Professional Civil Engineer working in NYC Social Media: Instagram - instagram.com/the_lerchness_monster/ LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/robert-lerch/ Columbia University - Master's Degree in Earth and Environmental Engineering Stony Brook University - Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering
Dear friend, I'm from Singapore and would like to take PE, I'm a mechanical engineer with 15 years of experience, can guide me.. i wanna take in fire engineering or HVAC.... so can i use the same material and course for preparation?.. pls guiude
There are still applicable topics that carry over from the 2023 SOPE book (I would double check the list of topics on the 2024 exam), and focus on those. The SOPE has also updated their courses and Question Bank for the 2024 exam specifications, and those are available now. www.schoolofpe.com/?ref=roblerch
I just took my PE Civil: Structural exam on March 29th, and your video popped up in my recommended videos! I agree that 4 months is a good amount of time to study - my personal goal was to reach 300 hours of studying, which I achieved in 3 months. I wanted to share some wisdom I wish I had known going into the exam (apologies if this information has already been emphasized in previous videos): 1. The design references (ASCE 7-10, ACI 318, etc) are separated by chapter and are not one entire pdf. So you really need to know where certain topics are located, I used the index and table of contents best I could. 2. The NCEES practice exam provides a good indicator of the level of difficulty, but your actual exam questions will be nothing like them. 3. Unfortunately, there will be several conceptual questions that you did not prepared for. 4. Sometimes, questions will include a diagram or equation not found in the reference handbook, requiring you to solve them using your common sense. 5. The afternoon section is generally more difficult and complex. If you finish the morning portion early (in under 4 hours), try to reserve some of that time for the afternoon. I had 4.5 hours for the afternoon portion and still could have used more time. 6. Try practice problems from several different exam providers. I only used the School of PE's practice exam and their online question bank (which has about 750 questions) and felt I could have benefited from more exposure to different types of questions. Should be getting my results this week and REALLY hoping I passed lol
Taking mine on April 4th. I am actually relieved about the changes since all I have done for the past 10 years is structural only. I graduated outside US so I had to take the FE last year which was rough in my opinion because of the many topics I had to study. I definitely like the PE to be more structural focused. Worried about the difficulty though.
Absolutely, I think studying for more topics makes the exam trickier. Hopefully the level of difficulty for each questions remains the same with the removal of the breadth potions. Let me know how it goes, best of luck!
Interesting video! Do you have any information or recommended resources for a mechanical engineer looking to take the FE and PE. I’ve been working over 4 years under a PE so I meet my states work experience requirement (Georgia). Unfortunately I graduate college 10 years ago and I feel work experience doesn’t really prepare you for the exam since you’re often focused on very specific things only…. All the resources seem to be for civil engineering because unlike a mechanical, a PE is pretty much required. While I don’t have to get a PE, it’s a goal of mine. From what I understand, I can take any exam I feel comfortable with, but obviously want the best study resources and chances of passing.
Hey, thanks for your comment. I believe the best way to prepare for the FE and PE as a mechanical engineer is through an online course. Especially after being out of school for 10 years, the course will provide you with all of the notes and practice problems to pass. I took the School of PE course for both the FE and PE exam and passed both. You can use this link to checkout the course, and can use LERCH100 for a $100 off. www.schoolofpe.com/?ref=roblerch
Great vid! Many people tell me they feel like it will simplify the exam in terms of all knowledge be focused in subject/depth. But im nervous it may be more difficult
Thank you! I agree, I think it will simplify the exam, less topics to study now which is great. There isn't any indication that the actual questions will be more difficult.
Did you use your dry erase pad alot to solve problems during the PE? So, I bought a dry erase pad awhile ago to practice for the FE. I took the School of PE and NCEES practice FE exams and used my dry erase pad to solve most questions. When I took the actual FE exam I didn't actually use the pad as much as I expected. The questions (still tough) seemed simplified or more geared towards understanding concepts then solving actual problems. (My opionion) I've been studying for the PE construction exam following similar routine of solving practice problems on my dry erase pad and was just curious.
Hi Rob. I will take the PE Civil exam soon. I have a few questions for you. What do you think about EET review course? Is it compatible with School of PE review course? Also do you recommend Civil PE Practice Breadth Exam or NCEES PE Practice Exam or both? Also do you recommend buying a NCEES Handbook? Thanks in advance.
Hey, thanks for your comment! I’m not too familiar with the EET course since I didn’t take it, but I have heard positive opinions on it. I took the School of PE course and the course prepared me well for the exam. I would absolutely buy both practice exams and take both multiple times. Practice problems and exams are by far the best way to study and prepare for the exam. I’m not exactly sure what you mean by the NCEES Handbook… if you are talking about the reference manual, then I would say you can download that via PDF and that should be fine.
Hi Mohammed, the best way to prepare for the PE exam is through an online course, since it will provide you with all of the material and practice you need to pass the exam. I recommend the School of PE online course, you here is the link to their courses! bit.ly/rob-lerch
Thanks for the video Rob, I'm currently studying for FE Chemical Exam. Do you have a recommendation for me, can I pass the FE exam with the materials that school of PE provides me.
I agree with this guy's methods - work the example problems. I failed it the first time because I tried to let my strength (Sructures) carry me. I noticed on the exam I failed, however, there are quick easy problems in each Civil area ((fluids, economics highway etc.). For the second try, I got a book with problems each area. I worked all the problems. I did this over period of about a year; it wasn't that hard. The second test was easy.
By the way, I am actually based in the Dominican Republic. Is this an online test I can take from outside the US? Do you need experience working under an engineer to be eligible?@@Rob_Lerch
A couple questions: Is there any chemistry involved in the water resources depth portion? Also, I see you bought the hard copy of the SOPE practice exam, but doesn't this come with the online on demand portion of SOPE? Thanks!
Hey, yes there is some chemistry involved with the water resources depth portion. The On Demand course comes with online practice exams, but the hard copy can be purchased separately.
For the PE construction exam CTB with time, you can purchase the Online Question Bank. Use this link here and search for the PE Construction PE, and then scroll down for the Question Bank Option! bit.ly/rob-lerch
How much is the school of PE course and how many hours per week should we study? I plan on taking the exam this Fall while I’m a full time student who’s also working
The School of Pe course varies in cost depending upon the option you choose. The link in my description displays the options you can choose from. I would recommend studying 10-15 hours a week if your schedule allows for it.
Excuse me, How to get this Design Codes and Standards as pdf so I can study on pdf copy please? Because my exam is CBT and I want to get pdf copy not a printed copy so I can train myself on how to use it before exam. I’m looking for Transportation design codes as pdf
did you use any of the additional references/standards provided for the WRE exam? I am 3 days away from my exam and haven't really studied those but i have never had to use them on any problems so far. I am debating if i should spend time reviewing them in detail or focus on studying more problems.. also did you take a break from study the day before exam? thanks & congrats
I did use the additional references provided for the WRE exam, but mostly used the main reference manual. I would do a quick skim through each reference to familiarize yourself with them before heading into the exam. The main focus at this point should be just doing practice problems. The day before the exam, I studied for about 3 hours and then rested. Good luck!
I am debating if purchasing the 1 month plan for 190 or 4 months plan. Do you feel there are there enough questions in their database to generate different multiple simulator test so that if I want to "re-attempt" the next test will be different than the previous one failed? Thanks! Great video
You can download the practice problems, solutions, lecture notes, and all additional given information so essentially have lifetime access to. The subscription will expire however, so the lecture videos and online content through your account will eventually be inaccesible.
