PE in metallurgy thread (anybody else taking the test in October) 2

[EngineerDave]

Hi all,

I plan on signing up for the PE in metallurgy. The test is in October for my state (Ohio). I will be creating a condensed formula and topics sheet to take along with my books.

The deadline for registration is coming up. It is typically 3 months before the test date. I plan on getting my info sent in by the end of the week or early next week.

If anybody else is taking it, perhaps we should confer on the studying process. It appears the pass rate currently is around 50% so I don't expect this to be a cakewalk by any means.

 

[Rich2001]

I will be taking the Principle & Practice exam in Welding Engineering this Friday in Ohio. I am currently a Mechanical PE and am adding a new speciality, so I have been through this once before.

Relax, take some snacks and drinks with you.

I finished early, about 2 hour, but had to sit there until the exam was over, you couldn't leave because it would disturb the others, so take a light novel to read.

The PPE in welding engineering is 17 question in the morning and 14 in the afternoon. Format?

 

[EngineerDave]

Well, finishing 2 hrs early is something I don't necessarily predict either in my case.

Is it true that you can only have 2 references on the table at a given time? Also can you wheel your rolling suitcase right into the room? Just some minor issues that I wondered about.

I guess you actually can bring snacks and drinks in as well. May as well bring a lunch! Powerbars aren't the best but will have to do!

 

[CoryPad]

EngineerDave,

I don't recall having a limit to the number of references on the table at a given time - if there was, that didn't cause me any problems. Yes, you can roll your suitcase right into the room and right next to your chair. I don't remember snacks being allowed during the exam - if they are for you, that is a good thing.

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[EngineerDave]

I thought the PE exam was tough. I am not allowed to discuss specifics as they made us sign a disclaimer which even mentioned talking about the exam in internet chat rooms!

Does anyone know what is required for a passing score. Also I have no idea when scores will be reported.

 

[CoryPad]

The minimum passing score is 70:

http://www.ncees.org/exams/scoring/passing_score.php#pass

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[caddict]

I know we can't talk about specifics, but did anyopne else think the exam was unreasonably difficult in some areas that seemed to be more fe than pe? I hope the raw score requirement was closer to 50 than 70.

 

[EngineerDave]

I agree, everyone around me that took the metallurgy exam thought it was quite difficult as well.

Maybe they will change the criteria for passing.

 

[caddict]

A couple of thoughts, all of which I think are in the acceptable format such as not to offend or upset the NCEES folks.

1. Was there a particular thermo or heat transfer book that you or anyone thought was worthwhile?

2. Other than the handbook desk edition, what was the most valuable reference you had. I was expecting it to be the heat treaters guides based on what everyone else had told me, but I, at least, did not find this to be the case.

3. I like to think that my job is the best preparation anyone could have for the PE exam. I am around licensed metallurgists everyday that practice in most every aspect of the field that one can from a private practice standpoint. What I and they do did not seem to be reflected by the content of the exam.

4. How many people at you location took the met exam. My estimate of the number of takers nationwide based on the elses website is ~70. this may be skewed because key states such as ohio and illinois were not listed in their data.

I will post other things as I think of them.

I would like to say that I did not find this thread until after I took the exam, and was happy to find that what others told me about how to prepare for the exam was exactly what I found here. Sadly, I do not think that this commentary was an accurate preparation for the actual exam this year.

 

[robnanshanks]

Apparently the results are in - I haven't found out what my score was but did get a PE Licence in the mail on 1/3/04 which I figure means I passed. It can't have been by much - I was sure I'd failed the thing. Quite a relief to have it over with.

 

[Badplaid]

I passed too! I thought it was hard, but some of the really challenging questions were easy to figure out just using common sense and elminating two of the answers off the bat. Some of the vessel sizes in the answers are just not feasible in modern manufacturing, either way too small or way too big.

That said, I could have used a better thermo book....I had Gaskell's Transport Phenomena and his Met. Thermo book. The first was ok, but the second was useless. Thermo was my worst subject in school and I was bummed that it was all over the exam. I was hoping for more heat treating and common metallurgical practices questions.

Besides the Handbook, Dieter's book was decent to have though, a quick reference for a lot of topics.

There were 4 people in Western Washington, two were taking it for the second time. Didnt talk to the other guy.

I am excited I passed...unfortuantely, I am now a licensed PE in Metallurgy in Washington working for a glass company in Michigan doing very little related to metals. I can get licensed in MI for $75 and likely will...as far as getting back to metallurgy some day, that's probably likely too down the line.

 

[EngineerDave]

Congrats guys. I too passed.

I won't give any info about the test. I think it is an experience everyone should enjoy for themselves!

 

[arunmrao]

Congrats Dave. I was anxious to know your results.

 

[sayee1]

Congrats Dave


Thanks and regards
Sayee Prasad R
Ph: 0097143968906
Mob: 00971507682668
email: sayee_prasad@yahoo.com
If it moves, train it...if it doesn't move, calibrate it...if it isn't written down, it never happened!

 

[Mat001]

Hello Fellows,

I plan on signing up for the PE in metallurgy for October-2005. I am based in Chicago.

Is anybody else from chicago appearing for the exam and interested in studying together or sharing the information ? I will be creating a condensed formula and topics sheet to take along with my books.

It appears the pass rate currently is around 50% so I don't expect this to be a cakewalk by any means.

Is morning questions covers all the topics or is that just General Metallurgy and economics questions ?

Thanks in Advance,

Best Regards

 

[metengr]

Mat001;
Here are some useful threads on this subject;

thread330-105087

thread330-115368

thread330-48843


Good Luck

 

[EngineerDave]

Mat001
There used to be a pdf of sample test questions. Then TMS wanted to start charging for it.

If I can find it you are welcome to have a copy. The only reason it might not be easily accessible is that I took the test in October 2003, and the file was likely on a laptop that was stolen in Sept 2004.

However if it's on my backup I will let you know.

EngineerDave

 

[EngineerDave]

PS Starting to study now isnt the worst idea you could have.

I read Metals Handbook cover to cover and got all my classbooks ready.

 

[Mat001]

EngineerDave & Metenger,

Thanks for your feedback. I already got the TMS study guide and i will start my studies soon.

What is the diffrence between the morning and afternoon questions ?

Is there anyone else appearing for Met exam in October'05?

A handy notebook with all formulas and equations useful at the exam or i should be having all the books with me at exam ?

Thanks a lot,

 

[metengr]

Mat001;
There us no difference between the AM and PM questions in terms of format or complexity. The exam format remains the same in the Am and PM sessions, each subject area is covered with a different set of questions.

These are all multiple choice questions with only one correct answer. The exam is difficult and requires preparation, mainly to re-acquaint yourself to problem-solving skills, and to work with unit conversions.

My suggestion is to work as many sample problems from suggested reference books listed on the TMS web site as you can manage.

 

[EngineerDave]

My suggestion, bring every book you can. I wheeled a suitcase in. I saw one guy wheel in a library rack, everybody kind of laughed about that one!

I borrowed the heat treat books from work that day.

It was a bit frantic in a way, I felt like I spent alot of time searching through books.

But I passed.

Now I face a similar close book test in my new field which is kind of related to engineering and healthcare.

I am studying for that now and it's in the end of August.

Kind of reminds me of my PE studying.