ARE DIVISIONS
PcM - Practice Management
The first exam I tackled was Practice Management. I'm grateful to have passed on the first attempt, with very little professional experience and about 6 weeks of mostly weekend studying.
Relevant Experience
I have a minor in Business Management and worked as a management consultant for several years. The accounting and management concepts came pretty easily to me. The bulk of my studying focused on concepts specific to AEC such as the AIA contracts, project delivery methods and who is liable in a variety of situations.
Study Materials used:
Study Method:
I listened to Hanahan and AEP on my commutes, light study some evenings but mostly weekend cramming. I read the relevant AHPP chapters thoroughly and took notes. I spent a good amount of time doing practices quizzes or practice exams on PPI (same as Ballast).
Relevant Experience
I have a minor in Business Management and worked as a management consultant for several years. The accounting and management concepts came pretty easily to me. The bulk of my studying focused on concepts specific to AEC such as the AIA contracts, project delivery methods and who is liable in a variety of situations.
Study Materials used:
- Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP) - The bible, used a couple guides out there on what chapters to focus on
- Hanahan lectures, especially the contract ones, but all of them if you can. His anecdotes help solidify many complex legal concepts.
- PPI/Ballast - Practice Exams and the quiz bank. Flashcards a bit helpful too.
- Black Spectacles - Used a practice exam, watched a few videos but didn't care too much for this resource. Only dabbled in it because my firm provides a limited subscription.
- Architect Exam Prep (AEP) - LOVE their audio, would listen to it on my commute to reinforce materials studied.
- AIA resources, contract commentaries and guides.
- Made my own study guides. See links below.
Study Method:
I listened to Hanahan and AEP on my commutes, light study some evenings but mostly weekend cramming. I read the relevant AHPP chapters thoroughly and took notes. I spent a good amount of time doing practices quizzes or practice exams on PPI (same as Ballast).
Project Delivery MethodsThe AIA-AGC Primer on Project Delivery was a super helpful resource of Project Delivery Methods.
AIA Design-Build Relationship Diagrams |
AIA Contracts![]()
I really struggled to make sense of the maaaany AIA contracts out there so I made myself a guide. In the first two tabs, you can enter a contract name (ex. C401 into the first column and it will pull the appropriate data from the KEY tab. This was a good way to test myself on the various contracts.
The AIA Contract Relationship Diagram was also a good guide. |
Financial Calculations![]()
I made a financial calculations workbook with examples. The formulas are all in there so try it out and let me know what you think!!
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