PDD Exam Overview
Project Development & Documentation tests your ability to develop construction documents, write specifications, coordinate building systems, and select materials. It has approximately 75 questions and a 3 hour 20 minute time limit.
What to Study First
- Construction Document Standards - Drawing conventions, sheet organization, annotation, dimensioning, and coordination between drawings.
- Specifications - CSI MasterFormat, SectionFormat, specification types (prescriptive, performance, proprietary, reference standard).
- Material Selection - Properties, performance requirements, fire ratings, sustainability, cost, and availability.
- System Integration - How structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems coordinate in construction documents.
- Detailing - Wall sections, waterproofing details, flashing, expansion joints, and connection details.
Specification Strategy
Specifications questions are a guaranteed topic on PDD. Know these inside and out:
- Part 1 (General): Scope, submittals, quality assurance, delivery/storage
- Part 2 (Products): Materials, equipment, fabrication
- Part 3 (Execution): Installation, field quality control, protection
When a question asks "where does this information belong?", think about whether it describes what to buy (Part 2) or how to install it (Part 3).
See the specifications cheat sheet
Drawing Coordination Tips
PDD frequently presents scenarios with conflicting drawings and asks you to identify the issue or the correct resolution. Practice looking for:
- Dimension discrepancies between plans and sections
- MEP routing conflicts with structural elements
- Fire-rating continuity at penetrations
- Accessibility path conflicts
Study Resources
- PDD Flashcards - 400 cards on specifications, materials, and coordination
- PDD Mini Exams - 30 timed practice exams
- PDD Common Mistakes
- CSI Specifications Deep Dive
- PDD Glossary
- PDD Exam Day Walkthrough
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