# How long to study

**URL:** <https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/how-long-to-study/3090>\
**Category:** Project Planning & Design\
**Tags:** testing-strategies\
**Created:** [May 24, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/how-long-to-study/3090 "2021-05-24T20:07:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wickene](https://blackspectacles.com/uploads/images/23.png) [@wickene](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/wickene)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/how-long-to-study/3090/1 "2021-05-24T20:07:27Z")

</div>

I was wondering how long are folks typically studying? Also, I am considering taking PPD & PDD one day apart, because of the overlap. Please let me know if anyone has comments and suggestions as I’m going to schedule my tests soon.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![coachdarionziegler](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/coachdarionziegler/32/1272_2.png) [@coachdarionziegler](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/coachdarionziegler)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/how-long-to-study/3090/2 "2021-05-24T22:13:20Z")

</div>

Hi @wickene ,

I talked about my own experience in studying for PPD & PDD in a post awhile back. This might help!

> [@What is the best order for passing PPD, PDD, PA?](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/what-is-the-best-order-for-passing-ppd-pdd-pa/2992/2):
>
> Hi @dilesj, I took PA, PPD, & PDD in that order. That made sense to me because it’s the order NCARB put them in and it follows the order of project development with PA covering topics related to schematic design, PPD covering topics related largely to design development, and PDD covering topics largely related to the construction documents phase. But, the order you take the exams is in largely personal and it’s up to you! Do what plays to your strengths! Go into the exams planning to pass! On…

In an ideal world, I think I would study for both for a month. Then spend one month on PPD only and take it. Then spend one month on PDD only and take it. This has the advantage of giving you time to absorb the overlapping material and a chance to delay your 2nd exam if something goes wrong and you need to reevaluate your study schedule.

But that’s just my testing strategy. Personally, I don’t think I could handle two exams so close to each other. If you think taking them back to back will work for you I say go for it!

Good luck!  
-Darion

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wickene](https://blackspectacles.com/uploads/images/23.png) [@wickene](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/wickene)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2021, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/how-long-to-study/3090/3 "2021-06-24T19:01:37Z")

</div>

Thank you, coach Darion!