Even with a digital exam, pencil and paper are a critical part of the architectural thought process. We need visuals!
A
Armand Christopher Jr AIA
5 years ago
Architecture schools train these young people to think with pencil in hand, while sketching. The ARE Exams really must keep pace with the industry, but without sacrificing the basics that make them Architectural Interns in the first place. Please re-consider this restriction.
A
Alex F
5 years ago
Even with a digital exam, pencil and paper are a critical part of the architectural thought process. It seems to be somewhat backwards to remove the most intrinsic and equitably available tool everyone will use across the board. I understand the precautions were taken because of COVID, but the implication is that pencil and paper will be an irrelevant element in the practice of architecture. Seems like a narrow vision.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Even with improvements in digital test taking, nothing replaces the speed and comfort of using a paper and pencil to solve problem. NCARB should focus on fixing actual problems in the exams, not making them even more difficult.
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Luke Petrusic
5 years ago
Architects need something to draw on.
S
Scott
5 years ago
Why are they changing thes rules? This test is already so hard, irrational, and unfair. Why make it more so?
P
Peter Leoschke
5 years ago
The basic tool of every architect remains a writing tool and paper. I have been an architect for over 30 years. I embraced technology early in my career at SOM, but with my lap top, iPad and iPhone, nothing still replaces the ability to hand draw. The NCARB increased the complexity of taking the exam when CAD was adopted. The focus needs to be on understanding a potential architects aptitude and not to restrict them on how they express there ideas. I have yet to see a computer replace the speed and iteration of hand sketching. There is no reason to prevent people from having a note pad to sort out there thoughts as it still remains the most effective tool there is. Please resend this change.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
I just passed my final test. I can't imagine not having physical scratch paper to write on. I'm another person who uses every inch to help me think through questions.
It's already a pain dealing with everything else digital and how slow things load and not being able to use a calculator and references at the same time. But I get that those allow for more flexibility for when and where we test.
The fact that being able to test at home triggered this decision might be a sign that testing at home is not logical.
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Lorena Navarro
5 years ago
This is essential. It works better than trying to solve a problem with a calculator, for instance.
K
Kumi Wickramanayaka
5 years ago
GIVE OUR SCRATCH PAPER BACK !!
A
Anikken D Busack
5 years ago
NEED SCRATCH PAPER! PERIOD.
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Anonymous
5 years ago
Please do not remove the scratch paper as it allows us to solve problems in a timely matter.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Obviously this is a bad idea especially when NCARB exams has direct and indirect mathematical question and test the candidates ability to use algebra. In all years of education I have never practiced equations on a computer.
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Laura V Burnett
5 years ago
NCARB needs to do better to help architects become licensed, not provide unnecessary obstacles.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
This is unacceptable. We have been taught from grade school to use scratch paper to dump our thoughts and visually understand a problem. This is such a crutch, especially for a visual learner.
M
Melissa Carter
5 years ago
As a personal with a learning disability, having the ability to sketch and work through problems on a sheet of paper is invaluable. It gives me space to fully understand the problem, and confirm I have identified all the different components. I hope that NCARB can reconsiders this decision.
A
Alex Stojkovic
5 years ago
This is ridiculous
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Anonymous
5 years ago
The leadership of NCARB overlaps too much with the leadership of the software company that profits from its contract with NCARB.
CEO of NCARB - Michael J Armstrong: https://www.ncarb.org/about/management-team/michael-j-armstrong
Secretary of NCARB - Kenneth R Van Tine: https://www.ncarb.org/about/board-of-directors/kenneth-r-van-tine
CIO of NCARB - Guillermo Ortiz de Zárate: https://www.ncarb.org/about/management-team/guillermo-ortiz-de-z-rate
Board of Directors of Lineup as of August 2019, NCARB's software development subsidiary, includes Michael J Armstrong as CEO of both NCARB and Lineup, Kenneth Van Tine, and its board president is Guillermo Ortiz de Zárate (plus 2 other folks where quick search did not reveal a direct connection to NCARB) : https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lineup-appoints-board-team-300908839.html
Does this explain why the software has always been so difficult to use? Is it because NCARB won't push their provider or switch providers because the leadership of both organizations is the same? And the more candidates fail and have to repeat exams, the more in testing fees both companies make? It makes sense to have stakeholders (which should be both test takers, as well as NCARB having to administer the tests) have some kind of advisory role in the software development for these exams. But putting the same people on both boards has at least the appearance of a conflict-of-interest and needs to be dealt with.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Physical pencil and paper always test takers the option to think through the problems in the way that works best for them. A virtual tool can supplement the paper of course.
A
Aaron Codden RA
5 years ago
A digital white board will be very difficult to use. How will candidates learn this software and implement it? With a tablet or a mouse? I used three sets of scratch paper on my last exam and they were immediately taken from me the second I finished. Why is this a security issue? It doesn’t make sense.
Even with a digital exam, pencil and paper are a critical part of the architectural thought process. We need visuals!
Architecture schools train these young people to think with pencil in hand, while sketching. The ARE Exams really must keep pace with the industry, but without sacrificing the basics that make them Architectural Interns in the first place. Please re-consider this restriction.
Even with a digital exam, pencil and paper are a critical part of the architectural thought process. It seems to be somewhat backwards to remove the most intrinsic and equitably available tool everyone will use across the board. I understand the precautions were taken because of COVID, but the implication is that pencil and paper will be an irrelevant element in the practice of architecture. Seems like a narrow vision.
Even with improvements in digital test taking, nothing replaces the speed and comfort of using a paper and pencil to solve problem. NCARB should focus on fixing actual problems in the exams, not making them even more difficult.
Architects need something to draw on.
Why are they changing thes rules? This test is already so hard, irrational, and unfair. Why make it more so?
The basic tool of every architect remains a writing tool and paper. I have been an architect for over 30 years. I embraced technology early in my career at SOM, but with my lap top, iPad and iPhone, nothing still replaces the ability to hand draw. The NCARB increased the complexity of taking the exam when CAD was adopted. The focus needs to be on understanding a potential architects aptitude and not to restrict them on how they express there ideas. I have yet to see a computer replace the speed and iteration of hand sketching. There is no reason to prevent people from having a note pad to sort out there thoughts as it still remains the most effective tool there is. Please resend this change.
I just passed my final test. I can't imagine not having physical scratch paper to write on. I'm another person who uses every inch to help me think through questions. It's already a pain dealing with everything else digital and how slow things load and not being able to use a calculator and references at the same time. But I get that those allow for more flexibility for when and where we test. The fact that being able to test at home triggered this decision might be a sign that testing at home is not logical.
This is essential. It works better than trying to solve a problem with a calculator, for instance.
GIVE OUR SCRATCH PAPER BACK !!
NEED SCRATCH PAPER! PERIOD.
Please do not remove the scratch paper as it allows us to solve problems in a timely matter.
Obviously this is a bad idea especially when NCARB exams has direct and indirect mathematical question and test the candidates ability to use algebra. In all years of education I have never practiced equations on a computer.
NCARB needs to do better to help architects become licensed, not provide unnecessary obstacles.
This is unacceptable. We have been taught from grade school to use scratch paper to dump our thoughts and visually understand a problem. This is such a crutch, especially for a visual learner.
As a personal with a learning disability, having the ability to sketch and work through problems on a sheet of paper is invaluable. It gives me space to fully understand the problem, and confirm I have identified all the different components. I hope that NCARB can reconsiders this decision.
This is ridiculous
The leadership of NCARB overlaps too much with the leadership of the software company that profits from its contract with NCARB. CEO of NCARB - Michael J Armstrong: https://www.ncarb.org/about/management-team/michael-j-armstrong Secretary of NCARB - Kenneth R Van Tine: https://www.ncarb.org/about/board-of-directors/kenneth-r-van-tine CIO of NCARB - Guillermo Ortiz de Zárate: https://www.ncarb.org/about/management-team/guillermo-ortiz-de-z-rate Board of Directors of Lineup as of August 2019, NCARB's software development subsidiary, includes Michael J Armstrong as CEO of both NCARB and Lineup, Kenneth Van Tine, and its board president is Guillermo Ortiz de Zárate (plus 2 other folks where quick search did not reveal a direct connection to NCARB) : https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lineup-appoints-board-team-300908839.html Does this explain why the software has always been so difficult to use? Is it because NCARB won't push their provider or switch providers because the leadership of both organizations is the same? And the more candidates fail and have to repeat exams, the more in testing fees both companies make? It makes sense to have stakeholders (which should be both test takers, as well as NCARB having to administer the tests) have some kind of advisory role in the software development for these exams. But putting the same people on both boards has at least the appearance of a conflict-of-interest and needs to be dealt with.
Physical pencil and paper always test takers the option to think through the problems in the way that works best for them. A virtual tool can supplement the paper of course.
A digital white board will be very difficult to use. How will candidates learn this software and implement it? With a tablet or a mouse? I used three sets of scratch paper on my last exam and they were immediately taken from me the second I finished. Why is this a security issue? It doesn’t make sense.