LARE Section 4 Recap - August

[Eric Kelly]

Hello Future LAs,

Took section 4 today and though I felt it was challenging, I do not think it was outside the realm of expectations. My brain dump/notable aspects are below:

• Lots of questions on stormwater management - know the methods and their applications. Do NOT confuse with erosion/sediment control, as there were quite a few questions on this as well, and they clearly try to blur the lines. Don't be fooled!
• Yes, you have to know how to grade, but all of the questions are simple math. I got the "bridge" question that several have mentioned, but it's not difficult. The answer is in the question. Again, it's simple math. Minimum and maximum slopes are generally given in all grading questions, so a calculator will serve as your best friend.
• One or two questions on traffic control. Know your signage.
• A few questions on wayfinding.
• Several questions on contracts/bidding/administrative. I was surprised to see so many given that I thought this section was much more CD heavy, but consistent with what others have said.
• One or two questions on lighting plans, but nothing requiring calculations. General knowledge will suffice.
• Soil boring plans came up more than a few times. This is one I wish I had spent more time on. Fingers crossed I got them right.
• A few questions on construction detailing, but they're elementary in their depiction. I do not think they are challenging if you understand the basics. Time Saver Standards is your friend here.
• Fasteners definitely came up, but were overall a minor portion of the exam.
• Refresh your memory on soil types as they pertain to stormwater/drainage/erosion. Again, this was a pretty major theme to this exam.
• Regarding contracts/bidding/scope of work/responsibilities - several questions here. Review your section 1 material. I wish I had spent more time refreshing my memory on these topics as it had been over a year since taking Section 1.

I'm sure there are things I've already forgotten as the 4 hours went by in a whirlwind, but I'm happy it's over. Hopefully I'm Nevada's next registered Landscape Architect, wish me luck!

Eric

[Alex]

Thanks, Eric for your recap! Hopefully you passed! :) 

[Joshua Epps]

Hey Eric,

This is Epps. It is crazy coming across your comment on here since I have not seen you since Chaddick's class at UNLV. I am in Houston, Texas, and took Section 2 this past round. Hope all is well with you and your professional career.

[Tianyi Jiang]

Hello, Eric, 

Thank you so much for updating! Another friend of mine told me the same thing that there were a lot related to civil: pipes and storwater. 

Do you think for those construction details, how detailed should I get into? For example, I am currently reviewing asphalt pavement, should I know the different surface coating of asphalt? TSS is covering very specific and detailed knowledge of it. 

Thanks!

[Eric Kelly]

Yes, asphalt came up on a few questions. Study not only asphalt surfaces, but also how subgrade and other substrate materials are installed in relation to the asphalt. Know the difference between permeable and non-permeable surfaces and what those sections look like - (e.g. pavers, asphalt, concrete) and study how different materials interface with one another (concrete adjacent to asphalt) Let me know if you have any other questions! 

[Tianyi Jiang]

Hey, Eric, 

Do you know if Culvert and wastewater treatment process will be tested in Sec 4?

Thanks, 

[BC]

Those topics were not on my August section 4 exam. I don't think I've seen wastewater treatment on any list of topics for the exam. 

[Ray Freeman]

Good summary, Eric.

Yes. There will be a number of questions on both stormwater management (goals and methods and technology) and Sedimentation and erosion control.

Grading is relatively simple, but you need to always check slopes between given and calculation spot elevations to verify that you are in the acceptible range as given in the problem statement. This is where people who dont grade much blow it.

CLARB cant seem to decide between section1 and 4 for Contract Documents and Bid Documents. Be prepared. Also be prepared for spec questions.

The borings are easy compared to interpreting a real geo-report. However, on AIT problems, they WILL usually drive the answer.

Knowing appropriate fasteners and fastening techniques is gonna be useful.

Here's a basic soils question to ponder: Do you know what general type of soil is best for locating a water supply pond?  How about an infiltration basin? Why?