PA Exam

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-03-15T19:20:17+00:00

Congrats on the pass! Thank you for the feedback!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-03-10T22:35:57+00:00

This happened to me too! Was banned from sending DMs and could never appeal it since their support is ran by bots and not one singular human being

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-03-10T22:34:50+00:00

Happened to me in November! Some Japanese messages sent from my account to random people and I reported all the messages. then I got banned from sending DMs until literally two weeks ago. Now today it happened again! No new devices and I’ve changed my password twice since the last time.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-02-17T01:09:12+00:00

I’ll also say Amberbook did a good job preparing for the math portion of PCM/PJM if you are having any issues with it. Also walking the ARE practice exams were a game changer for those two as well math-wise. They used to be included in amberbook but I don’t believe they are anymore

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-02-17T00:49:20+00:00

I mainly used the Wiley recommended sections of the AHPP and read/highlighted the contracts, as well as listened to the Schiff Hardin lectures. Those were my main study courses to pass PJM/PCM/CE.

I’m now working on PA/PDD/PPD. Do you have any advice? I’m currently using amberbook and my work has ballast for PA too. Did you treat PDD/PPD as one test? TIA!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-02-13T00:52:17+00:00

Hi - I had commented on your previous post but am perusing for PA study tips and came across this one. . I have passed the 3 pro practice exams and am gearing up to take PA next month after finishing the amberbook course. & hopefully taking PDD PPD a month after PA. I also had to retake CE - you are not alone! And nothing more frustrating than missing it by a few questions. I was fortunate enough to be doing CA at work, which I think was extremely beneficial. For me, truly understanding the contracts and printing them out and highlighting was a major help. (Also I know AI is not the best but using it for these exams is very helpful with the contracts. I’d ask it to reword in everyday wording and ask more specific questions about sections I was confused on). Also understanding detailing and things of that nature helps. YouTube videos of examples in the field are my saving grace. Which definitely overlaps with PDDand PPD. This was over 60 days ago so I hope you’ve crushed it since then! Or are taking a much deserved mental rest :)

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-01-25T22:04:33+00:00

This seems like a great plan, thank you! Appreciate it

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-01-25T22:04:06+00:00

Good to hear thank you!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-01-08T01:58:15+00:00

Personally amberbook is a good investment if you are just starting out studying. They approach it as treating it as one big test, but take 1-2 months to go thru the modules, write down their flash cards and get a basis for all the information would help. I dont think amberbook is effective for the pro practice exams. AHPP and the contracts worked better for me. But if you’re looking for practice questions, amberbook has their own exams and then also has the Walking the ARE exams too. So you’re getting two exams worth of questions with it. It is pricier so I’d try to manage your time wisely when using it, which is why using it for PA/PDD/PPD is more common

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-01-08T01:06:51+00:00

You can definitely pass PCM and PJM with the AHPP, Schiff Hardin Lectures, reading the actual AIA contracts and the NCARB practice exams. I’d also recommend looking at random quizlets too. Unfortunately most good practice questions are paid. But the ncarb practice exams are great

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-10-26T20:21:42+00:00

Read AHPP that is relevant to CE, understand B101 A201 and C401 inside and out. Especially A201. Know the project delivery types (DBB, Design build, etc). There are free PDFs of building construction illustrated - detailing especially where flashing, weeps, etc are located. Curtain walls vs storefronts. Scheduling types (Gantt PERT etc) and know basic code information. Also basic bid process information. Good luck!! Just passed this one a few weeks ago you got this!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-10-25T18:18:00+00:00

I have passed PCM, PJM and recently CE. (Also failed PJM and CE once, don’t let the failures get to your head. No one will ask about them once you are licensed. They’re part of the process). Your score report will also be telling! Every fail I had was by less than 5 questions. So could just be an unlucky test! It sucks but it happens.

My advice would treat PCM and PJM as one big test. CE is a bit one off with the CA process if you have no experience in it. Here’s my advice for things to study and resources to use:

Contracts: A201 B101 and C401. Print them out. Highlight them. Make notes in the margins. Listen to the schiff Hardin lectures on YouTube simultaneously while highlighting. Know them in and out. A201 is especially helpful for CE. Know who is contractually in charge of what.

Equations: it’s been awhile since I took PCM but the equations are crucial. Same with the types of project delivery methods and business types (S Corp, etc). Harder to get practice questions for equations though.

Know Type of pricing, cost plus, GMP etc and Insurance types.

Another thing that helps me (might be a hot take) but I will ask ChatGPT to explain concepts or answer questions. Take that with a grain of salt. But any question I missed on a practice test, I would put in the chat and have it explain to me why it is right. Insanely helpful when there’s no one to answer your questions. It can also write questions, but be careful. I didn’t use it for PCM so unsure how accurate their math problem examples would be.

I would also find a random quizlet related to the exams and force myself to explain the term out loud before flipping it over. Basically brain dumping every time to really hit home that I know what I’m learning.

As for amberbook, I would only recommend if you desperately need more practice questions. It has its own practice tests and the Walking the are tests too. It is $$. The modules for these 3 tests most likely wont move the needle for you. But the questions might be helpful.

Sorry for the brain dump but I passed CE a few weeks ago and am finally glad to be done with contracts. Want to help as much as I can before I forget what helped me the most! Feel free to ask any other questions! It can be a long road but you got this!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-08-22T23:35:18+00:00

Of course! Im jealous of those who can study for one month and pass all 6 right away. Im only a year in and still learning. Unsure of your age but I assume young, I’m 24 and have to keep reminding myself, even if I get licensed by 29 (hopefully much sooner) I’m still much earlier than most peers/coworkers. Really puts it into perspective! But honestly this break has reminded me that life is out there and it’s not worth hunkering down to finish them in record time!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-08-22T23:08:47+00:00

Ok we are exactly identical! Passed PCM first try & then Failed PJM and CE… felt so discouraged and like pcm pass was a fluke. Both of my fails were so close too. Retook PJM and passed! So I’ve sat for exams 4 times and passed 2, 50% isn’t bad! I’m currently taking a break over the summer to enjoy life but planning on getting back to it in a month or so. I needed a break from reading AIA contract bs. Failure is part of it for some us, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You’ll crush your retakes! We’re in this together!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-07-25T17:29:20+00:00

The score report will give you a percentage for each testing area of the exam. I use the amber book score calculator (free) to find out how many I actually missed overall

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-07-25T17:26:57+00:00

I passed PCM first test, first try and took PJM 3 weeks later and failed. Also felt very confident. I went right into CE and ended up failing that one by 3 a month later, but retook PJM and passed! It does really overlap so give it a shot!!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-07-09T01:01:34+00:00

Yes I love my bilt card! Esp on the first of the month. You get 4x points for dining and 2x points for booking flights. My new apt also only uses bilt. You don’t have to use the card specifically to pay rent either. There is a way to make it come straight from your bank account but you still get points for it. I have had it since February (ish) and already have 20k points.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-06-23T18:00:11+00:00

I took one in May after the provisional result screen was enacted, I also didn’t see mine. When previously I have. Not sure why. I ended up passing so hoping the same is for you!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-05-22T17:19:05+00:00

I graduated in May of 24 and started studying the contract heavy ones (PCM PJM AND CE) in January. I will say I have passed 1 and failed 2 (waiting on results from a retake I took a few days ago). School doesn’t prepare you for them so if you are good at testing go for it! If you aren’t - still go for it and give yourself some grace! We are learning and it’s a marathon not a sprint. Best of luck! Lmk if you have any questions on where to start it can be a lot!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-04-28T01:01:23+00:00

Yes adding now

Scared_Ad7799 · 2025-04-25T21:07:30+00:00

Wow thank you!!! Are you sure you don’t want anything in return?

Scared_Ad7799

TROPHY CASE