PE Exam - Geotechnical

[geomane]

Hello all,

For any engineers who recently passed the PE exam or are currently studying for it, I wanted to run by you all what references I am planning on bringing with me to the afternoon module (GEO) of the PE exam April 2016.

1. Das textbooks - Principles of Geotechnical Engineering and Principles of Foundation Engineering

2. Soils and Foundations - NHI Course No. 132012 _ Reference Manual - Volumes I & II

3. A few sections out of the FHWA Manual - Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations

4. Steel Sheet Piling Design Manual

5. Geotechnical Engineering Circular No. 4 _ Ground Anchors and Anchored Systems

6. CERM - 15th edition

7. Maybe a couple of sample exams and practice problems

Are there any other references you guys recommend? I am bringing the FHWA manuals due to a friend of mine who took the exam this past October and said they were needed.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[Terratek]

Go here:

http://www.testmasters.com/

They have some practice exams you can download if you look in the right place. If you can pass those exams, you can pass the geotech afternoon session pretty easily without over studying. I took their prep course and all I used was a binder from the class and a Das foundation textbook with tabs for quick reference. The process of tabbing the books gets you familiar with the material and its location, too. Don't remember any FHWA manual requirements, but they change the test up a little every time. Geotech is not codified and there are no national "code" requirements, so maybe your friend just found info in the manual that could also be found elsewhere?

From your list I would take:
1. Das textbooks - Principles of Geotechnical Engineering and Principles of Foundation Engineering
2. Maybe a couple of sample exams and practice problems

I would also make sure I had quick and easily references to soil classification both in USCS and AASHTO. I remember most of the more technical afternoon questions were related to relatively simple gravity and cantilever retaining walls. The NCEES practice exam, I felt, was very representative of the difficulty level (not difficult at all, and I am no genius)

We get the scores in my state and I made a 92, so I feel I'm giving good advice.

 

[Ron]

Your list is good for the PE. I might add DM-7 since it covers a lot of relatively simple approaches to issues.

Once you get in practice, your list is not complete. Check posts here for complete geotech references. BigH, dgillette, PEinc, oldestguy, dhengr, slideruleera, McCoy and others know the references well. I'm just a structural guy who has had to dabble in geotech over the years!!

 

[geomane]

Terratek,

Interestingly enough, I am taking the testmasters review course as well. I am attending the classroom course in Birmingham, AL this coming February. I hope the course is as good as I hear it to be.

As for the practice exams you are referring to, I can't seem to track them down.

Ron, I may bring that as well. I have access to one that is already tabbed up.



Thanks,

James

 

[Terratek]

jmcc,

If you are taking the Testmaster's course and applying yourself, you should do well. I literally had 2 hours of extra time to review my test in both AM and PM sessions. I just left the room early after about a half hour of checking and re-checking answers because I was afraid I might start looking around out of boredom and get in trouble.

The test has changed a lot over the years. I would try to find people who have passed it within the last 3 to 4 years for the best advice on how to prepare. Honestly, though, I would have no anxiety about having selected the right material if you are taking the Testmaster's course. They will tell you what you should bring for references. I think they have something like a 90 percent success rate.

I did buff up on water resources and geotech before taking the course which I think made following the course easier.

Also remember, you just have to pass, not ace the test. I didn't even study the environmental stuff because I figured I'd be better off concentrating on being better at my strong suits. The morning section is evenly divided, so you could completely fail one of the five topics and still have some wiggle room on the rest.