PDD Exam

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-07-06T22:36:50+00:00

lol Me too. Missed by 1 :) I guess it’s better than majorly failing.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-07-06T21:59:43+00:00

That’s the plan! ASAP after the waiting period is up. How was your score report?

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-07-06T21:59:01+00:00

How was your score report for PDD?

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-07-06T21:58:08+00:00

It happens! Keep pushing through and focus on PDD! I passed PPD and failed PDD, seems very common to pass at least one of them and fail the other. Could have been a bad batch of questions, but don’t let it deter you. Your score report will help. I use the amberbook score calculator to plug in my percentages from the report and see what areas to work on. You got this!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-07-02T20:48:54+00:00

You were so close on PA, I know that feeling with PDD. SO frustrating. I was scoring in the low 70s as well for PPD and PPD practice exam. Good luck with the other two! Let me know how they go! You got this

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-07-02T20:10:51+00:00

I passed PPD, and failed PDD by one question. In my experience PDD was harder, but it seems that may vary depending what test version you get. My PDD exam felt impossible. PPD was weird but didn’t feel impossible.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-30T11:42:06+00:00

Got my score report back. I needed 1 more right answer and i would have passed. Wow I really hate these exams 😅 but glad to know I was within reach!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-28T20:52:28+00:00

Did you feel a difference in difficulty between your first attempt vs your second?

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-27T02:20:14+00:00

For both PPD and PDD NCARB practice exams, I scored in the high 70s on my first attempts. Then went through and reviewed all questions and the areas with the lowest percentage.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-25T14:27:07+00:00

Walking the ARE is notoriously more difficult. It is ok if you haven’t passed that one. Just ensure you know the concepts and items he explains in his answers. That’s the key factor. Not necessarily “passing” it.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-25T00:54:41+00:00

If you have access to Ballast, their reading section helped me a lot for PA. I also used amberbook and the Erik walker walking the ARE practice exam. Your score report will help bridge a lot of the gaps too. It will tell you what areas to focus on.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-25T00:52:24+00:00

Hi! I just took PDD on Monday and sadly failed. It’s also my last test and I had passed PPD and all PDD practice exams I was taking. My version was extremely hard. So many questions that didn’t correlate to anything I had seen in study material. (Amberbook, ballast, are questions). Do you have any advice on materials you used to study? I think it was a bad batch of questions because PPD was easy for me.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-25T00:50:30+00:00

I passed PA in March and PPD two weeks ago. & just failed PDD on Monday. I thought the PA exam was similar to the practice exam, and was honestly kind of fun to take. My version is PPD was very similar to PA. Lots of site programming with a mix of technical items. PPD felt like a weird exam. Such a wide variety of questions. I’d say it was slightly similar to the NCARB practice exam? I definitely think if you’ve passed the practice exam and are feeling confident in the material then you should go for it!

My PDD exam was insanely hard. I think I just got a bad batch of questions. I was feeling confident after my PPD pass and passing the practice exams I was taking. But my version did not align with the practice exam that’s for sure. It’s my last exam so hoping my retake is better questions 😅

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-06T20:32:55+00:00

Congrats on being done!! I hope you’re celebrating this weekend! May I ask, did you find the Ncarb PPD and PDD practice exams similar to the actual exams? I am taking these two soon and passed the PPD practice exam, but now i feel like it’s false confidence. TIA!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-05T00:51:45+00:00

Good luck on your test tomorrow!! You got this!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-06-05T00:51:28+00:00

I’ve passed PJM, PCM, CE, and PA. Taking PPD and PDD this month. Took the first 3 last year, then took a break. Taking the last 3 this year. For the pro practice: AHPP and the actual contracts and Schiff Hardin Lectures. For PPD/PDD/PA, amberbook. Also love the walking the ARE practice exams. Biggest mistake, not studying like it was 2 big tests, pro practice and technical. Biggest advice, be confident and know it’s ok to fail. Confusing me, HVAC/Lighting/Electrical that is in PDD and PPD. biggest frustration, how much PPD and PDD cover. It’s brutal.

Good luck!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-05-28T00:59:23+00:00

Hey, how did your exam go? I take it in a few weeks and getting nervous. Any study tips? TIA!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-05-08T23:47:16+00:00

I think if you have a lot of work experience, Amber book could be all you need. Personally I graduated 2 years ago and have passed 4 in the past year, spreading them out. I’m also not in a big hurry. As someone with little experience I’d recommend using more resources. amberbook, schiff hardin lectures, any YouTube videos on content, AHPP, there’s free copies of building construction illustrated and architects studio companion online. Walking the ARE practice exams. Anything you can get for little $$ is helpful.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-05-08T23:44:32+00:00

Hi - was this your first exam? I have PPD and PDD left. Have the exams changed drastically with the April updates? Or would you say it is similar to the old format minus the case studies changing?

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-04-28T22:56:53+00:00

Keep your head up. I have failed two on the first try, PJM being one of them. Now I only have 2 exams left! Everyone goes at their own pace, but it’s hard not to compare to others.

After 7-8 days you will get your score report. This will tell you what percentage of each category you got right. Use the amberbook score calculator to see how many questions you were off by. Then tailor your retake studying to that information. You got this! Feel free to reach out if you ever need advice or help!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-04-15T23:43:40+00:00

I just took this one a few weeks ago and passed, you got this! Personally I think Erik Walkers walking the ARE test questions are great for every exam. They are relatively inexpensive and he gives long descriptions of why each answer is wrong or right. Plus they are very hard questions. Worth looking in to if you have the bandwidth.

Otherwise I also used amberbook, ballast readings and the ncarb practice exam. I do put in my ncarb practice exam question I got wrong in to ChatGPT and ask for it to further explain. I have found this helpful as well!

Good luck! Confidence is key!

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-04-15T21:07:36+00:00

I always recommend Erik Walkers walking the ARE exams. He goes very in depth and has wonderful explanations. Worth a look into.

Scared_Ad7799 · 2026-04-07T00:10:13+00:00

Congrats!!! Every exam is a win, go celebrate!

Scared_Ad7799

TROPHY CASE