Section 2 exam in August

[NilooH]

Hi everyone,
I am going to take the test in 7 days and feel not prepared at all.
Any suggestion that can help me to focus on subjects that are more relevant will be very helpful. Did anybody take the exam in August that can recommend what to study on this short amount of time?
Thanks

[Jacqui Harris]

I took Sect 2 yesterday. Take as many practice tests as possible. I limited my practice exams dues to time constraints and there were definitely questions I felt unprepared for. Know your slope analysis and how they apply to different situations. Know soils and load bearing. Know what effects sun access. Of course, these are the things that I felt unprepared on. It’s a wide range of information. Go through the CLARB bullet points and make sure you feel confident on those areas. Good luck!
I am now in the six weeks of pretending I’m not thinking about how I did haha

[Peter Salamon]

See I didn't remember soils being a focus at all outside of one question maybe. Maybe they swap out different pretest questions (which seems unfair bc that can effect how you take the entire test) There was probably slope analysis idr it being that tough. Sun access...don't remember that exactly either but possibly on there. The thing that stood out to me overall was the scenarios were set up different from pracitce exams, and there was a much higher ratio of these to "terms" than on practice exams.

[EF]

I also noticed that very little if any of the scenarios that were on the actual test were in any of the practice tests (took everything I could find-shake and bake, LAREprep and some outdated ones just to get an idea of the sort of info/way CLARB asks the questions). The information the questions were asking for in the practice tests may have been in there somewhere, but not asked in the same situation, so make sure you really understand the underlying principles and the information being asked in that practice tests. 

It strangely felt more like some of the questions were more like what I would expect for section 3, with needing to understand the ways to use the inventory and analysis when moving into the design process, so I'd say make sure you have a strong understanding of the overall processes involved with inventory/analysis as opposed to terms. I did get some questions on soil types related to load bearing and what maps have what info on them, if that helps to direct some studying. It's much more interpretive and I found myself getting really nervous that I was second-guessing my way into failure, especially on the "pick all that apply". Also, I've been studying basically full-time for a couple of months to take section 2 and 3 and I was definitely asked random questions that I don't even recall being in the reading material or on any practice tests...maybe I somehow glossed over some info though? 

[Peter Salamon]

At one point I thought they accidentally gave me section 3.  I read some cliff notes for all the sections beforehand just in case, but was not prepared for many of those. 

[Gary Westlake]

I am also taking Section 2 this coming week and wanted to know what people thought of the LAREprep tests?  I just tried to purchase them and they all say that "item is currently unavailable and pending approval"....?  Did anyone else run into this issue?

Or on the flip side, have any useful practice exams or links to others?

Thanks

[patok]

Is LAREprep the same as shake n bake?

[Alex G]

I have been trying to go for Section 1 and 2 this testing period. Having just taken Section 1 earlier in this testing period, I think LAREPrep was a worthwhile resource. However, like Gary, I am also unable to currently access LAREPrep for Section 2 (I've been holding out as long as possible to use this resource as a gauge).Whoops!

UGA LARE Prep course recommended LaGro and Booth for Section 2. These both seemed like such general knowledge to me it is hard to say if they really helped me prepare at all. 

Jacqui, were there any resources on soils or bearing capacity that you would recommend? 

Good Luck y'all!

[Ashton Williams]

I just took Sect. 2 this afternoon. I think the LAREprep exams were good to practice answering the questions in a similar way that the tests ask you things, but since there is such a vast amount of information you have to study for these exams, of course they aren't going to be 100% accurate. I found LAREprep exam A to have very similar content but it is asked in a slightly different way. I would highly recommend them but just keep that in mind. LaGro was really too simplistic but I found the NY ASLA study guide that someone posted on here a while back to be really helpful in building a well rounded study guide for myself. It helped me keep all the topics organized in my brain.

Although I cannot disclose any exam content, I can say that the best way to study is not only to know the terms but know why they are important. In the case of soils, for example, don't just study the types of soils and their properties. Also know how they are used with their strengths and weaknesses and how this plays into how we as designers need to react to these conditions. I crammed chapter 7 of Site Engineering for Landscape Architects by Strom this morning and I felt it was really helpful in regard to soils.

Same kind of thinking applies to all topics. "I know the properties of wetlands/planning/topography, ect., but why is that inventory/analysis relevant to the program and end design?" Know the difference between analysis and inventory and the line between analysis and design as well as what you would do and when. I think that caused me to think the hardest about what the questions were really asking. The testing strategy is just as important as studying the material. You need to stop and think these questions:

1)what is the question asking in the most abbreviated way I can explain it to myself (sometimes they ask in funny ways so it makes you break it down and pay attention)?

2) can I eliminate any answers that are irrelevant?

3) What is be purpose of the remaining answer choices?

4) what is the most relevant in terms of health, safety, and welfare?

5) without overthinking it, how would a minimally competent landscape architect react to this question?

And if all else fails...

6) how would I answer this question if the people who wrote it used to work for city government as landscape architects 10 years ago? ;)

Hope this helps!

[NilooH]

Hey everyone,
Great advices and info, thanks for taking time to explain your experiences. Where to get more information about soil bearing/ analysis ? Largo?
Good luck everyone. Hope we all pass and be done with it.

[Jacqui Harris]

Site Planning and Design Handbook by Russ has The basics of soils. You can probably fill in the gaps for analysis with this book, and it’s one of the recommended readings for this section. I also used Landscape Planning by William Marsh. I liked that it has more graphic / diagrammatic information.

[Gary Westlake]

Alex, I contacted the site admin yesterday and it turns out that he’s having trouble with the site web host or something. Send them an email so they know that you are too. I am in the same boat as you, waited to use those as my final comparison for my understanding on the material and since they are in the digital format so I’m pretty bummed myself. Either way they said they’re hoping to get them operational ASAP but the more feedback from others looking to purchase them the better.

sup...@lareprep.com

Patok, shake and bake are different than LAREPrep but also a great resource. They explain why the answer is the answer so that you don’t just know that you got it wrong and and have to search for why.

[Jacob G]

Ashton,

Your 6 questions are perfect. Spot-on.

 

[Jacob G]

All,

lareprep.com is back up for business. i just purchased one of the tests successfully.

[J Sea]

I feel EFs comment about questions not belong lay strongly applies here. There were quite a few that I felt had no relation to inventory and/or analysis; hopefully I answered them right because I used my best judgement from work experience.

I felt that I lacked confidence in understanding flood plains and storm intensity. I understood the basic concepts but they were asking way more detailed questions that I probably would have gotten out answers of a site engineering book.

I highly reccomend taking the time and looking at all the different kinds of maps and knowing what's on them.

I also suggest reading up on public involvement in regards to projects.

Thanks everyone for sharing their experiences, I came out partially frustrated and hopefully due to all the help on here.

[Lussina Zhang]

Does anyone pass the Section2 in Aug. this year?

[Peter Salamon]

I passed! In case anyone was wondering, the email only comes if you have it set "on" in preferences, you have to log in.  No email doesn't equal Fail like someone said.  I don't know what to say other than what I posted here a while back since you dont get any score from passing.

[Lussina Zhang]

So What's your answer? Is the pool far away from the house and parallel with the house?

[Jacqui Harris]

This question is more related to materials knowledge rather than adjacencies. The base materials were clay and gravel, if I remember correctly. So for the analysis portion you need to understand the materials properties and how they effect design element placement.

[Peter Salamon]

In terms of confidence on this one I was probably half way between what you guys are saying. I knew it was a soil properties question, and I studied that stuff but was unsure of how it applied here.  Am I correct that the "shallow end deep end" info was TMI, and that one consistent material is what they're looking for?

[Peter Salamon]

http://www.pooleng.com/Soil-Considerations-in-Swimming-Pool-Construction/av-29.aspx 

Based on this, a uniform type of soil is needed. That cuts the possibilities in half.  Beyond this, I still dont understand what they are going for.  Clay has poor drainage and expands more (bad) but is less erodable.  Sand and gravel (or was silt the other choice?)  have better drainage, less expansive, but are more erodable.

[Peter Salamon]

Think I got this one wrong.  The Shrink/Swell potential seems to take priority over erodability for pools

[Jacob G]

ha-- i thought it had to do with permeability, in case of structural failure, and therefore chose only gravel. 

we'll never find out the right answer. 

[NilooH]

Glad to hear you all passed. I thought I had it but I failed by 637 score. Very upset and sad. Don’t know what materials to add for the next round to make sure passing it :(

[Ashton Williams]

Did you get the NY ASLA study guide someone posted a while back? That was the most helpful thing for me.

[B]

I passed section 2 in Aug and found that the LarePrep practice tests were the most helpful items that I had studied. The books didn’t really provide much useful info, and I ended up making a study list of terms from all the questions I missed on the LarePrep tests (and some of the ones I guessed and got right) and used that exclusively to study from. Had I not taken those tests I wouldn’t have even thought to read up on soil types and things like that. I still had to use logic and reason to get through the test (wish they would give your score when you pass to see how well you actually did).

Of course when I say that I mean logic and reason for LARE tests because they really don’t have much to do with being a LA in reality. You have to get your thinking into the way they ask questions. I liken it to solving riddles. When you start you have no idea how to answer, but once you see the answer to a few, suddenly you start figuringing them out. LARE tests are the same and for many questions I sat there reading over and over until I actually understood what they were even asking. This test section took me almost the entire allotted time to finish where section 1 I finished with an hour to spare. So definately more abstract thinking in section 2. Anyway, enough rambling... good luck on your retake.

[NilooH]

Thanks for info B. Hi Ashton, I didn’t get the guidance from NY ASLA. When was it posted?

[XH]

I am reading Lagro for test 2 right now and I have some trouble in focusing on it. The concepts of site selection and programming of the whole book is too general and make me feel easily drift away from the content of it. Do you think it is useful for the real test 2? Could you give me the names and list of materials you used to prepare for test 2 except Lagro ? Any suggestions are appreciated. 

Thank you

[B]

I didn’t find much value in Lagro for section 2, plus it reads more like a college term paper than a textbook. Every other sentence is quoted from another source! The best source I found for info was actually the LarePrep tests (took both). I took notes on everything I missed and the ones I guessed on and then studied those topics. Was the most helpful and believe it’s why I passed the August Section 2 exam. Good Luck!

[Ashton Williams]

This was the link I saw for the NY ASLA stufy guide:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F-SBbF5cxgHfVHJepwoPzTj2P4BRwtE3/view?usp=sharing

[patok]

I read LaGro front to back as well as Russ, I also took every practice I could get my hands on from 2008 ish up to the most recent shake n bake tests. I think what helped most was how I worked on remembering what I got wrong on practice tests. I spent a lot of time researching each wrong answer so that I not only understood the right answer but I understood the logic that was being used. It is not your typical test where memorized information is necessarily important, it is more important to have a solid understanding of concepts and application/ what happens when ____? that sort of stuff. I passed my first time through from how I studied but to each his own. I also made flashcards and started studying about 12 weeks out from the test. 

[XH]

Thank you very much guys! Very valuable suggestions and personal experience. I really need some new materials to refresh my brain and let me hitting the stride. Cause I have been stuck in it for more than a month. 

BTW, do you guys have tried Test 4 or are preparing for it? I spent a quite bit time to decide to take test 2 or test 4 this December since I already tried test 4 this April and failed. For me, the preparation for test 4 is like too much stuff to study and test 2 is little things to read cause I don't know what material should I read! 

No matter which test you are taking this December, hope you pass it and good luck! 

[Debra J]

Hi Ashton, 

Thank you for the study guide link, but wondering if there is an answer key to the sample questions?  This is a good study guide in the way it is structured!  I have failed sec 2, but study my butt off and read couple of the books, flashcards, researched all the bullet points, practice tests, prep test etc, I guess that was not enough....ugh!  But you are right in the way to think about the questions in your 6 list and also how a LA person would apply the health, safety and welfare kind of way.  Everyone had Great advise from what I have read on all. 

[NilooH]

Hi Ashton, I noticed the NY ASLA has no key answers for
The questions. Do you have them by any chance?
Thanks again for your help

[Dominic Zuccarelli]

I am also looking for these answers!

[Ashton Williams]

Here are the answers for the practice questions.

[NilooH]

Thanks Ashton for posting the key answer.appreciate it.

[DH]

I have the same feeling with LaGrow, it is very distracting to read. Not that I did not learn something... but

[Tianyi Jiang]

Hi, I took section 2 today, it has the same swimming pool & soil property question as it shows back to 18/8

[KB]

hey Tianyi  - which swimming pool/ soil property questions did you mean? 

[Kenneth Brandl]

I had the pool/soil graphic question on my test yesterday. Very interested in what the correct answer is but we may never know. 

[Tianyi Jiang]

Clay gravel and plastic gravel(never heard of this?) for soil bearing capacity?

[Cody _]

I had the same question; it was asking where to locate a swimming pool with a deep end and shallow end.  One side of the backyard was "plastic clay" soils, the other "clayey gravel" soils.  It had four options; this sketch is what I remember the four answers to be.  Anyone know the correct answer?

[Kris Davis]

I picked D as the answer. because its the BEST option, any soil that has gravel in it will have a better bearing capacity than plasticity clay ( because thats the worst) moves around too much. Not good for any structures really. 

Admin might delete this message.fyi

[Tia]

I am still confused about the concept of unit in high-rise building. Is the whole building considered one unit ? 

[Kyle Smith]

Tia,

Each residence in the building would be considered a unit. For example, a high rise apartment building with 200 apartments in it would be said to have 200 units in it. Each individual apartment is considered a unit.

[Tia]

Thank you, Kyle!

[Tianyi Jiang]

I'll reccommend Time-saver Standards

[Peter Salamon]

You typically don't need to know specifics like this because everywhere is different.  Its good to know generally, and they may ask you to infer something, but they will give you more info

[Katie Toschlin]

Hi! I prepared for section 4 by studying 45min-1hr each day for section 4. It also helps that I work in an engineering firm but there are a few crossovers from section 2 to section 4. I just took section 2 yesterday and make sure you're comfortable with stormwater processes and being able to read contours and grading.

[Sage Winter]

I've heard a lot about these NY ASLA prep package on this group, but I cannot find it!  - if anyone would be willing to share it with me I would be most grateful!!!!

[JD Smith]

And here are the answers to the sample questions

[A.K]

Hey JD Smith - do you also have this sample questions as well? if you have can you please share with us? thanks!

[Robin S]

Here you go

[A.K]

thank you so much Robin!

[SWS]

A question in this practice exam says that the topographic survey includes surrounding views???  I cannot understand how this would work. Am I misunderstanding something here? 

[roxy]

I am taking section 2 and possibly also section 3 together in April 2020. I would love to buy second hand some of the readings/books from anyone who do not need them any longer  as they are not available in Amazon or really overpriced.  I can also rent for a fee and return them after the exam. Anyone who can help? Thanks a lot

[Solo]

I second Roxy if any of you have the materials/books you used that you don't need them anymore, would be happy to buy/rent specially section 1 and 2 materials. Please PM me. 

Thanks 

[Mike F.]

Hi Solo, I have pdf's of: 

• Thomas Russ - Site Planning and Design Handbook, Second Edition (2009), 
• James A. LaGro - Site Analysis_ Informing Context-Sensitive and Sustainable Site Planning and Design-Wiley (2013), 
• Dean Frederick Steiner - The Living Landscape, Second Edition_ An Ecological Approach to Landscape Planning  -Island Press (2008)

I've been told that LaGro and Russ are the only important ones by colleagues that have recently taken section 2... If you'd like to purchase them for much less than the physical copies let me know!

Mike

[julia yu]

If you don't want to pay at all... I just googed around and found Thomas Russ's Site Planning and Design Handbook and James La Gro's Site Analysis first edition free online. Links are below!  =) 

https://doarch411sp16.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/site_planning_and_design_handbook__second_edition.pdf

http://permabox.ressources-permaculture.fr/1-PERMACULTURE/DESIGN/BOOK_Site-analysis_by-James-A.-LaGro.pdf

[ADMIN]

Mike are you seriously trying to SELL pdfs of a copyrighted material to someone else on this forum??? I'm holding off on banning you outright because I can't imagine you would possibly be that brazen...

[A.K]

Section 2 question - The cost effectiveness of the parking layout

Can anyone please help me understand why the answer is D? C seems right for me..

This question is from ASLA Lare prep presentation slides. 

[Beth Bokulich]

"the cost effectiveness is reduced" meaning the design is more expensive this way because of...

basically saying it doesn't make sense from a cost perspective to add this much paving just for 7 parking spots. There's probably a better way to lay out parking.

That's my guess.

[Chanelle Russ]

Edit subject

I would think it's because there is too much paving... quite literally. I drew a blue line to show how the stalls should end, so there's a little extra paving on each one plus imagine a jagged sidewalk being built next to that

[SWS]

AK- This is not an effective parking design for the amount of paving because it is a one sided parking lot. Adding parking on both sides of the access aisle would decrease the amount of paving per parking space.