Sec. 1 & 4 New Format--Advice for Young Professionals? Help!

[Ann Mai]

Hi everyone!

I am a pretty recent grad and quite new to the field. I am curious if anyone has insights about the order in which best to take the exams. I know everyone's strengths are different--my initial inclination is to get 2 & 3 out of the way, as design and analysis are where my usual strengths lie. 

However, after learning more about the upcoming test format changes, I am strongly considering attempting to knock out 1 & 4, even though I am still gaining technical experience (my MLA program focused more on research, much less on construction & grading)...am I crazy?? I heard that Section 1 is mostly memorization and I feel somewhat confident about my college studying strategies with flashcards--I am most worried about Section 4 because grading & construction are not my strengths. 

My main reason for considering taking 1 & 4 is that I want to be able to take full advantage of existing resources and materials (including Sarah Gonquist's courses) as much as possible before the format change--I am not very keen on paying hundreds of $$ to be a guinea pig with the new formats, possibly studying outdated material...especially in this economy, LOL. 

I am really torn and stressed about this (mentally and financially--the earliest I can afford to take an exam is the Aug. 2023 session)--any advice or insights would be much appreciated!

[Morgan Kollman]

Hey! Of course you can take them in whichever order you’d like, but I’ll give you my opinion on what

I would do if I were in your position. I was on board with you taking Sections 1 and 4 to get them out of the way before the new format UNTIL you said you wouldn’t be able to test until august. That only gives you August to pass 1 and 4. CLARB is opening another testing session in October for Section 4 only. If grading and drainage isn’t your strong suit, you probably don’t want to leave it up to one testing session to pass. And doubling up on 1 and 4 in one testing session sounds like a nightmare to me. I passed section 1 in December and am currently studying for section 4 to take in April, and can’t imagine having to study for both of those sections simultaneously. Even if you do pass section 1 by the time the new format rolls out, and you don’t pass 4, you have to pay for and retake the NEW section 1 on top of the new section 4. 

TLDR; If you’re not testing until august, definitely do not take 1 and 4. Seems very risky imo. I would stick to sections 2 and 3 and wait for the new format to roll out for 1 and 4. 

[Ann Mai]

Thanks so much for your insights! I really appreciate it.

I am still pondering but your comment helped clarify some things for me--I think I was mistaken in thinking I would have 3 chances to take 1 & 4 (the CLARB info I have seen has been conflicting). But I think I have a better understanding now!

You are right, it might be too risky...I have a few months to think about this so I'll be thinking! :) Thank you again!!

[lilu...@gmail.com]

As an emerging professional, the bigger question is - is it necessary to get your license as quickly as possible? IE, potential loss of job or anything like that. If there are no serious consequences of not getting your license asap, I suggest waiting until the new iteration takes place and a few rounds after the switch so CLARB can get the kinks out of it. I was in a similar situation as you from the previous version to the now expiring version and I'm glad that I waited till the switch over because switching formats can be so jarring. 

That said, I don't know what your experience is but if you have minimal amount of grading knowledge, irrigation & detail knowledge... it will be a very steep curve in learning all the material for section 4. 

Just food for thought. Why stress yourself out during this transition period? Instead you could spend the time to prep and see what comes out peoples reviews on this new version. It took me 6 years to complete my testing procedure (while working full time) and I ended up waiting almost 10 years post college to even begin. Best of luck on your studies! 

[Garrett G]

Hi, just wanted to jump into this conversation as I'm also trying to strategize on the order I should take my tests based off the new versions of tests coming out. 

1. Would it be a ridiculous task to try to take Section 1 in April and then Section 4 in August?  I have 10+ yrs experience but this just seems like it would be tough to get these two knocked out prior to the test formats changing, especially since my first test  would be just about a month or less away.
2. So my current strategy would be to try to take either section 2 or 3 in April. Thoughts?

Appreciate any feedback on this. I haven't taken a test in well over a decade and just want to do it right the first time.  Thank you, 

- Garrett

[lilu...@gmail.com]

If you wanted to attempt Section 1 and Section 4 before the change over, my suggestion would be to try and take Section 4 & 1 in April and whatever you don't pass hope that you'll pass in August. Having 10+ years of experience is very helpful, more so if you feel comfortable with grading/drainage work, are well versed in construction details/materials and irrigation. I think it's possible to pass. The only unfortunate part about having years of experience is having to learn what is test correct and not experience correct. Sometimes the answers they are looking for is probably not what we would do in the field and being able to recognize those situations when taking the test.

If I were in your shoes I wouldn't run the risk of not being able to pass Section 4. It took me two attempts to pass and I dedicated a ton of time to study and practice grading exercises (building proficiency to speed up my grading work). I didn't feel confident when I was done with the test - those weeks of waiting for test results was painful. lol.  Another friend of mine ended attempting 4 times before passing. I think I would attempt Section 2, then Section 3, then tackling 1 & 4 after the change over. Good luck! 

[Morgan Kollman]

Hey Garrett, 

If you are considering taking 1 and 4 before the new format, that is how I would approach it as well. I would take Section 1 in April and then Section 4 in august. There is an additional testing session for Section 4 in October that CLARB added to make sure people had enough opportunity to pass before the new formats roll out. 

If you are confident with contracts and legal lingo, I would go for it. I did need to study for 2.5 months prior to taking section 1 and felt pretty confident I passed. It is all about how much experience you have with contracts and contractual issues and private vs. public bidding approaches. I did pass section 1 on my first try and have now been studying for section 4 since mid January and feel like I have a lot to learn/process in the next month. 

From the way it sounds, the new section 4 will be easier than the current section 4 but the new section 1 will be more difficult. 

Remember, these tests are expensive and it would suck to pass section 1 and not pass section 4 before the new format and then have to end up paying for and retaking section 1. You would put a lot less pressure on yourself if you took 2 and 3 before December’s new format and dealt with 1 and 4 in the new format.

[Rebecca M]

Hi Garrett,

CLARB's recommendation would be to take Section 4 in April and if you pass, then take Section 1 in August. Section 4 will get you credit under the new blueprint for Grading, Drainage and Stormwater Management. Section 1 only gets you credit for an exam in the new format in combination with Section 4. If you pass Section 1 and not Section 4, your section 1 exam will not transfer to the new exam.

Please feel free to reach out to CLARB with any other questions. In...@clarb.org or rmo...@clarb.org.

[Andrés Pérez]

Hi Garrett,

I am in the same position as you, with slightly less work experience. This was my reasoning:

- Sections 1 and 4 are the most useful at my current job tasks, so I figured I would be more motivated to understand and potentially use their content, making the exams easier to pass (and refreshing some of the knowledge I use at work)

- Although CLARB recommends sections 4 first and then 1 if you decide to do any of these, in my case, the April exam was too close to study section 4, so I decided to go for section 1 instead, which seemed easier.

- Also, I study better under pressure, so knowing that I NEED to pass section 4 in August or October will be a good motivation to get those 2 exams out of the way.

If you decide to go this route, feel free to reach out via direct message if you'd like to exchange thoughts or study material.

Best Luck. 

On Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 9:28:39 AM UTC-8 garrett...@gmail.com wrote: