Best of luck to you. I took it three times before I passed in 2014. The third time was almost 16 years after my initial back-to-back attempts. I took the GA Tech course and found it to be very helpful. Since then Zach Stone's course has taken off and I've heard a lot of good things about it. I know you mentioned your difficulty with online courses but if you can find one and get through it I think they make a world of difference. Complex Imaginary AND Spin-up resources were very helpful. In fact, Spin-up's introduction contains a test taking strategy that by itself is worth the cost of the book. Also, the internet and YouTube became two of my best friends. Unlike studying in the late '90's it was nice to have quick access to answers if I wasn't able to grasp the information in my primary resources. Once again good luck. It's not just what you know but how you approach the test.
Going through application process, FE , PE , long wait for results, requires a lot of energy and dedication. One should do this when they are relatively young. One does feel relieved after they pass.
I don't know your definition of ' relatively young' but even at 32/33 it was all terrible lol. The whole exercise is one of extreme patience and focus all at the same time.
Even at the age of 31 it was taking its toll on me. Combine that with working and commuting then it's a nightmare. I was able to do it with the FE right after I graduated because I didn't have a job and I was fresh out of school. But not being in school for a while and constantly working makes it harder. Luckily I don't have a wife or kids. I don't know how people with a family do it.
General consensus is that the results are all over the map on this one. There are a lot of factors, one of which is whether or not your company sees your license as valuable (some companies require it, others don’t, some consider it a plus, etc.)
Depends on a lot of factors. Need for the license, how many others are licensed at your firm in your state, what your current compensation is and how that relates to your peers etc etc.
The pencil and paper PE exam is always on a Friday. The SE exam is on Friday and Saturday. The old pencil and paper FE exam was always on a Saturday.
Sounds like you are on the right track. I’d add the exams and study guide from Engineer Pro Guides personally.
I’m mid 30s - engineering is my second career, and I’ve just qualified in CO to take the exam (they changed the requirements slightly) six months earlier than I was originally going to take it. Good thing I don’t have kids, my poor husband puts up with a lot. I’m hoping to be a one and done.
I’ve started @Zach Stone, P.E.‘s class, and I’m really liking the presentation of the material a lot. I’m supplementing with Engineering Pro Guides and I picked up a copy of Wildi already. I think Practice exams are going to be my make or break, and I’ve got 5 practice exams (NCEES, 2 PPI, 2 EngineeringProGuides), and I’m conseidering picking up Graffeo just for the practice exam. There’s also another practice exam about to be released, but not sure when.
Glad to have you @MadamPirate, don't forget you can always email in any questions that you have in addition to asking them during each live class.
