I recently failed my project management test, despite completing all the assigned tasks and taking the practice tests more than once. I was quite surprised to encounter questions that didn’t seem to be covered in the materials. I’m trying to reflect on what went wrong and would appreciate any advice on how I can better prepare for the next attempt.
1 Like
@CChris I am struggling with this too. No matter how much I study, I always seem to be confronted with a new question that comes out of left field with no connection to the study material. It is for this reason that I cannot bring myself to take this exam.
@CChris I apologize for my very delayed response - I am so sorry to hear about your PjM exam! I know you might feel discouraged, but rest assured that you are not alone. These exams are extremely challenging and it is super common to have a miss (or multiple) along the way, even after studying in depth.
We do offer free one-time ARE Consultations with a licensed architect to any member who has not passed an exam, to discuss exam results and develop strategies for the retake. If you’d like to pursue this opportunity, be sure to report your exam result on your dashboard. Within a few days, you’ll receive an email inviting you to complete a Pre-Consultation Survey and upon completion, you’ll be able to select a 30-minute meeting with one of our consultants.
If you encounter any issues during this process, please reach out to me at kiaragalicinao@blackspectacles.com.
Best,
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Product Coordinator
Black Spectacles
@Citrillion I know exactly how you feel, as do many others who are (or have been) in your shoes! Remember that you don’t need to score 100% (or anywhere near that) in order to pass the exam. You just need to score somewhere between 58-71% of scored items correctly, depending on the division.
If you’re using the Black Spectacles study materials, you have all that you need to pass! You don’t need to be an expert in every single topic on the exam - you just need to understand the key concepts and be able to apply them to the ARE format and scenarios presented.
Check out these ARE Live episodes we did earlier this year, as there are some great tips for studying and taking the exam:
It’s always hard to rip the band-aid off, but once you get that first exam under your belt, you will be in a much better place (regardless of the outcome). You’ll see what the exam is like and know what to expect for future exams.
You’re going to do great. I believe in you!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Product Coordinator
Black Spectacles