Choosing the RIGHT Architecture

Review Center


I just recently passed the Architecture Licensure
Examination held last 25th and 27th of January
2013. Being one of the placers in the exam was
one of the best and most humbling highlight in
that experience.

So, as expected, many of my friends who are
about the take the review are asking me which
Architecture Review Center is the best. Of course,
there is no one valid answer to this question - the
answer will always be subjective. If you would
ask me what I would recommend, I would of
course recommend the review centers I enrolled
to since their review approaches were effective
for me.

If you want to know what REVIEW CENTER IS
THE BEST, well you won't find the answer here.
LOL. I'm just basically blogging about my
architecture review experience.

The most basic question here is how did I choose
the review centers I attended to in the first
place?

Ans. BY RECOMMENDATION

Before enrolling to any review center, I had to
research a lot. [Yes, I can be O.C. like that.]

Secondary data from the internet was helpful.
The internet, with the websites of the various
review centers provided basic information from
the location, the tuition fee (upon request),
proximity to PRC and the Test Venues, the
teachers and professors and any other relevant
information you will need.

But what was most helpful was the primary data I
gathered from actual interviews with architect
friends & mentors. But I also had to keep in mind
that one can only recommend the review centers
they were enrolled to. But even if their answers
are biased, I considered their recommendations
immensely because (1) I know them personally
and they would always recommend the best for
me and (2) I trust their opinion over anything
posted online.

Finally, this is the scheme that I decided on for
myself (which my review-mates from Davao
agreed with):

Basic/Fundamental Review: JPT Review Center,
Galicia st., Sampaloc
-As recommended by most of my architect
friends/mentors from Davao City

Special Building Technology Class: APR
Review Center, R,Papa st., Sampaloc
-As recommended by architect friends from
Davao City

Design Course: UAP Center for Career
Development, Scout Rallos, QC
-Personal assessment of the review center via
their website, and also recommendation from an
architect friend, as well.

Special Coaching: UAP Center for Career
Development, Scout Rallos, QC
-As per recommendation of the UAP CCD
professors

Refresher: JPT Review Center, Galicia st.,
Sampaloc
-As recommended by most of my architect
friends/mentors from Davao City

Many people think that I took ENTIRE double
courses in various review centers. But I didn't.
It was just one course, no doubles.

The only double subject I took was that of the
special class which I took at APR Review
Center. It was recommended to me by previous
board takers, and for me I felt that it was also
vital for me to take this class since I knew my
weakness was in Building Technology and
Building Materials. True enough, this class proved
useful during the board exam. Thank you, Arch.
Arnel P. Ramos for the opportunity.

UAP CCD was closer to home, in a sense that the
review center is located at UAP Head Quarters.
The lectures and the design class given were also
helpful. I would also like to commend Arch. Rey
S. Gabitanfor being very well versed in the
Professional Practice subject and situational
questions, which was very important not only for
the board exam but when one starts to practice.
More importantly, the special coaching given was
really helpful in taking away the anxiety I had.
The special coaching boosted my confidence in
not just taking the exam but to also conquer it.
My UAP CCD experience became the foundation
of my mental, emotional, and physical
preparation for the exam day. The special
coaching allowed me to embrace the reality that
is the board exam.

JPT Review Center became my second home,
and Amber (the company pet/mascot)
became my extended family pet. The Center was
also close to my heart because the staff was
Cebuano, and it was nice to hear bisaya
conversations once in a while. But apart from
these little homey perks, I would commend JPT
for how they handle the classes with a great
degree of professionalism, care of Sir Jim.Arch.
Gerard Dy & Arch. Annie Pugeda were
extremely brilliant in making us, or me feel that
these are things that I already know and that we
are just reviewing these things. All the instructors
of the review center were equally brilliant
most especially in streamlining the things we
have to study and to know the things that we
have to focus on. I really felt JPT's support from
the beginning of the review till the very end.
(I am biased here because I took Basic Review
[beginning] and Refresher [end]. LOL. But biased
or not, the review centers approach was effective
for me)

Well, in any case my opinion will always be
biased and limited to the review centers that
I have enrolled in. Therefore, I'm not
a Review Center Critique Expert of sorts. I'm
pretty sure there are other review centers out
there that are at par with the review centers I
have enrolled with. Like everything else, each
review center has its own strengths and
weaknesses. But review centers will only be there
to guide you on what to study and more of the
work will really be your responsibility. And I am
pretty sure that all review centers are committed
to helping each and every reviewee pass and ace
the board exam.

Basically, in choosing what you think the right
review center is for yourself is the key to
everything. Do not let anyone decide for you.
That is what I did with my review-mates from
Davao, in every decision the group made I had to
ensure that it was a voting system. I did not
force any decision on anyone.

At this point in your life, to trust in your self is
way better than anything else. You do not want
to go around blaming other people for the
decisions they made for you because in reviewing
and in practically anything, you decide for
yourself. Letting others decide for you is still a
decision you made for yourself. So whichever way
the ball rolls, it will always be your decision.

Praying for wisdom in discerning will also be
helpful.