LAREPrep Tests

[Michelle Duchene]

I wanted to let you all know, that I took Section 4 in April and failed it.  I studied grading intensely but failed to study some of the other content like stormwater management component, and bid/contract items.  

The LARE Prep tests are eerily close to the actual exam and inexpensive.  I highly recommend anybody taking Section 4 invest in those exams.  

Good luck to you all!

[aes9...@yahoo.com]

I had the same experience, failing Section 4 in April as well. I've used the LARE Prep tests for studying too and they do seem to be very much like the exam. I am using them and going back to Strom and TSS to review the subject matter in the questions. I am also doing the CLARB sample exam and the 'shake and bake' exam to review subject matter. I am not spending the same amount of time on working out difficult grading problems this time around. I have read TSS much more thoroughly, and am still trying to get all the specifications and project manual info straight, as well as construction documents. I have been working in High-End Residential design, and while we complete full sets of construction documents, our specifications are not nearly as in-depth. I think the LARE prep tests are well worth the money! I wish I had used them last spring to study, I would have definitely looked at stormwater management more, and also things like bidding, specifications, etc... 

[Michelle Duchene]

I know, the material is so vast on the exam.  After I found out I failed and found out about those prep tests I was so upset.  If I would have had those, I know I would have passed!

I have been practicing for 13 years in the tropical climates of South Florida where all stormwater management is channelized and highly regulated and designed by civil engineers and we NEVER use wood as a building material as it will just rot away in an incredibly short amount of time.  I totally fell short studying stormwater and decking/wood items in April.  

[Jeff Danner]

Michelle,

Great advice on 4. I take it for the first time in a few weeks! 

Any advice on 3? I take that on Monday.

Go Illini!

[Michelle Duchene]

OMG Jeff!  I'm comforted to know that I am not the only one out there without a license yet!  This will be my third time taking section 4 but I am sure I got it this time.  

I got lucky when I took section 3 a couple years ago because we do alot of site planning at the firm I am at, so I kinda breezed through it.  If I had to take it again, I would invest in the LAREPrep exams because it seems like some of the written questions for Section 4 are directly off the exam and the graphic questions are extremely similar.   I took all the sections in 2009 and failed them all except A.  If you haven't taken any of the computerized exams yet, they are WAY easier than the old written format.  

Good luck!

[Michelle Duchene]

Oh I forgot to add, Section 3 seemed to try to trick you when they could.  The goal is always safety.  I just kept that in mind and always thought about, which answer will keep the public the safest.  

The questions are horribly written, or written by an evil genius.  Either way, dissect the questions, don't get side tracked by aesthetics, and remember to always keep people safe.  

[Jeff Danner]

I've used LARE Prep since Section 2 and I love them! They definitely provide a good framework.  I did however fail 3 in April with a 631 !!!! I think I mismanaged my time more than anything, overthinking! Hoping to wrap this thing up so I can take the Florida exam and move on with my life.

Best of luck to you too!

[Jeff Danner]

I'd agree with you there. I walked out of 3 in April feeling like my brain had been melted. Health Safety Welfare! While I haven't take 4 yet, I have spent some time on storm water management. Erosion control and controlling sedimentation is a religion!

[pe...@whitesycamore.com]

I've also been practicing over 10 years with only sections 1 and 2 passed a long time ago.  I would like to tackle 3 and 4 separately and not rushed.  What's the best study source strictly focused on section 3?  I recently purchased TSLA, it is a two inch thick book and it would be helpful if any of the recent exam takers can help inform us which chapters of the book to focus on.  I will also be taking section in Florida.  I wish there's a "Cliff Notes" version of the study that exists to help w/ the exam.  Thanks in advance.

[Benjamin Haim]

My experience with LARE prep is that the exams are slightly easier than the LARE itself, especially the graphic questions. I’ve been getting around 70% pass rates when I take them, but I’ve failed the LARE section 4 three times now. I’ve studied every source out there and have taken every practice exam there is. In fact, I’ve read site engineering cover to cover (minus the calcs as the LARE doesn’t test you on that) I really don’t know what to do anymore.

I plan on taking sec 4 again in a couple of weeks. If anyone has any advice, let me know. Please. I’m desperate.

[Michelle Duchene]

Did you study the Aymer book on landscape grading?  I went through that book and made sure I knew how to do every problem correctly.  After studying that book, I found the graphic problems on section 4 to be quite a bit simpler than I had expected.  

Landscape Grading: A Study Guide for the LARE Grading Examination 
by Valerie Aymer 
Link: http://a.co/haVf4KR

[Benjamin Haim]

Thank You.  This looks great.  I may just go ahead and order it immediately considering I have a week left until I take the exam.  Does it provide info on placement of stormwater devices?  Those have been more difficult for me than grading itself.  I remember the December exam and the one before that having tricky drag/drop questions (like placing erosion control logs, catch basins vs area drains, etc).  I think those questions could actually be easy w/ a bit of practice, but I can't find many practice questions like that.  I know what the devices are used for but I actually would like practice looking at a grading plan where I can analyze the drainage patterns and correctly place them.  The grading questions where you calculate for FG, TW, etc) I've actually got down pretty good.

[Lhellrei]

I finally decided to purchase one of the LAREPrep exams for Section 3. I thought at the very least it would get me in the mindset of actually answering multiple choice/graphic questions. That's all it did. 

I'm kind of disappointed to be honest. The questions were extremely easy, more or less common sense. On my first try I finished the test in about 35 minutes and got 65/85. It was helpful to read through the review they give you for each question you get right/wrong, however, this information is kind of limited. 

For example, I got a question wrong that asked if a graphic was convex or concave. I mixed the two up, so during the review part I was reminded which was which. What are the chances I get a specific question on concave/ convex grading on the test? Probably slim, although the terms may be used as a "wrong" answer in a multiple choice question. So at least there's that. 

Another example asked to place a bench on a certain area of a section of a street, boulevard and plaza. I put the bench in the plaza, but the correct answer was the boulevard. Cool, so now I learned where a bench goes in this specific scenario. There was a similar question about which type of lighting to use for residential or commercial.

In reality, the LARE's don't ask you such straightforward questions. They like to put the question in a scenario, so you first have to decipher what they mean, apply what you studied to this specific scenario and then answer the question accordingly. A lot of the time they ask you to choose 3 of 6, however, more than 3 are correct. You have to figure out which answers are most right.

I waited a few days and tried the test again. I finished in 18 minutes and got 5 wrong. Part of this was because I probably memorized the questions, the least they could do is mix up the order each time you write the test or switch up some of the questions they ask. 

It seems like these tests are a one and done type of resource. In theory they are worth $30 just because they'll get you in the mindset of the type of questions, however, they lack depth. 

If you're buying these as a form of studying, I wouldn't recommend it. Just read and study the recommended material. If you're buying them to get in the mindset of the types of questions that will be asked, I would suggest using the CLARB practice exams (although slightly outdated) it offers the closest resemblance of the actual test. 

[stefano ascari]

@Lhellrei: Second that. The LAREPrep tests are WAY easier then the actual test. I would say 60-70% of the questions were "choose all that apply". For every point you miss or answer incorrectly you will get dinged which will impact your overall score.

[Michelle Duchene]

See, I didn't have that with section 4.  My experience with Section 4 is that I was very lacking in knowledge or what items to study regarding bidding/contacts and stormwater components.  The LAREPrep tests had nearly identical questions on them.  Additionally, if you are going out of your mind trying to solve really complex grading problems, the prep test is a really good example of the types of problems. 

I was so upset that I learned about them after I took it in April because I think they are very helpful and I would have passed with them.  I still recommend them for section 4 100%!

[Peter Salamon]

The new version of two was changed immensely from what I was hearing about April exam.  There was nothing about horticulture or soils, which is insane.  The things they asked about the program and analysis phases in general were so vague and off kilt compared to the practice, it was hard to know what they were going for.  Kept finding myself asking "Do I choose the "best" answer, or the second best because thats actually in this phase?"

[nationalbr...@gmail.com]

I have the Shake and Bake practice exam for Exam 3, if you have any interest in switching prep exams. I have not taken exam 3 or this practice exam, but something is better than nothing.