AArticle 003: BLY’s go-to resources during the board exam
AArticle 003: BLY’s go-to resources during the board exam
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By: Ar. Billy T. Laigo, uap2024.0218
Preparing and reviewing for the board exams is no easy task emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially. With the profession's broad scope of knowledge, ideas, and experiences we have to engage with, it is always challenging to pinpoint or even guess correctly what the questions would be.
There have been a lot of, I repeat, a lot of posts circulating on social media platforms selling online reviewers that are not updated or provided with the latest answers and explanations, approved laws related to architecture that are updated with their implementing rules and regulations, or worse, you might encounter sources providing files with the wrong answers.
Aside from intimate or group review sessions and taking up review courses, it is essential as well to take your part and do some research on who can provide the best resources that can help you pass the board exam. I have encountered a lot of resources during my reviews, and here are five of my most-accessed websites and content creators during the board exam!
There have been a lot of, I repeat, a lot of posts circulating on social media platforms selling online reviewers that are not updated or provided with the latest answers and explanations, approved laws related to architecture that are updated with their implementing rules and regulations, or worse, you might encounter sources providing files with the wrong answers.
Aside from intimate or group review sessions and taking up review courses, it is essential as well to take your part and do some research on who can provide the best resources that can help you pass the board exam. I have encountered a lot of resources during my reviews, and here are five of my most-accessed websites and content creators during the board exam!
1.Raison John Bassig
1.Raison John Bassig
(Youtube: @RaisonJohnBassig)
R.A.I.S.O.N. - His usual introduction in his videos shows an expanded meaning and abbreviation detail of his name - Radically Artistic Individual in a Strangely Opinionated Neighborhood. He is a Licensed Architect (2006 Board 1st Place), Plumbing Engineer (2007 Board 10th Place), and Environmental Planner (2008 Board 4th Place) in the Philippines
My usual go-to topics were the Methods of Compensation and the review on Rule 7 & 8, which is essential for the 2nd day of the board exam. I really found his contents very informative, and easy to understand, as he explains clearly all the topics well, including how to analyze and breakdown the questions to extract important details and clues, and how answers were derived from the solutions, PLUS watching how he writes the solutions in varying colors is so much fun to watch!
2. Moira Mercado
2. Moira Mercado
(Youtube: @MoiraMercado)
She is a graduate of The University of the Philippines - Diliman and an architect who passed the board exam last June 2022. She is a content creator who has diligently documented her preparations and review journey for the board exams, which has been helpful for me as a guide in preparing! A plus is all her educational content for students as well!
She is a very relatable professional to every aspiring architect out there. She confidently shares all the journeys in her life - from her thesis preparation, passing, and graduation, up to her personal struggles, and her preparations and road to passing the Licensure Exam for Architects.
3. The Pritzker Architecture
3. The Pritzker Architecture
(Website: https://www.pritzkerprize.com/)
Architects who won the prestigious Pritzker Prize Award have always been a usual part of the exam questions - whether it is the laureate’s dictum or notable work, or just their name. Mark and make yourself familiar with all of them, as a few items about them will appear on the exam for sure!
Several familiar names appeared on our exams last January 2024. Richard Rogers, Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, Frank Gehry, Robert Venturi, and Richard Meier are a few of the awardees who appeared.
Japanese Architects awarded with this prestigious recognition are also considered to have possibilities to be on the exam as it was part of the questions used for the board exam the past few years.
4. Planning and Designers Handbook
4. Planning and Designers Handbook
(Second Edition, by Max Fajardo Jr.)
Obviously, this small but terrible book by Max Fajardo made wonders in my review! It has been my companion throughout my study, as it is filled with so much information related to the standards in design, clearances, and dimensions of details and spaces required in Architectural Design - which is basically crucial knowledge to suit you up for the second day of the licensure exam.
Just make sure you can read and check on the topics commonly appearing on the exam: clearances of furniture to walls and users, standard and/or typical dimensions of furniture, especially tables and beds, the minimum and maximum height of users, standard parking dimensions, and believe it or not, dimensions of sports facilities are also considered for review in the exam.
5. A Coffee Talk with Maestro
5. A Coffee Talk with Maestro
(Youtube: @maestro_coffeetalk)
Your Alternative Online Coach and Learning Academy in Building Laws and Architecture
The Principal Architect of A.A. Fernandez & Partners is engaged in the practice in the field of Architecture, specializing in the design of different modes of alternative dispute resolution such as Construction Contracts and Claims Management, Commercial Arbitration, Mediation, and Construction Arbitration.
He completed his Bachelor of Law degree and is now a Juris Doctor at Philippine Law School in 2018. He completed his academic accreditation in Commercial Arbitration at the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. (PDRCI) in 2016 and Construction Arbitration at the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC) in 2019. He has further advanced his studies in Project and Contracts Management in Dubai, UAE, and at the University of the Philippines Diliman National Engineering Center. He is also an author and a Construction Arbitrator and Contracts Management practitioner.
With all this experience and knowledge, his content has been very comprehensive and a good guide not just for aspiring architects but also for all professionals related to our industry and even for architects. The topics that are discussed are also very helpful to the public as well - he explains meticulously all the information relating to construction, liabilities of professionals, permit application, billings, and other related topics. Maestro is a great mentor online (what more with being able to work with him personally?).
The real go-to source to prepare for the exam
With this generation of technology where all information is accessible, it's still wonderful to see professionals in our industry willingly sharing their humble intelligence derived from experiences, along with their integrity as public servants who contribute to building a better community, and their commitment to professional improvement.
The ultimate source for successfully accomplishing and passing the board exam is YOU - your preparations, knowledge, experiences, intuitions, manifestations, health, and prayers. It takes a great deal of courage to face the board exam, inevitably filled with doubt and fear. However, at the end of the day, we can never truly gauge our readiness unless we take that step forward, prepare, and attempt the exam. Regardless of the results, it will always be a personal victory.
I hope that these five resources may aid you in being more prepared on your exam journey! Good luck!
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