Forwarded to Design-L by Howard
===============================
J&L Miranda wrote:
>
> There was an earlier post regarding studying for the A.R.E. which
> re-opened my own thoughts about the changes to the design portion of the
> licensing exam. I've read about how the vignette approach (rather than
> the continous program-to-design approach) is supposed to continue
> weeding out unqualified applicants but still allow for a candidate to
> pass when a minor mistake in one of the vignette categories
> (programming, schematic layout, life safety, etc. -- whatever) would
> have formerly carried through and nullified the whole design portion of
> the exam.
>
> I'm a little confused. If I didn't know that developing this portion
> took a lot of effort, I'd almost swear that this was being done to ditch
> the hands-on grading, therefore making the exam easier to grade, and
> maybe even cheaper (although, I can't imagine that would ever be
> reflected in the exam cost). I guess maybe 5% of my misgivings are due
> to the "I SUFFERED, THEREFORE, SO SHOULD EVERYONE ELSE" attitude, but
> that still leaves a lot of open area.
>
> Is it just me? Isn't being able to quickly analyze and carry through a
> design to the advanced schematic stage one of the basic skills of an
> architect? I know how frustrated I get when passed down a fistful of
> sketches to develop only to discover that a few key relationships (HVAC,
> proper floor relationships, materials, etc.) were not taken into
> consideration, prompting considerable re-design before design
> development. In real life, I don't get to isolate portions of the
> design process -- the whole thing is fluid and VERY connected. No one
> who has done this any length of time could ever promise perfection at
> the design stage, but the greater understanding of basic structural,
> mechanical and other architectural inter-relationships is certainly key
> to a smoother project.
>
> Besides, shouldn't everyone be subjected to the intimidation of a
> handful of fellow test-takers STIPPLING only one hour into a 12-hour
> exam? [What WERE they up to???]
>
> I'd like to hear other opinions on this subject -- especially those
> taking the new test, and their thoughts on it.
===============================
J&L Miranda wrote:
>
> There was an earlier post regarding studying for the A.R.E. which
> re-opened my own thoughts about the changes to the design portion of the
> licensing exam. I've read about how the vignette approach (rather than
> the continous program-to-design approach) is supposed to continue
> weeding out unqualified applicants but still allow for a candidate to
> pass when a minor mistake in one of the vignette categories
> (programming, schematic layout, life safety, etc. -- whatever) would
> have formerly carried through and nullified the whole design portion of
> the exam.
>
> I'm a little confused. If I didn't know that developing this portion
> took a lot of effort, I'd almost swear that this was being done to ditch
> the hands-on grading, therefore making the exam easier to grade, and
> maybe even cheaper (although, I can't imagine that would ever be
> reflected in the exam cost). I guess maybe 5% of my misgivings are due
> to the "I SUFFERED, THEREFORE, SO SHOULD EVERYONE ELSE" attitude, but
> that still leaves a lot of open area.
>
> Is it just me? Isn't being able to quickly analyze and carry through a
> design to the advanced schematic stage one of the basic skills of an
> architect? I know how frustrated I get when passed down a fistful of
> sketches to develop only to discover that a few key relationships (HVAC,
> proper floor relationships, materials, etc.) were not taken into
> consideration, prompting considerable re-design before design
> development. In real life, I don't get to isolate portions of the
> design process -- the whole thing is fluid and VERY connected. No one
> who has done this any length of time could ever promise perfection at
> the design stage, but the greater understanding of basic structural,
> mechanical and other architectural inter-relationships is certainly key
> to a smoother project.
>
> Besides, shouldn't everyone be subjected to the intimidation of a
> handful of fellow test-takers STIPPLING only one hour into a 12-hour
> exam? [What WERE they up to???]
>
> I'd like to hear other opinions on this subject -- especially those
> taking the new test, and their thoughts on it.