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!

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Show Notes

Distinguishing Between Goals and Practices/Habits

• Goals are milestones that you choose to achieve a desired result.
• Practices and habits are the tools you develop to achieve those goals
• A goal would be passing the CSE. A habit would be the study plan you create to help you pass CSE.

Don’t get overwhelmed by too many goals

• Select 5-10 Goals at the beginning of the year.
• Becoming a Licensed Architect can be the Primary Goal
• Passing CSE can be the Secondary Goal that when achieved  you achieve the Primary Goal of becoming a Licensed Architect

Prioritizing Goals

• Once you have your list of goals, be sure to put them in order of importance as not all goals will be weighted equally or applicable in the very short term

High Achievers

• Often don’t reach all their goals in any give year
• If I set 10 goals and only achieve 5 by the year’s end, that is still 5 goals achieved. If I didn’t set the goals, I may not have achieved any of them

Reviewing and Adjusting Goals

• Goals are a living document and should be reviewed periodically.
• Some goals may no longer apply to your situation

Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

• Set goals that push you outside of your comfort zone, i.e. scheduling yourself to take the CSE exam in 2-3 months even though you haven’t started studying.

Establishing Momentum

• Creating the Goal is easy
• Set easy habits and practices at the beginning of the study process to build momentum such as starting to listen to the audio companion, passive interaction

Setting a Deadline

• Begin with the end in mind – selecting the exam date before you start studying
• Deadlines motivate
• Deadline should be specific, i.e May 28 is more specific than last week in May.

Should Goals Be Public or Private

• No need to tell everyone
• Tell people close to you, who will be supportive of you
• No reason to share with people who won’t be supportive

Maintaining Focus

• Chinese Proverb – “A man who chases two rabbits, catches none”
• Keep your eye on the Goal, the final outcome
• Ask yourself “why is this goal important?”
• Ask yourself “what is at stake?”

Dealing With Fear

• What if I don’t reach my goal?
• We think we are the only ones struggling
• Fear is just an emotion
• Courage is moving forward in spite of fear
• Remy’s snowboarding story about overcoming fear

Reviewing and Assessing Your Goals

• Set aside time each month to review and assess your progress on your goals. High achievers often don’t like to do this

Celebrate Achieving Your Goals

• Acknowledge achieving your goal by going to a nice dinner, day at the spa or some other special way to celebrate

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 out as victor. I also discuss the recent website redesign, my goals for content creation, and the recent guest posts from the new series, “Success Stories.”

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Battle Royale: California Building Code vs. California Building Standards Code

The first round in this battle is  to understand the California Building Code. This is the code we use most of the time as architects. It contains topics such as occupancy type, construction type, building or floor area, building height, exits and egress, building separation and shaft enclosures, fire protection, fire extinguishing systems, accessibility requirements, engineering requirements. and structural provisions. This is the primary code the local plan checker will be referencing when reviewing our plans for compliance.

The California Building Standards Code is Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. It consists of 12 parts including;

• Part 1 Administrative Code
• Part 2 California Building Code
• Part 2.5 California Residential Building Code
• Part 3 California Electrical Code
• Part 4 California Mechanical Code
• Part 5 California Plumbing Code
• Part 6 California Energy Code
• Part 7 (Elevator Safety Code has been removed
• Part 8 California Historical Building Code
• Part 9 California Fire Code
• Part 10 California Existing Buildings Code
• Part 11 California Green Building Code
• Part 12 California Referenced Standards Code.

Once you understand these two codes, it’s easy to see that the California Building Standards Code is giant, when compared to the California Building Code. The California Building Code is only one part of the California Building Standards Code. A simple, but important distinction.

Website Redesign

CSEprep.com has a fresh new look with a more modern and cleaner design! One of the main reasons for the redesign is to put more of an emphasis on the podcast + blog page. You can now see 30 posts per page and each post has a feature box with a picture about the theme of the post. This makes the posts more visually interesting which will attract more readers and result in more comments from candidates and other viewers. Also be sure to check out the new Podcast Archive page.

Content Creation

I’ve had a busy April. I’ve put out 6 pieces of content this month. I’ve put out two video tips, Desperation or Determination and Application and Certificate For Payment and also started a new series “Success Stories.”

Success Stories

I’ve also started a new series for guest posts on the CSE Blog called “Success Stories” in which candidates share their preparation and exam taking experience with others. I published Alberto’s “My Heart Sank To My Stomach”, Becca’s “I Completely Panicked At The Beginning. I Started To Hyperventilate.” and Joe’s “I’m Sorry, but the Testing Center Cannot Provide You With Your Score”. These are wonderful stories so please check them out and leave a comment at the bottom of the articles to show your appreciation to the authors for taking the time to write their stories.

Enforcement Actions

There are no enforcement actions to discuss this week as CAB has not released a new newsletter since last fall.

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 “Not Learn Anything New Day”, Day 2 is the “You Are Prepared Day”, Day 1 is the “Distance” Day, and Day 0 is “Exam Day”.

I discuss the value of mental mindset, establishing a positive internal dialogue, building your confidence in the days leading up to taking your Exam.

I also discuss on Day 2 to listen to/watch;

• Podcast Episode #45 – What To Expect on Exam Day, beginning at the 16:30 mark
• Video tip #4 Know Your Numbers
• Video tip #6 Exam Taking Strategy.

This episode will help you focus and prepare in the final days before your Exam.

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Another Success Story

Rick sends in his email about recently passing the Exam. He titles his email “I’m 50 and I Passed” and gives some great advice for those candidates getting ready to take the Exam.

Podcast Episode 067.

I am so proud to interview the youngest licensed architect in California, Rosannah, who recently passed the California Supplemental Exam at only 23 years old.

It was even her second attempt, so she was able to squeeze in two attempts and pass at 23, simply incredible. Her story is so inspiring and motivating that this has to be one of my favorite all time podcasts I have ever recorded. I hope this episode will give you greater confidence and inspire you to schedule your exam today!

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Podcast Episode 066.

I believe this feeling comes about because out of state candidates may feel they “aren’t as familiar with California laws, rules, and regulations” as candidates working in California. So today, I’m very excited to share Victoria’s email, an out of state candidate who recently passed the Exam. Her email is SO insightful and full of great nuggets of information including to preparing for the exam, the importance of making a study plan, relaxing before the exam, establishing confidence and more. I read her email then give my thoughts on her insights. This is a MUST listen to episode if you are struggling to begin your studies or having trouble focusing on the material.

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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 into mechanics lien law.

So the question is, do we still need to know it?

The Design Professionals Lien Law is still on CAB’s List of Reference Materials. I share my thoughts on the subject in this episode.

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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 for preparing for the California Supplemental Exam as well as our education in becoming a responsible and competent architect.

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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 candidates and wanted to make it clear that the historical pass rate of the Exam in no way factors in to how the Exam is administered by CAB. I amended my video at the request of CAB.

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Here’s What the Owner Pays For

This is a topic that is a continual source of confusion for candidates. I exam the A201 General Conditions and review the specific articles that help clarify what the Owner pays for. I take a look at Articles 2.2 Information and Services Required of the Owner (2.2.2), 3.7 Permits, Fees, Notices, and Compliance with Laws (3.7.1 ), 10.3 Hazardous Materials (10.3.2), 12.1 Uncovering of Work ((12.1.2), and 13.5 Tests and Inspections (13.5.1) as well as the California Building Code Section 1704.1

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 Whole Enchilada, then you already have better information than what is contained in those podcast episodes. So there is no reason to listen to episodes prior to episode 42. Episode was a transition for me and the CSE podcast as it really opened my eyes to the mental preparation for the Exam, a subject not really talked about before. I discuss the Top 5 CSE podcast episodes and have also listed them here;

1. Episode 42 – Increase Your Study Performance, an interview with Joshua Medcalf of TrainToBeClutch.com

2. Episode 45 – What Should I expect on Exam Day

3. Episode 54 – How I Passed the CSE on My First Try

4. Episode 56 – 80 Hours to the CSE and Mt. Whitney

5. Episode 57 – 5 Items to Gauge if You Are REALLY Determined to Pass the CSE

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PocketCasts

I discuss my favorite app for listening to podcasts. PocketCasts is a great app with a nice graphical user interface and it also allows you to listen to a podcast episode by streaming it, without downloading it to your phone. This is the only app I use to subscribe to podcasts. It is $1.99 for the iPhone and $2.99 for Android. If you use it, be sure to leave your feedback in the comments below.

Enforcement Actions

In this new segment, I turn to CAB’s recent newsletters and discuss an individual who has been found to violate the Architects Practice Act and how that applies to what we need to know so we don’t make the same mistakes. In this week’s installment, I discuss an enforcement action from CAB’s Spring Newsletter in which an unlicensed individual violated the Architects Practice Act, the Business and Professions Code section 5536(a), Practice Without a License or Holding Self Out as Architect. The individual listed used the word “architectural” in describing the types of services his firm offered. Unlicensed individuals may not advertise “architectural” design.

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 is 70%. You don’t need to know everything about CEQA or the Architects Practice Act, to name a few, you just need to know the most important elements and how to apply them to the Exam. This is not a test about memorization or a test in which you can simply “phone it in.” You need to study and prepare, but it’s important your desire to feel like you need to have a command of all the subject matter is unrealistic and could be hindering your studying preparation.

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CAB Pass Rates Released

Heather, a candidate currently preparing for the Exam, posted the CAB pass rates that she found in CAB’s June meeting minutes. Since the multiple choice Exam began on February 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012, 1,390 candidates have taken the Exam, of which 56% passed. This is inline with the percentage of candidates who passed when the Exam was administered in the Oral format. While, the percentage of pass rate may seem discouraging, I offer insight and my thoughts on why it’s not as bad as it appears.

Enforcement Actions

In this new segment, I turn to CAB’s recent newsletters and discuss an individual who has been found to violate the Architects Practice Act and how that applies to what we need to know so we don’t make the same mistakes. In this week’s installment, I discuss an enforcement action from CAB’s Spring Newsletter in which a licensed architect who violated Business and Professions Code section 5536.22(a), Written Contract. The individual failed to include all of the required 5 items that must be in a contract with a client. Yes, this stuff really does happen.