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Podcast2021-09-01T10:56:25-07:00

5 Success Stories You Need to Read Before Your Exam

By |May 3rd, 2023|Categories: Success Stories|

It's been over 9 years since my last blog post on this website, which is crazy. But I've been cleaning up the blog in anticipation of rebooting the CSE Podcast. In going through all of the previous posts, I want to make sure everyone who's going to be taking the Exam has an opportunity to read these 5 Success Stories. They are just as relevant today as they were when they were written. They're sprinkled throughout the blog, but I wanted to create this new post with links to the 5 Success Stories so they would be easy to find. [...]

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Episode 70: Setting Goals To Pass the CSE [Podcast]

By |January 29th, 2014|Categories: Encouragement, Podcast|

You've put it off long enough! It's time to get serious and create goals to help you pass the California Supplemental Exam. Yes, You!   Podcast Episode 070. In this episode, I discuss how you can set concrete goals to pass the CSE. It's time you get motivated and take the Exam! Click to Listen Show Notes Distinguishing Between Goals and Practices/Habits Goals are milestones that you choose to achieve a desired result. Practices and habits are the tools you develop to achieve those goals A goal would be passing the CSE. A habit would be the study [...]

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Success Story: The Surest Way To Fail Is To Quit

By |October 29th, 2013|Categories: Success Stories|

"Always read the question at least twice. Several times I had to fight through the feeling that I should just hit the end button and go round again in six months. DO NOT GIVE IN. The surest way to fail is to quit." This was my fourth attempt at the exam, the first two being oral, for my third attempt I used David's publicly available materials and anything I could get my hands on I studied hard, felt well prepared, and thought I had done well. CAB decided that my test results would be thrown out due to quality assurance issues, [...]

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Success Story: Hard Work and Determination Does Indeed Pay Off

By |May 21st, 2013|Categories: Success Stories|

"What am I getting myself into?”  That’s exactly what I should have been thinking when I look back at all the hard work and setbacks it took me to get my architectural license. It was roughly eight years ago that I remember taking a trip to Hawaii and wondering what I was going to do for a career.  I was in the middle of my engineering degree at UCLA and still hadn’t decided what career direction I was going to take.  I met a wonderful lady on the flight over to Hawaii and after talking with her for a long [...]

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Episode 69: Battle Royale: The CBC vs. the CBSC [Podcast]

By |April 19th, 2013|Categories: Category IIA, Podcast|

A battle between giants! The California Building Code goes head to head with the California Building Standards Code. The fans are on their feet. Who shall prevail? Podcast Episode 069. In this episode, I put the California Building Code and the California Building Standards Code head to head in a battle royale to see who will come out as victor. I also discuss the recent website redesign, my goals for content creation, and the recent guest posts from the new series, "Success Stories." Click to Listen Battle Royale: California Building Code vs. California Building Standards Code The first round [...]

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I’m Sorry, but the Testing Center Cannot Provide You With Your Score

By |April 16th, 2013|Categories: Success Stories|

This is a new series featuring candidates' experiences with preparing for and taking the California Supplemental Exam. Another proctor came and solved the situation by inserting some codes and… I PASSED!!! I could not hold it anymore and started crying, then the proctor gave me a hug and she started to cry with me. You would think that this all started just 3 years ago, but for me it was long ago when I graduated from College. I received my degree in Architecture in March 2002. I graduated overseas in a country where the license is granted to you at [...]

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I Completely Panicked At The Beginning. I Started To Hyperventilate.

By |April 10th, 2013|Categories: Success Stories|

This is a new series featuring candidates' experiences with preparing for and taking the California Supplemental Exam. Well I completely panicked at the beginning. I couldn’t answer the first two questions at all. I started to hyperventilate. I’m originally from the UK and I’m based in Portland, Oregon where I am one of the owners of a 50-person firm that works across the Western US – thus the need to become licensed in California.  After a fair bit of procrastination I decided the only way to kick-start my CSE prep was going to be signing up for a seminar; so [...]

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My Heart Sank To My Stomach

By |April 2nd, 2013|Categories: Success Stories|

This is the first guest post in a new series featuring candidates' experiences with preparing for and taking the California Supplemental Exam. My heart sank to my stomach and shot up to my throat all in a matter of seconds.  "What?" I replied extremely confused.  "Don't worry, you passed, you're an Architect" I passed my last ARE in September of 2012 and I immediately signed up for David’s next seminar, which was the following week in the LA area.  Attending the seminar was a great investment and it helped me get past that initial shock phase of the exam material.  [...]

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Episode 68: Here’s Your Plan for 3 Days Before the Exam [Podcast]

By |March 8th, 2013|Categories: Exam Taking Strategy, Podcast|

You've spent weeks preparing, maybe even months. You're on a roll. But have you taken time to think about and plan the few days just before the Exam? Podcast Episode 068. I discuss a game plan for the 3 Days before taking your Exam and suggest what you should do each day. Day 3 is the "Not Learn Anything New Day", Day 2 is the "You Are Prepared Day", Day 1 is the "Distance" Day, and Day 0 is "Exam Day". I discuss the value of mental mindset, establishing a positive internal dialogue, building your confidence in the days leading [...]

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Episode 67: I’m 23 and I Passed the CSE! [Podcast]

By |February 15th, 2013|Categories: Encouragement, Podcast|

Passing the California Supplemental Exam is a major accomplishment. Us mere mortals require years of studying and practice before we even begin to conjure up the confidence to "sit" for the exam. But Rosannah did it at 23 years old. Wow. Podcast Episode 067. I am so proud to interview the youngest licensed architect in California, Rosannah, who recently passed the California Supplemental Exam at only 23 years old. It was even her second attempt, so she was able to squeeze in two attempts and pass at 23, simply incredible. Her story is so inspiring and motivating that this has [...]

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Episode 66: Sound Advice From an Out of State Candidate [Podcast]

By |February 2nd, 2013|Categories: Exam Taking Strategy, Podcast|

Out of state candidates often email me  with questions and concerns about feeling at a disadvantage when preparing for the Exam. Well, California is not as different as you might think. Yup, I just said that. Podcast Episode 066. I believe this feeling comes about because out of state candidates may feel they "aren't as familiar with California laws, rules, and regulations" as candidates working in California. So today, I'm very excited to share Victoria's email, an out of state candidate who recently passed the Exam. Her email is SO insightful and full of great nuggets of information including to preparing for the exam, [...]

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Episode 65: Design Professionals Lien Law, Do We Still Need To Know It? [Podcast]

By |January 8th, 2013|Categories: Category IIA, Podcast|

On July 1, 2012, the Design Professionals Lien Law was repealed in California, leaving many of us to wonder if it just disappeared altogether. Podcast Episode 065. The AIA California Council published a great article titled "Design Professional Liens: Gone But Not Forgotten" and described how the law was repealed, but for the most part, was folded into mechanics lien law. So the question is, do we still need to know it? The Design Professionals Lien Law is still on CAB's List of Reference Materials. I share my thoughts on the subject in this episode. Click to Listen Please Subscribe [...]

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