Part 3 Personal Tuition

Here are some of the concerns previous architectural applicants for the Part 3 ARB have encountered before taking up personal tuition with Lawrence.  

Is this you?  Get answers to these and more, direct and personal to you, to help you prepare and pass.  Personal exam support from experienced Part 3 Director Lawrence Johnston.   
  • Why is the Part 3 so different from any other Examination that I have taken so far during my Architectural Education?
  • I have discovered that my Part 3 Assessment will include writing answers to examination question papers. I have not undertaken this task for years. I need guidance with understanding the “Scenario” plus tackling past papers now.
  • I obtained my First Degree and Postgraduate Award without having to take any written examination question papers, now I need direct guidance with this method of assessment.
  • I previously enrolled on a Part 3 Course, however I was made redundant during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was not able to complete the examination. I am now self-employed and need specific guidance on selecting the appropriate project for the Case Study/CAR/EBA. I also need assistance with writing the ‘Critical Analysis Section’ for one of my own practice projects.
  • I passed my Part 2 Thesis many years ago and have not prepared or written large documents since. How do I go about setting out the structure of my Case Study/CAR/EBA, and writing it to the satisfaction of the Part 3 Examiners? I also have to prepare a ‘Critical Self Appraisal Report’  I do not know where to begin, as I have never done this before.
  • The practice I currently work in only concentrates on ‘design & build’ projects, and never undertakes traditional procurement contracts, that require architects to provide post-tender services.  How can I gain sufficient contract administration knowledge and understanding of the roles & duties of the architect as CA? I have been told this will be a central part of the Part 3 Assessment, and need to learn how to prepare an ‘Interim Payment Certificate’ and process an ‘Extension of Time Claim’ from the main contractor.
  • At the moment, I am currently working for a UK Based Practice, within their international division. I have been advised by the directors to get the Part 3, so they can enhance their business profile for additional commissions over here. I have found the ARB Part 3 professional criteria on their website, and very confused by several of the terms and phrases used in the ARB booklet. Could you explain what a ‘Critically Reflective Body of Work’ is, and how do I go about producing it? Can you help, what are your fees for this?
  • To my surprise the Part 3 Professional Studies Advisor has recently been put on a fractional appointment. I am finding it very hard to get first hand advice about my studies, and nervous about sitting the Part 3 without enough support at this critical stage.
  • In the office where I am currently working, the partners are reluctant to discuss with me how the professional fees are calculated and charged out to our clients. We do keep monthly time sheets, but we never know how they relate to resourcing our projects inside the practice.
  • I work in a large multi-disciplined practice and all the business administration is done by the accounts division. How can I bridge this gap in my professional practice experience.? The majority of my time in this office is spent preparing ‘Work Packages’ for sub-contractors, to estimate costings for ‘glazing’ and ‘cladding’ To date I have not had sight of a 'Form of Architect to Client Appointment Agreement Contract'. The Lectures did mention these, but I am unsure how one is actually completed, and which clauses are deleted or included. Some of our commercial clients also openly talk about their collateral warranty agreements for our cladding packages. What do they mean?
  • I obtained my first degree and Postgraduate Diploma awards at a UK Institution. Now I am currently employed with a local practice back home in my own country. I enjoy this work as it relates to my ideas to become a fully qualified architect, however I need guidance and assistance now to prepare for and obtain the UK Part 3 Qualification shortly.  This ‘status’ means quite a lot here for getting important clients and their high end residence’s. I have read that the Part 3 ‘tests’ UK Practice Law, knowledge and competence to practice as an architect in the UK. Can you help me with this? My family is very keen that I succeed after all these past years of education, training and their expense. When I get this assistance, hopefully it will help me persuade a UK part 3 institution to recognise the value of my international practice experience and to accept my application for this examination. I really need to pass it.
  • Following 17 years of practice I have reached a senior level of management in the medium sized practice I helped develop. I am the only partner not to be a registered architect, and I need to get the Part 3 so that our business can improve our application to get RIBA Chartered Practice Status. I need extra guidance and direction to
    ​‘re-commence’ studies again after all this time. How do I go about writing my Certificates of Professional Practice Experience?
 ​​Concerns expressed before repeat attempts:
  • I succeeded in passing the PEDR’S and the case study, but failed miserably in the two written question papers. I need help to undertake these parts again, examiners feedback mainly referred to not reading the questions. I have not done this task for years, could you assist please? I have to take them again very shortly to keep my first successful results intact.
  • I became very nervous and hesitant during my oral professional interview. Later I realised that I knew most of the answers to the examiners questions. I just could not explain myself calmly and rushed out the incorrect responses. How can I overcome this please; before I try to undertake the next ordeal?
  • I recently took the Part 3 Examination and was very surprised to fail. I recall now that one of the examiners said something about insufficient professional practice management and the role of the architect as a business manager. The office I currently work in has changed ownership and the new directors are reluctant to discuss these things at my level. Should I change employers before I retake the Part 3, and how long should I wait? Unfortunately the number of job opportunities where I am living, are very few right now, could you help me please if I decide to stay?
  • Part 3 ARB Exam Support​
  • Get your Professional Architectural Qualification.  
  • Achieve Registration as an Architect in the UK
Testimonials:  
​"Having graduated from the Royal College of Art I found that I was in need of a private Professional Studies Adviser. Lawrence has provided me with a great deal of support and has proved his substantial knowledge of the issues surrounding professional practice over the time that we have been working together. The service he offers goes beyond that normally expected of a PSA, through his detailed feedback on PEDR's and the facility for one-to-one Skype tutorials: certainly a great help in preparation for my Part III exams." .  

'Lawrence gave me all the advice and support I needed to pass my case study and interview. His prompt and friendly help aided and motivated me.'