Transition time...

... Less prep, more nature. It's officially the ONE WEEK mark! 

{ Part 1: Butterflies and Swimming }

I've found a calming way to nearly eliminate my test anxiety and after practicing it for about 3 weeks, I can confidently say it has healed me! Remember what I said in this post about test anxiety being a habit? Well, to break a bad habit, we must replace it with a good one. Can't quite shake it completely? Begin by following a negative feeling with a positive thought. 

I've been getting random bouts of butterflies in my stomach (nerves, anxiety, surges of bad energy). I thought back to my days as a competitive swimmer. I got butterflies before every race and they were GOOD butterflies. And another thing? Whether I won or not, I would kick some serious booty and usually improve my time. Silly worry. 

Every time I get butterflies, I think of my swim meets. And the memory makes me smile. I find these butterflies to be a surge of strength and happiness now instead of doubt and fear. 

{ Part 2: Swimming and Test Prep }

Because my connection to swimming helped so much with my test anxiety, I've adapted my test prep plan to mimic my pre-championship meet training schedule (which always yielded best times and great swims!). 

Before a big meet, we'd train hard for months (with the hairiest man legs you've ever seen) and taper down two weeks before the meet. I'm entering my "taper week" and doing a lot more relaxing, exercising, and spending time with family/friends/nature. 

Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming,
Carolyn

Sim Day Results: ADA Washroom

ADA Washroom is another easy-breezy section for me. Along with Systems Integration, I find it's less intense than Space Planning, Egress, and Life Safety. It's 30 minutes and it's pretty straightforward. It's always a men's restroom (as we must know urinal clearances) and it almost always has the exact same requirements. Below is a breakdown, not my actual results. Results follow and they're boring because I only missed one dimension.

{ The Deets }

• (1) Accessible min 60 x 60 toilet stall with 36W grab bar behind the toilet, a 42W grab bar beside the toilet, a 60" turning radius, side access, a 36W door, and dimensions/tags of all; door swings out.
• (1-2) Standard toilet stalls 36W by 48D with a 30W min door or a 32W door, dims to center-line of toilet and indication of the width and depth; door swings out.
• (1-2) Standard urinals tagged and dimensioned; TIP: min space between two urinals center-line to center-line is 32".
• (1) Accessible urinal tagged/dimensioned and a 30 x 48 clear wheelchair space.
• A degree of privacy from door sight line, screens between each urinal
• Tag all fixtures
• Fill in fixture schedule provided like this one
• Fill in finish schedule for substrate and finish:
• Cement backer board
• Ceramic tile (if you want to get fancy, glazed ceramic tile or glazed ceramic subway tile are also acceptable)

TIP: My dad's an architect - so I'm often calling him with questions. I was chatting with him about the ADA Washroom exercise and he said (which may be obvious to others and it's how I've been doing it, but still a good reminder!) to start with the ADA toilet stall in the corner and work your way over with the remaining space. 

[ start at wall furthest from door -> 60 x 60 -> 1.5 panel -> 36 x 48 -> 1.5 panel -> 36 x 48 -> 1.5 panel -> 16-18" to cL of urinal -> 1.5 privacy screen -> 16-18" to cL of next urinal -> 1.5 privacy screen -> 16-18" to cL of ADA urinal -> 1.5 privacy screen ]*

*this is just an example. Your actual test requirements for quantities of stalls/urinals may vary. 

I did very well on the 2010 PDP which I used for my Sim Day. However, the test is formatted differently now. All clearances were shown, tags added, and dimensions to fixtures. I saw one example where a candidate didn't tag any of her fixtures, but labeled a few. It was still a passing solution.

Good luck,

Carolyn

Sim Day Results: Millwork

I did not like this exercise!  But despite my personal aversion, I passed. I guess I need to explain why on that first statement... not that it will help you or me pass. This exercise was more of a test in furniture design, rather than millwork. It's not unlike millwork, but this seems to be another part of the test to have evolved since 2010. 

Need inspiration? This is a great piece of student work by a student in Florida (link here), which shows a wide range of detail and ADA compliance. It is NOT an NCIDQ test. Click image for larger view.

Something I didn't know: You can draw more than one elevation if it helps convey your design intent/ADA compliance. However, I've never needed to do this on the newer exams.

{ Room for Improvement }

• I don't know if this is incorrect, but I indicated the 30X48 clearance at the accessible portion of the counter as "side approach". The toe kick and counter height were compliant, but I saw the other solutions literally left room under the surface for knee/foot room - a.k.a. totally open. 
• I missed a few "depth" dimensions in my section (counter and transaction counter). 
• Again, not sure if this is wrong, but I only provided one elevation and it was of the front of the piece (approach/welcome side). It conveyed accessibility, relationship between height of transaction counter and ADA height surface, toe-kick height, counter thickness, materials, and front design (which seemed to be emphasized in the program). I showed the section of this, which as a section should, went into more detail on ADA vs. standard components and construct-ability.

I think this 2010 PDP continues to confuse me more than help me... Sadly. 

Keep Going,

Carolyn

Sim Day Results: Systems Integration

Today's Sim Day Results comes in the form of a few tips/reminders, rather than a list of rights and wrongs. This pretty much sums up my common mistake with this exercise. I only got one wrong, so I'm thinking I passed ;) 

TIP: Don't forget the P of MEP! Most of the problems in this exercise will have to do with the ceiling, but in a rare (and possibly phased-out) instance, we must look down. Conflicts with plumbing trenches and structural portions of the floor may arise. In addition to looking down, reference the building section provided. 

TIP: As I shared in this post, it's very important to use the building section provided. You might not need to solve every problem, but there will definitely be one or two which will prove difficult without it. See below. 

{ What the section clarifies }

Structural beams, joists, and columns (Sizes and locations)
What this means: you cannot run a duct, sprinkler line, or plumbing trench through these solid (usually concrete or steel) building components.

Ceiling height changes 
What this means: If a ceiling pops up, you cannot run duct work at the same height or it would continue through the wall and *exposed* across the pop-up. Same goes for sprinkler lines. If a beam is running across your ceiling plan, the section might also show this - it would be the opposite of a pop-up and because it's structural, you still cannot run components through it (see above).

Happy Prepping,
Carolyn

Dimlabelgram!!

It's not a spelling error, friends. It's a word I invented that makes both me and my husband laugh. And sticks in my brain. And it holds a strategy which I think will help anyone avoid mark-downs for "small" errors. Let's say it together now: Dimlabelgram.

... { Meaning }...

Dimlabelgram: (v) [dim-LAY-bull-gram] the act of checking one's Practicum exercises for proper dimensions & clearances, labeled  FFE & mounting heights, and compliance with the provided program.

Example:
Halt! 10 minutes to go! Time to dimlabelgram my solution! Oops... didn't label my mirror. Oops again, forgot a 5'-0" turning circle. 

I found that pretending I'm a grader for the last 10-15 minutes of each exercise forces me to scrutinize the details. This isn't a good time to catch something big and irreversible. This is why it's important to evaluate your plan of attack early on - see one of my strategies "The Three Phases" of Space Planning in this post. To avoid 3 to 4 little mistakes is valuable to me. I have even considered writing it on my test booklet in big red letters. But then again, you hand those booklets back in. And I wouldn't want the graders thinking I've got a few screws loose. Which I suppose is true. Per this post. But whatever it takes to pass... have some fun along the way. 

Should I "Add this to dictionary" per Spellcheck?

Happy DLG-ing,
Carolyn

2 Hours of Organizing Well-Spent!

{ Disorganized }

A week ago, I walked upstairs to my studio to start my day of practice and cringed at the sight of my test materials "neatly" arranged strewn across my pink yoga mat... (glad that's serving its intended purpose! Maybe I NEED to incorporate yoga into my regime. No, really.) There were parts of the 2010 test, the 2011 test, and the 2012 test misplaced The sight alone made my stomach churn. I started to think "Is this how my knowledge is organized? Is this why I lose focus? Why I freeze? Because I'm not orderly!?"

I mean, it wasn't helping. 

{ Organized! }

I pulled one of my empty heavy-duty client binders out and vowed that everything would not only have a place, there would be order. And I could study anywhere I could fit a binder! And that's just what I did.

 Cover page

 A blog post (oooh look! me!)

 A practice test...

A test booklet.

...{ Table of Contents }...

1. All about the NCIDQ
• Important information from the website re: the Practicum
• My test information, registration, and any other documents I found to be useful
2. 2012 Practice Test
• Space Planning Exercise Booklet
• Space Planning Exercise vellum test sheet
• Related blog posts
• Lighting Exercise Booklet
• Lighting Exercise vellum test sheet(s)
• Related blog posts
• Egress Exercise Booklet
• Egress Exercise vellum
• Related blog posts
• Life Safety
• Life Safety Exercise Booklet
• Life Safety Exercise vellum
• Related blog posts
• ADA Washroom
• ADA Washroom Exercise Booklet
• ADA Washroom Exercise vellum
• Related blog posts
• Bobrick ADA Guidelines
• Systems Integration
• Systems Integration Exercise Booklet
• Systems Integration Exercise vellum
• Related blog posts
• Millwork
• Millwork Exercise Booklet
• Millwork Exercise vellum
• Millwork "Guide" Sketch
• Related blog posts
3. 2011 Practice Test
• Same as above
4. 2010 Practice Test
• Same as above

It has shaped up to be a pretty thick binder. Thank goodness I started with a) 4" and b) heavy duty. I love it. Not only is everything in one spot, easily referenced when I need to pull an exercise, but I can take it almost anywhere! 

Stay Organized,
Carolyn

Ask and You Shall Learn!

I had some questions for NCIDQ after taking the 2010 practice test (before the test was re-vamped a little). I emailed a contact there and received some helpful answers. I was only asking for myself, but perhaps someone out there was hoping for some clarification as well. 

Q: I know the test can be taken in pen. But what about other colors?
A: As long as it's smear-proof and legible for the graders, it's ok to use color.
Reason for asking: I have a hard time seeing where I've placed Smoke Detectors, Emergency Lights, AV alarms, and FEC's on my Life Safety Plan when I do it in black. I practice with Extra Fine Point Blue Sharpies and I do much better!

Q: I know toilet and shower drains must be on plumbing trenches (*ON!!), but does this limit us to the trench provided or does it include the trenches we extend? 
A: Any trench, yours or provided, as long as the trench is clearly drawn, dimensioned, and the drains are directly on the trench. 
Reason for asking: I felt uncertain, so I assumed only the trench provided - which, as you can imagine, limited me beyond hope.

Q: On the Space Planning exercise for the 2010 PCP, one candidate was marked down for an electrical mistake in a room that didn't require electric. Why?
A: Not sure why, but they are only looking for electric/data in (3) spaces in this exercise. 
Reason for asking: If I go above and beyond, could it count against me? 

A product review...
I may get in trouble for saying this, but I really would not recommend using practice tests from 2010 and earlier. These tests are a bit dated in format and content. Will they help? Sure. However, this test confused me rather than helped me. I was disappointed having spent $130+ for this test for three reasons: 

1. I didn't like trying to de-code conflicting information in the program requirements.
2. Taking the time to email NCIDQ for clarification (it should be straightforward as a standardized licensing exam)
3. The solutions online do not offer as much information as the booklet. 

Keep at it,
Carolyn

Sim Day Results: Egress

Grade: Borderline Pass

How I felt during: A little confused at first, but determined

Why confused? I couldn't figure out what the furthest travel distance was in the existing space and I was taking a ton of time trying to measure different routes. Well, it didn't matter anyway, because along with all THREE solution examples, I got it wrong. In fact, I still disagree and I'm sure many other candidates would as well. Another pre-revamp, I suppose. Also, the restrictions really left only one reasonable layout, which took me a while to figure out. 

{ How I Did }

• I chose the incorrect "furthest common path of travel" in the existing suite. (All three examples also got this wrong and 2 passed despite)
• Because of the above, my calculations for Travel Distance to Stair 1 and Travel Distance to Stair 2 were off, but correct for what I had. (Again, still doesn't constitute a failing solution)
• Where I would say I tipped into Borderline Pass was this: I miscalculated my Occupancy for one of the 4 suites, which affected my occupancy load per stair.

2287 SF / 50 (Exercise Room) = 46

I *somehow off in la-la-land* got 12...

However, I noticed this same mistake on several sample tests and graders would note that despite a math error, if the candidate still demonstrated knowledge of how to actually apply the correct method of determining load per stair, they were not automatically FAILED.

Now, combine these errors... I don't know what to take away as far as correct grading, but I will learn from it!

I am happy that I have overcome the hurdles of laying out my spaces and understanding the difference between "common path of travel" and "distance to stair 1 & 2."

Now exiting, 

Carolyn

Door Hardware: Rules of Thumb

Anyone else struggle with door hardware? In my almost-7 years of working experience (and 4 years of college), I've never really had to assign it. Architects always did, while I checked all materials, heights, and frame types. 

I spy a panic bar! 

photo: King County Library

Recognizing there are several "acceptable" answers, but usually a "best," I am usually pretty frustrated when I get 3 of 4 hardware selections wrong or "not exact." I learned that the newer tests (since 2011) have really narrowed down correct answers. On my latest test, I only got 2 of 4 wrong, but I had to ask NCIDQ directly. Before clarifying with them, I had 3 of 4 wrong. Heck, I could have only 1 of 4 wrong... 

This isn't a memorization test, it's a test of application, knowledge, and creativity. Therefore we have to LEARN it rather than just memorize a fact and forget it 4 days later. 

{ NCIDQ Partition Rules of Thumb }

• Rated partitions
• Demising walls between tenant suites
• Walls between tenant suite and public space/corridor (i.e. elevator lobby)
• Walls between assembly spaces (>750 SF) and adjacent space or tenant corridor
• Walls of a storage room >50 SF
• Rated partitions must extend to the underside of the deck
• Acoustical partitions must extend to the underside of the deck
• Rated = acoustical 
• Office-to-office or office-to-corridor extend to finished ceiling
• I rarely see 4" Above Finished ceiling as a correct answer. I'm still not really sure why it's an option? Anyone know what instance this would be used (on the NCIDQ)?

{ NCIDQ Door Rules of Thumb }

• Doors in a rated wall assembly (1-hour) must be a minimum 20 min. rating
• Most door frames can be AL unless required otherwise
• Doors are 7'-0" high and commonly 3'-0" wide with a few exceptions
• When "visibility" is required, I like to use either minimal glazing on the door itself, or a frame type with a sidelight. Why? Because rated doors have limits on the amount of glazing. These limits vary per code. Most fire-rated glazing is actually 45-min which is greater than the 20-minute minimum required by NCIDQ.
• I use SCW (solid core wood) doors throughout unless I have a storage or utility room. These are typically utilitarian with louvered vents or are completely solid-faced (but hollow on the inside) HMD (hollow metal doors). 

{ NCIDQ Hardware Rules of Thumb } 

• Rated doors require a closer
• "Controlled access" or "Secured" typically requires a Card Reader or a Code Lock
• Assembly space >750 SF should have a closer and a Lever Passage set typically. A panic bar is also acceptable, but not required.

{ The What and Why of Door Hardware }

What is each set and where would we use it?

To better see the chart, please click on it and it will become larger in your browser.

Good lock luck,

Carolyn

Sim Day Results: Life Safety

Grade: PASS

How I felt during: Strong, efficient, and thorough

{ How I did }

Door/Frame/Hardware Schedule 

(26/28 Selections Correct)

• Got my door heights right this time! All 7'-0"
• Used HM (Hollow Metal) for a storage room door, and SCW (Solid Core Wood) for all others
• Kept it consistent: AL (Aluminum) frames for all
• Kept it consistent: Same door type for all single doors, with the exception of one double door (no visibility requirements)
• Rated all doors requiring it to 20 minutes (not one hour!)
• I selected 2 of 4 locksets incorrectly. Bummer. Well, really - who knows if they could be right? The solutions are not helpful. I'd love to learn this!!
• (X) One was for a rated storage room (TIP: greater than 100 SF must be rated) requiring controlled access. I selected a Lever Passage Set with Maglock and Card Reader. Correct: Lever Passage Set with Maglock, Closer, and Card Reader. TIP: Rated doors (like this one) require a closer. 
• (X) For a rated assembly space, I specified: Lever Passage Set with Closer. Correct: Lockset with Panic Bar and Closer.**
• **Still not sure why a panic bar is required in a training room. Panic bars are typically required on exits from a tenant space, doors to stairways, and exits from stairways/buildings. Anyone know for sure?

Partition Schedule 

(14/15 Selections Correct)

• (X) I got everything right except a Conference Room wall with acoustical properties needed to extend to the deck not 4" above finished ceiling; TIP: Acoustical = to deck. 

Plan

• (X) Missed an Exit sign
• (X) Drew arrows on an exit sign in the wrong direction

I will be featuring a post this week titled "Hardware: Rules of Thumb." I'm determined to get this right!!!

Luck with locks,

Carolyn

Sim Day Results: Space Planning

Take 1. Grade: Borderline Pass
Take 2. Grade: Pass

Here are some sketches on trace... TIP: Embrace color! Color-code your program requirements. Highlight key points. Draw duplex symbols in the room chart where they're required so you don't forget!

I break this exercise down into THREE phases (not unlike the Process of Design):

1. Conceptual - After reading the program, Develop 3-4 Adjacency/Bubble Diagrams (as close to scale as you can, draw loose squares/circles for spaces) placing required spaces in different layouts that work. Then, still in the conceptual phase, develop them further - if you choose 1 of your 4 layouts, sketch what I call a "Detailed Bubble Diagram" in which you start to sketch straight walls ROUGHLY. Then, move on to #2.
2. Soft-to-hard line drawing. Place your walls, doorways, millwork, and plumbing using pencil. This is a critical phase where you're scaling each space per required square footage. You might run into "reality checks" here, where you're rough layout from #1 might not fit as perfectly as you envisioned. During this phase, you're sketching in big furniture, etc. to make sure they fit (and fit well!!). 
3. Dimensions & Details. This is where I transition from pencil to extra-fine-point black Sharpie. I've established my walls and I can confidently solidify my drawing. Once walls are set, I add room names and SF. During this phase, I'm drawing in all required FFE, adding my WC turn-circles, dimensions, electric, appliances, details, and notes. 

This exercise is 3 hours, but while it might make sense to spend 1 hour per phase above, it doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes I've only spent 30 minutes on Phase one, which might not have been enough because Phase 2 would take the next 1.5 hours - me fixing problems stemming from a hasty start.

{ The Most Turrrrible Layout }

You might have noticed above that I took this twice. Exactly one week apart. Why? Because I HATED my first plan. It was compliant, met the program requirements, and only had about 6 omissions & errors, but it was terribly laid out. I felt I needed more practice in space planning in an empty space. Normally, I'm partially planning the space. And I'm almost never aware of a plumbing trench (not because I don't care about it, but because laying out offices, conference rooms, and workstations rarely involves kitchens/bathrooms). 

{ Take 1 }

• Did not label built-in bookshelves, just drew 'em. 
• One of my doors was less than 36"W.
• My storage room was long and narrow and not truly functioning efficiently, even though the SF was met.
• The program stated "storage nightstands" and I just drew circles. I didn't draw drawers/knobs, nor did I label it as "storage". I might be a little strict here as I did not notice others being marked off for this. 
• I did not include single-pole hanging in a closet. Hello? A woman's closet needs hanging space for long dresses! My own closet ONLY has single pole storage!
• My master bathroom is super long and narrow. And while it meets the requirements, I would certainly mark me down for it.

{ Take 2 }

• Missed a dimension designating the width of my corridor. 
• Did not label the wall-mounted mirror in the Master Bathroom.
• Did not label my pantry shelving. 

NCIDQ isn't looking for the perfect and ideal floor layout. They're looking for ADA compliant, accurate SF, somewhat sensible layout, adjacency attention, dimensions, details, notes, and properly scaled FFE, etc. However, while I'm not determined to provide some award-winning floor plan, I find that the layout takes the longest for me. Hence, my spending extra time practicing this. My space plan in TAKE 2 is not only compliant, it's clever, functional, and desirable. I'd want to live there! I'm happy I took the time to practice because my confidence is elevated. 

Make the most of the next 2 weeks!
Carolyn

Sim Day Results: Lighting

Grade: PASS!

not my plan, but photo from: Katy Higley

I've really come through on this exercise. My practice has paid off, as I only made (2) mistakes on the plan. Hooray! Happy dance!

• I designated a night-time security light (a 2x4 Fluorescent fixture) as required, but I switched it. It should not have the ability to be switched off. Lesson learned! (Though, I believe this requirement has been omitted in the new format of the test.)
• I miscalculated one of my fixture wattage totals: a 4-piece under-cabinet task light (4-piece meaning 4x9" segments). I entered it as 4 x 20W per fixture = 100W. Oops.  It didn't affect my totals much at all (20 Watts) and I was still within wattage allowed. 

Strategies Employed

• First off, I started with my entire hour available. No space planning spill-over. Good start!
• I read the directions thoroughly and wrote down key points on the side of my plan.
• I started by calculating my wattage allowed. 
• 1.5W/SF x Total SF = Total Watts Allowed
• Lightly (in pencil) drew in small lights with symbols, adding roughly as I went.
• Adjusted my plan a few times until it was right, rather than rushing into the "pretty pen drawing" stage.
• I wasn't familiar with the "NL" night light requirements, so I did spend some time trying to find limits or restrictions in the Code information. No such luck!
• Included any fixtures the exercise provided.
• Checked thoroughly.

Good Luck,

Carolyn

Day-of Drafting Supplies: My Picks

Below are my picks for drafting supplies. I ordered drafting dots as I mentioned back in this forlorn post. I also ordered a larger triangle and a portable drafting table. I plan on using it even if there are drafting tables, dammit. Ohhh, now I'm cussin'! Eh, what's test prep without some profanity?

Ok, keepin' it fresh. Moving on...

{ My Picks }

(Clockwise from top LEFT)

1. An old Steelcase template which I use for (simple chairs). I actually use the ends of the boat-shaped conference room tables as chairs and sketch in arms. I also use the rectangles for racks and equipment if they're scaled properly.
2. French curve for lighting diagrams and door swings. Ooo la la. 
3. A timepiece.
4. A circle template for 1/8" and 1/4" turning circles, meeting and side tables, and also door swings.
5. Large architectural scale.
6. Small orange architectural scale (less loud when I fumble and drop it on the table during the test).
7. Various hi-lighters: Blue for hi-lighting key points and requirements as I read, yellow for accomplishing them as I go. If I'm feeling colorful, I'll use a few of my Zazzles to designate "electrical" (orange), "plumbing" (aqua), and "accessibility" (red). Ok, so I'm going to bring my pack of Zazzles. Not Sheldon's cat from Big Bang Theory...Yeah, I went there.
8. Blue Sharpie (Because I would love to use it on my Life Safety exercise to better see my symbols against the black+white, but I'm confirming with NCIDQ if this is allowed.. if it's not, I'll obviously live).
9. Thick and thin black sharpies for walls, furniture, etc. I do not like using pencil because it smears a lot. The last thing I need to do is waste time re-drawing and erasing smudges. See item #11.
10. Colored sharpies for adjacency depiction on bubble diagrams. Red = primary, orange = secondary, yellow = plumbing trench.
11. White-out tape. It's like it never happened.
12. Pencils. I like mechanical. Make sure they have lead!
13. Eraser. I don't like the pink erasers on #12. 
14. Triangle (mini). Add in: large triangle.
15. Roll of trace. I can't see through yellow, so I like white. 
16. Drafting tape. Just kidding. I'm bringin' dots. This is just a place-holder.
17. Calculator. Just kidding. I'm not bringin' this one. It makes beeping noises. But I will bring one. 
18. Not pictured: Portable Drafting Table. I don't like working super elevated, so I'm using this one (plus, it's half the price as the multiple-height adjustable one!): 23x31 Martin Drafting Table. 

Happy Drafting,

Carolyn

10 Ways to Relieve Test Anxiety: Weeks Before

1. Identify good and bad inner voices by trying The Angel vs. Devil Exercise.
2. When you find you're having a negative thought, immediately replace it with a positive or comforting one. What if I fail? WHAT IF YOU DON'T?!
3. Cry when you need to along the way. Nothing releases stress and anxiety like a good cry. Embrace your vulnerability. Just like pain is weakness leaving the body, tears are weakness exiting via your eyes. So you're in your late 20's, early 30's, late 30's, early 40's, late 40's, early 50's and so on? Just let your inner-toddler do her thing. And cry. Just, er - do so before the test day. Not on the test day (cough, cough... not that I did that or anything).
4. Seek support from friends and family. Accept it rather than inserting excuses or negativity to counter their truths. No one can encourage us like our most treasured people. Thank them for it and return the support when they need it. 
5. Seek support from yourself. Practice telling yourself how capable you are and how far you've come. Reiterate facts you've remembered. Anxiety is a learned behavior. So is self-esteem. And you're in control.
6. PRACTICE. I will tell you one thing, not doing this is a sure-fire way to reach both test anxiety and probable failure. And let me tell you from experience: a FAIL in the mail is a crap start to summer.
7. #6 again.
8. #6 and #7.
9. Exercise. A healthy physical body enhances a learning mind. Ever hear of endorphins? They're no joke. Endorphins are positive, evoke happiness, and most certainly confidence. Go for a run and let your body's complex chemistry be on your side.
10. See every mistake as an opportunity to grow rather than a setback or flaw. I mean it!
11. Bonus tip: 21. Well, sure think back to when you were finally able to drink. But also, 6 + 7 + 8 = 21. Practice + Practice + Practice = confidence & skill!!

Everything is beautiful!!!

As I was signing this post, I suddenly remembered some wonderful ways my friends see me.  For instance, my coworkers call me "Snow" as in Snow White because I see the positive often and I'm, for the most part, a happy person (obviously, I can also be not happy!). Would "Snow" be scared of the NCIDQ Practicum or would she reason that it is a positive achievement! My mom and others describe me as "Real" and "Inspirational". I've sometimes been self-conscious about putting it all out there on this blog, but I admire people who put it out there and keep it real. 

This DIY Couple (I'm a super-fan) always keeps it real!

And so does this modern-day Ethel Merman!

And last but not least, this sweet, southern beauty guru who keeps it real by appreciating the small things, struggles and all. 

Love and happy thoughts,

Carolyn

Why I Moved My Test Simulation Day

My simulation test day was supposed to be today. After taking my Space Planning exercise yesterday (sour, sour procrastination... bad, bad fear... oh, and working late this week when I was planning on an after-work 7-10pm Space Planning test post-wedding-weekend), I was exhausted. I realized I would be exhausted for certain after the Test Simulation day. That meant that I wouldn't even want to be in the same room as my testing materials.

Calendar by Terrain

Not wanting to waste a valuable weekend day due to burn-out, I decided to move my test sim to Sunday (tomorrow). That way, I don't have to think about or look at the test on Monday since I'll be at work! Genius! Looking at it Monday night will allow me to get something out of this practice exam with a steady pace. I must remember, I have 21 days left! While this could be perceived as excuses and procrastination, I look at it as better time management. I'm deciding to do what's best for me. Can I do this on April 6th? No. And I know that. Can I move my Test Sim any further into the future. No way!!

The only thing that will differ on actual test day is this:

• 8:00 - 8:30 AM: Proctor reads directions*, **
• 8:30 - 12:30 PM:  Part A
• 12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch Break
• 1:30 - 2:00 PM: Directions*, **
• 2:00 - 6:00 PM: Part B, Part C

* Shhh. Sometimes, if the proctor has clearly read the directions (they're routine, but necessary) in only 10-15 minutes, he or she will get you started early. Also, if everyone is back from lunch by 1:15, he or she will make sure every candidate is seated and ready and start early. But every candidate must be there and willing to start! Normally, we just want it to be over! 

** Listen while they're giving directions. Very important. I'm not kidding!

• I'll be starting at 8 AM and finishing Part A at 12
• 12:00 - 1:00 PM break
• 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Part B, Part C

I will then spend the rest of the night eating Rita's water ice and watching re-runs of 30 Rock if I'm feeling happy or Gilmore Girls if I need my mama. Probably the latter with my track record.

{ Things I accomplished today }

• Organized my test supplies (tools, trace, etc.)
• Ordered my drafting board, dots, and fresh pens
• Checked my space planning exercise (so happy I was able to do this! It would have been a waste of a pre-simday learning opportunity if I had not)
• Posted my results here!
• Organized my testing materials (test, test solutions, blog print-outs, etc.)
• Relieved some test-taking angst by identifying bad and good in this post...

Over and out,

Carolyn

Angel vs. Devil Exercise: Conquering Test Anxiety

As I mention in just about every post, I'm struggling with a poisonous habit I've formed known as test anxiety. I'm still guilty of letting it cloud my mind, drain my energy, and squash my focus. I did some research on test anxiety and found several causes, but the solutions didn't resonate with me. I wanted to know what caused ME personally to doubt myself, freeze, and cry mid-practice test. So in my latest in-home-with-patient-husband therapy session, I voiced a little exercise.

I did some soul-searching and identified a list of things the devil keeps telling me as well as a list of angelic encouragements. Just recognizing what thoughts were not only poisonous, but sadly repetitive, really helped me to find solutions and positive words.

{ We'll start with Ms. Devil }

• You failed this last year. And you could fail it again this year.
• I bet your classmates in design school would think it's pretty funny that you failed. (Ok, me.. really?)
• Doesn't it suck thinking back on the parts of the test during which you couldn't breathe? When you were shaking? 
• Wouldn't that be so ironic if you put your heart and soul into studying and made this encouraging blog and then FAILED???
• This test is super expensive. Do you want to pay for it again?!
• Wouldn't that suck if you forget everything you learned come test day?
• Relentless stomach pains.
• I think you should keep picturing the location you took the test in last year. Remember how unprepared you were?
• My personal favorite: "Oh, you'll be fine." As if I'm not allowed to be a little scared and this is getting me to shut up already. 
• When someone says: "Calm down."
• 10. Long. Hours.
• Countdown!!!
• Heh. Remember that time you were unemployed?
• Text anxiety - drama queen much?!

{ And Ms. Angel }

• You went to a CIDA-accredited university and graduated at the top of your design class. Your resume isn't bad either. Even when you were unemployed, you started your own design business. 
• You passed the LEED CI test. The first time. On your birthday.
• You passed the first two sections of the NCIDQ without the special Part 1 and Part 2 Ballast books. 
• You were a swimmer for 12 years for crying out loud! You survived BOB!
• This blog you started is such a good thing. For you. For others. So what if you don't pass and you wrote this blog? Blog about it! But you will pass, so blog about THAT!
• You are a talented designer with solid and varied experience. 
• You're capability level is only growing.
• If you go in with the mindset that you're going to pass, you WILL.
• So what if you fail? Take it again. It won't be the worst thing in life you'll experience.
• You've prepared so diligently this time around. Just think of how you rocked the lighting exercise and just last year you failed it?
• Same with Egress. And Life Safety. Aren't you much more confident now?!
• No matter where the test is, you have all the supplies you need this time around.
• You are already starting off better by making sure you EAT that day!
• So many people believe in you.
• Prayer will give you strength. 
• Remember the triumphs you've experienced along the way.
• Remember the candidates who are where you are or have been there. You're not alone .
• Never underestimate the power of closing your eyes and taking 10 slow, deep breaths.

I encourage anyone who suffers from this learned habit (nope, not a mental disability, illness, or innate behavior - you're in control!) to use this exercise. Write down your "dark & twisty" (yeah, Grey's Anatomy shout-out!) thoughts and then write down the happy, encouraging thoughts you don't think nearly enough.

I'm thinkin' we're all truly underestimating the strength and focus that comes from simply thinking positively.

I know you don't think so, but YOU CAN,

Carolyn

PS. A note of encouragement from my gentle, compassionate, and sweet mother: 

Harden the F*#% up! 

Space Planning Exercise: How I did!

FAIL

Funny, I passed this in the Spring 2012 Practicum. Here's how it went down:

I took the test yesterday during late afternoon 3:45-6:45 after a day of working from home. Working from home is, as you can imagine, delightful - the silence, the alone-time, productivity is amazing and my two 45-minute drives were eliminated. I didn't really take a lunch break, which - maybe I should have because I was low on fuel when I started my test. 

I started with confidence and an open mind. What the worst that could happen? I make mistakes and learn? Alas, I froze during the transition from bubble-diagram to hard-lining walls. This ate up the entire first 2 hours, leaving me just one hour to add FFE, electric, and notes. I also took a backwards approach to bubble-diagramming which I'll explain below. I finished everything in time, but my brain was whirling.

Despite, I felt really good about it. Until about 2:36 am when I woke up and started thinking of where I made mistakes. 

After making a *spoiler alert* organization device this morning (will post in detail later on), which took some anxiety off my shoulders, I intended to sit down and check my exercise. Instead, I took a(nother) 30-minute therapy session with my oh-so-patient husband. This, despite feeling like wasted time, really helped. 

This transitioned into him sitting with me to check my test together. Holy mistake-town (the test, not team-checking). Despite my  initial letdown, frustration, and embarrassment, I was able to reason the following and pep-talk myself into sharing my horrible solution with all of interested internet-land. 

• This is a practice test. This is where I'm supposed to make these mistakes so that I don't make them on test day. I now know exactly what I need to work on. In my experience, mistakes make us better, stronger. I will never forget that the infamous Daisy and Gatsby were drinking mint juleps in the garden with friends on a summer afternoon. Why such a strange detail? Because I got it wrong on a pop quiz in high school. I also now know that the 42" grab bar goes beside the toilet and the 36" goes behind. 
• How can I incorporate my lessons learned in the future to relieve anxiety rather than feed it?
• I'm not dumb. I'm not a bad designer. I don't get to do this as often as I want to. I just need to practice to be better, just as anyone must do in any field of work. 

A nice little note from Andrew ;)

{ Grading Breakdown }

• The practice test required a Janitor closet with a sink and shelf unit. I drew the sink right at the door and the incorrectly sized shelving to the right of it. Totally not accessible with the sink in the way. Sink location, wrong shelf: -2
• Re: Janitor closet, the door opens way into the corridor -1
• In two spaces I did not have the correct linear footage of upper and lower cabinetry once I accounted for my ADA clearance. For both spaces: -2
• My ADA restroom did not meet the minimum SF requirements -1
• My ADA restroom turning radius overlapped with my door swing -1
• My ADA restroom grab bars were reversed (42"L behind toilet, 36" beside toilet - should be flipped) -1
• My ADA restroom was missing the 30 X 48 designation at the sink -1
• The toilet was not directly on the plumbing trench -1
• A wall-mounted fixture (sorry, can't give specifics) protrudes more than 4" into a corridor -1
• I placed a piece of equipment within the required 18" on the pull-side of a non-accessible server room (not sure if this code applies to non-accessible spaces... anyone know?) -1
• I did not provide an outlet for the refrigerator -1
• I did provide one for the dishwasher, but I could have sworn I did! did not make it dedicated -1
• Didn't label the SF in a storage closet, but dimensioned it (and it met the minimum) -1 (I only saw the candidate get docked for omitting SF on the plan when they did it in a lot of spaces.. still, gotta label!)
• Missed a duplex in the Reception area by the guest seating, though I did provide it at the reception desk -1
• All of the adjacency requirements (as outlined in the test booklet) were met. However, I did not place two pairs of spaces close to each other. I guess I should have known better? But it didn't say to do so, so I did not. This is where general knowledge and reasoning comes in. I'm docking myself -2 for this mistake. 

Total discrepancies: 18

(The borderline pass sample had 17 errors)

{ A note on Bubble-Diagrams }

I only did one. Because for some reason, at the beginning of my 3 hours I was in some sort of crazy hurry. Then, like some sort of weirdo-brain, I went from bubble diagram to drawing in a conference table with chairs to determine my conference room layout. Uh? I had not one single wall drawn in. 

COOL. YOUR. JETS. 

Once I realized this was looney-tunes, I reverted to my bubble-diagram. Which kind of sucked since I only did one. Andrew told me to do at least 5 until I got the adjacency req's right, the plumbing limits in line, and the room sizes approximate. Which is so funny because his advice is how I always approach that first phase of space planning in "real life." So why not on my test? 

I swear I will do at least 5 on test day (I mean, unless my first one is bubbly perfection). 

{ What I'm taking away from this }

• Minimize the amount of corridors (SF) - what would a Realtor, Broker, or potential tenant think of your maximizing their usable square footage? 
• Minimize doors to enhance usable space (not all spaces require a door!) 
• TIP: Keywords like "Private" and "Secure" require a door.
• Pay more attention to the plumbing trench and how you can stretch it. 
• TIP: Not every plumbing fixture needs to be right ON the trench (with the exception of toilets and floor drains). Some fixtures can merely be located on a wall that touches the trench; a wall which overlaps or runs perpendicular to the trench while overlapping. They give you limits to which you can extend a line from the trench. Use this if needed and be sure to dimension your extension. 
• Remember you can share plumbing walls!
• Don't try to smush everything on one wall millwork-wise when you have an opportunity to wrap within a corner. 
• ADA Restroom... I actually rock the individual "ADA Washroom" exercise, but within these bigger scopes, I focus on it less. Bad call. 
• TIP: Symbols Pay attention to the symbols provided and what equipment requires what symbol. Here's a guide:
• Telephone: Telephone & data (the split triangle)
• Printer: Power*, Data (darkened triangle)
• Postage machine: Power*, Data
• Computer: Dedicated Power, Data
• Fax: Telephone & Data 
• Networked copier: Dedicated Power, Data
• Undercounter fridge, standard fridge: Dedicated power
• Dishwasher: Dedicated power
• Microwave, Coffee maker, small appliance: Power*, but provide (1) per appliance
• *Power translates to duplex in most cases, but consider the load. An office with a telephone, computer, and desktop printer requires (2) duplexes, telephone+data, and data.

Not sure why I feel the need to make this next part big, but heck - here goes!

If anything above could be interpreted differently, please feel free to comment below. Also, if you're taking this test for the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time - OR THE FIRST TIME - and you're struggling or have questions, please reach out. It's very easy to feel alone in this test prep. And remember, you can if you believe you can (and if you practice!).  ;)

Plan some spaces, 

Carolyn