Help in NC

[mwhayden]

OK, since my name is not listed in the website directory, I can assume the worst.

Looks like I need some help and advise. I have been designing communications systems for 30 years. I have a BSEE & MSEE and felt pretty good going into the test, taking the ECC afternoon module. I felt like an idiot when I left. It appears that since I have no training in control circuits and do not use them in my line of work, I am an incompetent engineer. I purchased the NCEES study guide and was quite good at the tests both in the book and on the CD. On test day...they were worthless. I purchased all of the books and tests from the other board and was pretty good on those tests. On test day....you guessed it, worthless. I spent $80.00 on the new NEC handbook, never opened it. As I left I wondered where the obsolete and off the wall questions came from. I spoke with a friend of mine who is a PE and he echoed the same feelings. He told me that the second time he took the power module. He said that at least it had practical and solvable problems. He is probably right since he passed.

Now, there are no sour grapes here but with the veil of secrecy that shrouds these exams, how do you know what to study? If I study control circuits until I am an expert the next test will want to know about lagging power factors in a hydro-electric power plant. OR........maybe I am an incompetent engineer and need to reconsider my career options. "would you like fries with that sir?"

Help and advise please!!

 

[mudpuppy]

Ouch, that's rough. I can feel your pain coming right through my monitor.

I thought the morning session was tough, but fair, and I felt the "the other board" materials prepared me pretty well for it. But, the Depth modules are the killers. I took Power, and there were questions on there that I thought to myself "How could anyone ever learn that from studying?". This is where the "Practice" part of "Principles and Practice Exam" comes in, I guess. I glanced at the other two modules and more than half the stuff I'd never seen before. So my advice is to make sure you can own the morning session. Aim for 40/40. That gives you a little more wiggle room for the afternoon session.

I personally think it's unfair that they lump Electronics, Controls and Communications together. But the Computers module is insane, and trust me, Power is no picnic either. Both my BS and MS specialized in Power and I think that was my only saving grace on the afternoon. Take a look at the Power practice module from NCEES and see what you think. It might be worth a shot, but I'm guessing you're probably better off with ECC if you're already familiar with communicaitons (OTOH, I'm terrible with electronics and communications, so what do I know?).

As for the "the other board" materials, as I said, I think they're great for the morning session, but not very useful for the afternoon. Sorry I can't help you much with ECC, but maybe some others here have more familiarity?

 

[benbo]

I don't want to give you false hope, but I would wait until you get the letter to completely give up. Maybe you made it. There might still be a chance.

 

[benbo]

By the way - if you didn't pass, control systems is the easiest part of the ECC module to master, but you need a little review in this. Communications is actually the hardest part of the module, so you're ahead of the game there. I actually took a review class, and my instructor told me she didn't even bother to teach much communication theory past the basics (Fourier series, etc.) because you could never predict what they would ask in such a wide topic, and you really need practical experience. So, for Controls Study and learn the basics of root locus, Bode plots, phase and gain margins, transfer function manipulation - you should be okay. Maybe a littel about difference equations in caser they ask a digital control question. A Schaums outline should suffice for review.

If it's any consolation I felt exactly like you after I took my test. I'm sure I just barely squeaked by. And mudpuppy is right - you've got to own the morning session. And you probably will the second time around, if you have to do it again.

 

[HiVolts]

Mwhayden, you're beating yourself up like all of us (who've received that dreaded FAIL letter) have done so in the past. I agree with Benbo, wait until it's official first, then work on a strategy. Unless you've taken the test 10 times before, forget about the career assessment thoughts. You've worked too hard to get where you are today. Think about the FE exam - I still think that was the motherload of all tests taken in my lifetime. The problem with the Electrical, as you have pointed out, is that it has so many different fields to choose from. Even when you choose a particular module for the afternoon, NCEES still finds a way to test you to some degree in all areas to show minimum competency for someone who will be sealing plans on behalf of the public's safety.

I read some good advise a while back while doing some soul searching myself after my first attempt on the PE exam. It basically said, "Study the areas you're weak at REAL HARD, and study the areas you're strong at TWICE AS HARD". If we could go back and grade our own tests, most of us would find numerous, stupid mistakes on the problems that we though we Nailed. That's because most of us get that brain-freeze thing going on and we think we're reading the questing correctly, but the trick part of the question never registers, resulting in another wrong answer. On my first attempt, I though I did pretty good overall - so I was shocked when that FAIL letter arrived. Rather than change my strategy completely for the next test, I studied my weak areas again at the same intensity (perhaps a little bit more in detail). But for my speciality (Power), I studied this in even greater detail and found several aspects of my preparation that were lacking which probably resulted in stupid mistakes. This strategy has seemed to pay off since I got my PASS letter today.

Hang in there...you'll get it if you haven't already!!! :15:

 

[Guest]

Now, there are no sour grapes here but with the veil of secrecy that shrouds these exams, how do you know what to study? If I study control circuits until I am an expert the next test will want to know about lagging power factors in a hydro-electric power plant. OR........maybe I am an incompetent engineer and need to reconsider my career options. "would you like fries with that sir?"
Help and advise please!!

I am not an EE nor pretend to understand the exam that you took, but I can say that many engineers who have taken this exam have felt exactly the way that you do. :15:

I think what make this exam difficult is the breadth of subject matter for any discipline of engineering. Many of us do not practice in a broad spectrum, but this exam serves to test us within that spectrum. This exam is a marathon - how well are you going to hold up under the scrutiny and endure 8-hrs of agony.

IMHO, you are making the first step in the right direction - seeking help from those who have taken on the same struggle and eventually passed. They will be able to help you - seek guidance in the EE Exam Prep area. They can't reveal exam questions, but they can point you in the direction in good reference materials and preparation strategies. That will put you on the right path.

Best of luck!!

JR

 

[darked]

That sucks! I havent seen my name on the website either. waiting for the official word though! Any information on how to re-appeal the exam. i thght I did real well. Any body with any ideas on how the rescoring from NCEES works?

 

[mwhayden]

That sucks! I havent seen my name on the website either. waiting for the official word though! Any information on how to re-appeal the exam. i thght I did real well. Any body with any ideas on how the rescoring from NCEES works?

Hey, thanks everyone for your, excuse me just a moment, "would you like fries with that sir?", ok, I'm back, support and comments. I am still trying to decide if I will attempt again in the fall. You all have been Great!!

MH

 

[maryannette]

OK, since my name is not listed in the website directory, I can assume the worst.Looks like I need some help and advise. I have been designing communications systems for 30 years. I have a BSEE & MSEE and felt pretty good going into the test, taking the ECC afternoon module. I felt like an idiot when I left. It appears that since I have no training in control circuits and do not use them in my line of work, I am an incompetent engineer. I purchased the NCEES study guide and was quite good at the tests both in the book and on the CD. On test day...they were worthless. I purchased all of the books and tests from the other board and was pretty good on those tests. On test day....you guessed it, worthless. I spent $80.00 on the new NEC handbook, never opened it. As I left I wondered where the obsolete and off the wall questions came from. I spoke with a friend of mine who is a PE and he echoed the same feelings. He told me that the second time he took the power module. He said that at least it had practical and solvable problems. He is probably right since he passed.

Now, there are no sour grapes here but with the veil of secrecy that shrouds these exams, how do you know what to study? If I study control circuits until I am an expert the next test will want to know about lagging power factors in a hydro-electric power plant. OR........maybe I am an incompetent engineer and need to reconsider my career options. "would you like fries with that sir?"

Help and advise please!!

Okay, you can't give up. If you get your letter and it is what you are dreading, pick yourself up and start studying again. I found out this week that I passed in April, but it was my 4th attempt at PE. By the way, my career has been split between Civil and Mechanical. First 3 attempts were Mechanical. Fourth time, I decided that I wanted to pass and the only review courses available that I could consider were Civil. I took the ITRE class at NCSU. I had enough Civil background that it was not too difficult. But, in addition to the class, I studied on my own a lot. I also incorporated a study method that I recently had success with. I color-coded all of the highlighting and notes. (Blue for water resources, green for environmental, etc.) Depending on where you live in NC, there may be EE review course. I also do not have a degree. I went to NCSU in Civil for 3 years. Never finished. Looking at the odds of me passing the PE was a kick in the teeth, but the odds are beatable. You obviously have a lot of career knowledge and education. You could possibly consider taking a different discipline, but sometimes the learning experience from the first try can guide you for preparing for the second time. DON'T GIVE UP!

 

[maryannette]

That sucks! I havent seen my name on the website either. waiting for the official word though! Any information on how to re-appeal the exam. i thght I did real well. Any body with any ideas on how the rescoring from NCEES works?

I've been dealing with the NC Board for 20 years. If you can overcome the initial apprehension, most of the people in the office that I've talked to have been really helpful if you just ask for help. A lot of people take the exam the first time with no expectation of passing; they don't prepare well. It's just a peek at the exam to see how much preparation is required. Talk to soemone at the Board office and ask questions. Hopefully they will point you in the right direction.

 

[maryannette]

That sucks! I havent seen my name on the website either. waiting for the official word though! Any information on how to re-appeal the exam. i thght I did real well. Any body with any ideas on how the rescoring from NCEES works?

I've been dealing with the NC Board for 20 years. If you can overcome the initial apprehension, most of the people in the office that I've talked to have been really helpful if you just ask for help. A lot of people take the exam the first time with no expectation of passing; they don't prepare well. It's just a peek at the exam to see how much preparation is required. Talk to someone at the Board office and ask questions. Hopefully they will point you in the right direction.