Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
(OP)
I am looking for advice on whether to try an take both modules of the Structural Exam (all 16 hours) in one sitting or do one module at a time. I know no one has experience on taking the full 16 hour exam since this is the first time offered but I would still like to hear opinions.
One of the concerns I have is spreading myself to thin studying for the full 16 hours and then doing poorly on each module instead of focusing on one portion at a time.
The other concern I have is the cost ($510 dollars per module), ouch!
One of the concerns I have is spreading myself to thin studying for the full 16 hours and then doing poorly on each module instead of focusing on one portion at a time.
The other concern I have is the cost ($510 dollars per module), ouch!






RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
Neffers
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
I think you did not understand the OP. The current 16 hour format of the exam has two 8 hour modules, which can be passed independently (within a 5 year period).
You still have to pass both the 8 hour modules within a 5 year window, in order to become a SE.
swhove:
I think the first time you register for the exam, you will have to pay the $$$ for both modules. I believe, logically at least, that if you don't pass one of the modules, then you only pay to take that module.
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
You are not a licensed engineer, however, until you have passed both components (all 16 hours).
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
Are you sure that you can pick and choose which module you want to take each time and only pay the fees for that module?
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
You can take the civil PE if you want an 8-hour exam. But there is no longer an 8-hour SE-I exam.
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
That's why I was wondering. When I got my PE you could either take Civil-Structural (4 hrs each) or take the 8hr SE1.
SE1 used to be good enough to get your PE (in my state anyway) then, down the road you could just take SE2, then you'd be PE & SE.
Not anymore huh?
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
Bob G, S.E. (I made it!)
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
I vote you prepare for and take the entire 16 hours, you should be able to accomplish this task, lots of us have. Let your studying further understanding and decision making skills as an engineer, not just try to pass a test. You are attempting to reach the terminal degree of a practicing Structural Engineer, prepare yourself to offer that level of skill to clients.
Good luck, if you are dedicated, you will do great.
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
The link below was for the October 2010 exam. National Structural and State Specfic structural exam results are shown at the bottom of the page. In the National exam,the pass rate was 48% and for the State Specific exam, it was 29%. One wonders how many folks passed. I'd figure less than 30%. I think it makes sense to take the new NCEES exams one part at a time, unless you have the mental and physical stamina.
http://www.pels.ca.gov/applicants/oct10stats.shtml
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
Friday morning is vertical (gravity/other) and incidental lateral breadth
Friday afternoon is vertical depth
Saturday morning is lateral (wind/earthquake) breadth
Saturday afternoon is lateral depth
http://ncees.org/Exams/PE_exam.php
scroll down to the new structural exam files.
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
The Oct 2010 exam was the last time CA offered the National SE-II and the State specific Seismic SE-III. It was not the new 16 hour exam which will be offered in April in CA. There are no results for that exam yet as it has not be administered in our state.
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
I dare you to sleep in your car in the area where I took the PE...You'd have a lot more to worry about than Seismic Provisions!
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
Sorry if I conveyed the impression that a PE (civil) was all that was needed to qualify for the exam. That was not my intent. As you rightly stated, potential examinees need at least 3 years of structural engineering experience.
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
Are you thinking about the possibility of getting mugged in your car?
BA
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
Yes, it was a few years back, but even then I wasn't into sleeping in cars in inner city areas....now, out in a corn field in the back of a pick-up truck in August...ahh, that's a much better scenario.
RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice
If you have your PE and are going for an SE, it's up to you personally if you think that you can handle 16 hr's at once or want to break it up into two separate modules. I think that's an awful lot to study at once, personally.