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Just completed the PE Oct 25, 2013, Water Resources and Enviro. I've read some great suggestions on here, and I didn't want to simply take from this Board without providing something in return.
I've yet to find a comprehensive post like this one, where it simply answers many questions future-PE takers have. I'll try to be as succinct as I can, while providing enough detail.
Suggested References
AM
PM
Practice Problems
Though 3 of the 4 suggested practice problem books are more in depth than the actual PE, I highly suggest still practicing with each one. There are many mutually exclusive practice problems that may not be covered by the other 3 and is covered in one of them. Its all about exposure to as wide a variety of practice problems as possible.
Study Strategy
Having gone through some very intense studying (read CERM cover to cover, skipping very little. Read Wasterwater cover to cover. Read 80% Environmental. Read 70% of Hydrology book. Completed about 350 hours of study in 2.25 months) this is what I would suggest:
Don't be an expert at every problem and every subject. I would highly suggest focusing intensly on 100% of AM and only 75% of PM, with mild focus on the remaining 25% of PM. This way when you're taking the exam, you'll immediately know how to approach majority of the problems, and sometimes not even need to open a book for reference. You'll get those problems out of the way very quickly, and have plenty of time to reference materials for the remaining 25% that you'll put a mild focus on.
Tab your references, but don't over tab. Perhaps get a larger tab with a good amount of space on it, and write down the top 3 - 5 important things from that section. Referencing is absolutely key! I can't emphasize this enough.
When doing the practice problems, struggle as much as your patience can handle with each problem before looking at the solution in the back! This is very important.
I laughed when I saw some of the Hydraulic PE civils coming in with suitcases of books. I came in with only the 3 above and they were plenty. You don't have time to look and look through references. Its stressful enough taking the PE, why stress yourself even more by struggling through piles of books. I completed the AM in 2 hours, and the PM in 2.5 hours. The last half hour of the PM was spent solving 4 problems (my mild focus) which gave me plenty of time to review.
Other
If there is anything I left out that someone would like to know more about, respond and I'll do my best to give a good response. I found this forum very helpful to my studies, and it is important we help guide each other on this journey...without violating ethics of course.
I've yet to find a comprehensive post like this one, where it simply answers many questions future-PE takers have. I'll try to be as succinct as I can, while providing enough detail.
Suggested References
AM
- 100% CERM (best civil engineering reference out there)
PM
- 75% CERM
- 15% Wasterwater Engineering (Metcalf and Eddy)
- 10% Environmental Engineering (Davis Cornwell)
- Bought Hydrology and Hydraulics by Gupta, big waste of money. Horrible index, and very similar to CERM. Could may have used it for one question, but was also answered in CERM
- I also bought the Water Resources and Environmental Depth Reference manual (CEWE) by Brant and Kauffman, another huge waste of money. Very very similar to CERM, no value add. Left at home
- I can only comment on these two since I own them. I do not think it is imperative to own any other reference material
Practice Problems
Though 3 of the 4 suggested practice problem books are more in depth than the actual PE, I highly suggest still practicing with each one. There are many mutually exclusive practice problems that may not be covered by the other 3 and is covered in one of them. Its all about exposure to as wide a variety of practice problems as possible.
- Six Minute Solutions - Great study material, but is much more in depth than the actual PE. Though these questions may not show up in whole on the exam, parts of a problem may. Important to have a pretty good understanding of the problems overall. Few of the problems in here are ridiculous, but good to at least be aware of different questions
- Practice Problems, CERM Companion - Another great study material. Stick to the subjects that are covered on the PE. CERM has many additional topics that will not be tested on in PE. These practice problems are more in depth than the actual PE, but again could show up in part on the Exam
- Civil PE Sample Examination (CESX4) - For some reason really enjoyed this study material. More in depth than the Exam
- NCEES PE Civil (NCPECW) - This is the one that is an absolute must have. Identical depth to PE! I strongly believe that these are previous Exam questions. I wish I could've found the older version as well to study with
Study Strategy
Having gone through some very intense studying (read CERM cover to cover, skipping very little. Read Wasterwater cover to cover. Read 80% Environmental. Read 70% of Hydrology book. Completed about 350 hours of study in 2.25 months) this is what I would suggest:
Don't be an expert at every problem and every subject. I would highly suggest focusing intensly on 100% of AM and only 75% of PM, with mild focus on the remaining 25% of PM. This way when you're taking the exam, you'll immediately know how to approach majority of the problems, and sometimes not even need to open a book for reference. You'll get those problems out of the way very quickly, and have plenty of time to reference materials for the remaining 25% that you'll put a mild focus on.
Tab your references, but don't over tab. Perhaps get a larger tab with a good amount of space on it, and write down the top 3 - 5 important things from that section. Referencing is absolutely key! I can't emphasize this enough.
When doing the practice problems, struggle as much as your patience can handle with each problem before looking at the solution in the back! This is very important.
I laughed when I saw some of the Hydraulic PE civils coming in with suitcases of books. I came in with only the 3 above and they were plenty. You don't have time to look and look through references. Its stressful enough taking the PE, why stress yourself even more by struggling through piles of books. I completed the AM in 2 hours, and the PM in 2.5 hours. The last half hour of the PM was spent solving 4 problems (my mild focus) which gave me plenty of time to review.
Other
If there is anything I left out that someone would like to know more about, respond and I'll do my best to give a good response. I found this forum very helpful to my studies, and it is important we help guide each other on this journey...without violating ethics of course.