Site Planning & Design ARE Mock Exam (SPD of Architect Registration Exam): ARE Overview, Exam Prep Tips, Multiple-Choice Questions and Graphic Vignettes, Solutions and Explanations

I bought this guide as a study supplement to my SPD exam. And it was helpful in that 1) it offers information not mentioned in the Kaplan and Ballast guides, 2) multiple choice mock exam of 65 questions, 3) clear step by step instruction on the graphic vignettes, 4) additional reading recommendation list, 5) skill in taking this exam. For SPD, I read Kaplan, flash cards, Ballast, Jenny's Notes, and Gang Chen's book. And I passed it. This key is that read, read, read and expose all pertinent concepts/ terminology to this exam. Gang Chen's book adds to this bunch of knowledge that I needed to pass. Granted the first chapter on ARE guidelines is a bit drawn out and repetetive as we all know these guidelines, time frame and number of ARE. Hence 4 stars from me.

Gave me confidence on the test prep phase. Had a good variety of questions, different from kaplan and ballast reviews. Don't expect it to have a lot of readings on the book, but it has a lot od website references that help broaden your study focus. passed the test!

Passed. Studied gang Chen, Kaplan and ballast practice questions, and designer hacks.

This is a great SUPPLEMENT to your study material for the SPD exam. In addition to this book, I also used Kaplan, Ballast, and other online material I could get my hand on since this book alone is definitely is not enough to help you pass the exam. However, like other reviewers said, the price is a little high for the amount of content that's in it. Also beware, the Site Design Vignette Solution for the NCARB practice program is INCORRECT. They omitted one key requirement in the site design program: "2) The Restaurant and the Office Tower shall be at least 210 ft apart." As a result, the vignette solution in this book is NOT correct, and by omitting that key element, it would most likely be a failing solution. I used the NCARB study guide to guide me to the correct solution. So for that reason, two stars. If Gang Chen corrected that issue then maybe I would give this 4 stars.

Gang Chen does a great job every time. I have purchased many of his books to help me study for the ARE. He does a very fantastic job of tricking you with how he words the questions and teaching you to SLOW DOWN when you read the practice questions. These books are well written and I highly recommend Gang Chen to everyone!

too tricky question

This book could be done in half the amount of pages. There is tons of unnecessary info in very large print at the beginning about the ARE and IDP in general. The first links to recommended readings don't work, after I went to the trouble to write down the long links. VERY annoying!! If they're going to constantly use links as resources to explain something then this book should be digital, end of story. For almost every multiple choice question's answer was another typed out link to a website for an explanation to the answer. How lazy are these publishers?? Seriously?!! I have to type in a mile long website address (which probably won't work) to find an explanation to the answers. Or if they didn't use a link to explain things they repeated "A" is correct, "B, C, D" are incorrect...... well yes Sherlock! I imagine if A is correct B,C,D are wrong. Things weren't explained clearly at all. I buy a book like this to have answers explained to me in a way to teach me, not to send me on a goose chase to find an answer or just repeat the obvious. Will not be purchasing or buying from this publisher again. Horribly disappointed!

I found this book to have the information needed to pass the SPD test. Good concentration on the vignettes. This is not the only material that you need but is a good source for much to the info that is available. Good Luck!