Distance Learning/Online Modules

[FLBuff PE]

Well, I took the Oct. '07 exam, and :Failed: . I did not have the time to study as much as I wanted to for the exam, and was planning on post-poning for a year, but I was past the deadline to cancel. It was time #2 for me, and I actually improved from my first attempt. The first time I think I spent about 400 hours studying over about 5 months doing problems and review. I have a test taking anxiety (discovered in college), and I think it reared it's ugly head the first time around. Do any of the numerous Enviro PE people know of online study courses and/or modules? ASCE has them for the Civil, but I have not had much luck finding any for the Environmental. I will be trying again in Oct. '08 (new baby to be here in February, wife said no-go for Aprl exam), and I would rather start getting things in order now so that I am not scambling come August. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

I read where you didn't pass - very sorry to hear! I think you are in good company with at least a few of us - it took me four times to pass. :true: The most important thing is that you don't give up!

I am not sure if there is a good strictly Environmental PE Review out there (I could be wrong but I haven't see it). While I didn't take the strictly Environmental PE - I did help a few friends out during thier preparation.

I think the thing that is more important (regardless of discipline) is good organization. It sounds like it will be especially important for you since you have test anxiety. Since you are not taking the exam for one year, my recommendation would be to begin putting together a collection of binders of YOUR collected materials. I will call upon the other Env PE exam takers to help me out with major organizational headings but I would separate things into categories like: Air, Water, Wastewater, Waste, Radiation, Industrial Health, etc. in order to feel MORE comfortable with where to find things.

Once you have your binders put together (at least the first edition) use them to begin solving example problems. In this way you will KNOW how effective those binders really are for dealing with sample problems. In addition, you can supplement those binders with material as you go - especially equations, conversions, and other shortcuts.

The other thing you can begin to do is to pick up any additional references ON THE CHEAP. Again, I will call upon my fellow Env PE exam takers to help out here but this is something else that you can ACTIVELY take on while gearing up towards your study period.

I think you can also begin to figure out a study schedule focusing on exam items that didn't score well for you. I know from my previous diagnostics that wastewater treament was poorly rated because I don't really work in that area now. I refocused my studies into those areas while maintaining a comprehensive review - never assume you 'know' something. You need to refresh your mind at a minimum if for nothing else to help alleviate some of you test anxiety.

Best of luck in your preparations!! Let us know if there are other things we can do to help you out.

JR

 

[FLBuff PE]

Thanks for the sentiments and advice! I know VTE mentioned an Enironmental Law book somewhere here, but I cannot remember where or what the reference was. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on references that helped. Thanks again!

 

[Dleg]

I've seen some reference to a video or CD exam review course that is offered by a university in North Carolina. It because available in the fall of 06, right when I was in the middle of studying for my exam, so I didn't try it out. It might be mentioned somewhere in this forum, so take a look around. I would give it a shot if I were you.

Bummer you didn't make it this time. Gie the video course a shot and organize yourself. I tabbed the living hell out of my ENVRM and other references, and by the time the test came around, I knew those references inside and out, and could find stuff very quickly.

 

[CVA07]

The University of Delware has a straight Environmental PE review...I did look into it, but it is a lot more $$ than the NC State IES Environmenta PE Review...plus it starts super early, but since you're waiting until the fall, you would be fine.

http://www.engr.udel.edu/outreach/short-co...view/index.html

Then the NC State IES Review:

http://www.ncsu-engineering-resources.com/...q=8&CatID=9

Also the Testmasters website says it offers a PE Enviro Review:

http://www.testmasters.com/professional_en...ring_exams.html

 

[Andros]

The University of Delware has a straight Environmental PE review...I did look into it, but it is a lot more $$ than the NC State IES Environmenta PE Review...plus it starts super early, but since you're waiting until the fall, you would be fine.http://www.engr.udel.edu/outreach/short-co...view/index.html

Then the NC State IES Review:

http://www.ncsu-engineering-resources.com/...q=8&CatID=9

Also the Testmasters website says it offers a PE Enviro Review:

http://www.testmasters.com/professional_en...ring_exams.html

NC Environmental review is excellent I took the Civil Pe Water Resources, Haven't gotten my results yet but made me stronger in environmental which was weak area for me the cost at the time was $300 for six sets of all the major topics.

 

[fmullner]

I had a handful of references that saved my bacon multiple times during the exam. They were:

The ENVRM

Integrated Solid Waste Management by George Tchobanoglous

RCRA Keywords and Regulations Index by Aspen Publishers

my Freshman Chemistry textbook (Chemical Principle by Robert Boikess)

my Groundwater Hydrology textbook and notebook from grad school

References that I wished I'd had but didn't:

a good fate and transport textbook--this really would have helped on the remediation questions

a good reference on biological wastewater treatment--I really struggled here and if I had failed, this is what I would have studied

I think Dleg is right concerning organization. I used the ENVRM, my chemistry textbook, and my GW Hydro books while I was studying and as a result, I knew them cold when I went into the exam. That being said, you will have to hunt for some answers, but at least you can cut down on the time you spend looking. That will buy you valuable time later on and give you a measure of confidence that you know what you're doing during the exam.

 

[FLBuff PE]

Thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate it! I will probably invest in one of the DVD sets, and start organizing myself (again) starting in the new year!