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Great job, Umber!

Professor Kazmi obviously has an incredible grasp of the ARE content, and delivers the information with a fury. Because of the pace of the course I sometimes found it hard to follow, but all-in-all seems worth the investment. I feel that I have received a solid foundation to begin my ARE prep.

Professor Kazmi was precise and to the point. When a point was unclear she clarified it quickly. It was a pleasure begin part of her class. She even took the time after class to answer a few questions that were unrelated to class.

This class definitely gave me the motivation and focus to start taking my ARE's. Have passed 4 out of 5 taken so far. The vignette overview and vignette grading is very helpful, going over all the grading points. The classes are very focused and there is not much question-answer time throughout the timespan of lecture.

Her class was incredibly helpful in taking the ARE. There's a lot to take in each class, my hand was practically numb from writing so much each week, but it's all good info. She helps break down the vignettes into useful steps & makes the study time focused and manageable. I know I would not have done as well as quickly without this class/prof.

Mrs. Kazmi is a very good teacher. Knows Wood Structure thoroughly. I wish I could have done better. Although I have not taken any math in a couple of years.

Helpful. Got me through this terrible awful, ridiculous exam

Thank you Funkaar Studios! There's no way I could have gotten through the ARE's this efficiently and successfully without your guidance and help. Professor Kazmi did a great job explaining all the different multiple choice topics and strategies for all the vignettes.

The class was detailed and informative. It has definately helped me prioritize what to study and given me confidence going into my exams. Professor Kazmi is very professional and knows the subject matter very well. I recommend anyone who is planning on taking the ARE exams to attend this course.

Construction documents, schematic design, etc

Too the ARE seminar for structural systems. a very concise review of the topic and very helpful.

Professor Kazmi is very thorough yet concise (and not boring, yay!) The course moves quickly but was easy to follow. I took the Structural and Construction Docs classes and passed both exams on my first try.

Great course but recommend spreading the classes out and cover more details with a lower speed.

Professor Kazi was amazing! Really.. i have taken soo many architecture exams that i have not passed, 7 to be exact, and this is the first time i feel like i have a shot and passing the series. She is so clear when explaining the subject matter, and so professional. she was accesable on sykpe which really helped alot. best class and i've had byfar!

The class was exceptional and helped me throughout my test taking. Hopefully word gets around LA, because this is definitely a class that helps young emerging professionals get their cake and eat it too! highly recommend the class for the working professional.

Professor Kazmi seemed to know the material very well and kept the class moving at a fast pace to cover many topics. Great coverage of material not included in textbook and emphasis on what is almost guaranteed to be on exam.

Superb professor with exceptional command of the material keeps the lectures focused and students engaged. Professor Kazmi presents a substantial amount of information clearly, accurately, very quickly, exceptional class management skills, understandable and concise. I highly recommend her to anyone preparing for ARE examinations.

Mrs. Kazmi is precise and motivating, very knowledgeable and up-to-date.

Umber is concise, clear and has an excellent command of the material.

Excellent preparation for the ARE -- would highly recommend over other courses I have seen/taken.

Umber is amazing. Couldn't say enough good things about her.

Excellent way to jump start A.R.E. prep for all those that can afford it. Highly recommended!

Instructor knew material and showed passion for subject matter. Some lectures could have been better presented. Classrooms were unsatisfactory.

The professor is very knowledgeable. Her advice with the vignettes was most helpful since that can be more of a gray area.

Very helpful!

Excellent!

Professor Kazmi did a great job at covering a tremendous amount of difficult content in a short period of time. Her lectures were on point, and packed with relevant information, all while moving at a pace that was reasonable for students to digest what was being taught and to ask questions. Her teaching style is perfect for the ARE Ready Course.

Very very helpful and clear explanations on difficult content! makes you feel like you can actually pass the exams! highly recommend for anyone trying to pass ARE's

Very concise, and straightforward-found the course very helpful

I am truly grateful for professor Umber. Looking forward to that first PASS envelope.

This class made me more successful than I could have anticipated. In three months, I've passed ALL exams. But you must stick to the strict daily study plan.

Umber was excellent. I accomplished in three months what takes most students years... couldn't have done it without her..

Umber was a very knowledgeable person to take this prep course with. Fast and dense w/ info.

I passed CDS & SD on my own study plan. Needed some guidance and took the fast course. Ready for 2 tests this month, 1 next week. I plan to PASS.

very clear and organized

Very knowledgeable, concise and covers as much stuff as one can possibly absorb within the limited time frame.

Professor Kazmi is a total rockstar. You think that things have been covered too fast; in reality she is creating the framework for you to study and perfectly positioning you to think about the tests in the right way. highly recommend!

Professor Kazmi is A MUST for passing ARE Exams, extreme knowledge, very motivational, to the point.

Umber is excellent at preparing candidates for the ARE.

Umber was an effective instructor. She was very well prepared and helpful in that she answered most of the questions during class and had notes and worksheets for further guidance. There were a couple absences not notified prior to class but she still covered all areas of the subject.

ARE fast Course was the kick start I needed, I know how and what to study. Have passed 3 tests in 2 months and waiting to hear on the 4th. The class is very fast moving, so be prepared to wite fast! Umber provides extra info not found in books. The vignette help was great. Buy the book ahead of time and start reading, you'll be glad you did.

Umber is very helpful and extremely knowledgeable about test content. She has helped me pass 4 exams in the last 2 years!!

Very knowledgable in subject matter, but tended to move too fast in later portions of seminar (trying to catch up lost time spent earlier in course). Also assumed a bit too much of student's prior knowledge of use of formulas/equations (either from prior schooling, professional work, or earlier Funkaar classes)which resulted in later confusion.

Too fast

Incredibly helpful course and, as someone else wrote, profoundly knowledgeable instructor. Well worth the price and time. Tough course to manage and keep your life intact, but worth the sacrifice.

The professor was very knowledgable and presented very well.

Great teacher for ARE class. Concise and to the point with the information.

ARE READY COURSE Spring 2010 - Umber is an excellent teacher

Professor Kazmi was very go at covering a large amount of information in a short time. It would be great if there were more pre-pared graphic explanations (handouts) integrated into the lecture to supplement live notes, Especially for MEP & Structures. Thanks.

Very Helpful, especially for the Structural Systems exam. Umber is profoundly knowledgeable. Since it's a very fast paced course, I recommand to read the material/textbook before the class and use the course as a revision.

She is extremely knowledgeble and teaches with great ease. I was motivated and enthusiastic after I left her class.

Very helpful in explaining the concepts

It was a very useful class, and one of the best one. I was hopping that building systems and construction systems can break into a two days class with more detail info.

Extremely helpful in explaining the concepts

Jacksonville AIA 2009 seminar. I took 4 ARE exams(PPP,SD,SPD,BD) over the Christmas holidays and followed Umber / Funkaar?s study guideline/methodology and I just the got back the results and I passed all of them. WOW!

I took your ARE Bootcamp course in Jacksonville back in November, specifically the prep courses for SPD and PPP. I'm pleased to say, I took both exams the following weekend and I just received notice that I passed both exams. Thanks for all the help, I'm certain that your course was instrumental in my success.

Umber handles all the material very well given the fast pace of the course. I would recommend this course to others who are looking to get through the ARE as fast as possible.

I thoroughly enjoy Prof. Kazmi's teaching & content. You do have to be on your toes in order to keep up, but there is a world of content to cover in just a few hours. I would recommend adding 1 more hour to cover the vignettes because we went through them so fast it was hard to take notes, and even the smallest mistake could get you lost.

I took the ready fast courses for Lateral Forces and General Structures. I passed the exams about one month later. I am certain that this course was an essential part of my preparation in order to succeed on the first attempt.

Umber is very "to-the-point". Every minute of the 4 hour Building Technology course was utilized with helpful information. She is very knowledgeable on the ARE and I am so glad I drove up from San Diego to take this course. 8 weeks later and I just received my pass letter in the mail. Thanks!!!

Excellent outline and way of manipulating the formulas. Very helpfull when asking questions. The pace she outlines is brutal, but probably would be ok for students three years out of school. I would highly recommend this course and I wouldn't have passed without it.

Umber shares great tips to help you work with the ARE graphic computer program! She makes good use of the time allotted by focusing on what is required to pass the exam.

Umber you are a great instructor but sometimes you go to fast. It will be great to have time to digest all the information and have pre-read materilas or homework before class

She is very helpful and clear in her teaching; the only complaint is that sometimes it just feel like the class ia bit rushed because there are so much information to cover, in a short amount of time. I would like to see the class expand to cover the materials even further in depth.

Strick, direct, clear.

Class covers material well, but very fast paced. Would appreciate a little more explanation given in Building tech. handout to cover at home. Overall techniques better than ARE solutions.

I don't know how anyone could pass the ARE without taking this class!

Taking the funkaar course w/ umber proved to be a very usueful. She was clear in explainig the materials and answering to many of the confusing NCARB un-knowns! I'd highly recommend her.

The class was great! very Helpfull

Very open and knowledgeable professor. I'm still waiting for the results of my exams, but what I've learned in her class is critical and will serve me well for the rest of my career.

Thank you the review class was extremely helpful

very well taught and excellent use of the time alotted for a complex exam

I took the fast course seminar in Puerto Rico for MMs, CD and PD- 3.1. So far had passed the 3 graphics. Studied prior to your seminar for MM and for 2 weeks studied your suggested topics and chapters and PASSED. Thanks. The best review for the ARE so far. I couldn't have done it without your seminar.

Enjoyed the class.

I passed all m written tests for my architecture record exams.

Very focused on the task at hand.

She is a great teacher and it was a very helpful class for reviewing and prepping for the ARE's. She covered an amazing amount of information in a short time frame.

GREAT PROFESSOR

I have had Umber for 4 or 5 classes now and she is always very helpful & willing to explain concepts until understood. She packs alot of content in, as well.

great class. A lot to take in but a great use of your time

Professor Kazmi is one of the best professors I've had at NSAD. She's professional, intellectual, well-organized and driven in her presentations and lectures. She is strong willed and respectable. I have most certainly learned a thing or two from her class - rewarding indeed.

Very good class, excellent study framework. The Syllabus is key. The class is an aggressive approach to to passing the exams and requires dedicated commitment to stick with the program. Although I found it better than stretching the testing period over several months or longer. I passed 6 of the 7 tests in the 3 month time frame, well worth it.

Dear Prof. Umber, It was a pleasure meeting you. have a great combination of qualities for teaching :The ability to transmit information in a straight forward way, clear illustration on the computer of the step by step process and enthusiasm for your subject. Many Thanks!

Thanks so much! You're class was great! I enjoyed your teaching style and I look forward to having you as my ARE instructor. :) Tiffani Ward, NAVFAC SW

Very inteligent. Covered a lot of ground and clearly knew her material.

Clear and succinct.

n/a

Very good teacher!

Really mean

Umber Kazmi is a truly gifted instructor for the architecture licensing exam. She got me through this exam and I never could have done it without her help. Her advice is invaluable and she really packs an enormous amount of information into a short amount of time.

VERY GOOD

Very good at her subject, but students could use more time to explore materials w/ professor. Perhaps all three seminars need to be taken together to get a better understanding? (ME & CD w/PD, ARE 3.1) Adding question and answer session could be useful. Suggest taking PD last in examination order may help (if possible for non-transition candidate)

Very professional. Clear concepts. Seminar time should extend somewhat more and divide the Predesign Seminar into the 5 categories. Enjoyed the Seminar, which allowed me to analize if additional studying was required or not.

Funkaar Studios has truly given me an upper hand in the preparation of the ARE 4.0.

Very useful; A Brief introductino for the topics to be covered during each session and the context of eahc topic would be helpful before jumping in; Overall, worth the time an expense.

The class was 100% helpful. I have, and continue, to recommend the professor and Funkaar to all that will listen.

I took the exam and passed the first time after taking her class. The class was to the point with no time wasted. I took other courses and felt this one was the most relevant to the actual exam. Thank you for all your help. Highly recommend this class

Professor Kazmi did a good job but the material was too challenging for a 8 hour course. Consequently she had to proceed too quickly for a good learning experience

Great Course! Prof. Kazmi was very helpful in helping me prepare for the A.R.E. - I took Materials + Methods, Constr. Docs and Services, and Programming, Planning and Practice Prep Courses. I highly recommend these seminars - she hits it hard and fast and straight to the point!

THE FIRST 25 MINUTES OF THE CD LECTURE WAS USEFULL MATERIAL ON HOW TO APPROACH ANSWERING THE TEST. ALTHOUGH A LOT OF RUSHED INFO FOR CD & PD, SHE IS KNOWLEDGABLE AND I'D TAKE HER EXPERIENCE OVER ANY OTHER LECTURE SERIES AS SHE HAS TAKEN AND PASSED ALL ARE EXAMS.

Prof. Kazmi, was extremely helpful in giving us the necessary tools in order to pass the ARE tests. Loved the class, to the point, clear and intense.

very clear with alot of materal in a short period of time

way to fast... way to much material to cover... better to take an online course from PREPARE (structures only) everything else has been useful from her.

Good, quick, informastive study class for ARE exams.

V

I attended the BT portion of the seminar only. I failed the exam 3 times. After the seminar, I passed. BT was the only exam I needed for finishing the AREs. I found this seminar to be extremely helpful.

The classes were phenominal in content and presentation. I've passed seven exams in eight weeks. Umber is the greatest.

I was totally prepared for this rigorous exam, Prof Kasmi presented a clear and simple methodology on which I relied and I passed the exam.

Very Good class.

Umber is a terrific instructor. She knows the material and explains it clearly.

I passed construction documents test

I went into the ARE class not knowing what to expect, and having almost no information on the process of taking the ARE's. Umber was direct, informative, fast, and mostly clear on what to expect on the test. I've been passing the exams using her techniques!

I took the ARE Prep Courses she taught. I found the courses extremely helpful. But buckle-up, she lectures fast because a ton of info needs to be covered.

Very textbook approach but the information is good. Moves a bit fast....but the course was condensed so speed is important. Can't represent that she has any particular enthusiasm for the material, but I would attend again because she gets the job done. If I pass I will send her an e-mail and thanks to all the staff. Printed course material:good.

I recall being in class and a student challenged her teaching in regards to real life experience versus the ARE logic and this lady who's easy on the eyes... reminded the student that this is the ARE and not real life. And time was limited and we needed to stay focus. Very poised in class & knowledgeable.

Umber is extremely sharp and knows her subjects well. Her explanations are concise, no-nonsense, and to the point. Due to the enormous amount of material covered, she does go rather quickly and can gloss over points that haven't been completely absorbed/understood yet by the class. It would be helpful to slow down at key points or to extend the cla

Very helpful classes, highly recommend this teacher in helping you pass the ARE.

Very good. The classes are necessary for passing.

Very Informative class

Clarity and helpful. Class materials and schedules are extremely helpfull for preparing the exam. Acoustical of the class room is very bad though. We often hear noises from next room and hall way.

Very good class to take for the preperation of the ARE. I took all nine courses, and felt all of them were a must. Umber was very fast going through the content, and helpful when asked a question. My only comment would be to fill out the syllabus more with content taught in class to help filter out some of the intense note taking.

good job

Very helpfull

she is ok

She was good and fast.

Umber is always professional and very knowledgeable- she sometimes doesnt have enough time in our sessions to go over everything. With materials and methods for example she ran out of time so she should revise here syllabus accordingly. Other than that comment she really is a great teacher! Thanks Umber!

She is a plethera of information! She does goes through things quickly so you got to keep up and write fast. Very informative. I'm signing up for some tutoring with her!

Very helpful. I like her methodology.

I thought the classes were very informative and would definitely recommend to others before taking the ARE.

I had her for GS and ME...great job. She goes like lighting but is clear and focused. Study 4 hours a day...stick with it!

no comments

Passed General Structures after failing twice prior.Still waiting to hear back on Technology......

ARE class - extremely helpful in material content and what is expected as well as relating different bodies of information.

very motivated and driven; style is very different from other classes in the university; much more art based than architecture; not the greatest listener and a little limiting, but very supportive.

Exposed me to a different side of architectural design that is not commonly taught at the university. It was an extremely unique, creative and enjoyable course.

Well organized and helpful. I would take a course from her again. Nice legs...

She's is the best instructor i've had for AIA seminars and even most of my college courses. hope to learn more from her.

She is very knowledgeable and to the point. Wastes no time. Material was presented clearly and comprehensively. I recommend her highly for those who are studying for Lateral Forces. The only thing I would suggest is to to slow down the speed a little bit so that everybody's up to speed with the teaching.

Professional, knowledgeable and clear. All round an excellent teacher.

It wasn't what I expected... some people wanted the subject matter slower... I wanted it faster. I was bored, there was a lot of repetitive information and most of the subject matter were items that I had been using for years... but it not a reflection on the teacher. She went over exactly what she was supposed... I just couldn't use much of it.

Decent teacher. Certianly knows her stuff, but goes through information very fast so make sure you pay attention.

The instructor was knowledgable, but breezed through the material.

she is very easy to understand and she shows a lot of interest in the subject.

Lateral Forces. The teacher did a good job with the time provided. Unfortunately the time ran out without completing the mock exams or questions and answers.

Very Knowledgable and Helpful in regard to understanding what is expected to pass the ARE. Highly recommended for anyone in the process of taking the exams!

she was great! Nice clean lay-out of the program, even the structure class was more digestable after her course & I haven't taken a math class in about 12 yrs. Thanks

i took the M/E as well as 2 of the graphics classes. i took the M/E exam shortly after. i felt the class was beneficial to provide just another outlet for information and reference. the graphics classes were also helpful but were slightly rushed and could stand to be longer.

Very helpful. Tough schedule to compete with at 1 test per week. But very helful especially for structures tests.

The information was very helpful

Very knowledgable in the subject and can teach it very well unlike most other teachers at NewSchool

She is simply one of the best.

Umber has a very concise method, a genuine passion for teaching and is truly interested in the development of her students.

A well respected professor all around. Encourages students to go forth with what she teaches.

Not only is she hot, but she's extremely smart, patient, and great at communicating.

Ubmer was so helpful, I did not really understand a thing at the beginning but the handouts and the extra help outside of class was amazing. she had a busy schedule and still found time to see us if we need her which all of us did. She would be wonderful addition to any school.

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