LINEWEIGHT
ARE 5.0 · Division 04 of 06

PPDProject Planning & Design

Schematic design into early design development: choosing systems and materials, applying codes, and integrating program and building systems into one coherent design. It’s weighted most heavily toward integrating program and systems into one coherent design.

100
questions
4h 5m
testing time
17
objectives
Get your free PPD analysis→
About 5 minutes. No email needed. Or unlock PPD for $15
01 — Content areas

What's on the exam, and how much each part counts.

Weighting ranges are NCARB's, shown as a share of scored questions. The heavier the rule, the more the content area counts.

10–16%

1 Environmental Conditions & Context

1.1Determine location of building and site improvements based on site analysis
1.2Determine sustainable principles to apply to design
1.3Determine impact of neighborhood context on the project design
16–22%

2 Codes & Regulations

2.1Apply zoning and environmental regulations to site and building design
2.2Apply building codes to building design
2.3Integrate multiple codes to a project design
19–25%

3 Building Systems, Materials & Assemblies

3.1Determine mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
3.2Determine structural systems
3.3Determine special systems such as acoustics, communications, lighting, security, conveying, and fire suppression
3.4Determine materials and assemblies to meet programmatic, budgetary, and regulatory requirements
32–38%

4 Project Integration of Program & Systems

4.1Determine building configuration
4.2Integrate building systems in the project design
4.3Integrate program requirements into a project design
4.4Integrate environmental and contextual conditions in the project design
8–14%

5 Project Costs & Budgeting

5.1Evaluate design alternatives based on the program
5.2Evaluate cost estimates based on the project design
5.3Evaluate the project design based on cost considerations
02 — Sample questions

Try a few. Every answer is explained.

Question 1Objective 3.2

A single-story gym needs a 90-foot clear-span roof. Which system is typically most economical?

Question 2Objective 2.2

Two exits are required in an unsprinklered building. Under the IBC, how far apart must they be?

Question 3Objective 3.4

In a heating-dominated cold climate, where does the vapor retarder usually go in an insulated wall?

17 objectives in PPD.Find the three that matter most for you.

Get your free PPD analysis→About 5 minutes. No email needed.