difficulty of Civil PE questions

[civilsid]

Hi Everyone-

I'm taking Civil PE in April- in California- so throw in seismic and survey for gits and shiggles, if ya know what I mean.

Anyways, I am confused on what to expect. I have been through an awful lot of questions and I would like to get some feedback from others that have been through the actual test (for better or for worse).

I took the "A.M." portion of the "the other board" exam and scored 25 out of 40. I think I would have done a bit better with a bit more time but I limited myself to 4 hours to make it realistic. :whipping:

When I go through the CERM practice problems, some say "time limit 1 hour". Does that mean the other questions are supposed to be less than an hour? more than an hour? Some of the "time limit 1 hour" I can actually do fairly quickly, maybe 10 or 20 minutes. :wacko:

How many actual PE exam questions are equation type questions and how many are definitions or knowledge questions (non-quantitative) or is it a mixed bag?

I have heard that the A.M. portion is fairly easy and the P.M. section is very hard. I'm taking WR in the PM. Any thoughts?

It seems like I can not have enough environmental reference material. I actually like the Metcalf & Eddy book (Wastewater Engineering treatment, disposal, reuse) but there are not enough examples and no solutions to the end of chapter questions. I also have Corbitt's Standard Handbook of Environmental Engineering" and Salvato's "Environmental Engineering and Sanitation". The Salvato book was recommended for Registered Sanitarians. I still run into knowledge questions that I can't find answers to anywhere.

The "the other board" flash cards suck. :sucks:

The "the other board" exam cafe was the only place where I could find a good selection of non-quantitative questions but some of them are so convoluted that I feel like :th_rockon: In fact, this entire study fest is no longer a fest.

I think I will have a little cheese with my whine :unitedstates:

Also, I totally suck at structural lease: and I can trade my WR info / background with someone that understands the structural stuff.

Sometimes I feel like I know what I'm doing and sometimes I feel like a retard. :excl:

Oh well, I know how to fix that! :210:

 

[redrum]

I think the 6 min sol type problems are the closest thing out there to the exam (that and the ncees practice exam)

I dont think the AM is any easier than the PM in term of difficulty, unless your taking a PM section that you dont have a lot of experience with(like a TRA person takign GEO)

I think the AM is more about having the right reference for the subjects asked.

 

[Guest]

civilsid --

By the sounds of your level of prepatory effort, it sounds like you will do well. :th_rockon:

Despite my 69, 69, Fail, Pass showing on the exam, I would say you will be surprised by the relative ease of some of the problems. In most cases, I think you will feel really solid about 1/2 of problems, mild concern about 1/4 and then ?? about 1/4 --> that seems to be what I have heard from most people.

As far as structures goes, I wouldn't sweat it too bad. I never had a structures or transportation course in college :unitedstates: because I did my undergrad in Environmental Engineering. I was able to pull out okay by reviewing the so-called 'low-hanging' fruit. I think if you realize your strengths and weaknesses going into the exam, then you should be okay.

One last thought --

This exam is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking an exam and maintaining focus for 8+ hrs is not easy. Make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Bring snacks and water (or other drink). Make sure to bring a watch so you can pace yourself. And above all else never, under any circumstances ............... << Insert Ocean's Eleven Humor here >>

JR

 

[civilsid]

I just took the PM portion of the "the other board" exam and I got to say that those questions are just like the CERM study questions. For the most part there is no way in hey that I can do those questions in 6 minutes. :unitedstates: I just keep hitting the wall.

Also working against me is the fact that I never took any civil engineering coursework (graduated from RIT as a mech.)

It is my understanding that they actually design the questions so that somebody who actually worked in the field in that particulart branch of engineering should do well if they know their craft. This leads me to believe that when I crash and burn on a question about a concrete lined, non-uniform flowing triangular shaped culvert under a highway, they are just trying to piss people off. :th_rockon:

I CAN'T FAIL. I WON'T. 26 DAYS TO GO. KILL'EM ALL AND LET GOD SORT THEM OUT! :210:

 

[Guest]

Go get 'em Sid !!!

I wouldn't be thrown off by your results on the 'diagnostic' exam.

In my experience, I usually had enough time to work the afternoon problems, except the ones that I found difficult. IMHO, the best way to approach the AM and PM sessions is to triage your exam - go through and work the problems you can nail cold, but then the ones that may take more work .. label them as 1s and 2s ... 1s for you know where to find the formulae, reference, etc. and 2s for the ones that are more involved (e.g. multi-step solution, need to dig through materials, etc.).

Biggest thing .......... (seriously) Don't Panic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you start to stress, you might as well hang 'er up.

Good luck Sid - I will see if I can throw a few WR bones (problems) your way this week.

JR

 

[Bigwolf]

Also working against me is the fact that I never took any civil engineering coursework (graduated from RIT as a mech.)

Dude--I graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (never had any civil course work either). I studied last summer and fall for 5 months for the California Civil PE and passed the entire thing on the first try.

The "the other board" sample exam and the CERM practice problems were unbelievably hard for me too-->just stay focused on the concepts and like JR said, make sure you pick off the low hanging fruit.

Don't begin to doubt yourself for 1 second.....it is do-able!

Go get'em!!!! :multiplespotting: :multiplespotting: :multiplespotting:

 

[GCracker]

I failed the "the other board" exam with flying colors and passed the PE. I thought the "the other board" exam was alot more in depth than the actual exam. Don't want to make it sound easy, but a 25 out of 40 on the "the other board" test should net at least a 35 out of 40 on the PE.

Keep studying and you'll do fine!

 

[liv2eng]

Hello all I am new to the board. I am taking the CA and national exam. I have been spending a lot of time studying for the surveying and seismic (i.e., Hiner's and Reza's review courses). Now I feel like I hardly have anytime felt to study for the general - AHHHHHH! What should I do with my time left? I think I will either take the Water resources or environmental.

 

[Bigwolf]

Hello all I am new to the board. I am taking the CA and national exam. I have been spending a lot of time studying for the surveying and seismic (i.e., Hiner's and Reza's review courses). Now I feel like I hardly have anytime felt to study for the general - AHHHHHH! What should I do with my time left? I think I will either take the Water resources or environmental.

Welcome to the board :multiplespotting:

To answer your question, you really want to make sure you can pass at least 1 of the exams (i.e. don't spread yourself too thin on all 3 exams, such that you fail all of them). When I prepared, I focused about 3-3 1/2 months on the national exam because I wanted to knock it out for sure. The remaining 6-8 weeks, I committed to studing for the seismic and surveying exams because I felt fairly comfortable with with national exam material at that point.

If you have been spending a lot of time preparing for the surveying and seismic and feel good about them, then spend the rest of your time on the national material-->and focus your efforts on the topic breakdowns given on the NCEES website

http://www.ncees.org/exams/professional/pe_civil_exams.php

....And of course, if you have questions, ask this board......it is an invaluable resource!

Best of luck to you on the exams!!! :multiplespotting: