by Prof. Melanie Parker Dameron, E.I.T.
Oh, the professional licensing exam! As a student or graduate of an architecture or engineering program and an aspiring design professional capable of stamping your own designs, you are well aware of the challenges these exams bring. You’ve finished your education and racked up the required experience, and now it’s time to knock the dust off those books and get back to studying. For weeks — or even months — you prepare for that first exam, studying late into the night after working all day. (And you thought those structures exam all-nighters were tough!)
I know for myself, making time to study was (and still is) difficult, and the road to licensure has definitely had its challenges. After working all day, the last thing I’ve wanted to do is listen to lectures, read review material and run through practice problems, but I’ve learned a few things along the way. Preparing for exams requires several things that are no-brainers to most, but we can all use a friendly reminder at times. Here are some of the things it’s going to take:
Hard work. First, anything worth having takes hard work. Obtaining a license in field like architecture or engineering is at the very least important but perhaps a necessity depending on the career path you choose. You have to make the decision to put your head down and work to reach your goal, reading and studying even when you simply do not feel like it.
Sacrifice. It goes without saying, but if you’re preparing for an exam that requires the hard work already mentioned, it is going to require sacrifices. There will be times your friends are going out and you would love to go along, but you’ll need to make the wise decision to stay home and study. You will undoubtedly miss out on some things, but you’ve got to remember the sacrifices are only temporary. Check your priorities and, if there are things you simply cannot miss, make adjustments as required to get your preparation done.
Discipline. You can also think of this one as persistence or focus. You know the old saying about mind over matter? Well, you have to focus on your goal of being licensed and shut out all distractions. It may take locking yourself in your office to force yourself to study, but you’ve got to do whatever it takes to make sure you’re prepared when the big day comes.
Practice. Of course, you’ll need to complete practice problems, but you’ll also need to simulate the exam environment to prepare for the stress of and any other challenges that may arise during the actual exam. The more you practice completing problems, the faster and more effectively you’ll be able to think through and complete problems on the exam. When you simulate the environment, you’ll condition yourself to perform well under exam day pressures.
Celebrate. Yes, celebrate! Set milestones along the way. When you complete a certain number of problems or read a certain number of chapters, reward yourself with a break. When you pass your first exam, celebrate the progress you’ve made. This is one of many small victories on the way to achieving your ultimate goal – professional licensure.
These are just a few of the important things to keep in mind as you prepare for your licensing exams. Because I’m in the process of studying for my last exam as I write this, I’m sharing some of the things that I’m doing or have found to be helpful. The feeling of passing an exam is priceless and totally worth every sacrifice you make to get there. But after passing the first exam, you’re not finished! It will be time to get back to the grind and prepare for the next one. With that said, I’d better get back to it and my furbabies, who keep me company in this journey!
Melanie Parker Dameron, E.I.T. teaches Structural Engineering at SCAD School of Architecture.