PATH TO CIVIL PE LICENSURE
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The PE Exam will be changing soon! Starting April 2024, all five civil disciplines will only test ‘depth’ content. The ‘breadth’ content will be removed and replaced with depth only content. The new specifications outlining this are available at: Civil | NCEE
Questions? Contact y[email protected]
USEFUL LINKS: |
ADDITIONAL GO-TO RESOURCES: |
EXAM TIPS
|
Tips for Studying:
1. Put together a study schedule and stick to it. If necessary, find someone to study with and hold each other accountable. 2. Put together all your study materials: a. Calculators - bring two in case one fails. See Useful Links for Calculator Policies. b. CA Seismic & Surveying Exams: Exam materials must fit in one "Bankers Box" (10"H x 15"W x 24"D) o Create a cheat sheet for every subject with important formulas and references o Design Standards/References/Books/Binders /Class Notes - no loose or stapled sheets and tabs/post-its must be attached o Know where to look. If you’ve got references, make sure they are appropriately tabbed so you can find what you’re looking for quickly. o Up to two rulers, protractors, or scales o Practice Exams and Solved Problems - Some students have even separated practice problems into binders per subject listed in the Exam Specifications and used them on the exam. c. NCEES FE/PE CBT Exams: Make sure you have the latest Civil FE/PE Handbook (see Useful Links) and use it as you study and do all of your practice problems. As of January 2022, no physical reference materials may be brought into the exam. The NCEES Handbooks and select Design Standards are the only reference materials allowed in CBT Exams and will be provided electronically on your exam's computer. The more familiar you become with accessing information in the Handbooks, the more efficient you will be during the exam! 3. Go online and search engineering boards/forums to help answer questions when you’re stuck. 4. Consider signing up for a review course (see Offered Courses). There are different formats for review courses and material available. 5. Practice, practice, practice. Do tons of practice problems. When you think you’ve done enough, do more. 6. Take at least one practice exam sometime during the time you’re studying before the test and try to simulate the conditions of text day i.e., 4 hours breadth, 50-minute scheduled break, 4 hours depth. Focus on the sections you are weakest. |
Preparing for Test Day:
1. Check you’ve received your exam authorization/testing notification from NCEES/BPELSG upon registering for the exam. Print and read through all the instructions. 2. Know where the test site is and how to get there (print directions if needed). Consider booking a hotel room or getting to the test location early on test day. 3. If planning to drive: Fill car gas tank, check traffic, and research parking options prior to test day to make sure you will be there on time. Bring money (cash) for parking, if applicable. 4. Organize and pack your exam day and study materials a day or two before test day. Here’s a sample checklist, feel free to add or use your own: a. 2 approved calculators (without the cover in the testing room) b. Photo ID that matches the information on your application c. Official NCEES/BPELSG “exam day” information and exam authorization letter d. Snacks, lunch, water bottle e. Glasses (if applicable) f. Sweater/sweatshirt g. Cough drops/gum h. Items included in the Pearson VUE Comfort Aid List Tips for Test Day: 1. Make sure all your materials are packed and ready the night before a. No loose leaf or unbound sheets are allowed! 2. Get a good night’s sleep 3. Set your alarm (or two, or three) or ask a friend to wake you up 4. Eat a good breakfast 5. Relax, breathe, and be confident 6. Go through the test three times: a. First Time: Read through all the problems and do the ones you find easiest, mark the ones you can do but will take time. Make sure to fill in the appropriate answers (skip the ones you didn’t answer!) b. Second Time: Go through and work on the second level of questions. If you get stuck on one, skip and move on. Don’t be afraid to flag questions since there will be a review page of all questions before you submit. c. Third Time: Work on the more challenging problems d. If you have time at the end, review your answers to make sure you haven’t missed anything.You don’t get negative points for wrong answers, so answer everything! |
