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Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

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!  

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

I didn't think there was a choice anymore. I was under the impression you had to take the full 16 hrs and pass or bust.  

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

There are two modules, and you can take them together or separately.

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

I was under the same impression...all or nothing.

Neffers

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

You have to pass both modules to receive credit for passing the SE exam, but you don't have to take them at the same time.

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

ToadJones:
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

(OP)
If you read the information it says that you can sit and obtain acceptable results on one component (one 8 hour session) in a single examination period.  

You are not a licensed engineer, however, until you have passed both components (all 16 hours).

 

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

@nutte:
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

Slickdeals, I believe you only pay for the module(s) you take.  If you take one module, you don't have to pay for the second one at that time.

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

(OP)
The reason I figured this out is because I got approved by my state board was actually registering when the ncees website asked which module I wanted to take and that each module I selected would be $510.

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

Can you still pass one module to get a PE, or is that gone?

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

I'm sure you can pick and choose which module you take.  I am not sure about the fees, but that is my impression.  When I spoke with my state board about the exam, they explicitly stated that if you want to take both modules at the same time, you have to register for them independently.  Logically, it follows that when you register for one, you only pay for one.  But that is the part I'm not certain of.

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

Toad, no.  Passing one isn't worth anything by itself.  You must pass both to receive credit for passing the SE exam.

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

Nutte-
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

Correct.  Those days are gone.

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

(OP)
Any advice on trying to do the two day marathon or breaking it up into two seperate exam periods?

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

I had to do the single 16 hour exam spread out over two consecutive days.  It was exhausting.  If I had the chance to spread it out, I would.

Bob G, S.E. (I made it!)

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

I'll say this much...even one 8 hr exam is rough. I don't think the material was very difficult, but getting a good nights rest in a hotel out of town and then trying to maintain concentration for 8+ hrs is pretty rough.  

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

Hotel?  I slept in my car the night before...

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

its been 16 hours in two days for SE in my state (CA) for years.  but that was comprised of the National SE-II and the state specific seismic SE-III.  State law still mandates that a CA specific test be administered for a SE license, so CA still will have a state specific requirement.


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

In CA until last year, you had to be a CA PE(Civil) before you were allowed to take the 2 day exam. How did examinees fare with the 2 day 16 hour exam?

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

I'm registered for both days.  Yes, you can take them at different times.  No, they will not report any results until both are taken (But, that is exactly what they told the states about Str I & II.)  You can choose the Friday exam or the Saturday exam, according to the sections below:  

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

henri2 - If i read your post correctly, you are implying that you now need not be a licensed civil to sit for the SE exam, that is not the case.  You still must be a licensed civil with 3 years practicing structural beyond your license as a PE and all the references etc, etc to sit for the 16 hour NCEES exam + state specific exam for CA.

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

IceNine-
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

slomobile,

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

Toad,

Are you thinking about the possibility of getting mugged in your car?

BA

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

Take both.

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

Toad:  Looking back, I was a little jumpy each time I heard a noise.  But, I saved $125 (my boss wouldn't pick up the bill).

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

Henri,  That is what i thought you meant, but i didnt want any youngens to get the wrong impression.  

RE: Structural Exam April 2011 Advice

BA-
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 don't have your PE yet, I'd suggest taking the Civil PE and get that first.

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.

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