This is ridiculous, it creates a limitation that we have been trained to use as a communication tool. Not only to our clients but a tool for ourselves. Is NCARB even being ran by architects anymore or by individuals who are making this program into a money making scheme for themselves?
K
Keming Luo
5 years ago
We need scratch paper!
A
Alex Grande
5 years ago
I like maximizing the use of the computer to reduce paper and stay digital, BUT this is simply not conducive for test taking in the time frame given for these exams as well as with the equipment available.
Averaging shy of 2 minutes per question, it's so much of a time saver to be able to write something out with the freedom of your hand rather than fighting with a mouse cursor. In order to accomplish this task digitally, Prometric would need to provide a second monitor and a stylus with digital pad.
I'd imagine Prometric is not set up for this currently, and it's a conversation needed to be had between Prometric and NCARB before implementing this change. Very similar struggle at work with remarking PDFs. Unless you have the equipment to make this task identical to writing on physical paper then don't burden test takers already under a lot of stress.
C
Caitlin Kessler
5 years ago
Please consider how much stress and anxiety test takers are already placed under! We need to ability to scratch out quick math and notes! We utilize paper all the time in a professional setting, how is taking away this necessary tool appropriate? Please reconsider this change!!
S
Sandra Mott
5 years ago
As a visual learner, during testing I rely heavily on the sketch paper to map out a problem and my thought process. Attempting to sketch on a digital white board will be incredibly cumbersome and time consuming. I can barely sign my name using a mouse, let alone sketch out a problem solution. This decision should be reevaluated ASAP.
L
Laura Minsal
5 years ago
During my PDD 5.0 my computer froze THREE times because of 5.0 needed to be connected to the internet. The prometric lady said its the ONLY exam that requires internet. Yes they need to focus on fixing all the internet glitches, and how slow the references scroll thru. And they need to MINIMIZE the resources they use to make questions. tooo many resources to study from, its out of control. Theres way many other problems they need to fix from inside before introducing more problems and stresses in the middle of a Pandemic!!!!
E
Elizabeth Seidel
5 years ago
How is this even marginally appropriate? Why are you creating MORE stress and anxiety along the path? You can do better.
M
Melody Hamlin
5 years ago
NCARB, Please do better to HELP us pursue licensure, listen to your test takers, and find a better solution.
B
Brittany Nargi
5 years ago
The digital tools that NCARB currently implements do not work. With excessive loading and lag issues on timed exams, candidates already face limitations to successfully interacting with the exam content and materials while navigating the platform being offered in the ARE 5.0 digital environment. The addition of another, likely faulty, digital tool will only further compromise a candidate's abilities to focus on what should matter - the content of the test, not mastery of toggling between non-responsive tools in a timed and stressful setting.
Further, the tradition of drawing and sketching as a design problem solving tool should be freely available to candidates sitting for the exam, as many practicing architects continue to use this fundamental skill in combination with digital tools today. NCARB’s current practices already make licensure feel like a ploy for exam fees driven by limited exam guidance and resources. The initiative to move to digital scratch paper continues to demonstrate NCARB’s inability to proactively respond to needs of exam candidates and is a disservice to passionate individuals who have more to offer the profession than the ability to navigate overly complicated platforms.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
I cannot stop thinking about how we can do any math without scratch paper!!! This decision doesn’t make any sense. Please reconsider, how did you do your math?!
A
Adriana Santana
5 years ago
Please keep scratch paper available to candidates taking the test. Some of us are very visual and writing things down, or sketching a response is critical to how our brains work. I say it from experience, the ability to sketch and write during the exam is crucial. Please do not add stress to the test, it is stressful enough.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Scratch paper is the way to go! It’s nice to be able to write down calculations or information tidbits when working through the test. Not everything needs to be digitized!
T
Teresa Forsberg
5 years ago
Please do not eliminate physical scratch paper! There are too many changes taking place this year on this exam. What people need is consistency, especially during such a stressful and uncertain time. It has been SUCH a stressful year already on ARE candidates with exam rescheduling, mask-wearing and NCARB's updates to the exam booklets alone. PLEASE KEEP PHYSICAL SCRATCH PAPER. It is critical to the architectural thought process and much quicker and more intuitive than using an online tool. There are already plenty of time-consuming online issues with this exam as it is ("loading" of reference documents to name just one).
S
Sara Chodkowski
5 years ago
There has to be a better way, what about sending a sealed scratch paper that we open the day of the test?
A
Abhishek Bodkay
5 years ago
Also the calculator should indicate which symbol was selected. Like if I hit '+' that should show up on the display. This will help not second guessing if the selection was made.
K
Kathleen Kennedy
5 years ago
physical scratch paper is essential in referencing and using on the exam. Please do NOT take that away.
B
Bundharic Taout
5 years ago
Being able to physically write notes during exam will assist in the quicker thought process. Making a drastic change in the way exams are taken should not be taken lightly and require months of preparation and trial testing to ensure/guarantee efficiency of this method. Candidates should not become "guinea pigs" for the method...losing money and time, while NCARB continues to tweak the system due to unforeseen results.
F
Francisco
5 years ago
Scratch paper is a necessary tool for exams. people work faster with it than digital sketch.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Please listen to those taking the exam. There has to be another way to solve the issue at hand.
DONT
This is ridiculous, it creates a limitation that we have been trained to use as a communication tool. Not only to our clients but a tool for ourselves. Is NCARB even being ran by architects anymore or by individuals who are making this program into a money making scheme for themselves?
We need scratch paper!
I like maximizing the use of the computer to reduce paper and stay digital, BUT this is simply not conducive for test taking in the time frame given for these exams as well as with the equipment available. Averaging shy of 2 minutes per question, it's so much of a time saver to be able to write something out with the freedom of your hand rather than fighting with a mouse cursor. In order to accomplish this task digitally, Prometric would need to provide a second monitor and a stylus with digital pad. I'd imagine Prometric is not set up for this currently, and it's a conversation needed to be had between Prometric and NCARB before implementing this change. Very similar struggle at work with remarking PDFs. Unless you have the equipment to make this task identical to writing on physical paper then don't burden test takers already under a lot of stress.
Please consider how much stress and anxiety test takers are already placed under! We need to ability to scratch out quick math and notes! We utilize paper all the time in a professional setting, how is taking away this necessary tool appropriate? Please reconsider this change!!
As a visual learner, during testing I rely heavily on the sketch paper to map out a problem and my thought process. Attempting to sketch on a digital white board will be incredibly cumbersome and time consuming. I can barely sign my name using a mouse, let alone sketch out a problem solution. This decision should be reevaluated ASAP.
During my PDD 5.0 my computer froze THREE times because of 5.0 needed to be connected to the internet. The prometric lady said its the ONLY exam that requires internet. Yes they need to focus on fixing all the internet glitches, and how slow the references scroll thru. And they need to MINIMIZE the resources they use to make questions. tooo many resources to study from, its out of control. Theres way many other problems they need to fix from inside before introducing more problems and stresses in the middle of a Pandemic!!!!
How is this even marginally appropriate? Why are you creating MORE stress and anxiety along the path? You can do better.
NCARB, Please do better to HELP us pursue licensure, listen to your test takers, and find a better solution.
The digital tools that NCARB currently implements do not work. With excessive loading and lag issues on timed exams, candidates already face limitations to successfully interacting with the exam content and materials while navigating the platform being offered in the ARE 5.0 digital environment. The addition of another, likely faulty, digital tool will only further compromise a candidate's abilities to focus on what should matter - the content of the test, not mastery of toggling between non-responsive tools in a timed and stressful setting. Further, the tradition of drawing and sketching as a design problem solving tool should be freely available to candidates sitting for the exam, as many practicing architects continue to use this fundamental skill in combination with digital tools today. NCARB’s current practices already make licensure feel like a ploy for exam fees driven by limited exam guidance and resources. The initiative to move to digital scratch paper continues to demonstrate NCARB’s inability to proactively respond to needs of exam candidates and is a disservice to passionate individuals who have more to offer the profession than the ability to navigate overly complicated platforms.
I cannot stop thinking about how we can do any math without scratch paper!!! This decision doesn’t make any sense. Please reconsider, how did you do your math?!
Please keep scratch paper available to candidates taking the test. Some of us are very visual and writing things down, or sketching a response is critical to how our brains work. I say it from experience, the ability to sketch and write during the exam is crucial. Please do not add stress to the test, it is stressful enough.
Scratch paper is the way to go! It’s nice to be able to write down calculations or information tidbits when working through the test. Not everything needs to be digitized!
Please do not eliminate physical scratch paper! There are too many changes taking place this year on this exam. What people need is consistency, especially during such a stressful and uncertain time. It has been SUCH a stressful year already on ARE candidates with exam rescheduling, mask-wearing and NCARB's updates to the exam booklets alone. PLEASE KEEP PHYSICAL SCRATCH PAPER. It is critical to the architectural thought process and much quicker and more intuitive than using an online tool. There are already plenty of time-consuming online issues with this exam as it is ("loading" of reference documents to name just one).
There has to be a better way, what about sending a sealed scratch paper that we open the day of the test?
Also the calculator should indicate which symbol was selected. Like if I hit '+' that should show up on the display. This will help not second guessing if the selection was made.
physical scratch paper is essential in referencing and using on the exam. Please do NOT take that away.
Being able to physically write notes during exam will assist in the quicker thought process. Making a drastic change in the way exams are taken should not be taken lightly and require months of preparation and trial testing to ensure/guarantee efficiency of this method. Candidates should not become "guinea pigs" for the method...losing money and time, while NCARB continues to tweak the system due to unforeseen results.
Scratch paper is a necessary tool for exams. people work faster with it than digital sketch.
Please listen to those taking the exam. There has to be another way to solve the issue at hand.