PE exam - October 2011
PE exam - October 2011
(OP)
Hello all:
I recently came to know about this forum while searching for the tips on PE exam in metallurgical engineering. I have following questions for this exam -
1) Is anyone taking the exam in October 2011?
2) Is it really tough exam?
3) Historically, passing rate is between 50% to 65%. Is it because that it is a tough exam or because examinees take it lightly?
4) Is Transport Phenomenon still part of the exam? If yes, which book will you recommend? Does it come with solution manual?
5) I am going through the chapter on casting, forging, machining etc. Do i have to know the positives and negatives of different methods e.g. drawbacks of open die forging and/or types of hammer used in forging etc?
Thanks for your time.
Met1CO
I recently came to know about this forum while searching for the tips on PE exam in metallurgical engineering. I have following questions for this exam -
1) Is anyone taking the exam in October 2011?
2) Is it really tough exam?
3) Historically, passing rate is between 50% to 65%. Is it because that it is a tough exam or because examinees take it lightly?
4) Is Transport Phenomenon still part of the exam? If yes, which book will you recommend? Does it come with solution manual?
5) I am going through the chapter on casting, forging, machining etc. Do i have to know the positives and negatives of different methods e.g. drawbacks of open die forging and/or types of hammer used in forging etc?
Thanks for your time.
Met1CO





RE: PE exam - October 2011
Now for your reality check.
Thousands of people in these forums will be taking the exam.
Yes, it is hard.
No, the pass rate has nothing to do with how seriously the exam is taken by the examinees....they all take it seriously, they all know it's hard and they all try their best. They fail for two primary reasons:
1..they are not prepared and do not have adequate experience, even though they have met the "paper" requirements (vast majority of the "failures")
2..they fail to take the exam seriously and do not adequately prepare for it (a very small percentage)
I can't answer your last two questions, but suffice it to say that the exams change so be prepared for anything.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I got the answer of my question # 5 by searching on the subject online. There are some really nice videos posted online on casting, forging etc.
Would love to hear from folks taking PE in metallurgical engineering...
Thanks
Met1CO
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Could you please elaborate this line -
1..they are not prepared and do not have adequate experience, even though they have met the "paper" requirements (vast majority of the "failures")
Thanks
Met1CO
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Search on this subject using the ET search feature button above and you will find answers to #2-5.
Key Word - PE exam or PE Metallurgical Exam
Good Luck
RE: PE exam - October 2011
There is a very real reason for the years of "apprenticeship" as a practicing PE under the direct management of a PE. Trying to shortcut those years of experience and practice in the equations and references and terminology will likely be reason you too face a greater chance of joining those who fail the test.
I applaud your care, your foresight in looking for references and studying ahead of time. You will get a selection of topics in your field, and from those topics, a series of questions. You ,must choose wisely which to answer, but you are not required to answer all of the questions. On the other hand, you will not be able to pass by selecting questions from only one topic.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Don't be surprised if you feel the same way when you walk out of the exam room. This is a particularly tough exam to study for because there are no review manuals available for it. So deciding what to study is a real shot in the dark. I did some review about two weeks before the exam using books I had never read before, but realized that studying was essentially futile at this point because I didn't know what I should be reviewing. So I pretty much walked into the exam cold. And I distinctly remember seeing at least three questions on my test that covered topics in metallurgy that I had never even heard of. The funny part is that I felt myself start to panic at this point, and remember thinking "just breathe". That brought me back to my strategy, described below.
The best way to prepare is to have a strategy in hand and stick to it, no matter what they throw at you. I answered the questions that I felt confident I could do right off the bat. But there weren't as many of those on the exam as I had hoped there would be. On the second round through the test, I discarded the answers for certain questions that could be readily identified as wrong, thus reducing the number of possible correct answers. I was often able to reason my way through which of the remaining answers was the correct one. And on the remaining set of questions where I had no clue, I simply guessed at the answer. Based on statistics, I probably got 25% of those answers correct. And my strategy worked, because I did pass.
I hope that you do well. But remember no matter how dismal you may feel when the exam is actually over, you still might have passed.
Maui
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
wow, so you just studied for two weeks? And you passed. AMAZING !!!
Could i please know your work history at the time you took your exam?
Thanks
Met1CO
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Met1CO, the following thread contains some very useful links:
thread330-248008: Suggestions for the Metallurgical Engineering (PE) Exam?
I suggest that you go through each of the links that appears in this thread, especially the ones provided by Corypad. You will find some worthwhile information there.
Maui
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I had worked in three different industries with a wide range of processes and alloys.
I wasn't sure if I had passed or not, fortunately I did.
An advanced degree does not help you with this test since breadth and not depth is the real key.
To study for this test you need to re-familiarize yourself with your books.
Knowing where to find key equations and relationships is what will get you through the test.
There are lots of unknown subjects.
Do you know how to rate a benificiation process in a mine?
Brazing of Al alloys?
How about high temp weld overlay alloys?
The questions are hard and the scope if frightening.
Keep a cool head and check carefully and you have a good chance of passing on the first try.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Plymouth Tube
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I went through the TMS provided sample exam and you are right ED. It is not the depth but the breadth and a clear understanding of fundamentals.
Thank you folks.
Is there anyone from state of Colorado taking this exam in October 11?
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I was flipping the pages of the book 'Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing' by Poirier and Geiger.
So all you guys who were able to crack the PE exam, did you go through all the chapter in this book?
What about the chapters in Gaskell (Thermodynamics) and Dieter? Did you go through all the chapters in these two books two?
And if you did, how were you able to finish all these within 2 weeks, 1 month or in 3 months?
Either you folks are genius or just pure lucky...
Your suggestions will be helpful.
Thanks
Met1CO
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Please comment on my earlier question.
Thanks
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Maui
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I have gone through all the links related to PE exam in metallurgical engineering in this forum. Here is the summary -
Before exam -
1) Study as much as possible. More is better. Usually people with a bachelor degree in metallurgical engineering can pass the exam if they study at least 3 months prior to the exam at a rate of 30 hours per week. (don't quote me on it so study as much as possible)
2) Read and absorb the metals hand book as much as possible. This is the most important book among all.
3) Work on as many problems as possible on the following books - Dieter, Gaskell, & Geiger. Expect a lot of problem in the exam on Transport Phenomenon, Thermodynamics, and Mechanical Metallurgy.
4) The TMS study guide has several questions. The questions are easier than the actual exam.
5) If time permits, try to solve the homework assignments provided on several university website (e.g. MIT etc). One guy and his study partner from CA did not use reference books but he searched the home assignments online.
6) One guy took the exam twice but he failed both the times. On the other hand, there are people who went to the examination hall cold and were able to pass it.
7) Common sense or general knowledge type questions will make up to 25% of the total questions.
8) Although, there is no difference between AM and PM sessions. But some examinees reported that PM session is tough.
During exam -
1) Don't expect the exam to be easy and straight from the book. But ASM metals handbook will be of great help.
2) Don't panic. If don't know the solution, use the elimination process.
I am nervous because i want to pass this exam and i want to leave no stone unturned for it but the scope is frightening.
Met1CO
RE: PE exam - October 2011
1.) Get a good night's sleep the two days before the exam.
2.) Do NOT cram the last few days before you sit for the exam. If you don't know it by now, you won't learn it the last two days.
3.) Bring in a lot of reference books. I brought in too few when I took the exam, and even though I knew exactly how to solve one of the problems, I got it wrong because I didn't have the appropriate reference table in any of the books that I brought with me. During the lunch break you will have the opportunity to leave the test site. I used this time to go back to work and get more reference books. And it was a good thing that I did this.
4.) Breathe. You will likely get very stressed when you read some of these questions and realize that you don't have a clue how to figure them out. Don't let that kill your strategy.
5.) Walk into the test with a clear-cut strategy. Without this, you will likely fail. See the one I used above.
Good luck!
Maui
RE: PE exam - October 2011
It should be more like 'Thermodynamics of Material - The basic understanding can be found elsewhere'
lol.
I am lucky that i have the book 'Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach" by Cengel and Boles.
Met1CO
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I took the eit exam in 2006 and did some research before. Wondering if the same strategry applies to PE or not but would to share it. The am session is always a mix or general session but pm is optional between each subject or again gerenal. Choosing A subject is harder than general for pm session. I did this for my eit, general also for pm, but never has experience to verify the difference.
I do see the point that is why I took the strategy.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Were you finishing your undergrad when you took the EIT exam? What was your strategy for EIT exam?
There is no general session for PE exam (if i am not wrong).
RE: PE exam - October 2011
When you study for the PE use post-its to flag pages of interest.
When you are done you should have a stack of books that is as large as you can carry in one trip.
Among them you should have 15-20 things flagged (2-3 per book). You will know where some others are also but this should be enough to get you close. I did take a couple of ref books so that if I had time and couldn't solve a problem I could try from scratch.
There were two problems on my test (not required) that I had never even heard of the subject and knew that no book that I owned covered it.
Keep cool and don't get upset, just keep working.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Plymouth Tube
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Crazy name...lol..
RE: PE exam - October 2011
So, i was reading this post. One of the guy mentioned that 38% of the exam is from other discipline. Similarly, someone (in metallurgical PE exam discussion) mentioned that 25% of the content is general knowledge. And most of the metallurgists struggle in it.
My question is that what comes under general knowledge when we look from the eyes of a metallurgical engineer?
Thanks
RE: PE exam - October 2011
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=115368
"metengr (Materials)
15 Feb 05 8:56
alwilliams;
In my opinion, the Hertzberg and the Transport Phenomena books should be obtained as references. As CoryPad indicated, the Application of General Knowledge makes up about 22% of the exam, and is probably the most difficult component of the exam. The problems that are typical in this section consist of heat transfer, diffusion and oxidation kinetics. The Transport Phenomena book has relevant data and equations."
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Go to the NCEES web site below and look for the Metallurgical and Materials PE exam specification. All of the information that will be covered by topic is provided, including percentage of questions.
http://www.ncees.org/Exams/PE_exam.php
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
It is hard to know that where does the science end and metallurgical engineering starts.
For example, Gaskell (thermodynamics) is full of problems and equations on vapor pressure but it does not answer that what are colligative properties. But, when i read the Chemistry (by Chang)i get the answer of my question.
So, 'General Knowledge' is enormous. Therefore, i asked the question.
Thanks.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I got stuck on one of the problem in Fracture Mechanics (Ch 11)in Dieter. The problem number is 11-2. I can not solve this problem till i know the E (Young's modulus) for the ship steel. I can solve the problem if i know plane stress fracture toughness for the ship steel.
But, i do not have either young's modulus or the plane stress fracture toughness for ship steel. And there is nothing in the appendix or the tables in the chapter regarding ship steel.
How to solve it? Is there a solution manual for Dieter? I tried to find it online but it is out of print.
Thanks
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I was pulling my hair on this problem because i was sure that it can not be solved without knowing the value of E. And i don't have the value of E for ship steel.
So i started to search the solution manual online. I could not find the solution manual. But i found the SI version of Dieter online. I thought to have a look on the same problem in SI version. And in the online SI version, the value of E was provided in the question statement. It was E = 205 GPa.
After that, solving the problem became piece of cake.
Do we get the same type of problem in the PE exam? And 'same type' means that if you know the formula to be used (and pay attention to the units), you can solve the problem.
Thanks
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Such as steel roughly is 200Gpa or 30mpsi and heat treatment condition
Does not matter. Stainless has about same number but slightly lower.
Ni based alloy has slightly higher E. Ti has about half of steel's, etc.
Hope this helps.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
That being said, my recommended review process would be to work through the EIT prep-book again and relevant chapters. It is good to have the other books recommended by TMS for reference (especially the ASM Metals Handbook). You will use the reference books to look up information DURING the exam because there is no way to know it all.
I walked out of the morning session feeling confident, and out of the afternoon session less confident. I would also recommend bringing some Advil/Tylenol to take around lunch time. My back started killing me in the afternoon due to the poor chairs we had to sit in. It was far more distracting than anything else and forced me to leave before time expired.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
What was your experience level when you took the PE exam? Which year you finished your bachelor degree? When did you take your FE exam? What were your thought after FE exam (e.g. morning was easy able to do 120/120 but afternoon was hard etc). Were you working in steel/metal industry when you took the PE exam?
Your post made it sound like PE exam is somewhat like FE exam?
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Chapter 2 - Laminar Flow and The Momentum Equation
Problem # 2.16 -
Problem Statement -
Molten aluminum is degassed by gently bubbling a 75% N2-25% Cl2 gas mixture through the melt. The gas passes through a graphite tube at a volumetric flow rate of 6.6 * 10^(-5) m3/sec.
Calculate the pressure that should be maintained at the tube entrance if the pressure over the bath is 1 atm.
Tube Length = 0.9 m
Tube inside diameter = 2 mm
Temperature of aluminum melt = 973 K
Density of aluminum = 2500 kg/m3
Please tell me that we don't get these kind of problem in the PE exam? I saw the solution of this problem in the solution manual and i thought to myself that i am going to puke if i see these kind of problems in the PE exam.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Yes, you might see a similar problem. Puke, and go on to the next problem.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I am trying to solve the chapter-end problems in Transport Phenomena book by Poirier & Geiger. I am realizing that the problems are really time-consuming (and frustrating) to solve even if you know how to solve it. It is taking me around 20 minutes to solve a problem.
Are examination questions as tough and lengthy as they are in this book?
Thanks
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
One thing is very surprising to me that the scope of the exam is as big as this universe is.
First you have to clear your fundamentals on - extended dislocation, nucleation and growth, diffusion, stacking fault energy, bainite transformation, fatigue, creep, powder metallurgy, super alloys, GP zones, slip systems in HCP crystal, fracture mechanics, heat treatment, strengthening mechanism, vacancy, dislocation climb and cross slip, casting, testing, microscope and statistics to name a few. And then, you have to solve infinite number of problems where problems in Transport Phenomena (TP) book are lethal...The TP book should have a warning sign on its cover saying - 'Enter at your own risk'.
How can examinees do all this in 3 months or 6 months? Some people are even able to pass this exam after 2 weeks of study. And on top of that, the passing rate is between 50% to 65%.
I think that the passing rate is too high considering the scope to cover.
The actual exam must be real easy otherwise passing rate cannot be so high.
Frustrated.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Right now I'm focusing on Dieter and Geiger books for problem solving as well as Smith and ASM Metals Handbook for general review.
Experience is primarily in testing/construction.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
No, i could not find any. There were few links on file sharing website but i am not sure if it is legal. Those website asks you for registration or pay for registration
I also contacted Emeritus Prof Dieter. But he did not reply back.
Is there something i can help in solving the problem?
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
And yes, 15-20 min per question will be common.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Plymouth Tube
RE: PE exam - October 2011
The main pitfall that I see is that the exam covers too much territory compared with other disciplines. For example, materials engineers who work in steelmaking utilize different knowledge sets then engineers who specialize in mechanical testing or in forensic lab investigations. The old format used to account for this because graders gave partial credit for knowledge you have but the new multiple choice format is absolute. Since our discipline is not very popular, we do not have some of the resources other disciplines have (like Civil or Mechanical Engineering) to prepare - just a too short guide issued by TMS.
Studying your old text books may help but they will be of limited help if you never used the principles in practice after graduation. The material in the test really is best suited to scientists and graduates with advanced degrees who did more work with the fundamental principles. I am part of a group of working engineers, however, who find the test daunting because so much of it was never germane to me as a practicing engineer.
Good luck! And BTW: I may need my head examined but I'm also going to give it one more try this fall.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
But, one thing i can say about this exam - It is making me read or re-read those chapters where i paid little to no attention during my undergrad.
And, it is very enjoyable. It is fun to read these books thinking that i am making by bread and butter because of these books. Although, i do not use them on daily basis but this exam is giving me a medium to pay my homage to these books. I am glad that we have exams like these in existence.
Were you able to study a minimum of 300 hours for this exam during your attempts? Did you solve an infinite number of problems?
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Wish TMS would expand the study guide to about 200 questions - many topics are not covered at all...
RE: PE exam - October 2011
1) What is the difference between AM and PM session?
2) Were questions plug-n'-chug type?
3) Were questions plug-n'-chug type but more like each question is made up of 6 or 7 questions? E.g. I have written a questions above from TP book on Al degassing by bubbling N2 and Cl2. This question is easy but it is made up of 5 or 6 questions. And it is very time consuming.
Thanks
RE: PE exam - October 2011
1. As far as materials goes, there is no difference anymore between AM and PM questions. Subject matter is randomly distributed among the 80 questions.
2. Many questions are qualitative in nature that require just understanding how a material behaves. However, there are quite a number of questions which are calculational. They tend to be complex in nature. These questions include a number of red herrings and sometimes have hidden unit conversions.
3. I understand this was true of the old test but I think all of the questions I've seen are all stand-alone and are not based on previous questions.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
1. Now, i understand that subject matter is randomly distributed among the 80 questions. What about the complexity? Can we say that AM session is easier in terms of complexity than PM session?
2. Red herring and hidden unit conversion....lol....This exam is gonna be fun.
Was/Is TMS study guide a better representation of the actual exam in terms of complexity of the questions?
On an average each question gets 6 minutes to solve. Are the actual exam question solvable in 6 minutes? Or is it like some questions can be solved in seconds and other might take 15 minutes?
Thanks a lot for your valuable feed back. It is very hard to find feed backs from people who recently took the exam. Most of the time, these people leave without writing down their insights on the exam.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I figured I would approach the exam by breaking it up into sets of 10-question 1-hour segments. Answer what I know then come back to figure out the more challenging questions. If everything is answered within the hour then you can go back to earlier session segments.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
It is sad.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Could anyone please help me out in solving the problem # 11-8 on Dieter. Few lines from the problem statement are -
"A cylindrical steel pressure vessel with a yield strength of 360 MPa is subjected to hoop stress of 140 MPa. A tensile residual stress of 80 MPa also can be assumed to be present....."
Thanks
Met1CO
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Thanks
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Answer to this problem is 10.5 mm
RE: PE exam - October 2011
This diagram can be found on Page # 80. It is Figure 3.2.
Is this Moody diagram wrong?
I was trying to solve a TP problem from my FE book. I was looking for the friction factor for Re value of 310000. The Poirier book says that it is 0.0037 but the FE book's Moody diagram says that it is 0.014.
I searched for Moody diagram online and found that f = 0.014 for Re = 310000.
Is this Moody diagram given in Poirier book wrong or i am missing something?
Thanks
Met1CO
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Question 3 in the TMS Sample questions book has me bamboozled. I cannot figure out why the mean chart for Sample 2 would be out of control. Do you have any idea why?
Aaron Tanzer
www.lehightesting.com
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Average for the mean chart = 23.5 (you can read it on the y axis of the mean chart).
Average for the range chart = 0.6 (you can read it on the y axis of the range chart)
UCL for the mean chart = Average of the means + (A2*mean of R chart).
and
LCL for the mean chart = Average of the means - (A2*mean of R chart).
Now, if we can find the value for the constant A2, we should be able to calculate the UCL and LCL for the mean chart. The factor A2 depends on the sample size. In this problem the sample size is 4. Therefore, A2 is 0.729. You can find the value of A2 in tables given at the end of the books related to statistics.
Hence,
UCL = 23.5 + (0.729*0.6)= 23.9
and
LCL = 23.5 - (0.729*0.6)= 23.1
So, we have found the UCL and LCL for the mean chart.
Now, if you look at the mean chart, you can easily identify 5 or 6 points outside the UCL and LCL ranges.
That is why the mean chart for sample # 2 is out of control.
Mean and Range Charts for sample # 1 are in control.
Range Chart for sample # 2 is in control.
To call a process in 'control' both the(mean and range) charts should be in control.
Hope it helps.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Aaron Tanzer
www.lehightesting.com
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Last 5 to 6 months were long, hard and full of frustration but i enjoyed it. I did end up studying 450-500 hours for this exams.
I felt that the exam was easy.
In spite of lots of frustration during preparation phase, i can say one thing for sure that studying for this exam made me feel like i am a better engineer now than 6 months ago.
Thanks to all of you.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Congratulations.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I am very thankful to all of you. With your blessings, i passed the PE exam.
Thank you.
Met1Co
RE: PE exam - October 2011
October 2011 - 53% and 46%
October 2010 - 64% and 50%
October 2009 - 56% and 33%
October 2008 - 56% and 56%
October 2007 - 52% and 45%
The second % number is for repeat takers.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Aaron Tanzer
www.lehightesting.com
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
An expanded study guide is sorely needed. TMS did not reflect in the current guid the breadth of materials engineering that is in the actual test. I used the study guide this year as a jumping off point to study source texts on the principles the problems reflect.
I also went through the recommended books to refresh myself on subjects I was not so familiar with. I just started at the beginning of each and would read in detail when I needed to learn something. ASM Handbook Desk Edition is extremely valuable in this regard, but don't forget to study the other texts in Phys Met, Mechanical Metallurgy, Corrosion, etc.
Thermodynamics and energy/mass balance problems are extremely important areas of competency as you now know.
I made a point of studying for several hours a day without distraction. That is not always practical but this year I had that opportunity so I took it.
Finally, it was a huge help simply monitoring the problems people were listing on the Eng Tips forums, as these were great ways to research and learn about materials behavior in preparation for the test.
Aaron Tanzer
www.lehightesting.com
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Can you please guide me all the books you had, all the study matter you went through, all the test you took.
Can you also tell when you started studying? What all things necessary to pass the examination?
Thanks in advance.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
1) Corrosion Engineering by Fontana
Comment - Great book on corrosion. One can not call himself a metallurgist without reading this book.
2) Thermodynamics by Gaskell
Comment - It is also a good book to solve problems but it might not act as a good book to clear fundamentals. Answer keys are at the end.
3) Transport Phenomenon by Geiger and Poirier
Comment - Great book. You can buy the solution manual of this book online.
4) Deformation and Fracture Mechanics by Hertzberg
Comment - The book is great but neither it comes with solution manual nor key. Solution manual are out of prints. But i think that University of Maryland has a copy in its library. I tried to get it but i am not in college; therefore, could not use the inter-library loan.
5) Mechanical Metallurgy by Dieter
Comment - Great book. It comes with answer keys. If you pay careful attention, you will find that all the answers are given where answers should be given.
6) Material Science and Engineering by Callister
Comment - Good and basic book. Easy to read. You can buy solution manual but solution manual does not contain all the solutions.
7) Physical Metallurgy Principle by Reed-Hill
Comment - Great book but some chapters are too much deep and some are quite superficial. Yet, a good book. It does not come with solution manual or key.
8) Ceramic Material by Barry Carter
Comment - I love the way author wrote this book. Quite interesting book.
9) Transmission Electron Microscope by David B Williams and Barry Carter
Comment - Another great book. I had courses in my master degree in electron microscope but never owned a book. Therefore, i bought it. But, it is really a great book. Note Barry carter also contributed in this book along with the book on ceramics. Therefore, this book is also fun to read.
10) Scanning Electron Microscope - Joseph Goldstein et. al.
Comment - Same as above for TEM.
11) Mechanical Behavior of Materials by N. E. Dowling
Comment - It does not come with a solution manual. It also does not have answer key. I contacted Professor Dowling to ask if he can send me the answer key. He said that he does not have it but he is changing that on 4th edition. The 4th edition might have answer key at the end.
12) ASM metals handbook - Davis
Comment - Very easy to read and a practical book.
Other than that, i took my FE exam in Oct 2010. I bought couple of books on Physics and Chemistry and Thermodynamics. I liked those books too and study a little bit from those books. The books are -
13) Thermodynamics - Yunus Cenegel
Comment - A great book. It must be owned by all the metallurgist, chemical engineers and mechanical engineers.
14) Physics for engineers and scientist
15) Chemistry
RE: PE exam - October 2011
There are several things necessary to pass this exam but the most important is HARD WORK. Things worked out for me because i am single and have no family responsibilities.
Engineer-board.com recommends to study for at least 300 hours but i will say that study a minimum of 450 hours. So if you study two hours everyday till exam, you will be in good shape.
In the examination hall, do talk to fellow exam-takers. There were a lot of good looking girls but i was too nervous to talk to them. Now i regret....
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I have several years of experience in industry and 5 years in graduate school. However, I've never worked or studied under a licensed PE. Is that a general requirement for most states?
Metalhead
RE: PE exam - October 2011
You need to contact the PE Board for the State that you reside and they will determine your eligibility to sit for the exam.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Aaron Tanzer
www.lehightesting.com
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Also i wanted to say that you don't necessary need to be working under a PE to take the exam. Years of experience and education would qualify you. You do need 3 PE references that review your experience record and 5 PE references for waiver. Check out the NCEES policies.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
NCEES does not set registration policy for State Boards. State Boards set their own rules and determine a candidates eligibility for PE licensing. In some states PE references are not required. NCEES only administers exams and provides scores to the Boards. Boards issue licenses, not NCEES.
I will repeat this again, you must contact your state board and follow their requirements. There is misinformation when it comes to PE registration.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I meant to say the State Board, you are right sorry for the mistyping.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
6 Feb 12 17:58
According to your post there are some states which does not need PE references. Can you please tell me which states are those? Thanks.
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NCEES does not set registration policy for State Boards. State Boards set their own rules and determine a candidates eligibility for PE licensing. In some states PE references are not required. NCEES only administers exams and provides scores to the Boards. Boards issue licenses, not NCEES.
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RE: PE exam - October 2011
The one State where the Board did not require specific PE references, other than a detailed job history and description of work, was Illinois because this is where I sat for the PE exam. Beyond this I do not know which other States have similar requirements to Illinois.
You can do a better job than I ever could researching this information (by either visting each web site and downloading rules or contacting each board via email) because you have more at stake than I do.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
The best way to find out about the PE rules and regulation is to contact NCEES directly, and to find out more about your State Board is also contacting them directly or going on their website. If you call them they should take a few minutes to answer all your questions. In Texas you need three PE references to be accepted for the test, and five PE references to waive the FS or EIT exam and go straight to the PE, but they also require a number of years of experience in combination with education. Again that is in Texas, it varies from State to State, one other aspect of PE is that not every state transfer license when moving depending on the discipline, I believe California and New York may be two of them, for Civil Engineers you may have to retake the exam in their respective States. I'm not sure for Materials and Metallurgy.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I am FE with multiple years of experience. Do I need to pass this exam before I appear for PE examination?
Thanks.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I think you are ready to go straight to your PE. Again, you need to get with your State Board and NCEES. Highly recommended, there is no easy way out of this.
Good Luck Pal.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I will be taking my PE exam in Metallurgy & Mat. Eng. in October 2012.
Is anyone else taking the exam this year ?
This thread gives lot of useful information, however i can use some guidance and tips from recent exam takers. Met1CO, are you willing to talk with me ? I can email you my phone number or i can call you, if you provide your phone number and conveniant time via email.
Thank you.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I guess I am trying again for the third time. NCEES has a new review material. I haven't purchased mine yet.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Did you mean TMS? I spoke with Mary Samsa from TMS and she said the new study guide will be available in the next 2 weeks supposedly. We will see if that happens.
Mtlgst1 I am planning on taking the exam for the second time in October. I hope I pass this time, what a pain this exam is.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
How can i help you?
Met1Co
RE: PE exam - October 2011
My firm doesn't care which PE I have as long as I'm licensed so it's really up to me.
Thoughts? Help!
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Please provide some insight on what study problems you did to help you prepare for last years PE exam. I took the exam as well and unfortunately did not pass. I am a person who needs to do a lot of practice problems to help me prepare. The study guide TMS provides is alright but they do a terrible job in explaining their answers in a lot of their questions. Some questions have just an answer and no explanation of how they justified their answer. I have their new study guide but again I thought it was poorly written. I see that you have provided a list of reference books to read in a previous post, I will look into purchasing these. Any information you can provide will be most helpful.
Thanks!
Also, is anyone else struggling with studying for this exam?
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I mostly covered the problems given at the end of the chapters in the books. I did not use TMS study guide till the last week before exam. TMS study guide was for me to test myself. It was not to prepare for the exam.
I passed the FE exam in 2010. It also helped me out in basic problems.
I also have six sigma green belt and auditor certification from ASQ. Studying for these exams helped me out in my statistics and control charts etc.
One really needs to solve the problems at the end of the chapters.
It is really not a tough exam but you need to ask if you really want it?
Just 2 or 3 hours a day and 5 hours on weekends !!!
Met1CO
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Thanks for the information. From your perspective which books provided the best information and the best practice problems? I am someone who needs to do a lot of practice problems.
Thanks,
NCSU0165
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Its much more comprehensive than the previous version. Nayak Subu, from TMS put it together with the commeette and sent it to me yesterday. I may buy it this time around.
Click on the link below or copy and paste.
http://iweb.tchase/ProductDetail.aspx? Product_code=12-7605-
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Dieter is also a good book and it has answer keys at the end.
Callister is also a good book but the problems are easy to solve and answer keys are given at the end.
Thermo book by Gaskell is also excellent in solving problem. I think that some one has solved all the problems and posted the solution online. You can download it and it is free of cost.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Mr. Subu told me on the phone that it is the elaborated on with 90 plus questions and that match the percentage of problems on the actual exam. Like Met1 said, its good to use it to test yourself, but also think that it'll help you to track where you are on your review process.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
In just about every state you are allowed to put your license on inactive status if you decide that you can't justify paying the registration fees, or if paying for the continuing ed credits that are required to keep your license active are too great of a financial burden. In New York, Pennsylvania, and Colorado you have your license for life, so you can re-activate it at any time down the road if you choose to do so. In fact, I recently did this in New York. But in most states if you are on inactive status for too long you will have to go through the entire application process again, and re-sit for the exam. But there is a way around this for those of you who might be affected. I strongly recommend that everyone, once they have successfully passed the exam, get a second license issued in another state through reciprocity. In Colorado, for example, the registration fees are quite low (in the neighborhood of $50/year) and there are no continuing education credit requirements at all. So for only $50/year, you can remain actively licensed while your other license remains on inactive status. And if your inactive license expires, you may be able to re-apply for it through reciprocity from Colorado. It's something to consider.
The reason that no decent review books exist for the metallurgical exam is because throughout the entire United States, only about 50 people sit for the exam in any given year. That number is greatly eclipsed by those who sit for the civil and mechanical engineering exams, which both have several study guides available. It simply comes down to numbers - why would someone bother to write a study guide if only about 50 people would buy it in any year? I'm not surprised that TMS has been expending some effort to improve their online example questions, since the ones they had on their website were not really representative of what you would see on the actual exam.
It's a difficult test, but with the right prep you can pass it, as many here have shown. Good luck!
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: PE exam - October 2011
I'm going to call her to verify the information Mr Subu gave me. Thanks for letting me know.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Do you happens to know the website link for the problems and solutions from the Thermo book by Gaskell? Also can you provide me with the ISBN numbers for the books you recommended me?
1-Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing by Poirier and Geiger
2-Dieter
3-Callister
4-Thermo Book by Gaskell
How did each one of these book helped you to pass the exam a lot or little?
Thanks.
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Why do you need ISBN number? If you are trying to purchase the books, amazon can help. Try to buy the latest version of Thermo book by Gaskell because earlier versions have a lot of mistakes.
I can not imagine passing the exam without reading the books you mentioned. I did not prepare for the exam from TMS guide.
Try not to think that how minimum you should read to pass the exam. This exam is just a medium to gain some knowledge/information. Having that extra knowledge brings a feeling of contentment. That in itself is quite rewarding.
Good Luck !
RE: PE exam - October 2011
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Thanks,
NCSU0165
Two lines are configured to produce 0.75 mm sheet; their historical standard deviations are unknown but are considered equal. The following data was collected to determine if the mean of the machines' output is equal with 95% confidence
Line 1 Line 2
0.752 0.738
0.784 0.763
0.752 0.748
0.756 0.748
0.761 0.754
0.751 0.742
0.764 0.747
0.752 0.759
What is the value of the test statistic, and is the null hypothesis rejected?
(A) 1.86, not rejected (B) 1.86, rejected (C) 1.98, not rejected (D) 1.98, rejected
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Ho (null hypothesis) = Means from both the machines are equal.
H1 ( Alternate hypothesis )= Means are not equal.
It is a case of double tailed hypothesis testing.
Does it help?
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Thanks for your response. I do not think I am calculating the test statistic right. I did (0.7544-0.75)/(0.01063/SQRT 16) and obtained a value of 1.65. How did they obtain 1.86? Please let me know.
Thanks,
NCSU0165
RE: PE exam - October 2011
t=(x[1,ave]-(x[2,ave])/(s[p]*sqrt(1/n1+1/n2))
S[p]^2=((n1-1)*s1^2+(n2-1)*s2^2)/(n1+n2-2)
Take the sqrt of that to get s[p]
Should be something like: t= (.759/.749875)/(.00987*.5) = 1.85
To tell if the hypothesis is rejected or not, you need to compare the value and degrees of freedom to a t-test or t-distribution table. Hope this helps...
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Thanks for the response. Excuse my ignorance, I have never taken statistics before, but do you have reference that contains this formula or is there somewhere online that explains this formula. I am having a difficult time following the equation you provided.
NCSU0165
RE: PE exam - October 2011
Did you give this exam this year? How did you do on this exam? If i need to contact you for the question, how should it be? I am new to this forum.