Structural Code Changes for April 2015 Exam

Any thoughts on difficulty of Civil/Structural afternoon exam for April 2015 with all the new structural codes being adopted by NCEES for this exam?

bflem said:

Any thoughts on difficulty of Civil/Structural afternoon exam for April 2015 with all the new structural codes being adopted by NCEES for this exam?

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Wouldn't the 'difficulty' be the same as it has been?

Not when many of the states, such as NC have not adopted them, ie structural engineers aren't using them/ familiar with changes.

bflem said:

Not when many of the states, such as NC have not adopted them, ie structural engineers aren't using them/ familiar with changes.

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2012 codes? They've been published for 3 years and haven't been adopted yet?

bflem said:

Not when many of the states, such as NC have not adopted them, ie structural engineers aren't using them/ familiar with changes.

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I still don't think NCEES makes the exam any more difficult when they change standards/codes.

ptatohed said:

I still don't think NCEES makes the exam any more difficult when they change standards/codes.

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I think he's saying since all states haven't adopted the new codes, engineers aren't using them and aren't familiar with them. Therefore, the exam might be more difficult for those engineers. Not that the exam itself is more difficult.

My point is I'm surprised states haven't adopted the 2012 IBC yet.

I should have clarified in my first post. The past several structural exam cycles have been random code question heavy in the afternoon. I'm a repeat taker so I know first hand. I was wondering if folks thought with NCEES adopting the new codes for this exam, although not all states have adopted them, if this next exam would be similar to the previous, or hone in on code changes that not all practicing structural folks are familiar with.

Bflem,

If you study out the codes and know them front to back, the exam shouldn't be too rough, even with the code change. No one ever said it was a bad thing to over-prepare. I trust you have been studying diligently for at least 9 months, so by exam day you will have a solid year of study. This method worked well for me (though admittedly I only studied about 20 hours a week, so I could spend time with the family). I also tried to eliminate any unnecessary trips from my calendar during study periods, so I could truly focus on the task at hand.

If you weren't my co-worker (portajon), that would be discouraging. And you took it with the old codes and still use the old codes, so irrelevant comment. HA

bflem said:

If you weren't my co-worker (portajon), that would be discouraging. And you took it with the old codes and still use the old codes, so irrelevant comment. HA

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Old codes? The old adage "they don't build them like they used to" comes to mind!

NightWatch said:

ptatohed said:

I still don't think NCEES makes the exam any more difficult when they change standards/codes.

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I think he's saying since all states haven't adopted the new codes, engineers aren't using them and aren't familiar with them. Therefore, the exam might be more difficult for those engineers. Not that the exam itself is more difficult.

My point is I'm surprised states haven't adopted the 2012 IBC yet.

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I guess. But it seems arbitrary. What is unfamiliar to one might be familiar to another.

bflem, codes change. It happened to us Transpo guys too. You just need to get the latest references listed on the NCEES outline, and know them well. Study hard and you'll pass. It's the same for everyone.

Good luck.