re: START HERE!!! SECTIONS 1-4 LARE Study Materials and Resources

[Bennett Smithhart]

So I am starting the testing process (Section 1) and I am looking for study material. I keep on running across these same links: 

Which one of these are recommended? Are these all practice tests or are they study guides? Anybody personally used any of these? Are these up to date for 2017?

SECTION 1

Free Study Materials: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8H0N5A23wXxb1RmdUtLdWhBMmM 

PPI Books: Section A: Sample Exam and Practice Problems

LAREprep Practice Exams: https://www.lareprep.com/#/section-1-exam-a/ and https://www.lareprep.com/#/section-1-exam-b/

Shake and Bake: http://www.larestudyguide.com/section_1.html

[ADMIN]

Bennett,

The link to free study materials is everything that I was able to collect from our LARE community and uploaded in one easy location for you and everyone else. PPI, LAREprep and Shake and Bake are practice tests, although all of them also feature explanations for why an answer is/isn't correct.  The list that I have provided is current although the materials listed herein are not all current to the 2017 standards.  If memory serves me correctly, LAREprep is 2017-compliant whereas PPI and Shake and Bake are not.  I believe PPI is the most out of date (it is also the most expensive).

[Bennett Smithhart]

So are these practice guides are all you really need for studying for the exam? I am assuming that if they were not comprehensive enough someone would have created a better study system, like in the AICP/LEED testing world?

[ADMIN]

That's ultimately for you to decide.  In my opinion, you need to read at least some of CLARB's recommended texts.  The free study guides I posted are of varying usefulness - certainly the ones from CLARB and the ASLA are worth taking seriously.  Beyond that, you may decide it helps to spend some money on tutors, classes, webinars or the practice exams that I've listed as resources.

[Bennett Smithhart]

I am very new to the LARE testing process and I am very overwhelmed so far - I'm sure I'm not the only one. Along with this group and the LARE 101: 10+ Essential Resources for Section 1 Project & Construction Administration page (which is outdated) I have gotten some good information. Generally speaking, I have seen only lists of resources and no information on whether they are legit or not and what combination of these study materials leads to success. Has anybody personally taken any of these classes, tutors, webinars, practice exams, or read any of these books for the 2017 LARE and can say if they are helpful or not? What are the necessities? 

[ADMIN]

You can find the answers to most of your questions by searching this forum.  For example, there is currently a discussion titled "Which practice exam best for Section 1 and 2" and there are numerous past threads that cover similar topics.

[Emily Garavuso]

No one can tell you which resources are best for you.  Yes, the experience is overwhelming, but it is your ability to weed through it all, to figure out what YOU need, that will ultimately help you to pass your exams.  We all work in different environment and have different strengths and weaknesses.  Your best way to get started is to make a schedule.  What sources do you want to commit to and how long will you give yourself to get through the material  (break it down by week).   Start with Construction  Contracts and go from there.  When you get stuck on a topic look for different explanations in other sources or online.  Any book can be delivered to your local library via inter-library loan.  You have to talk to library staff but they give you a form to fill out and in a few days to a few weeks you'll have the books.  This is the free way to get study materials.  And  ADMIN is right, this question has been answered 10x over on this form.  Start searching and best of luck! 

[Kellie]

Hi all!

This resource really helped me for LARE 4: Book AND Workbook

Site Engineering for Landscape Architects Hardcover – 2013 by Steven Strom (Author), Kurt Nathan (Author), Jake Woland (Author) -well-kept, mint condition

Site Engineering for Landscape Architects Workbook Paperback – 2009 by Jake Woland (Author) -well used, fair condition

Sold as a set for $99 US/Canadian (retails for USD$180)

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-textbooks/city-of-toronto/study-books-for-lare-4-exam-engineer-reference-2-for-1/1236456162?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Cheers and good luck!

Kellie