Using Video as a Tool to Prepare for the PE Exam – An Interview

The Civil PE Exam is quite a broad test to take, covering 5 sub-disciplines of civil engineering.  This episode provides some ideas on how to use video learning as a way to prepare for, and ultimately pass the PE Exam.  The resource that we discuss in particular is a website called engineeringvideos.net.  This site provides tons of video demonstrations on how to work specific engineering problems that you may be struggling with, or just need a refresher.  Enjoy!

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PE Exam Podcast Shownotes

Here are the notes and links mentioned in the show:

First we learned what EngineeringVideos.net is all about.  Then, we discussed the benefits of using video as a resource for studying for the PE Exam.  Tim discusses the secrets of using video, and how it can help you get an edge on the test.

We also discuss the Survey Practice problems book that Tim has developed.  For those of you taking the survey portion of the PE exam, or for those who are actually getting licensed as a surveyor, you need to check this book out.

To fid out about engineeringvideos.net, follow the link provided.

For the Survey Practice Problems book; go to this link, as mentioned.

http://acethepe.com/surveybook

Also, all of the videos are free to view on the Engineering Videos site, but in addition, you can get the DVD as well for a limited time here:

http://acethepe.com/engineeringvideos

Please submit your questions below or via email.

Priorities and Motivation-
I know it is difficult.  You have busy lives, families, jobs, etc.
What are your priorities? (Mine are Faith, spouse, kids, and then “everything else”)
How important is this exam compared to “everything else”
When you walk out of the exam, will you be able to say “I did everything I practically could to pass the exam.
Get a vision for something that motivates you  -
E.g.  for me fear of failure & retaking the exam.  I knew I could not do this 2x

Review -
How much study time is needed?
08- noted 300 hours per Lindeburg
(if you study 300 hours and do not pass please let me know…)
Gave strategies for what to do during your studies.
Today discuss creating time.

Today is 2/5/10 & the exam is 4/16.

10 weeks from today!
Need to study 30 hours per week.

Time budget
We all have 168 hours a week to work from
How will you budget that?
40 hours work
56 hours sleep
16 hours – sunday
Leaves 56 hours – I am just asking you to spend about half of that or 30 hours…

Think about your week and where your time is being spent.
Could you have studied during that time?

Some practical ways you can “make time” to study
1.  Go in to work 2 hours early    (10 hours)
2.  stay 2 hours late     (10 hours)
3.  Talk to your boss about working less hours (10 hours)
(It can wait 10 weeks…)
4.  Talk to your boss about working 4 10′s or half day friday
5.  Have a talk with your spouse
work on saturdays (8 hours)
study 2 hours each nigh after kids go to bed (10 hours)
6.  Ask if your spouse can make dinner for the next 10 weeks…
quick foods
7.  Do not go out on Fridays – (4 hours)
8.  Excercise – this will help you stay mentally alert
9.  Do have some balance in your life – take some breaks, do some things
10.  Get out your calendar and pencil in the times you will study
11. Get a study buddy
12.  Just because you get behind, do not let it discourage you
13.  Quit wasting time (facebook, TV, )

So that is some things that may help you to make time to study for the PE exam.  You do not have much time left, but if you effectively use what time  you have, then you should still be OK.

Action – sit down and decide where you will find 30 hours a week to study over the next 10 weeks.  Mark the time in your calendar and then follow it.

Then, go to my blog at acethepe.com and let me know 1 or 2 ways that you will find some time in your schedule.

Show Notes:
1.  Plan your test day
What to bring -

• Get your exam kit started – references, bound materials, calculator, stopwatch.  Get the free checklist for more info.
• Sleeping arrangements/ hotel

2.  The night before

• get to bed at a reasonable time

3.  Eat a good breakfast
4.  Before the exam

• Don’t cram the day of
• don’t talk about the exam.

5.  Relax – breath deeply and remember the 3 C’s

• Cool Calm and Collected
• This test is important, but
• you can take it again
• it is  really OK if you do not pass!
• Have fun!
• Ensure your personal info is correct
• Discipline info is correct
• Start your clock. take a deep breath and a sip of water.
• This is a eight hour exam in 2 parts
• 6 minute average, some will take more, some less
• Relaxed but methodical and on schedule
• Keep up with your time
• Skim the exam and think about your strategy.  (5 minutes)

6.  3 pass system

• Take the exam with 3 passes
• Easy  – Problems that you know “cold” with no resource
• 10 or so
• Medium – Problems that you know, but will need to come back to
• Hard -
• Then go through and skim the problems again, massaging problems that you are not sure about.
• With 5 minutes left, make sure all answers are bubbled

7.  Other things to keep in mind

• Bubble carefully – try to only enter 1 time
• Ensure your units are correct (psf, psi)
• Think through the problem carefully and then work it.
• don’t get bogged down.  If you are stuck on a problem longer than 7 or 8  minutes, you may need to move on

8.  After the exam

• Go out to dinner and relax!  You deserve a break
• Take your family out!

9. Summary

• Prepare & Plan ahead
• 3 C’s
• 3 Pass system
• Think!