This is just absurd and will make an already difficult test taking program harder to navigate. Simply because we've moved to virtual proctoring doesnt mean everyone has moved away from analog problem solving. There needs to be a compromise!
E
Eva Lansberry
5 years ago
I have problems with dyslexia and not able to write things down will impede my success with my exam.
B
Boyu Li
5 years ago
Personally, I think the elimination of the physical scratch paper exposes the NCARB board lacking of understanding how architects in the real world deal with problems:
1. It is unclear how the hand/brain coordination in the white board interface will be affecting interpreted and present in the new interface. The white board whether being adopted or not, should be fully tested, and challenged, not because of fairness of exam taking, but whether the tool in the interface is revolutionary in terms of training architects to be better problem solver.
2. The short notice time relating to the change will bring people discomfort regarding adopting to new tools and technology. In the remote working environment, people has to constantly try different methods to get work done. The switch could happen if this can be given a longer trial period, for example, 4 month with reduced exam fee but welcome test people giving real feedback during the exam.
We don't hate changes, but we don't like changes that has no true purpose. ARE exam is an unique exam that testing people the ability to solve problem given a large context and short amount of time. The fairness between testing at home and exam center is diluted because of the nature of ARE is not about memorizing content but problem solving. Any changes and update should prioritize such focus rather than being fair and causing inconvenient and disconnection between real practice and exam.
Thank you!
J
Joy Hannush
5 years ago
Another example of unnecessary gatekeeping--every test in the history of tests allows the test taker scratch paper--architecture is not a club, we should all have the right to become architects after all the hard work of a 5-year college architecture program and lost sleep
A
Agnieszka Jastrzebska
5 years ago
KEEP THE SCRATCH PAPER ON BITH LOCATIONS!
Require specialty shredder at on line / home location
Or require test to be taken in proctor centers WITH PAPER IN BOTH LOCATIONS
L
Lexi Fuller
5 years ago
What an unfair advantage the people before me had!
S
Scott Mizée
5 years ago
Architects need a pencil and paper to think. This test is about verifying people can be competent architects. Please don’t take away one of our essential tools.
M
Michael Richardson
5 years ago
Scratch paper was vital to my success during testing
L
Lance Jay Brown
5 years ago
On-site should allow paper.
V
Vely
5 years ago
please leave the paper and pencil at least for those of us who prefer to still go to the testing centers.
J
Jose Maese
5 years ago
Don’t make this exams more difficult that they are right now, most of us now want to change careers because of this..
S
Sandra M
5 years ago
Architects are visual problem solvers. Taking away the tools for us to think visually is absolutely against our fundamental skills. Making this change without consulting test takers is a huge slap in the face. Left handers around the nation groaned at the thought of trying to DRAW with a right handed mouse..
B
Bernard Zyscovich FAIA
5 years ago
The skills sets of an architect include much more than the ability to manipulate digital information. What distinguishes an architect from a draftsman is the ability to generate ideas and concepts not only understand building technologies and graphic design. For many people that doodle on paper is connected to rapid testing of ideas and concepts that are not precise but might be meaningful. The digital sketch for many does not encompass the communication and articulation that flows directly from the hand. We want to find the best architects not the most proficient digital sketchers because after all there is nothing more meaningful than a powerful concept. Keep ideas flowing by allowing either manual or digital sketching, because what difference does it make which tool you use. What we should care about is the quality of the result.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
In addition to using a digital board to sketch being incongruent with how most people ideate and practice, the reasoning issue by NCARB is not convincing. Was there any consulting done with experts? How is this decision backed up by research on efficient and fair test-taking? This seems like a rushed decision to make way for NCARB to proctor exams remotely.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Very absurd idea to not let us use pen and paper for long math problems!!! The worst and unfair decision!
R
Roma
5 years ago
No digital scratch paper!!!
K
kelly
5 years ago
Please allow physical paper for the visual learners and physically focused/ manual of us.
Some of us learn differently and the ability to use our hands and draw, sketch and make notes is ABSOLUTLEY WHO WE ARE.
E
Erin Kline
5 years ago
This needs to be a gradual transition. I have an exam scheduled for the 11/20 and with no warning I am forced into a test group for my final exam because of this decided change. I will also have to wait for weeks to find out if I will be an architect because they need to recalibrate scores. Gradual transition and optional transition should be the way.
I am a NCARB member.
keep our paper
This is just absurd and will make an already difficult test taking program harder to navigate. Simply because we've moved to virtual proctoring doesnt mean everyone has moved away from analog problem solving. There needs to be a compromise!
I have problems with dyslexia and not able to write things down will impede my success with my exam.
Personally, I think the elimination of the physical scratch paper exposes the NCARB board lacking of understanding how architects in the real world deal with problems: 1. It is unclear how the hand/brain coordination in the white board interface will be affecting interpreted and present in the new interface. The white board whether being adopted or not, should be fully tested, and challenged, not because of fairness of exam taking, but whether the tool in the interface is revolutionary in terms of training architects to be better problem solver. 2. The short notice time relating to the change will bring people discomfort regarding adopting to new tools and technology. In the remote working environment, people has to constantly try different methods to get work done. The switch could happen if this can be given a longer trial period, for example, 4 month with reduced exam fee but welcome test people giving real feedback during the exam. We don't hate changes, but we don't like changes that has no true purpose. ARE exam is an unique exam that testing people the ability to solve problem given a large context and short amount of time. The fairness between testing at home and exam center is diluted because of the nature of ARE is not about memorizing content but problem solving. Any changes and update should prioritize such focus rather than being fair and causing inconvenient and disconnection between real practice and exam. Thank you!
Another example of unnecessary gatekeeping--every test in the history of tests allows the test taker scratch paper--architecture is not a club, we should all have the right to become architects after all the hard work of a 5-year college architecture program and lost sleep
KEEP THE SCRATCH PAPER ON BITH LOCATIONS! Require specialty shredder at on line / home location Or require test to be taken in proctor centers WITH PAPER IN BOTH LOCATIONS
What an unfair advantage the people before me had!
Architects need a pencil and paper to think. This test is about verifying people can be competent architects. Please don’t take away one of our essential tools.
Scratch paper was vital to my success during testing
On-site should allow paper.
please leave the paper and pencil at least for those of us who prefer to still go to the testing centers.
Don’t make this exams more difficult that they are right now, most of us now want to change careers because of this..
Architects are visual problem solvers. Taking away the tools for us to think visually is absolutely against our fundamental skills. Making this change without consulting test takers is a huge slap in the face. Left handers around the nation groaned at the thought of trying to DRAW with a right handed mouse..
The skills sets of an architect include much more than the ability to manipulate digital information. What distinguishes an architect from a draftsman is the ability to generate ideas and concepts not only understand building technologies and graphic design. For many people that doodle on paper is connected to rapid testing of ideas and concepts that are not precise but might be meaningful. The digital sketch for many does not encompass the communication and articulation that flows directly from the hand. We want to find the best architects not the most proficient digital sketchers because after all there is nothing more meaningful than a powerful concept. Keep ideas flowing by allowing either manual or digital sketching, because what difference does it make which tool you use. What we should care about is the quality of the result.
In addition to using a digital board to sketch being incongruent with how most people ideate and practice, the reasoning issue by NCARB is not convincing. Was there any consulting done with experts? How is this decision backed up by research on efficient and fair test-taking? This seems like a rushed decision to make way for NCARB to proctor exams remotely.
Very absurd idea to not let us use pen and paper for long math problems!!! The worst and unfair decision!
No digital scratch paper!!!
Please allow physical paper for the visual learners and physically focused/ manual of us. Some of us learn differently and the ability to use our hands and draw, sketch and make notes is ABSOLUTLEY WHO WE ARE.
This needs to be a gradual transition. I have an exam scheduled for the 11/20 and with no warning I am forced into a test group for my final exam because of this decided change. I will also have to wait for weeks to find out if I will be an architect because they need to recalibrate scores. Gradual transition and optional transition should be the way.