The elimination of scratch paper does not reflect the way the architectural industry functions at large by eliminating the most basic tool architects have. This is ridiculous and further demonstrates NCARB unwillingness to aid applicants in their licensure path.
K
Karen Desing
5 years ago
Resolve the existing computer issues BEFORE you introduce this additional barrier to completing the exam in an efficient manner. And, before you think of taking away the scratch paper, ask if this really mimics the "real world" we work in. I did not ask for the remote testing so I do not feel I should be penalized for staying at a testing site.
E
eloisa mcgill
5 years ago
not having scratch paper is ridiculous - the online white board is just another glitch set to make everything crash
C
Celina Nelson
5 years ago
I like to show my work to make sure I don't miss a step in any math problems.
L
Laura Ramirez
5 years ago
How are we supposed to do calculations without paper? are they just trying to make the test harder so we fail more? and they can get more money? or is it just cluelessness ?
R
Rachl Plessing
5 years ago
Considering the nature of other tools on the test, I have no confidence that with the current technology and interface constraints of the testing software that a digital scratch paper will be a beneficial tool. It is more likely it will impair test-takers' ability to work through problems in a timely and convenient manner.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
I understand that NCARD made this decision in an attempt to make the at-home testing secure. I think that they can come up with a better/more creative solution. Architects are problem solvers and one of our primary tools is pen and paper. Taking this away is a disservice to test takers. The online exams are already finicky. An online "scratch pad" is not a realistic substitution to a physical scratch pad. This exam is rapidly becoming a test on who can withstand poor technology and not of actual architectural knowledge.
P
puyang hou
5 years ago
As a professional trained with pen and sketch, taking away physical paper is not acceptable. Vertical sketching is not as same as parallel reading ( on screen)
D
Davina Bittner
5 years ago
Have you tested the white board as extensively as it should be? or is this going to be another "oops" sort of technology? Seems a distraction technique, how about fixing the inherent issues instead of creating new ones?
K
Khris Kirk
5 years ago
Taking away scratch paper just to make the online exam and the proctored exam does not make these two exam settings the same. It causes undo stress and will make the limited time give to the test taker even shorter. Not only that but there are already issues with the program used for the exams. Taking away the paper and adding another feature to the exam will bog the exam down even more. We as architects us paper all the time and so do my other professional licensing exams. Please don't take away something that is essential to people when taking exams.
B
Brent Castro
5 years ago
Getting rid of the scratch paper is a horrible idea. We are designers, not robots. I never have any time to finish. People who have already taken the exam will have had an advantage.
C
Chris Simms
5 years ago
time is short, now you want us to open another program and flip from test to digital scratch paper and back. Another road of glitches to travel
A
ANDRES ALVAREZ
5 years ago
I propose that each NCARB board memeber sit down on a testing center and try to pass these exams without scratch paper before asking us to do it.
J
Jennifer Meng
5 years ago
Please do not get rid of scratch paper. There must be another solution. Do not rush to make these changes before November 2020.
K
Katelyn Camillucci
5 years ago
PLEASE LET US KEEP PHYSICAL SCRATCH PAPER - THE ONLY THING THAT CALMS MY NERVES AND HELPS GET ME THROUGH THESE HORRENDOUS EXAMS!
B
Brock Traffas
5 years ago
Candidate for licensure. Have passed 3/6 exams and have needed every square inch of scratch paper and every minute given. Digitizing scratch paper adds an unnecessary burden and will result in not having appropriate time to finish the exam. What other professional registration exam disallows scratch paper? My guess would be none. Retract this decision.
H
Hannah Breidenbaugh
5 years ago
The exam questions need serious reevaluation if there is no paper. Several involve thinking through visually while simultaneously taking information from the question. If this change is truly required it needs to be pushed to a later date. If nothing else trial period test-takers deserve compensation. I do not pay $250 per exam to be a guinea pig.
K
Kaylee Cofer
5 years ago
I am already retaking two tests where I ran out of time on the first try. Now I have to try to do this without scratch paper?!
NCARB should have made it clear the tradeoffs we would suffer if they made at-home testing available. I have not heard of anyone who thinks this is a fair solution.
If NCARB insists this is the way to go, they should at least provide extra time and/or free retakes, like they did when first transitioning to ARE 5.0.
M
Mia Balzano
5 years ago
Every tool on this exam already glitches. We should not create yet another time consuming tool for this exam. This does not emulate an architect's day-to-day practice.
I
Ileana
5 years ago
The use of a digital white board is yet another time consuming tool to learn in an already clunky interface and platform. Please reconsider allowing scratch paper during exam. It's essential.
The elimination of scratch paper does not reflect the way the architectural industry functions at large by eliminating the most basic tool architects have. This is ridiculous and further demonstrates NCARB unwillingness to aid applicants in their licensure path.
Resolve the existing computer issues BEFORE you introduce this additional barrier to completing the exam in an efficient manner. And, before you think of taking away the scratch paper, ask if this really mimics the "real world" we work in. I did not ask for the remote testing so I do not feel I should be penalized for staying at a testing site.
not having scratch paper is ridiculous - the online white board is just another glitch set to make everything crash
I like to show my work to make sure I don't miss a step in any math problems.
How are we supposed to do calculations without paper? are they just trying to make the test harder so we fail more? and they can get more money? or is it just cluelessness ?
Considering the nature of other tools on the test, I have no confidence that with the current technology and interface constraints of the testing software that a digital scratch paper will be a beneficial tool. It is more likely it will impair test-takers' ability to work through problems in a timely and convenient manner.
I understand that NCARD made this decision in an attempt to make the at-home testing secure. I think that they can come up with a better/more creative solution. Architects are problem solvers and one of our primary tools is pen and paper. Taking this away is a disservice to test takers. The online exams are already finicky. An online "scratch pad" is not a realistic substitution to a physical scratch pad. This exam is rapidly becoming a test on who can withstand poor technology and not of actual architectural knowledge.
As a professional trained with pen and sketch, taking away physical paper is not acceptable. Vertical sketching is not as same as parallel reading ( on screen)
Have you tested the white board as extensively as it should be? or is this going to be another "oops" sort of technology? Seems a distraction technique, how about fixing the inherent issues instead of creating new ones?
Taking away scratch paper just to make the online exam and the proctored exam does not make these two exam settings the same. It causes undo stress and will make the limited time give to the test taker even shorter. Not only that but there are already issues with the program used for the exams. Taking away the paper and adding another feature to the exam will bog the exam down even more. We as architects us paper all the time and so do my other professional licensing exams. Please don't take away something that is essential to people when taking exams.
Getting rid of the scratch paper is a horrible idea. We are designers, not robots. I never have any time to finish. People who have already taken the exam will have had an advantage.
time is short, now you want us to open another program and flip from test to digital scratch paper and back. Another road of glitches to travel
I propose that each NCARB board memeber sit down on a testing center and try to pass these exams without scratch paper before asking us to do it.
Please do not get rid of scratch paper. There must be another solution. Do not rush to make these changes before November 2020.
PLEASE LET US KEEP PHYSICAL SCRATCH PAPER - THE ONLY THING THAT CALMS MY NERVES AND HELPS GET ME THROUGH THESE HORRENDOUS EXAMS!
Candidate for licensure. Have passed 3/6 exams and have needed every square inch of scratch paper and every minute given. Digitizing scratch paper adds an unnecessary burden and will result in not having appropriate time to finish the exam. What other professional registration exam disallows scratch paper? My guess would be none. Retract this decision.
The exam questions need serious reevaluation if there is no paper. Several involve thinking through visually while simultaneously taking information from the question. If this change is truly required it needs to be pushed to a later date. If nothing else trial period test-takers deserve compensation. I do not pay $250 per exam to be a guinea pig.
I am already retaking two tests where I ran out of time on the first try. Now I have to try to do this without scratch paper?! NCARB should have made it clear the tradeoffs we would suffer if they made at-home testing available. I have not heard of anyone who thinks this is a fair solution. If NCARB insists this is the way to go, they should at least provide extra time and/or free retakes, like they did when first transitioning to ARE 5.0.
Every tool on this exam already glitches. We should not create yet another time consuming tool for this exam. This does not emulate an architect's day-to-day practice.
The use of a digital white board is yet another time consuming tool to learn in an already clunky interface and platform. Please reconsider allowing scratch paper during exam. It's essential.