Taking the PE

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lady sparks lover

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Hi all,

I'm taking the PE in October, and it really has me nervous,considering I'm only 27 and I'm going to be a PE. However, I need some advice about the test, and how to study, and what to look for. Of course I'm taking the electrical version...

Can you help?? :)
 
Re: Taking the PE

Actually, my first suggestion, presuming that it is not yet too late and is within your budget, is to take the test on April 16. The worst thing that could happen is that you might not pass. The consequences would be no worse than having to sit through it again and having to pay for it twice. The benefits are (1) The experience of having taken the test once will greatly help you the second time through, and (2) You might pass.

In my view, taking the PE test shares a characteristic with the process of looking for a new job. It should be treated as if it were a full time job in itself. Once you start the process, give it all of your available free time. Taking a review course can help, but I managed to pass the first time without the benefit of a review course. Try to find a book that contains example questions, or even better, examples of complete exams.

The rules have changed (since I took the test in 1987), with regard to the references you are allowed to bring into the exam. Last I heard, only one specific book was allowed, and you were not permitted to bring your own copy (they gave you a copy at the door). If this is still true, then you must absolutely buy a copy, and use it every time you sit down to study. Time is limited (you?ll find that the 8 hours passes too quickly), so you cannot afford to spend time looking through a reference book to find a formula or an approach to setting up a problem. You have to know the reference book thoroughly, so that you can instantly find any formula, value, or fact that you need.

Stamina is an essential issue. You have to be able to sit and write for 8 hours. That takes both physical and mental stamina. I suggest that the actual exam should not be the first time you sit for 8 hours with pen in hand. Set aside one weekend day, forbid all distractions, and write out a complete test as though it were the real thing. Do this at least one month before the real exam, so that you have time to recover.

Some hints on taking the test.
</font>
  • <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">1. Look through the entire book, and select the questions that you feel would be easiest to solve.

    2. Solve the single easiest question first. It will help your confidence level if you begin with a victory.

    3. Show your work (presuming you have some questions that are not just multiple choice). If you make assumptions, state them clearly. If you later discover them to have been incorrect, don?t erase your work. Rather, state that fact clearly, then make new assumptions, and solve the problem all over again.

    4. A felt tip pen is less work to use than a pencil or ball point pen. Less work means less stress on you writing hand.

    5. When it?s over, celebrate the fact that you got through it. That is not the time to be concerned over whether you passed. That is the time to congratulate yourself for having achieved a major step in your career. Just taking the test for the first time is a major step in itself, even if you end up having to do it over again, and is worthy of a celebration.</font>
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Engineer by trade, ?Southern Gentleman? by birthright, ?Officer and Gentleman? by act of Congress and by the pleasure of the President, and gentleman by choice.
 
Re: Taking the PE

Lady, I am not an engineer but have worked in the engineering field for 35 years. I supervise Asst. to Engineers but no engineers yet (it will be an engineer that takes my place when I retire in a few years).

Knowing how few ladies are engineers makes you unique to start with. To step up and go for your PE makes you awesome. :D I am proud to be associated with you . . . sort of. I would wish you luck but that would be discounting your hard work. I wish you the ability to recall the relevant facts as needed to pass.

From what I have heard from other engineers, Charlie did a great job of describing the test and how to prepare. I have known several who have gotten together with other engineers to study in a group. However, the best results come from your work by yourself. ;)

Take care,
Charlie
 
Re: Taking the PE

Thank you so much Charlie b for your detailed synopsis. I am going to print this to ensure I gather all of your points. I definitely can see me following in your footsteps.

Charlie, thanks for your encouraging words. I don't know what to say. I don't want to be another person in the field who just passes a test. I really want to excel. I'm hoping to have my own business when I get a little more experienced.

Anyway, thank you both so much for your help and admonishment. Much appreciated..... :)
 
Re: Taking the PE

Lady -

I'm a Michigan PE and took the test last April. It is all mutilple choice. No work to show. The first 4 hours is general electrical knowledge in the three disciplines; Power, Computers, and Controls. The second 4 hours, you pick one of the three to focus on.

I walked away with a 'iffy' feeling and passed. This was my first attempt. I am also a licesned electrician, so that didn't hurt.

Good luck
Sam Avery, PE

PS - Don't study too much. You'll burn yourself out.
 
Re: Taking the PE

there are study guides and practice exams for the pe test you can buy. sorry, but i can't tell you where.
good luck

try contacting your state licensing board for assistance

[ January 29, 2004, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: james_mcquade ]
 
Re: Taking the PE

Lady Sparks;

First off - Good luck on the upcoming PE Exam! :)

Glad to see you're going in that direction!

Next - what study materials did you use prior to your EIT Exam?
I got my study references for the EIT (FE) Exam from P.P.I., and when I sent in the Application + Fees, the State sent me the "FE Supplied-Reference Handbook, 4th Edition" from NCEES, which sure helped describe what areas were to be covered in the Morning half and the Afternoon "Discipline Specific" half.

Try checking out the NCEES website (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) at:

http://www.ncees.org

They might have just what you are looking for in references.

I know P.P.I. has many PE reference manuals for all Disciplines.

Not sure if you have a good Graphing Calculator which you are very comfortable with.
If you do not have one, get one ASAP, then practice on it using as many relavent functions possible. Make sure you are 100% comfortable with its use and functions - because you cannot bring the User's Manual for it into the Exam Room! (also reading it will kill time!).

HP makes some very good ones.

Re-study the "General" Engineering stuff too - such as Statics, Dynamics, the "Heat" topics, Chemistry, Engineering Economics, Ethics, and of course - Mathematics!

Plan to submit your Application for the PE Exam AFTER you feel comfortable enough to take the Exam. Practice-Practice-Practice is the best suggestion anyone can give. Either make up your own Exams, or use some of the samples found in reference manuals. Keep time on these practice Exams too.

When Exam day comes, arrive to the site early. Briefly review topics found in your reference books, plus use your Calculator. Bring some fresh/new Drycells for the Calculator and use them for the Exam + your reviewing - so you know they are 100% solid.
Leave all your personal reference materials, which are not allowed during the Exam, in your Car. Bring several Pencils, Pens, etc. and some scratch paper (if not supplied).
Wear loose fitting "Cool" clothes, so you do not get uncomfortable during the Exam.
Drink plenty of Water/Juice prior to the Exam, and be sure to eat a good Breakfast! Something not too heavy, or too light.

At Exam time, relax and just try your best. Go through the Exam and answer what is easier for you first, then come back to the harder ones. Don't keep looking at the Clock or your Watch - in fact, leave your Watch in the Car! (btw - leave your Cellular Telephone &/or Pager in the Car).

My best advice would be to only take the Exam (send in the Application + Fees, along with the reply cards) after you feel extremely confident about all areas of the Exam.
If you need to wait another 6 Months for the next Exam cycle date, no problem! Be very comfortable and sure you are ready. If for some reason you do not pass, no problem either! Re-apply after you do some intense studies!

Good luck!

Scott35

p.s. How long ago did you take the EIT (FE) exam? How was this Exam for you? How much Intern time has accrued (sp???) since then and now?
 
Re: Taking the PE

Originally posted by scott thompson:

p.s. How long ago did you take the EIT (FE) exam? How was this Exam for you? How much Intern time has accrued (sp???) since then and now? [/QB]
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I took the EIT and passed it in October of 2000. I've been working under a PE, and I have 4 years experience, because I took it while working here at my job. I'm really looking forward to this time of being a PE, however I still have a lot to learn, and I know that. I can still learn more, and I'm willing to do so.

This is a whole new world for me, and I'm looking forward to it. :)
 
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