California Supplemental Exam

[Katie]

hi there everyone, i was just wondering if anyone had taken the CA Supplemental Exam for the LARE since they’ve revamped it to a multiple choice, computer-based exam? I can’t seem to find any study guides or practice exams, just wanted to know what your thoughts/experiences were. thanks.

[Boyd Coleman]

I’d also like to know other’s thoughts on the new exam. I’m considering taking it and am looking for study material other than what is listed on the LATC website.

[Xiao]

Did you get any information regarding the Califonia supplemental exam?
i am thinking to take the exam soon, too.
Thanks,

[Kari Kiehnau]

I know this is an old discussion, but did any of you have any luck finding any good study info. for the CA Supplemental. Based on the list of things they give you in the brochure – some of it seems like a joke, and other parts of it not so much. Anyway – if anyone’s taken it or has found a useful study guide and wants to share – that’d be great.

[Nanda]

passed the exam this week.
make sure you prepare well. the fee is seriously hefty. you do not wanna retake it…

ADA
Be familiar with ADA guidelines pertaining to landscape architecture. Guardrail, grating, ramp surface, landings for ramps and stairs,
What kind of conc.. finish appropriate at ramp.
Which of the following does not require ADA access sports fields, restrooms, playgrounds, parking lot. Ans. sports fields
guardrail requirement. a 4″ sphere cannot pass through the rails. A guardrail is required when the drop is more than 30″.
If you are locating a tree in an ADA accessible courtyard what would you look for in the tree to ensure compliance. My answer was branching structure. I could have been wrong though.
Max. grating opening in path of travel: 1/2″

Fire
Fire issues in Landscape architecture.

Agencies
Responsibilities and limitations of, US fish and wildlife service, Coastal commission, US army corps of engineers, California Department of Fish and game. If you are constructing in a wetland which agencies might be involved.
various levels of guidelines: landuse plan, subdivision plan, zoning ordinance etc.?
Which agency is responsible at various scale and location of projects.
Be familiar with CEQA, Coastal commission, Dept of fish and Game, USFWS.

Irrigation
Irrigation pressure per foot rise of water.
What info do you need for MAWA(water application) calculations.
What info do you need to calculate precipitation rate.
Why need a BFP?
Where do you get your water pressure info from.

Plants
Plant communities of Ca, especially what can be planted under Oak trees, in riparian areas.
What plants should not be planted next to equestrian trail.
names of some plants with culinary value that can be used in the landscape in Ca.
Anthracnose?
Be familiar with the most notorious and common invasive plant species.

Project mgt.
Project close out requirements.
What should be in a contract between LA and client.
If Arch is prime consultant and LA is sub. and arch says he is responsible for ALL code compliance issues. what is your response.
How do you ensure sub consultants will comply to schedule (deadlines)

Misc.
In the sierras where do you place a cottage (my ans was South, South-west facing slope)
Where do you get your 100yr flood line from (FEMA map, or something to that effect)
if you are doing a project in the San Joaquin valley, which is more important . water conservation or fault line study?
legal light requirement for self-parking lot., 5.0 or 1.0?
What info does mech need to be provided for coordination regarding water feature.
What info do you need to calculate max span of wood beam. (type of wood or wood grain direction?)
Why steel in reinforced conc.?
Identifying landslide potential.
What method would you use to restore a concrete paving that is currently finished with a different color in a historic preservation project…

LINKS

EPA
http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/index.html

US Fish and Wildlife
http://www.fws.gov/pdfs/AgencyOverviewTransition2009.pdf
http://www.fws.gov/pdfs/Fish%20and%20Habitat%20Conservation%20Transition%202009.pdf
http://www.fws.gov/pdfs/Endangered%20Species%20Transition%202009.pdf

CA dept of fish and game
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/

Plants
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/communities go to each plant community and read about it. atleast plants in each community.
http://www.rsabg.org/images/stories/horticulture/lists/RSA_CA_Classics.pdf

ADA
Download DSA’s California Access Compliance Reference Manual go to page 463 of the document and review the sections 1-7 and sec. 10

Fire
http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8228.pdf

CEQA
http://ceres.ca.gov/topic/env_law/ceqa/guidelines/intro.html

Coastal commision
http://www.coastal.ca.gov/
http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/Comm_Brochure.pdf

Could be helpful
http://www.flashcardexchange.com/flashcards/view/648235

[Kari Kiehnau]

thanks for the info. and congrat’s on passing the test!

[Katie]

Thank you so much for all of the great information, i really appreciate it. Congrats on passing the exam!!!

[Nanda]

BTW,
definitely read through all three multiple choice sections again…

[Soo Wai-Kin]

Thanks Nanda, great list, I can;t seem to get to the flash card link though, can it be made accessible again? thanks.

[Charu Sharma]

Thanks Nanda, I can;t seem to get to the flash card link though, can it be made accessible again? thanks.

[Kimberly True]

Thank you Nanda! Mike, I’m also hoping to take the CA section at the end of the month and have been searching for study materials to no avail, other that Nanda’s post. I agree that the State guide is too vague to offer any meaningful benefit. I have some old multiple choice questions from a UCLA course for the LARE that was thrown in…the questions ask mostly about plant types, what you’d use in what types of hydrozones, firescaping questions, invasive plants, soil knowledge…pretty much in line with Nanda’s guide. I suspect that being familiar with the the California BMP handbook wouldn’t hurt, considering the current focus on water quality.

http://www.cabmphandbooks.com/

If anyone else has taken the CA exam or found an materials, or can give any tips, I’d sure appreciate any help or ideas!

[Angelia Woodside]

Have you shopped the http://www.ppi2pass.com website?

[Kimberly True]

I was only able to find LARE resources on the PPI2pass website. From what I hear, you need to just be fresh on all of the LARE multiple choice stuff, know you plants, water conservation, and bring lots of common sense. I hear that there are things you just can’t study for on the exam; you’ve either experienced it in practice or not. I hear there are questions regarding the agencies, CEQA/CCC/USACE jurisdictions on wetland work, BMP questions…the stuff Nanda posted and what Mike added seems to be good to skim. I’ll know more tomorrow after I take the exam!!!

[Kimberly True]

Took the exam this morning and passed! Everything stated above is good to study, plus know your basic plant pathology (diseases). Good luck everyone!

[Soo Wai-Kin]

Mike,congrats on passing, i plan to take it in the next few months, what were the test subjects that you did not account for? Did all the tips on this discussion thus far covers the rest? Any tips will be helpful, thanks..

[Author]

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