SE Exam Study Plan

[Budding_SE]

I am planning on taking the SE exam. I have had 1 unsuccessful attempt at the PE exam last year but i didnt really study for it and it was a casual attempt.
Please see attached pdf.

What do you guys think? Am i missing anything? Is this realistic?

I would like to know your thoughts and get your advice.

 

[spieng89]

I'd give more time to solve the problems in Vol. 1 of SEAOC, seems you only show 1 day. That resource was very valuable during the exam for me and wish I had gone through it deeper, but other than that looks okay. Really depends on your own personal weaknesses and strengths. I'd factor in more practice problems though

 

[Rabbit12]

Did you take the PE with structural emphasis?

Now your plan is to skip the PE and just sit for the SE?

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I'd say your time estimates are reasonable as long as you can put in ~300 hours of study time.

Other random thoughts:

Agreed heavily with spieng; go over SEAOC volume 1 with a fine tooth comb. Study SEAOC volume 2-4 lightly and skip volume 5 entirely.

Structural engineering solved problems should be used throughout your studies. The text is VERY in depth and going through the problems will greatly help your studies but the author tends to go overboard at times and also makes a number of errors.

You have only 1 day listed for concrete seismic design. I also didn't see steel seismic listed anywhere other than SEAOC vol 4. The seismic design manual is fantastic in its examples; use that (possibly combined with SEAOC vol 4).

Skip cold-formed steel entirely in your studies. Bring the required documents to the exam of course but seriously don't waste time for something only worth a few percent of the exam. Spend less time on the PCI design handbook; just be familiar with pre and post tension design.

Buy both the PPI and NCEES practice exams. Take the NCEES exam 1-2 months prior to completing your studies to gauge your progress and remaining studying needs. Take the PPI sample exam a week or two prior to exam day. Leave the final week or two open in your study schedule to allow for last-minute study goals and exam prep.

Spend time studying ASCE 7-10 and the IBC directly! Read the wind and seismic chapters thoroughly. Read the commentary. Huge time suck but well worth it.

Where is AASHTO!? Bridges are 1/2 of your mornings!

Consider taking a review course. It will help keep you on track.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/

 

[Budding_SE]

@spieng89 noted
@rabbit12 Yes and yes.
@tehmighty i missed aashto. i will update my schedule accordingly. also i plan to take the SEAOI review course. they have not posted the dates yet but yeah. thats expensive but i like the way it covers everything. i was trying to align my schedule according to that program but dont know it completely. i enquired and they mentioned they will be changing it. so i have decided to start without and align later.
about bridge - are those mostly aashto questions or do i need to carry and study any other reference.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

AASHTO is the only reference you will need.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/

 

[Rabbit12]

TME, unless something has changed bridges are only 20% (8 questions) of the morning. Agree that I wouldn't waste any time studying cold form. The questions should be pretty basic and can be found in the code quickly.

Budding_SE, I'd recommend tabbing all your references so you can navigate to sections in your codes quickly. Also, solve problems throughout your studying. The SE exam is no joke. It's considerably harder than the PE. You will have no time to "learn" during the exam. If you get stuck on a problem or don't know how to do it skip it and come back.

Good luck and report back how you did.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Rabbit: Recently people were getting more AASHTO questions than in the past; but you're right, I over exaggerated the amount of AASHTO questions. Though emphasis is good since OP is a building engineer they likely will need extra study time on AASHTO topics.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/