Seismic/Survey Computer Based Testing tips

[palvarez83]

Hi guys and gals,

I will be taking both Seismic/Survey exams for the first time in April. I think I am set with the study materials( I got the Hiner book for seismic and one some other book for for survey.)

I consider myself to be an expert NCEES test taker (Took and passed the FE, Mechanical Thermo-Fluids PE, Electrical Power PE, & Civil Construction PE all on my first try.). However, these were on scantron. My strategy on these has always been to keep a running time on my watch.... if I ever exceed the 6 minute RUNNING average (not 6 min on a specific problem) it means I'm stuck on a problem and skip it in hopes of coming back to it later. Then when I get to the end, I do a couple passes on those problems I skipped. Finally when the 1 minute warning is called, I give up on solving and fill in any bubbles remaining at random. I've never walked out early.

I'd like to know how I will need to modify my strategy described above for the CBT exams. Could someone who took the CBT exams in October give a few tips about what to expect? Are you able to skip problems and come to them later or do you have to answer in order to move on? Can you navigate to a specifc problem? Or do you have to navigate squentially (1by 1)? is there signicate computer lag between problems? Is there a running clock on your screen or how is official time tracked? Any other comfort issues you could think of would be helpful. Are you allowed restroom breaks throughout? Can you have food/drinks on the table? Should/can I bring my own seat cushion? Ear plugs? ect., ect..

Thanks in advance,

 

[JMT]

Are you able to skip problems and come to them later or do you have to answer in order to move on? Yes you can skip the question or 'mark' it for later.

Can you navigate to a specific problem? Yes you can navigate to a specific problem. There is a list of all problems and it says if you solved it, you marked it or if you haven't solved it.

Or do you have to navigate sequentially (1 by 1)? You can also do this.

is there significant computer lag between problems? I don't remember any lag at all. One issue I did have was with the exhibits, they cover up the questions and if you accidentally double click on them when you try and move them they Maximize.

Is there a running clock on your screen or how is official time tracked? There is a clock in the upper right (as the instruction on Prometric says).

Are you allowed restroom breaks throughout? You can take a restroom break but the clock doesn't stop running. You raise your hand, wait for the proctor to come and release you.

Can you have food/drinks on the table? I believe I had a bottle of water.

Should/can I bring my own seat cushion? I didn't need one, you are in an adjustable office chair.

Ear plugs? You are given industrial ear protection.

I suggest you contact Engineering Education and Training (EET), www.eet-california.com, he has created a program with two sample seismic exams in the CBT format. I used this while studying for the Seismic exam and it was amazing! I would imagine he is going to update it for the new codes.

 

[palvarez83]

Great info! Thanks.

 

[TheyCallMeJohn]

One other comment, I would practice not righting in your practice exams or problems. The tricky part for me was that you are constantly going back and forth between the screen and you practice paperwork. Makes it especially tricky when you have to figure out the blank parts of table.

I still think it is a fluke I passed

 

[Jayman_PE]

JMT - thanks for the useful info. I took a CBT through Prometric last April for the PMP exam and what you described sounds identical. It was simple and I felt more efficient than a paper exam. The only issue I had was the ear muffs provided were too tight, even with adjustment. I had to remove them periodically to relieve pressure. I would prefer ear plugs. I'll call my Prometric Center to see if we can bring our own soft ear plugs vs. using their archaic muffs. The silence provided leads me to better focus.

thanks,

Jay

 

[Jayman_PE]

Palvarez, I'm taking the Seismic and Survey this spring too. What are you going with for survey text? I am an out of state PLS but would prefer a good single text specific to the CA survey.

thanks,

Jay

 

[palvarez83]

Does anyone have a link to the test center policies? I'm wondering if they have something about loose leaf papers, ect. I want to bring my laminated codemaster "cheat sheets" for Sesimic Design, but don't know if I need to bind them. Thanks.

 

[ptatohed]

Does anyone have a link to the test center policies? I'm wondering if they have something about loose leaf papers, ect. I want to bring my laminated codemaster "cheat sheets" for Sesimic Design, but don't know if I need to bind them. Thanks.

p8,

It looks as though Prometric's policy on the regulations of bringing in materials/references is to defer you to the test sponsor.

https://www.prometric.com/en-us/for-test-takers/prepare-for-test-day/frequently-asked-questions/pages/testing-center-regulations.aspx

Regardless, I think the general consensus among examinees for any PE exam (CBT or not) has always been to bind all your papers. I'd 3-hole punch your codemasters.

 

[Lungshen]

No loose leaf. But 3 ring binder is acceptable. I know this for sure because I called prometric. Also they comply to CA board rule which allows 3 ring binder. You cannot take them off binder during exam. They have cameras.

 

[palvarez83]

Palvarez, I'm taking the Seismic and Survey this spring too. What are you going with for survey text? I am an out of state PLS but would prefer a good single text specific to the CA survey.

thanks,

Jay

Hi Jay,

Sorry just saw your question directed at me. The only reference I have so far for Survey is what my colleague gave me: http://ppi2pass.com/shop/pe-exam-13...principles-for-civil-engineers-spce2.html.%C2 He passed it easily the first time with just that so I think I'll be alright. However I'm considering getting the sample exam.

For Seismic I have the Hiner workbook. I just got the new one, because the test is now based on ASCE 7-10, IBC 2012 or CBC 2013. I bought ASCE 7-10 and just printed part 2 of the CBC available for free. It's a lot of pages, so I printed at my office. On amazon I found some nifty codemaster laminated sheets. They are a quick way of having what you need to know at had.

http://www.amazon.com/CodeMaster-Seismic-Design-2012-ASCE/dp/B00FRM2TBO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1394330609&sr=8-13&keywords=asce+7-10

http://www.amazon.com/CodeMaster-Seismic-Design-Category-CodeMasters/dp/1936039141/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1394330609&sr=8-6&keywords=asce+7-10

One of them is only for finding seismic design category. The other has more info.

PM me if you have any other questions, otherwise I'll get it too late.

 

[TheyCallMeJohn]

They flipped through and shook out my reference books.

On a side note. I spiral bound my notes. I think it is much easier to flip though and as you have a very small work area at the test site it will take up less space and easier to work with than a binder.

They were very strict. Nothing in the room except the approved items.

Oh and don't drink to much water or coffee before hand they allow bathroom breaks but your time doesn't stop and you will already be pressed for time.

 

[palvarez83]

So I just took my Seismic exam today. Not bad question-wise. However, I was pressed for time during the last 10 questions or so. I prepared only with the Hiner book. I took a few other references, but I could have done just fine with Hiner, ASCE7-10, and CBC 2013 or IBC 2012....

The Prometric test center "rules" were a bit of a shock. Very different and much more strict than NCEES exams, if you can believe that! I'd much rather would have been at the Pomona Fairplex again doing it the old school way. Expect to go through an inspection falls in level between a full TSA screening and being booked into Jail.

Jury is still out. Now I have to start studying Survey for the next 2.5 weeks.

 

[Jayman_PE]

Same here - took my CA Seismic at Prometric in Minneapolis today. Overall felt good walking out. I didn't ace it, but felt I passed with a low margin of safety. I completed the PMP test at Prometric last year so was familiar with their protocol. Not a big deal in my opinion. I was at a newer center and the desks seemed larger (say 36" wide vs. 24") than last year so that helped.

There were a few questions that threw me for a loop, but looking forward to the CA survey exam Monday. 3 days to study!

Jay

 

[palvarez83]

Same here - took my CA Seismic at Prometric in Minneapolis today. Overall felt good walking out. I didn't ace it, but felt I passed with a low margin of safety. I completed the PMP test at Prometric last year so was familiar with their protocol. Not a big deal in my opinion. I was at a newer center and the desks seemed larger (say 36" wide vs. 24") than last year so that helped.

There were a few questions that threw me for a loop, but looking forward to the CA survey exam Monday. 3 days to study!

Jay

Are you allowed to bring a protractor or ruler? I feel like I may need one for Survey, but just not sure... whether it is needed and/or allowed.

 

[ptatohed]

[SIZE=10.5pt]This probably isn't too helpful because things have changes but when I took the CA-Survey exam (pencil and scantron), as far as I remember, the rules were the same as the NCEES rules regarding what you were allowed to bring[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]http://cdn3.ncees.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/NCEES-Examinee-Guide-04-14.pdfhttp://cdn3.ncees.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/NCEES-Examinee-Guide-04-14.pdf [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"[/SIZE][SIZE=medium]Two straightedges, such as a ruler, scale, triangle, or protractor". [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]In fact, I brought two straightedges. I think I might have even used one of them once or twice. But, I can't imagine a straightedge being useful for an exam on a monitor. Also, with the exams now at testing centers, you'd better check with the center first. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Let's put it this way though, you won't need one. [/SIZE]

 

[palvarez83]

Yeah, the NCEES rules are quite generous compared to Prometric.... Good to know I won't need one though.

 

[steenwm]

Now that April exam for CBT is over, I wanted to post some feedback for those taking in October who have never taken CBT before.

1. Bring one Protractor, which can also be used as a ruler. This is allowed, and would have been useful on several problems.

2. I found some of the diagrams unclear and difficult to work with. For example there were a couple problems where I would normally need to draw out lines on the graphic, but as the diagram is on screen this isn't possible. And the graphic is too detailed to try and re-create on the scratch paper. So you are holding a ruler up to a screen and just guessing. Lesson: when taking practice tests before the actual exam, attempt solving the problems without writing on the diagrams in the book. Also if you have this issue during the test, skip these problems and leave to the end.

3. Noise: If you are not used to working with headphones, you may want to practice studying with them. Unlike the 8 hour exam which was relatively quiet environment, I had to use them (prometric provides them) as the person next to me was typing furiously away (for some other CBT), and found it slightly distracting as I wasn't used to it.

Also for both the surveying and seismic, know what a Professional Engineer is legally allowed to do, versus a SE or PLS. Especially for surveying which type of surveys a PE can do, etc. These are easy points! Oh and make sure whatever reference material you bring in has an extensive list of unit conversions on it, or write them in the cover of your book, especially obscure surveying units.

 

[palvarez83]

Now that April exam for CBT is over, I wanted to post some feedback for those taking in October who have never taken CBT before.

1. Bring one Protractor, which can also be used as a ruler. This is allowed, and would have been useful on several problems.

2. I found some of the diagrams unclear and difficult to work with. For example there were a couple problems where I would normally need to draw out lines on the graphic, but as the diagram is on screen this isn't possible. And the graphic is too detailed to try and re-create on the scratch paper. So you are holding a ruler up to a screen and just guessing. Lesson: when taking practice tests before the actual exam, attempt solving the problems without writing on the diagrams in the book. Also if you have this issue during the test, skip these problems and leave to the end.

3. Noise: If you are not used to working with headphones, you may want to practice studying with them. Unlike the 8 hour exam which was relatively quiet environment, I had to use them (prometric provides them) as the person next to me was typing furiously away (for some other CBT), and found it slightly distracting as I wasn't used to it.

Also for both the surveying and seismic, know what a Professional Engineer is legally allowed to do, versus a SE or PLS. Especially for surveying which type of surveys a PE can do, etc. These are easy points! Oh and make sure whatever reference material you bring in has an extensive list of unit conversions on it, or write them in the cover of your book, especially obscure surveying units.

Thanks. Theses are some great tips. For #3, I'd recommend just bringing your own earplugs. They are allowed so long as they are not connected with a string.

After showing up for Seismic and prometric practically giving me a whole cavity search and confiscating everything.... I just assumed a protractor wouldn't be allowed. My fault for that. It sure would have been nice to have on a few problems on Surveying.... good to know. Hopefully it won't matter and I won't have to retake the darn thing.

 

[ajm]

For me, these tests came down to one factor: Time.

The biggest thing for preparing for these exams is learning how to do problems QUICKLY. On both the surveying and the seismic, I thought those were probably the quickest 2.5 hour periods of my life.

You also have to decide very quickly whether or not you should skip a problem/question. This burned me particularly on the seismic exam as I spent way too long on a few questions early in the exam and I had to end up guessing on a couple of problems that I could have easily solved because time was running out.

Also, I would recommend getting very comfortable with just a few references. I only brought three things to the seismic exam: ASCE-7, IBC, and Hiner workbook. I felt like these materials were sufficient for the most part (though in retrospect, having some sections of CBC probably would have helped). Again, you just don't have time to flip through all sorts of books and binders. I saw a couple of people who had what must have been a dozen references with them for this test, which seemed excessive.

 

[ptatohed]

For me, these tests came down to one factor: Time.

The biggest thing for preparing for these exams is learning how to do problems QUICKLY. On both the surveying and the seismic, I thought those were probably the quickest 2.5 hour periods of my life.

You also have to decide very quickly whether or not you should skip a problem/question. This burned me particularly on the seismic exam as I spent way too long on a few questions early in the exam and I had to end up guessing on a couple of problems that I could have easily solved because time was running out.

Also, I would recommend getting very comfortable with just a few references. I only brought three things to the seismic exam: ASCE-7, IBC, and Hiner workbook. I felt like these materials were sufficient for the most part (though in retrospect, having some sections of CBC probably would have helped). Again, you just don't have time to flip through all sorts of books and binders. I saw a couple of people who had what must have been a dozen references with them for this test, which seemed excessive.

There should not be anything unique to the CBC not in the IBC in regards to the exam.