Oct 18 PE Exam
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Phenomenon083
MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL PE
Are you taking the mechanical exam? Your "Discipline" says mechanical. If you are indeed taking the electrical power exam, I would strongly recommend a review course and diversifying your practice exams. The NCEES practice exams are still #1, since they have the best combination of wording, time it takes to solve problems and difficulty. Difficulty is relative because even the most simply worded problems are difficult if you don't know them; simple if you DO know them. I found the Eng Pro Guides practice exam was more difficult and quantitative (more math oriented than theoretical "qualitative" problems). Graffeo has good problems. Complex Imaginary I did not spend much time on, since they were shorter and simpler and I didn't want to get any sense of false security. If I had time I would have done more of those to simulate a quicker pace of problem solving. I strongly recommend taking a MINIMUM 4-6 self-timed simulated practice exams. I did 4 and felt like it wasn't enough, but I spent a lot of time doing review class homework problems and reviewing notes, videos and class quizzes. There are just so many different ways to prepare. I think doing a healthy mix of different exam problems and going back to class notes/videos to learn concepts you don't understand is the way to go.
Phenomenon083
MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL PE
You're welcome. Hopefully I won't be taking it with you. Best of luck to you either way. I received my degree in ME and been doing electrical design pretty much ever since (although I spent 2-1/2 years in EE before switching majors to ME, so I had some EE background). You're going to find a variety of responses as to best methods of studying and what resources to use. I highly recommend going to Zach Stone's website. He has some free articles you should definitely check out IMMEDIATELY, most notably "Recommended References for the Electrical Power PE Exam" and "What do Successful Engineers that Pass the Electrical PE Exam Have in Common?" If you can afford it and/or get your company to help pay for it, I highly recommend his course. If I had to do it over again, knowing what I know now, I would:
1. You have just less than 7 months until the April exam. You might think that's plenty of time but you'll be surpised how quickly the exam date approaches. Use your time wisely.
2. I would start with the NCEES practice exam, and go through and work EVERY problem between now and the next 1-2 weeks. Don't spend much time pouring over the problems. In other words, don't spend 1-2 hours on one problem. You're not going to have a clue on half of them right now, so just work through them, use the solutions or go online (lots of explanations on this board) and just write out EVERY problem and work them out on separate pieces of paper (keep your practice exam tests blank for future timed practice exams). Trust me. You just want to get an immediate feel for how long these problems take, the wording, the language, the material/topics, ect. Just don't stress and get stuck. You don't want to get to 2 months before the exam and you've spent so much time on other stuff you haven't yet worked out some of these problems.
3. By December you should have at least had worked out all the practice exam problems (even better if you use mutliple sources, . Make a list of topics you struggle on. NEC and protection should be a priority regardless since those topics weigh heavily on the exam.
4. I really wish I had done this sooner: I took Zach Stone's online course. Once a week it's a 3-4 hour live webinar. After each lesson he gives you homework problems relating to the course. I spent a lot of time doing those and they really helped, but it became apparent that I would have done better if I made myself go through the online course for the related topic leading to the live webinar. For example, if "Rotating Machines" was going to be the live class for Tuesday, I should have at MINIMUM gone through the rotating machines articles and quizzes. Instead I was working through NCEES sample exam problems, or problems from another resource, or taking timed tests, which is fine, but I should have made sure I went through the courses and quizzes. I would have absorbed the information better. Once I started doing this my learning curve shortened.
5. Take timed practice exams sooner, and more often. I observed a lot of people taking their first timed practice exam (if at all), 1-2 months before the exam. I took 4 timed tests (2 NCEES, 1 Graffeo and 1 Eng Pro Guides). I didn't really do all that well on any of them, but I'm glad I did them and wish I had taken the time to do more. Time is simply not on your side, especially when you have a family, so use your time wisely.
6. As good as Zach's class is, you're still going to have topics you struggle with. Don't get stuck. Go to YouTube videos or this board to get information or a different perspective on how to approach problems. Everyone thinks and learns differently.
Phenomenon083
MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL PE
Thanks again!i would say don't worry about it, but seeing how last go around there was like a 55% pass rate, seems like it has gotten even harder than before
when i took it, i got so stressed my blood pressure dropped dramatically. i could feel myself turn ghost pale.
i really think i guessed on half the exam and from them like maybe 20 questions complete wild guesses. it was terrible.
when i took it, i got so stressed my blood pressure dropped dramatically. i could feel myself turn ghost pale.
i really think i guessed on half the exam and from them like maybe 20 questions complete wild guesses. it was terrible.
Nashi
Well-known member
I would like to shred all the paperwork I have on my desk at home. One week down...potentially 9 more weeks to go.
Szar
Commander of the Legion of the Unholy Pear
Anyone else hear about the NCEES warehouse fire that burned up all the scan-trons and invalidated the last test?
Nashi
Well-known member
That just isn't right!
Imagine? There would be rioting in the streets...
Imagine? There would be rioting in the streets...
Nashi
Well-known member
It felt weird this weekend to not be studying. I got to play cars and avengers with my son. He was used to coming into my office and visiting me studying away. I don't know if I could invest this much time again...waiting for the results is torturous.
A few times I fell asleep on the couch from exhaustion and my husband woke me to go upstairs to bed and I was dreaming and asked me about the square root of 3, the closest answer to mine because of rounding and apparent power. After his response of "oh...dreaming about the test hun"...and I would realize I was talking in my sleep..haha
A few times I fell asleep on the couch from exhaustion and my husband woke me to go upstairs to bed and I was dreaming and asked me about the square root of 3, the closest answer to mine because of rounding and apparent power. After his response of "oh...dreaming about the test hun"...and I would realize I was talking in my sleep..haha
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I have one of those too... and to think I struggled with the test, and he passed first time.... ugh. But, I can rest easy knowing (based on fixing his mistakes) that I am a better engineer.
Phenomenon083
MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL PE
Apparently dummies can pass the power P.E. exam. So, then why is everyone here worried about passing the exam, and asking what the cut score is?
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Well... he didn't take power. But still. I don't know why people get worked up about it. It is just a thing that is done.Apparently dummies can pass the power P.E. exam. So, then why is everyone here worried about passing the exam, and asking what the cut score is?
