See above. You don't need study groups for the Exacs... but ask around your local RAIC chapter. They might have something set up

Results were mailed out last week, are you upset that you did not pass them all? All the resources are available to you in the workplace. It’s up to you to broaden your experience as this is not a memorization exam.

Nothing is stoping them. It’s just unnecessary if you’re serious about your career.

NS... I vehemently disagree. The abundance of resources to study for the US exams is staggering, and the support from my firm in providing those has been absolutely profound in my development. Sure, I could try to read through 100+ pages of contracts and try to understand it on my own, and I might even get something out of it; but I'm going to get a lot more out of it if I read through it while taking part in a webinar that translates everything from 'legalise' to layman's english and provides the explanatory basis for why it is the way it is. In that sense, it actually falls into your asseration very well - the point isn't to memorize it, the point is to understand the subtext and legal basis to applying it in practice.

For whatever reason, Exac is really behind on this. Ive tried to glean a lot of info from various websites, etc, but it really doesnt appear like there is much support in helping people get to those exams. For context, I am just starting to see a lot of friend's postings about passing on social media in the last week, but its all people who were at least 2-3 years ahead of me in school. My class should theoretically passing these this year, but as far as I am aware thats not the case. On the flipside, I feel like i've accelerated my career objectives by following a lot of study guides in the US that are otherwise useless in canada.

Its not a shortcut by any means; I am spending at least 20+ hours per week going through material. But if I didnt have that, Im not sure where I would be getting it. Clearly no one in the office has 20-hours of time in a week to be preaching it to me.

To summarize: Actively studying to learn more about the practice on my own time makes me a better employee. It should be encouraged, and if resources exist to accelerate that, then all the better. Learning in a vacuum of practice can't provide all of that, just like learning in a vacuum of textbooks (with no experience) won't either.

Bench, we've had this discussion before... and I maintain that the point of these exams are not to be exercises in memorization... or even worse, the "what do I need to know to pass" type you typically get in university elective courses.

...and to your other point, I believe the onus should be placed on the intern-mentor relationship to plug in the holes. One hour of their time is certainly worth much more than you sitting through some webinar. Also, I don't want the legal parts translated. That shit is important! Also, imagine that I explained the above by somehow drawing something on a coaster. T'is the only acceptable way to pass down knowledge. 8-)

Fair enough. Fundamentally different views. Regardless, any method that promotes knowledge and advancement is one that I am all for, whatever it may be.

Mentorship is largely dead. Do you have to be a GOB member to get sketches on coasters?

And I don't know about CA but in the US you absolutely must study. It would take 20-30 years to get 'natural' exposure to the knowledge and experience you need.

what's a GOB?. Our exams are much simpler than the US ones.  2years experience with a few types of projects and seeing some construction & contract experience is often enough to cover most of the basics.  If you're doing sketchup models for 8hr a day... probably not tho.

Bench, another factor to consider is the Canadian market size... and I doubt there is enough $ available to fund study guides/groups like there have been for the last few decades in the US.  The exams are roughly 10years old and I remember them warning me when I took mine to expect that some questions were there as testers (and hence no there for any other purpose but to tests the test design).   

Glad you passed. There is no arrogance in my responses, just annoyance that the intent of the examination is not conveyed to interns by their mentors (and employers) during the internship period.

interesting... and certainly may be true for small offices in niche markets or those working in the territories, but I, and many of my peers who wrote the ExACs at the same time, had zero difficulties preparing for them. Granted this was back in the old system where we needed more hours for license. Once you're running projects by yourself, the exams are easy-peasy stuff. There was nothing in the exams I had not encountered within a year of writing them.  It's common stuff... unless they've kept the decibel addition question. That one was stupid.

As for the differences between NBC and OBC... please, I know the difference.  I live in both daily since I am based in Ottawa and the federal gov only cares for NBC.

Hi Corey,

Thanks for your comments and info. I'm planning to start studying for 2020 gradually from now. Wondering which resources you recommend to start with?

Start by reading the whole discussion In This thread.

more specific plz.

You should know this already if you’re able to write the exams.

Everyone wants one yet no one is interested in building it. Look in your local RAIC or provincial association. They might have something closer to the exam dates.

As per ExAC's website: 

"Preparatory courses and other ExAC study aids developed and marketed by third parties have not been authorized or endorsed by the Committee for the ExAC. There is no preparation course or study guide approved by the ExAC committee." 

So there is nothing officially organized or supported. There are occasional groups that pop up within the larger RAIC circles closer to the November exam dates.

is it?

Why redirect the 2019 thread? We’re the 2020 and 2021 ones not good enough? Also, outside of posting about study groups, there is very little ExAC discussion here. Best to contact your local RAIC chapter, the OAA, or your make your own with the school peers. Pro tip, the ExACs are not the type of tests you “study” for.