NCARB finally folded and reversed their ridiculous ban on scratch paper. We forced them to admit that candidates need real tools to succeed instead of their broken digital substitutes. Stay alert because we proved exactly how much power we have when we refuse to be ignored.
December 8, 2020
Final supporters
By the potential elimination of physical scratch paper slated for November 16th, 2020, NCARB has once again shown us that there is a massive disconnect between ARE test candidate and administrator. With all of the current short comings of the exam potential architects have already faced, NCARB has failed to acknowledge the simple necessities that are essential to take an exam of this caliber.
With all the short comings we have already experienced with this exam we ask NCARB to reconsider these changes and to continue to allow scratch paper to be used for these exams. We ask NCARB to focus on solutions to the existing testing glitches, bugs, and errors instead of implementing unnecessary features like a digital scratch paper tool. Physical scratch paper is widely used throughout the professional level exams proctored at Prometric, and there are procedures already in place that ensure proper exam security is met.
NCARB, Please do better to HELP us pursue licensure, listen to your test takers, and find a better solution.
Please also head over to https://youngarchitect.com/NCARBsurvey and let NCARB see the data for themselves!
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 23, 2020
September 23, 2020
The massive surge of support proves that NCARB cannot ignore us any longer. They think they can just force these broken updates on us without a fight, but this momentum shows they are dead wrong.
Reached 100 supporters
September 23, 2020
September 20, 2020
NCARB is ignoring our struggle while they force through these ridiculous changes. We need to hit one hundred signatures right now to prove that we are not going to be silenced by their incompetence. Send this link to everyone you know and force them to pay attention.
940 Comments
architects are highly visual and tactile thinkers, processing information and problem solving through sketches, doodles, mind-maps, etc. Not having scratch paper and the ability to think graphically will induce more unnecessary stress on exam takers!!
Why not send us paper in an envelope, we can open it in front of the camera, use it during the test and then mail it BACK to NCARB afterward. This would create equal experience for all candidates and it can be regulated. Paper is vital to my testing ability.
I already struggle with time during these exams. I cannot imagine having to use my right hand to draw and write calculations with a mouse rather than using a pencil and paper (I’m left handed.) being able to write and draw for these exams is crucial.
I understand not allowing pen and paper for remote proctored exams, however I never intend to use the remote proctoring. The addition of remote proctoring does not justify taking away pen and paper from candidates at the highly secure test center.
As NCARB advisor for my institution and a registered architect and professor I find this rule absurd and punitive. There isn’t any valid point to restricting the tools architects can use to solve problems during their exams. Please reconsider immediately.
In the field of architecture, we rely on physical paper, scratching design, designing sketches, writing down formulas. This is the part of our every day routine. It is the least you can do to allow us a few sheets of scratch paper.
The exam interface is sloppy but the absolute worst part of it is the whiteboard. If no decent tool is available, then, scratch paper and pencil should be provided at testing centers following.
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NCARB finally folded and reversed their ridiculous ban on scratch paper. We forced them to admit that candidates need real tools to succeed instead of their broken digital substitutes. Stay alert because we proved exactly how much power we have when we refuse to be ignored.
December 8, 2020
Final supporters
By the potential elimination of physical scratch paper slated for November 16th, 2020, NCARB has once again shown us that there is a massive disconnect between ARE test candidate and administrator. With all of the current short comings of the exam potential architects have already faced, NCARB has failed to acknowledge the simple necessities that are essential to take an exam of this caliber.
With all the short comings we have already experienced with this exam we ask NCARB to reconsider these changes and to continue to allow scratch paper to be used for these exams. We ask NCARB to focus on solutions to the existing testing glitches, bugs, and errors instead of implementing unnecessary features like a digital scratch paper tool. Physical scratch paper is widely used throughout the professional level exams proctored at Prometric, and there are procedures already in place that ensure proper exam security is met.
NCARB, Please do better to HELP us pursue licensure, listen to your test takers, and find a better solution.
Please also head over to https://youngarchitect.com/NCARBsurvey and let NCARB see the data for themselves!
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 23, 2020
September 23, 2020
The massive surge of support proves that NCARB cannot ignore us any longer. They think they can just force these broken updates on us without a fight, but this momentum shows they are dead wrong.
Reached 100 supporters
September 23, 2020
September 20, 2020
NCARB is ignoring our struggle while they force through these ridiculous changes. We need to hit one hundred signatures right now to prove that we are not going to be silenced by their incompetence. Send this link to everyone you know and force them to pay attention.
940 Comments
I've taken 5/6 NCARB exams and almost every experience has had some sort of technical difficulty. Please focus on solutions to the existing testing glitches, bugs, and errors instead of implementing unnecessary features like a digital scratch paper tool
architects are highly visual and tactile thinkers, processing information and problem solving through sketches, doodles, mind-maps, etc. Not having scratch paper and the ability to think graphically will induce more unnecessary stress on exam takers!!
Why not send us paper in an envelope, we can open it in front of the camera, use it during the test and then mail it BACK to NCARB afterward. This would create equal experience for all candidates and it can be regulated. Paper is vital to my testing ability.
I already struggle with time during these exams. I cannot imagine having to use my right hand to draw and write calculations with a mouse rather than using a pencil and paper (I’m left handed.) being able to write and draw for these exams is crucial.
I understand not allowing pen and paper for remote proctored exams, however I never intend to use the remote proctoring. The addition of remote proctoring does not justify taking away pen and paper from candidates at the highly secure test center.
As NCARB advisor for my institution and a registered architect and professor I find this rule absurd and punitive. There isn’t any valid point to restricting the tools architects can use to solve problems during their exams. Please reconsider immediately.
In the field of architecture, we rely on physical paper, scratching design, designing sketches, writing down formulas. This is the part of our every day routine. It is the least you can do to allow us a few sheets of scratch paper.
The exam interface is sloppy but the absolute worst part of it is the whiteboard. If no decent tool is available, then, scratch paper and pencil should be provided at testing centers following.
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I've taken 5/6 NCARB exams and almost every experience has had some sort of technical difficulty. Please focus on solutions to the existing testing glitches, bugs, and errors instead of implementing unnecessary features like a digital scratch paper tool