Did you know the old sample exams gave you the cut score???

[JoeysVee]

On the 1995 ME sample exam I have it says, "The entire eight hour exam has a maximum score of 80 points. To pass, the candidate must score at least 48 points". This is right on page 4 of the sample exam. I know that cut score of 48 is irrelevant to use today since we know that definitely isn't the cut score used today, but it is still interesting...

It is interesting because of 2 reasons, (1) they actually told you the cut score at that time which is unheard of today and (2) the cut score has risen significantly in just the past 8 years (that sample exam was good up until 2001). So it was 48 now we think it is around 56 (even if the 56 is off a little they are still significantly different).

What are your thoughts?

 

[benbo]

What are your thoughts?

I believe (at least for electrical, but I think mechancial was the same) the old exam format was half multiple choice and half short answer. Even though they gave you a cut score, it was really sort of meaningless because on the short answer portion you got partial credit and there was really no explanation of how they gave out the credit. So a "point" did not exactly mean "one correct multiple choice answer." It was still a mystery.

These days they give you a passing score - it is 70. Not 70%, just a meaningless 70. So whether they say it is 48 points, or a cutscore of 70 they are both equally meaningless.

And the old electrical exams were a lot harder than the current format, at least IMO.

But, like you say, it is certainly completely irrelevant for today's exam, except as more practice material.

 

[JoeysVee]

I believe (at least for electrical, but I think mechancial was the same) the old exam format was half multiple choice and half short answer. Even though they gave you a cut score, it was really sort of meaningless because on the short answer portion you got partial credit and there was really no explanation of how they gave out the credit. So a "point" did not exactly mean "one correct multiple choice answer." It was still a mystery.
These days they give you a passing score - it is 70. Not 70%, just a meaningless 70. So whether they say it is 48 points, or a cutscore of 70 they are both equally meaningless.

And the old electrical exams were a lot harder than the current format, at least IMO.

But, like you say, it is certainly completely irrelevant for today's exam, except as more practice material.

How do you know it is 70???? Thanks!

 

[benbo]

How do you know it is 70???? Thanks!

THat's what they say.

Not 70%. 70.

http://www.ppi2pass.com/ppi/PPIInfo_pg_myp...qs-PEgrade.html

NCEES may have changed this now to just say "Pass" or "Fail" because people got confused between the NCEES score of 70, and 70%.

Regardless, it is all equally meaningless as the "48 points" from the earlier exam, becaue "points" does not mean "correct answers" or "percent" or anything.

 

[IlPadrino]

What are your thoughts?

Comparison of "scores" across such large time periods is pretty meaningless, even if the exam format were unchanged. Questions can be easier or harder and topics are added or taken away. In the end, the bar is still what is "minimally qualified", which probably hasn't changed much.

 

[Mike in Gastonia]

It used to 48 every exam back when it was all essay. That's when I took the exam. It didn't matter whether you had a hard exam or an easy one - the passing score was always 48 (60%). The way it's done now seems much more fair. They move the score up or down depending on how hard the exam is. Keeps it fair for everyone.

 

[buick455]

It used to 48 every exam back when it was all essay. That's when I took the exam. It didn't matter whether you had a hard exam or an easy one - the passing score was always 48 (60%). The way it's done now seems much more fair. They move the score up or down depending on how hard the exam is. Keeps it fair for everyone.

Most of the PE's I work with took the exam when it was essay. I could not say if it was easier than todays exam but I do know for some of us that work 100% in US customary units adding SI does make it more difficult. It is kind of like having the exam in two languages.

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

That's how my boss at the time when I was studying took it. When I misassumed a value on a practice problem, but my method was right, he told me to list my assumptions in the exam book so they could give me partial credit...

 

[McEngr]

joeysvee,

To me, it sounds like you're really worried about this exam to the point that you're trying to disect the ins and outs of the scoring. There's this idea in all of us that we can somehow label the exam as harder now since we can't pass it. As a friend, I wouldn't get tempted to go down that avenue. If I don't pass my SE II exam (still haven't received my results), I know it was my problem of not studying hard enough (only about 3 days worth), not the brutal, unreasable test scorers.

I believe you can do it, and not just pass, but dominate that exam like it's a 5th grade multiplication test, but you have to believe in yourself and not be afraid to do the dirty work to attain that level.

Sincere regards,

Ryan

 

[JoeysVee]

Guys, I do not think the exam is harder or easier now. Not sure what I said to make you think that. I was merely stating the fact that they used to give the cut score and the fact the cut score is different today. Both of those are things I didn't know so I thought I would post this so everyone would know. I'm not trying to disect this exam....just posting facts as I come across them if I think the majority of the people here do not know....just contributing to the board