my 1st time I just started with the CERM and worked my way back (ended up failing)
second time, I took the NCEES Exam breakdown, and concentrated most of my time in the areas on the exam I would see in both the AM & PM. (For me it was TRA, WR, & GEO) I probably spent less than 10 hours on STR & 15 on ENV , But I had done well on the STR part from test 1 from my failing letter (diagnostic)
I also used the ncees exam breakdown and made sure I hit every topic listed They give you everything you need to study right here --->>
http://www.ncees.org/exams/professional/pe..._exam_specs.pdf
Once I identified that I needed to study my PM sections, I then:
1. Worked the Sections of the CERM for those, worked all the sample problems, and about half of the end of chapter problems
2. Once I had worked those I then did the 6 minute solutions for the AM questions, then the PM.
3. Dug up any other study book , relative textbook I could find.
Then I would repeat the steps for the other exam sections.
I would study at least 2 hours every night (most nights except Fridays) and then try and get in at least 4 hours on a Saturday or Sunday.
For me having 3 kids and a wife going back to college, I couldnt really study until the kids were asleelp, and that was usually 8:00 so by 10:00 I was really worthless as far as studying went.
Some things I did the first time that set me back were:
1. I would go to work and study, this forum didnt exist then, but just sending email, surfing the net, "doing work" ate away my study time. If you dont have a quiet house hit a library or some other environment where there aint a computer or similar distraction.
2. I signed up for a crappy study class and in the back of my mind I would say "I can study less this week because I have a 8 hour study saturday coming up" which is very far from reality. if you take a study class consider it an extra, not enough to get you buy
3. I would get the kids to bed, study for an hour, then get a snack , watch TV, and kill an hour of study time, the second time around I was more willing to give up the tv (& the family)