In this episode we offer several tried and true study tips to help you prepare for the PE Exam.
You can listen to the show by clicking the audio player above. In addition, I am copying my show notes below for your use.
Notes
How much study time is needed?
300 hours per Lindeburg
Break that down to 14 weeks
That is 98 days & 3 hours per day
This is a new hobby! But it is important for your career and development. This is the most important way to pass the PE Exam. There are no shortcuts!!!! You must put in the time! There is truly so much to cover, and you have to work problems and review the material. Studying and knowing the material makes taking the exam so much easier.
Plan your strategy
Develop a schedule
When will you study?
Before work/ after work
Weekends
Find a quiet place
You may need to make some sacrifices (family, friends)
Determine what to study, and how long
five parts to the exam
2 weeks for each breadth section
4 weeks for depth section
2 weeks to brush up after the exam is over.
Try to cover all of the sections, but focus on your strengths and make them better
Make sure you spend more time on the depth section material than the breadth.
Work 2-3 problems minimum each day.
Organize your worked problems
Lindeburg book has 90+ chapters. read chapter a day.
Skim over theory, but know where to find it.
Highlight important concepts.
Place tabs on parts of the book you reference frequently
Follow your strategy
Write your schedule out & follow it!!!
“just do it”
Connect with others to hold you accountable
Consider joining an online forum
Get motivation from this podcast
Set a goal for how you will celebrate when you finish the PE
Think about how great it will feel when you pass the exam.
Take Action:
Write out a study plan, post it somewhere important and then follow it!
Find someone online or off that can hold you accountable to the schedule.
What do you think?
We want to hear your comments!
What is the most important key to studying for the PE Exam?
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Hi I am looking at sitting the Structural PE exam and wanted to know the best study materials to buy. Any books that are going to help me would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Justin
Hi Justin,
Provided you are taking the Structural I exam, I would recommend the Structural Engineering Reference Manual by Alan Williams, as well as the practice problems by him as well. You may want to pick up the CERM as well. The CERM has some structural topics that the SERM does not. I would refer to SERM first, and use CERM as a supplement. You can probably get by without CERM, but if you know someone who can get you a copy that would be good. My downloadable checklist has more detailed info on this… just enter your email into the box on the site. Let me know if you have any more questions & Best wishes for your exam!
Hi Alan,
I appreciate the episodes that you provided on your website. All were beneficial and plan to put them into practice.
I am currently preparing to take the FE Exam in which I will take the Civil Portion in the Afternoon on April 9, 2011.
I will take the study suggestions that you recommended and put them to use.
Thanks,
Xavier
Thanks Xavier, and best wishes for your upcoming exam.
Hello Andy:
Please suggest how to do the following:
“Connect with others to hold you accountable
Find someone online or off that can hold you accountable to the schedule.”
while noting that I have a wife (that works too). and two daughters, 13 & 7, that will invariably bring an added demand on the time!
Thanks in advance,
Bala
Bala,
Here are some ideas to connect with others in order to hold you accountable:
* Find some friends at work or from your university days, etc that you can meet up with to study. If you cannot meet up, at least check up on each other to see how the studies are coming.
* Go to online forums such as those at engineer boards and PPI to relate to others taking the PE Exam
* Take an exam review course, either online or local
* And you can always contact me. I have had some examinees email me on a weekly basis to check in and let me know how their studies are coming! I will always reply to such emails and give you encouragement.
Remember that the PE Exam is as much about getting motivated to study and prepare as it is about actually taking the test. So, having support around you is key. This will include you family.
As for your family, I understand. I had two kids when I took the Civil PE and also the Structural I exam. For a short time of 12 weeks or so, I put the majority of my ‘free’ time after work hours and other requirements to focus on the exam. You will need to have a discussion with your family and let them know that for a short time you will be spending more time on the exam, and less time with them. After that, of course, things will go back to normal as far as that goes. That being said, there are 168 hours in each week. Over 12 weeks that leaves enough time to work, sleep, spend time with family and still put in the required 300 hours to study for the PE.
Thoughts?
Andy
Dear Sir, I am chartered civil engineer( jan,1996) from institute of engineers india.Memeber of institute of engineer india 1995. B.Tech (Hons) civil from univ of engg & tech. jam shoro pakistan 1985.Have above 25 years field and office experience
Will you plz guide me the shortest way to get professional engineer certificate from usa?
regards
engr.moahammad salim shah
B.Tech(hons)civil, M I E, C Eng
Mr. Shah,
I am not familiar with all of the certifications and degrees that you have, though they do seem to have strong credibility. Here in the US, licensure is obtained state by state. So you will need to determine which state you want to obtain licensure through, and see what that state requires for education, and experience. Most states require education from a 4 year university and also 4 years of experience before you can take the PE exam. The PE exam is the same for all states, and the exam specifications can be found here or at NCEES.org website. The important thing you will need to do is verify that your education meets the requirements for the ‘ABET’ accredited university here in the US. This may take some work to do. Then, you will need to get a similar correlation for experience. You may have to take the FE and the PE exam, though you may be able to exempt the first exam (the FE). I hope this helps.
Andy