The extra 20%

When I was in school . . . all the way through architecture school . . . I generally did anything and everything I wanted to do.  I did not spend a significant amount of time studying.  I would study the absolute minimum and would come out generally with “B’s” and “C’s”.  Somewhere along the line I decided the extra effort to get to an “A” wasn’t worth it.  Basically, the value of the extra 20% wasn’t worth the effort to me.

Over the past few months, I’ve been studying for (and taking) the Architecture Registration Exam.  Nobody except the NCARB officials really know what “PASSING” is . . . but most estimate it is somewhere between 70-80%.  However, the exams are expensive ($170 each), and if you do not pass, you have to wait 6 months to take it again.  Since I’m currently unemployed, failing one section is potentially a Double-Whammy for me — delaying registration (and possibly a job) and also costing me another test fee down the road.

I’m studying a bit harder than ever.  Despite a PASS/FAIL grade, I feel like I can not afford the possibility of failure.  The effort of that extra 20% is much more worth it to me, even though an actual grade won’t ever show it.  Why?  Because that extra 20% of effort is a bit of “insurance policy” to be as sure as I can that I will pass the exams.

Of course, that doesn’t guarantee a PASS on any particular section, but it sure doesn’t hurt.  Besides, the whole purpose of the exams is to demonstrate minimal qualifications to be a registered architect.  Who wants to hire a professional that is merely “minimally qualified?”