Architecture Exam Review, Vol. 1: Structural Topics, 5th Ed.,   ISBN:9781888577723

Customer Rating: 

The authors neglect to follow the proper format in example problems, such as writing out the formulas first, or using units in solving the problems. This is a terrible habit to teach. It also makes it very hard to follow.

Customer Rating: 

I gave it 5 stars because I just passed all 9 of ARE. For mutiple choice divisions. I only studied the Architecture Exam Review Volume I/II and flash card, plus Graphic Standard, Chin's Illastrated books and some downloaded online documents. These togeather covered more than 70% of exam topics, by applying common sense or just guessing for the remaining 30% questions, most people should have no problem to pass ARE.
Instead of studing many 1000 page books and couldn't remember any contants, I found it's more efficient to study just few smaller books Thoroughly.

Customer Rating: 

I bought this book as a structural topics refresher for the Architectural Engineering Professional Engineering exam. I was an AE structural option in college, so I knew all this stuff at some point, but I haven't looked at in five years! This book provides a great refresher, reminding you of the important things so you don't get bogged down studying theory from class notes. It's pretty thorough and covers an excellent range of topics (loads, connections, wood, steel, concrete, masonry, etc.). A few qualifiers:
1) Because I was a structural option, the topics were easier to grasp/recall. If you aren't familiar with structural concepts, this may not be your only resource, as it does not go into extreme explanation. The book assumes you have at least been introduced to the topics.
2) This covers the basics. You aren't going to get into plastic vs. elastic analysis, indeterminite analysis (outside of trusses), etc. But if you are looking for one user-friendly book to cover 80% of what you need to know, this is it!
3) Well-written. Good pictures and brief explanations. Goes into just enough detail to cover what really matters.
4) Has sufficient tables and graphs (borrowed from ACI 318, AISC, NDS, etc.) so you don't have to buy those to cross reference. Examples illustrate how to use the tables and graphs.
5) Good sample problems with explanations of why the wrong answers are wrong.
6) Some of the code references are a few years outdated.

Customer Rating: 

I found the Ballast guides to be concentrated specifically on the exams that we are acutally going to take. The subjects were organized and concise. Not too much time was spent on "advanced" topics not necessary for the structural topics tested in the exam. It provided most of the rules of thumbs that can be used by architects not only for the exam, but everyday practice. One could purchase the guide strictly as a desk side companion.

Customer Rating: 

This book is a complete study guide for the major structural topics and questions for the architectural licensing exam. My overall enthusiasm for this book was average. I found that there were chapters that were too vague or simply did not have enough information on specific equations. I also found that I did have to supplement the studying from this book with my own notes from my structures courses along with additional study material from other sources. I do recommend this book for anyone wishing to brush up on thier studying for the Lateral Forces and General Structures portions of the ARE/NCARB. Keep in mind, as with any other division of the exam, this would not be a single source for study material.