G
Guest
Many people are going to read the title and think I have lost my mind for posting such a thing. :wacko: Apologies in advance for the length of this post, but I think it may help many people who are struggling with how to move forward after receiving notice of not passing the exam.
I have read many, many good posts with lots of useful information. I honestly don't think I can add much value to all of the excellent insights of so many people. However, I think that one can learn just as much, if not more, from failures than successes. So, I present to everyone, the list of things I did wrong when I received my first notice that I had not passed the Civil PE Exam:
1. I Scored 69 - I only need one more point to pass.
I think NCEES is actually doing examinees a favor by not reporting passing scores. When I saw I scored 69, my thought was man missed it by one point. I will study a little more and I should rock the next exam. Arrogance mixed with false security led me down the path to many more repeat marginal performances. I just should have locked it down by opening the books back up and studying as if I had never prepared in the first place.
2. I do not need to prepare for Breadth subjects like Transporation and Structural because I didn't do that in school - my strengths in the other areas will carry over.
Well that was hopeful thinking at best. Taking the time to address the so-called low-hanging fruit based on the NCEES Breadth specification breakdown, I was able to spend some time learning/re-familiarizing myself with topics like horizontal/vertical curves, simple mechanics, shear-moment diagrams, etc. It really didn't take a long time to review those areas and it provided a break in what was an otherwise gruelling review schedule for Env/WR/Geo.
3. I should take the Environmental Depth section because my education and experience are in this area.
This was probably the biggest shocker for me. It took me a long time and an honest look at my performance to realize - yeah you have a BS in Env Eng but you simply don't 'do' wastewater treatment work. When 7-9 of the afternoon problems (~ 25%) cover this subject and you are consistently screwing it up -- wake up call !!!
I had to take a serious look at my breakdowns and figure out where my real strength lied - it turned out to be Water Resources. I reset my study schedule to prepare to take the WR Depth module.
4. I just need to look over materials that I know (Env, WR, Geo) and just cover the few things I don't think I know.
I didn't bother to sit down and develop a REALISTIC schedule for myself when I knew I needed to prepare for retaking the exam. This left me without structure or a goal. It also left me without incentive to SERIOUSLY commit to a schedule or study regime. My half-ass preparation yielded ... half-ass results.
My biggest note to anyone retaking an exam: COMMIT yourself to the preparation. It is an onerous task - why beat yourself up and those around you more than necessary. Having said that I do not believe you need to study 500+ hours to yield positive results. I think each person needs to work out a realistic schedule that fits thier needs and comfort level.
5. I can pile a load of references and materials into a bin for quick reference during the exam.
This was probably my biggest exam-taking misconception. I was actually overwhelmed by all of the material I had accumulated. It wasn't until I spent time re-organizing my material based on what I studied and how it made sense to me that I was able to trim down the references AND put together a quick-reference sheet for each subject area. I was able to solve problems much more efficiently in this manner.
I hope those who find themselves retaking the exam can find something in what I have posted even if it does not directly apply to your situation. The members of this board have demonstrated that they are knowledgable and helpful - kudos to the EB.com group. :+1: It took me four times to get it right - but I got there. I think anyone else can do the same with some 'tweaks' in thier approach.
Best of luck in your preparation !!
Regards,
JR
I have read many, many good posts with lots of useful information. I honestly don't think I can add much value to all of the excellent insights of so many people. However, I think that one can learn just as much, if not more, from failures than successes. So, I present to everyone, the list of things I did wrong when I received my first notice that I had not passed the Civil PE Exam:
1. I Scored 69 - I only need one more point to pass.
I think NCEES is actually doing examinees a favor by not reporting passing scores. When I saw I scored 69, my thought was man missed it by one point. I will study a little more and I should rock the next exam. Arrogance mixed with false security led me down the path to many more repeat marginal performances. I just should have locked it down by opening the books back up and studying as if I had never prepared in the first place.
2. I do not need to prepare for Breadth subjects like Transporation and Structural because I didn't do that in school - my strengths in the other areas will carry over.
Well that was hopeful thinking at best. Taking the time to address the so-called low-hanging fruit based on the NCEES Breadth specification breakdown, I was able to spend some time learning/re-familiarizing myself with topics like horizontal/vertical curves, simple mechanics, shear-moment diagrams, etc. It really didn't take a long time to review those areas and it provided a break in what was an otherwise gruelling review schedule for Env/WR/Geo.
3. I should take the Environmental Depth section because my education and experience are in this area.
This was probably the biggest shocker for me. It took me a long time and an honest look at my performance to realize - yeah you have a BS in Env Eng but you simply don't 'do' wastewater treatment work. When 7-9 of the afternoon problems (~ 25%) cover this subject and you are consistently screwing it up -- wake up call !!!
I had to take a serious look at my breakdowns and figure out where my real strength lied - it turned out to be Water Resources. I reset my study schedule to prepare to take the WR Depth module.
4. I just need to look over materials that I know (Env, WR, Geo) and just cover the few things I don't think I know.
I didn't bother to sit down and develop a REALISTIC schedule for myself when I knew I needed to prepare for retaking the exam. This left me without structure or a goal. It also left me without incentive to SERIOUSLY commit to a schedule or study regime. My half-ass preparation yielded ... half-ass results.
My biggest note to anyone retaking an exam: COMMIT yourself to the preparation. It is an onerous task - why beat yourself up and those around you more than necessary. Having said that I do not believe you need to study 500+ hours to yield positive results. I think each person needs to work out a realistic schedule that fits thier needs and comfort level.
5. I can pile a load of references and materials into a bin for quick reference during the exam.
This was probably my biggest exam-taking misconception. I was actually overwhelmed by all of the material I had accumulated. It wasn't until I spent time re-organizing my material based on what I studied and how it made sense to me that I was able to trim down the references AND put together a quick-reference sheet for each subject area. I was able to solve problems much more efficiently in this manner.
I hope those who find themselves retaking the exam can find something in what I have posted even if it does not directly apply to your situation. The members of this board have demonstrated that they are knowledgable and helpful - kudos to the EB.com group. :+1: It took me four times to get it right - but I got there. I think anyone else can do the same with some 'tweaks' in thier approach.
Best of luck in your preparation !!
Regards,
JR
