Section 3 2nd Attempt Advice

[Ben Luker]

Hi everyone.

I failed section three, and I'm wondering what materials I should focus on for my next attempt. I received a well below proficient for sub domain 1, construction docs and details, despite having seven years of experience creating construction docs and details, and I was proficient in sub domains 2 and 3, despite having no PM or CA experience. The only materials I used were Hinze's Construction Contracts, LAREprep, and practice exams. I'm just kind of confused and don't want to mess it up again. Any advice is appreciated.

Thank You

[ADMIN]

"Time-Saver Standards" is essential to the CDA exam in my opinion - just make sure not to get into the weeds as it is a gigantic book. There are also a number of helpful details in "Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards" and the graphics are superior to those in TSS but I feel that the content of some of these details is potentially incorrect or unclear, so my advice is to look across multiple resources and formulate your own opinion about what is "correct." Do you have any idea what aspects of the construction docs and details were most difficult for you? Knowing that will help all of us provide you with solid advice.

[Afr RH]

Anyone is trying this section this year? looking for resources.

Thank you!

[Ben Luker]

I ended up getting likely to pass as provisional feedback! I focused on Hinze's Construction Contracts, specifically the chapters about contracts, the bidding process, and insurance. Like the admin said above, Time Saver Standards and Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards were essential as well. I sort of used the LAREPrep study guide to focus in on particular sections of all of these books. Oh, and lots and lots of practice exams.

[Isabel Lewis]

I took it in the most recent administration and received a 'Likely to Pass'. I had some last-minute anxiety about studying and honestly think I could have studied harder, I still can't believe I passed. I did not read Hinze - kudos to those who do, but staring down this 600-page textbook PDF, I did not feel like reading it would be the best use of my time. I basically rewrote the LAREprep study guide in a my own notebook - I took notes on EVERYTHING. I took the official CLARB practice tests and wrote out an explanation for every question I got wrong, then the same thing with the LAREprep tests, then the night before (cramming!) I took the Pass the LARE tests (which I actually thought were quite good). Towards the end I started making flash cards based on the questions I got wrong on the practice tests and just drilled myself on them constantly, whenever I had a second. I also happened to be working on a big CD set release around the time of the exam, which I do think helped. 

On Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 10:00:40 PM UTC-5 Afr RH wrote:

[Carl Valdez]

Thank you for the advice! I will be taking section 3 for the first time this April.

[Biff Henderson]

Looks like the Test 3 consistently has the highest pass rates of all the exams. This gives me optimism! I'll be taking it April this year.