Strike three...what to do?

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SoundMan

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Well, I received the inspirational news about a week ago that I didn't pass my third attempt at the electrical power PE in Nebraska. I think it's worse when you have friends there that do pass (on there first attempt). I'm an audiovisual engineer so I don't do this stuff every day, but I still want to get the license. In my mind the PE still gets respect in whatever field your in.

So, my conundrum is this; should I get back on the saddle and take the October test or wait until the April 2009 test, enjoying some of the remaining summer?

I haven't given up yet...but I am a little tired of studying. I think this time I'll have to buckle down and do the NSPE readiness course from MGI. I need somebody/something to help force me into a study schedule and doing more problems.

 
Well, I received the inspirational news about a week ago that I didn't pass my third attempt at the electrical power PE in Nebraska. I think it's worse when you have friends there that do pass (on there first attempt). I'm an audiovisual engineer so I don't do this stuff every day, but I still want to get the license. In my mind the PE still gets respect in whatever field your in.
So, my conundrum is this; should I get back on the saddle and take the October test or wait until the April 2009 test, enjoying some of the remaining summer?

I haven't given up yet...but I am a little tired of studying. I think this time I'll have to buckle down and do the NSPE readiness course from MGI. I need somebody/something to help force me into a study schedule and doing more problems.
I passes my PE 4th attempt. I would say take a short break and start fresh for April '09. During the "break" you can do some planning, organizing, scheduling, etc.

Don't give up.

 
I am a Mechanical Engineer, but had a similar story. I took and passed the FE in 1992, but my career took me away from engineering, only to recently return. I was worried because the material in the reference manual was overwhelming. I signed up for "The Passing Zone" through "the other board" and was very glad I did. They kept me on a study and problem solving schedule and provided a forum, much like this one, where students could post questions and get answers from instructors and other students. The instructors were very bright. A lot of good information was found in the forum archives also. It worked well for me and allowed me to pass the Mechanical test given in April.

Good luck in October. The Passing Zone fires up for the October exam in about two weeks.

http://ppi2pass.com/"the other board"/PPIPZ_pg_PZEEschedule.html

 
So, my conundrum is this; should I get back on the saddle and take the October test or wait until the April 2009 test, enjoying some of the remaining summer?
Sorry to hear you didn't make it this time. I'd say take the summer off and gear up for next April. It'll give you some time to clear your head and enjoy the season.

I'm an audiovisual engineer so I don't do this stuff every day, but I still want to get the license.
On a side note, DH is also an audiovisual engineer and interested in getting his license. He's already passed the FE, but can't take the PE because there are no PEs in his company to vouch for him. I've been told by several people in the industry that they have never even heard of an audiovisual engineer with a license. How did you get around that roadblock?

 
I also failed three times. Enough for me (Mechanical). I will remain as an EIT for sometime and later see what happens.

I studied each time better than the other; but my score was almost the same on all those three attempts. I have no idea what to add to the study process. In fact, I was prepared better than ever for april 2008, my AM score was 16/40: horrible!! Maybe a monkey filling holes (a,b,c,d) does it better than me.

OR maybe, I have to continue in the general engineering applications. Looks like such specific areas covered in the PE exam are not for me.

 
"I've been told by several people in the industry that they have never even heard of an audiovisual engineer with a license."

What exactly is an audiovisual engineer?

 
SoundMan, another consdideration in your decision in whether to retake the test in October or next April is that the format of the EE exam is changing starting next April.

See this thread and this thread for details and discussion.

EDIT: Fixed the links.

EDIT2: Or not.... working on it....

EDIT3: OK, should work now.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hhmm...I feel some good support here...but you also have to appreciate the hint of sarcasm. I feel as though I need to defend myself a little.

I wasn't the A/V or band geek in high school and I've never had to align the pathetic film projectors seen in school. I was the guy wiring up the huge sound system in my car and then graduating into large home theaters for myself and friends. Be an electrician paid the bills but it wasn't as exciting, which is how I got here.

I work for a low voltage design firm (AV, Telecom, Security) attached to a larger MEP firm, which is how I was able to achieve the PE references. As an audiovisual engineer I design and project manage large AV systems for casinos, sports bars, restaurants, conference centers, corporate clients and luxury condominiums. My only regret is not being able to work with all the cool stuff I specify and watch get built.

So, in my line of work I see a lot of architects and owners who know what a PE is and would respect you more for it.

On a different note I've never seen "DH" on the boards yet, but I am curious since you say he is an AV engineer.

 
should I get back on the saddle and take the October test or wait until the April 2009 test, enjoying some of the remaining summer?
KEEP SWINGING!!

I'm not a fan of taking a longer break between exams because of retention of knowledge, but regardless, TAKE IT AGAIN.

(4-time club member)

 
TAKE A BREAK!!

i am also a 4 time loser . . . . and i took a review class 2 hours from my house every saturday and sunday for 5 weeks last winter . . . . and i got the bad news a few weeks ago that i STILL havent got a clue about what "they" want us to learn for this exam!!!

I NEED A BREAK and with summer here and the lawn and gardens a mess and me staring down the Oct 08 exam . . . . i just dont see myself hitting the books again anytime soon.

BTW . . . i score well in the AM and took a big crap in the PM. . . .

us Land Development Engineers seem to be left out of the picture in the PM.

heck now they even have a Construction section!!!

 
On a different note I've never seen "DH" on the boards yet, but I am curious since you say he is an AV engineer.
DH = "dear husband"

I work for a low voltage design firm (AV, Telecom, Security) attached to a larger MEP firm, which is how I was able to achieve the PE references. As an audiovisual engineer I design and project manage large AV systems for casinos, sports bars, restaurants, conference centers, corporate clients and luxury condominiums.
DH essentially does what you do, minus the residential component. But the company doesn't have an MEP component, so there are no PEs there. It really stinks because he's not eligible to sit for the exam, at least in NJ.

Are there any states that don't require references to be PEs, perhaps as an industry exception?

 
I also failed three times. Enough for me (Mechanical). I will remain as an EIT for sometime and later see what happens.
I studied each time better than the other; but my score was almost the same on all those three attempts. I have no idea what to add to the study process. In fact, I was prepared better than ever for april 2008, my AM score was 16/40: horrible!! Maybe a monkey filling holes (a,b,c,d) does it better than me.

OR maybe, I have to continue in the general engineering applications. Looks like such specific areas covered in the PE exam are not for me.
Boricuazo please dont give up man. I have failed twice and waiting for the April results (California). I found the last test to be harder in the AM than the last two and I was really aggravated in the morning thinking I had wasted my time and was getting flushed again. For whatever is worth, if I did fail, I will again take it in October. Dont feel like you are dumb and cant do it man, lots of folks here have said they took it more than 3 or 4 times and it was worth it once they passed. Come on man!!!!!!!!! At least there is me on your same boat, I aint giving this thing up though!

 
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