the day off of work when you test. I know this might not be an option for all of you, but consider talking to your boss or using some vacation time. The last thing you need to be thinking about during your test is the meeting you have at 1, or the drawings that need to be completed before tomorrow morning. These tests are important to both you and your firm, so consider scaling down your work load around your test day as important as studying. Taking the afternoon before off to is a good way to get some last minute studying in too!

4.       Make a quick review sheet! This is not only a good tool to remind yourself of crucial things on the day of the exam, but also a good exercise to focus your memory on what is important. Work with your group to make the sheet or even just a partner. Keep it short, no more than 1 or 2 pages. The sooner you make it the sooner you can review it during a quick 5 minute break at work or over breakfast.

5.       Take a deep breath. Anxiety about an exam affects everyone, just differently. Some people are very calm about it. Others, like me, get a little nervous until they are taking the test. The last thing you need is to get in the way of yourself passing the exam. Relax, find a way to relax yourself before the exam.

6.       Be sure to stretch before and during the exam. Give yourself a good stretch before you get into the testing center. Stretching is a natural way to increase your heart rate and increase the blood flow throughout your body. Also, be aware that you will probably be sitting in an uncomfortable chair for a significant period of time, so practice some ways to stretch your legs, wrists, and body without getting up and potentially getting kicked out of the test. You do get some breaks during testing so use them.

7.       Take your time. Be sure to wear a watch so that you can know exactly how much time you have left to complete each section. Try to leave about 10-15% of your time at the end to go back and try and answer any questions that you might have left blank or were unsure about. There is no penalty for a wrong answer on the ARE’s so if you don’t know it, try eliminating the obviously wrong answers to increase your chance of getting the right answer.

8.       Practice the Vignette software. Be sure you are comfortable with the software for the test. The biggest problem people have with the vignette is the cranky software NCARB and Prometric survive. If you are still having any technical problems with the software, now is the time to contact me and get them sorted out.

Best of Luck! (not that you need it right?)

Cameron