Building Design and Construction Systems (BDCS) ARE Mock Exam: ARE Overview, Exam Prep Tips, Multiple-Choice Questions and Graphic Vignettes, Solutions and Explanations (Architect Registration Exam) - Softcover

Chen, Gang

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1612650023 ISBN 13: 9781612650029

Publisher: ArchiteG, Incorporated, 2011

Synopsis

A Practical Mock Exam for the Building Design and Construction Systems (BDCS) Division of the ARE! To become a licensed architect, you need to have the proper combination of education and/or experience, meeting your Board of Architecture’s special requirements, as well as passing all seven divisions of the Architect Registration Examinations (ARE). This book provides ARE exam overview, resources, exam prep and exam taking techniques, tips and guides. It also provides a realistic and complete set of Mock Exam, solutions, explanations for the Building Design and Construction Systems (BDCS) Division of the ARE. This book covers the following subjects: 1. ARE, IDP and Education Requirements 2. ARE Exam Content, Format and Prep strategies 3. Principles: Selection of Systems, Materials, and Methods, Historic Precedent, Human Behavior, and Design Theory 4. Environmental Issues: Sustainable Design Including Hazardous Material Mitigation, Thermal and Moisture Protection, and Adaptive Re-Use 5. Codes & Regulations: Zoning, Specialty and Building Codes, and Other Regulatory Requirements 6. Materials & Technology: Selection of Systems, Materials, and Methods, including Masonry, Metals, Wood, Concrete, Specialties, and Others 7. Project & Practice Management: Cost, Scheduling, Construction Sequencing, and Risk Management 8. Accessibility/Ramp Vignette: Designing a stairway and ramp connecting two levels that abides by the code and accessibility requirements 9. Stair Design Vignette: Designing a stairway connecting multiple levels that abides by the code and accessibility requirements 10. Roof Plan Vignette: Designing a sloped roof for draining the rainwater, locate equipment and accessories 11. Step-By-Step Solutions for 6 Graphic Vignettes Using NCARB Practice Program Software This book includes 85 challenging questions at the same difficulty level and format as the real exam (multiple-choice, check-all-that-apply, and fill-in-the-blank), and 6 graphic vignettes. It will help you pass the BDCS division of the ARE and become a licensed architect! About the author Gang Chen holds a master’s degree from the School of Architecture, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree from the School of Architecture, South China University of Technology. He has over 20 years of professional experience. Many of the projects he was in charge of or participated in have been published extensively in Architecture, Architectural Record, The Los Angeles Times, The Orange County Register, etc. He has worked on a variety of unusual projects, including well-known, large-scale healthcare and hospitality projects with over one billion dollars in construction costs; award-winning school designs, highly-acclaimed urban design and streetscape projects, multifamily housing, high-end custom homes, and regional and neighborhood shopping centers. Gang Chen is a LEED AP BD+C and a licensed architect in California. He is also the internationally acclaimed author of other fascinating books, including Building Construction, Planting Design Illustrated, ARE Mock Exam Series and LEED Exam Guides Series, which include one guidebook for each of the LEED exams. For more information, visit www.GreenExamEducation.com

About this title

About the Author

Gang Chen holds a master's degree from the School of Architecture, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, and a bachelor's degree from the School of Architecture, South China University of Technology. He has over 20 years of professional experience. Many of the projects he was in charge of or participated in have been published extensively in Architecture, Architectural Record, The Los Angeles Times, The Orange County Register, etc. He has worked on a variety of unusual projects, including well-known, large-scale healthcare and hospitality projects with over one billion dollars in construction costs; award-winning school designs, highly-acclaimed urban design and streetscape projects, multifamily housing, high-end custom homes, and regional and neighborhood shopping centers.

Gang Chen is a LEED AP BD+C and a licensed architect in California. He is also the internationally acclaimed author of other fascinating books, including Building Construction, Planting Design Illustrated, ARE Mock Exam Series and LEED Exam Guides Series, which include one guidebook for each of the LEED exams. For more information, visit GreenExamEducation.com

From the Inside Flap

"Wish I had this book earlier
"I used Mr. Chen's CDS mock exam, which was invaluable to me for passing CDS on my first attempt. Unfortunately, the BDCS mock exam wasn't out prior to my taking that exam, on which I did not fare so well. After having looked at the BDCS book, I know that I would have done better, much better, if I had it to study. Nevertheless, the vignette walk-throughs are 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 questions are 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. Take it from my experience, at half the cost of other mock exams, this is a must buy if you want to pass BDCS the first time you take it."
--Domiane Forte (" Vitruvian Duck")


"He does a good job of taking you through the vignettes in particular and the test questions are a fair approximation of what you might expect to encounter. Highly recommended."
--Gary Leivers (" ukarch66")

"Highly recommended for A.R.E. candidates!
"The material presented in the BDCS ARE Mock Exam book is excellent. It is presented in a manner which students or candidates for the A.R.E. can understand and gain conceptual knowledge. The practical vignette design solutions are great. It helped me prepare for the BDCS exam with confidence."
--Stephen Bent (" bentarchitect")

"BDCS ARE Mock Exam -- Great for Vignettes
"This prep book is a great way to prepare for the Building Design and Construction Systems ARE. The author takes you through all three of the vignettes and gives step by step instructions on how to find the solutions-- including graphics. Also, there are summaries of the key dimensions that you need to know.

I recommend using this book to prepare for the exam-- especially if you've had trouble with the NCARB software in the past."
-- Christine Williams

"Good Mock Exam
"... The mock exam is very useful as a tool to estimate how well you know the material. It's tougher than the NCARB practice tests, making it more realistic. He does a good job pointing you in the right direction for study materials (what documents to read, etc.)..."
--Penelope Marvel ( penny "penny")

"Good Study Guide
"I am using this as a supplemental study guide for the BDCS ARE Exam and the step by step instructions on how to tackle the vignettes has been very helpful. The multiple choice mock exam was very helpful for discovering where my weaknesses were as well. I would highly recommend this as part of your study material for this exam."
--Bryan Bell (" bell1658")

"BDCS - Gang Chen ARE Study Guide
"This is a great addition to the long list of study guides for the ARE BDCS exam. I used the practice exam as an additional preparation for this exam. Just found out that I passed BDCS! I recommend this guide to other ARE candidates!"
--Brian Fracasse ("BFracasse")

"Love it
"This is a good book to start studying for the BD&CS Exam..especially the vignette instructions, it gives a step by step guide to solving them. With illustration from the NCARB practice program. I have never seen any other book showing them which makes it a lot easier how the software works.


The multiple choice questions are good in helping you prepare to some of the style of questions that the real ARE exam will be.


Overall, I am pleased in getting this book in helping me with my studies.
Thank You!!!"
--Phoebe Lee

"Great additional resource for passing the BDCS exam!
"For architectural interns seeking to decipher the cryptic nature of the NCARB Architect Registration Exam's Building Design and Construction Systems, Gang Chen's Mock Exam book helps to clarify things. The essential component of this guide is the step-by-step manner in which the graphics portion of this exam in delineated with the accompanying support images. The majority of the commercially available resources do not provide this kind of dispensement of information. This edition is invaluable for this reason. I am currently still in the process of going through my other study materials for the written content portion of the exam and reserve comments regarding the multiple choice portion of this guide, but at a cursory review, seems to cover the breadth of the exam
-- Jeff Koo

"Chen's Book Helped me prepare for the A.R.E
"I took my time going through the book and comparing it to the other study guides that I have for the exam. Chen's book is very helpful in preparing for the graphic drawing portions of the exam. The questions in the mock exam, just like on the real exam, are thrown at you in different styles: pick all that apply, select the best two, choose the incorrect statement, etc. Which I felt was good practice for the exam. Some of the questions come very close to the questions on the actual test. I would recommend this guide as another useful tool in preparing for the A.R.E."
--Troy Bettridge ("Archtulsa")

"BDCS: ARE Mock Exam
"The book starts off with an overview of the Architecture Registration Exam. In this chapter gives important information on understanding the who what when where and why of the Intern Development Program (IDP) and the Architecture Registration Exams (ARE). If you're just starting out with your tests and you don't know where to start, this chapter condenses enough information to at least point you in the right direction. He answers some questions that a lot of people want to know about testing times, exam formats, and other various tips for all 7 of the tests, not just BDCS.

Chapter two dives into the exam content of the BDCS test. He lists various resources you should consult in your studying for this exam, which I believe to be vary valuable. With the other two tests I've studied for (CDS and SPD) I felt lost as to what books actually covered the material, always fearing that I've left something out. Along with the book list also comes tips on how to use the vignette software specifically for the vignettes on this test. The book includes screen shots of the lovely graphics software we are forced to use on the ARE's which help explain the steps to take to solve the vignettes. As another reviewer pointed out, there is a definite focus on how to pass the vignettes, whereas the multiple choice is presented in a way for you to "test" yourself in a mock exam setting...All in all I would recommend this book as yet another way to expose yourself to NCARB like questions before taking the real exam and get another perspective on how to conquer the vignettes for this test."
--Nicholas Allen

"Very Helpful!!!
"This book has been a great help in preparing for the Building Design and Construction Systems ARE Exam. The book gives a very detailed explanation for each of the vignettes as well as a step by step guide on how to complete each one within the exam format. The author goes to great lengths to identify tips and potential mistakes for each vignette.

Unlike many practice guides and books that are generic and focused on multiple exams, this one is extremely detailed and directed specifically for the BDCS exam. It includes a practice exam that surpasses all others. I found the practice exam (85 questions) to be invaluable for my preparation. In addition the author also offers many test taking, studying, exam order, and reference material guidelines and tips."
-- Dusty Eaton

Edition details

• Publisher: ArchiteG, Incorporated
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1612650023
• ISBN 13: 9781612650029
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 196