In this episode we provide some test taking strategies for the PE Exam.
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!
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