CA PE Structural - surveying and seismic later

[triplej333]

I'm taking the PE exam in Pomona on 10/26. I dominated school (MS in 5 years from scratch at age 32 with a 3.8 GPA). I'm probably overconfident. I can't take the Minnesota PE exam until 2020 (I live in MN). Unacceptable, so I'm flying to CA next month.

I just need to pass the PE right now. I'd like to limit my luggage and liability for losing said luggage by maximizing carry-on. What reference materials would you bring?

PECRM, IBC2015, ASCE7-10, AISC, ACI, TMS402, NDS 2012

That's what I'm thinking. Why would I need anything else? Thoughts? Additions?

Thanks

 

[SlideRuleEra]

CA PE Structural
I'm taking the PE exam in Pomona on 10/26.

California uses "NCEES PE Civil-Structural". This link is for references needed in Fall 2018.

Some on your list are not needed, some needed are missing, and at least one, NDS 2012, is out of date.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[Lomarandil]

You'll sacrifice a few lookup questions by not having AASHTO or PCI, but not so many that you can't pass. Especially if you know how the AASHTO load combinations work. Similar with OSHA.

Make yourself a cheat sheet if needed, the sort of information that the PE tests on can be boiled down after you take a practice test or two.

----
The name is a long story -- just call me Lo.

 

[triplej333]

Thanks for the responses. I've bound the relevant AASTHTO and OSHA code and I'll use notes from my prestressed concrete class to take care of PCI. It appears that calculating stresses at various states of the prestressed beam / double tee manufacturing process should be expected. I also think comparison of 2015 NDS to 2012 NDS is in order, with a corrresponding set of notes.

I did the NCEES practice exam with no reference material and no paper and was right at 70% in about 5 hours so I feel pretty good! Still going to overprepare...

 

[SlideRuleEra]

triplej333 - You will do well. A few years ago, I taught a review course for PE-Structural and old Structural I exams.

Primary advice to students: Just take the exam, even if you consider yourself "not prepared", etc. Some students "chickened out", with predictable results. They have never taken the exam.

I don't believe you will have the problem, good for you. Good Luck.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[triplej333]

I've always had confidence in my abilities and I've never applied for a job. Structural engineering just came to me along the way. I appreciate your comments and feel very good about taking the exam. Coincidentally, I'm bringing my grandfather's slide rule with for good luck (he was a civil engineer and always carried around a slide rule). All the best to you SlideRuleEra

 

[E720]

I am also taking the PE Exam in a few weeks, Civil Structural in Utah. I am just more than 1 year out of graduate school. I sat down at the university library this past saturday and took a practice breadth and depth exam trying to mimic the actual test. I scored just around a 70%. I have been studying for probably 4 months, probably around an hour a day at night when the kids go to bed, and some days a lot more. During my mimic exam I brought a whole suitcase of books to the library. I think I used CERM, ACI, AISC, Mechanics of Materials Book (probably could have looked in CERM), textbook based on AASHTO, textbook on wood design (could have looked in NDS but my textbook has an index that is easy to use),and ASCE 7. I think that was it. Books that I didnt have with me but plan on borrowing for the exam: IBC and Masonry Code. I don't feel the confidence that you feel but I feel pretty good.

Any tips?

 

[cvg]

at least one, NDS 2012, is out of date

I took the exam in Pomona (a long time ago). I studied and brought the most recent edition of the building code. the exam required the earlier edition which caused immediate panic and some floundering. suggest you verify which code editions are referenced on the exam

 

[Lomarandil]

You assume NCEES rewrites their exam with every code cycle change. I personally would guess they are busy with other tasks.

----
The name is a long story -- just call me Lo.

 

[E720]

Lo, you are 100% correct, I have no idea how often they rewrite the exams or how their sick minds work.

 

[spieng89]

How did the exam go?

 

[triplej333]

I passed! Just got my notice this week.

 

[E720]

When you took the PE you essentially signed an NDA about the questions. I would be careful not to mention any specifics of any questions. You can read about a guy NCEES went after here,

http://engineerboards.com/topic/3424-dont-end-up-like-this-guy/

It sounds like NCEES wanted to make an example out of him and basically ruined his career. Don't be that guy.