CSE Prep

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

On July 1, 2012, the Design Professionals Lien Law was repealed in California, leaving many of us to wonder if it just disappeared altogether.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published a great article titled “Design Professional Liens: Gone But Not Forgotten” and described how the law was repealed, but for the most part, was folded […]

Issuing the Certificate of Substantial Completion is an important milestone in the contract administration process. It’s important to know the significance.   Podcast Episode 064. I discuss the importance of Substantial Completion and take a look at the A201 General Conditions, Article 9.8 and how it impacts on certain milestones. This is an important concept […]

There is talk about a new cut score of 73 but it is only a rumor, and we know what rumors can lead to, don’t we?   Podcast Episode 063. I released CSE Video Tip #9 and in it, i discussed this rumored 73 cut score. A representative from CAB contacted me with a concern about misleading […]

I have been wanting to record this episode for quite awhile because I frequently receive questions from candidates asking where they should begin listening to the CSE podcast.   Podcast Episode 062. All of the content from episode 1 to episode 41 is based on the individual Knowledge Statements. If you have purchased the Ultimate […]

It appears 70% is the minimum score required to pass the California Supplemental Exam.  It’s important to realize sometimes, good enough is…well, good enough. Podcast Episode 061. I discuss the 70% minimum score required to pass the California Supplemental Exam. Although, you will need to satisfy minimums in each of the five Categories, the minimum overall score […]

I discuss, in a very simplified way, the differences between law, code, regulations, and an act. Simply put, a law is a rule enacted by a legislative body that forms the basis of both federal and state law. Podcast Episode 060. Individuals and businesses must abide by both federal and state law or deal with […]

This topic is a great example of the actual practice in the real world being different than the ideal world. In this episode I refer to two AIA documents, the B201, Article 2.6.2 Evaluations of the Work and A201, Article 12.3 Acceptance of Nonconforming Work. Podcast Episode 059. In the real world, when we, as […]

I have not devoted an episode to discussing Exam Security before, mainly because I hadn’t really thought about the importance of stating the obvious. Until I was contacted by the California Architects Board… Podcast Episode 058. I received a call from the California Architects Board last week in regards to the Video Tip I released last week […]

Last week, I was able to guide 3 newbies all the way to the top of Mt. Whitney 14,505′, the tallest peak in the lower 48. Podcast Episode 057. I also discuss the 5 Items that you can use to gauge how determined you REALLY are in passing the Exam. The 5 items are; Begin […]

80 Hours is the road to the CSE, and it’s a windy road. Learning to drive, negotiate obstacles,  and plan ahead is a key ingredient in achieving success. Podcast Episode 056. I explain why I believe you should put at least 80 hours into your study preparation. With about 1.5 to 2 hours per day, 10 hours […]