SE Exam Studying
SE Exam Studying
(OP)
Hello,
I am just beginning to prepare for the SE Exam and have realized that the material for this exam is so encompassing and varied in comparison with the PE exam. I've read all the posts and materials about references, requirements, etc. but wanted to see if someone can offer some advice where to begin my studying. I live in a state where SE is not a requirement, but feel that by passing this exam, I would improve my qualifications while also learning something along the way. Should I go back to my old textbooks and re-learn some concepts of the areas I don't do every day or just go straight into the practice problems? Of course, I do work, so I am trying to optimize my time also. Thanks for your time and advice!
I am just beginning to prepare for the SE Exam and have realized that the material for this exam is so encompassing and varied in comparison with the PE exam. I've read all the posts and materials about references, requirements, etc. but wanted to see if someone can offer some advice where to begin my studying. I live in a state where SE is not a requirement, but feel that by passing this exam, I would improve my qualifications while also learning something along the way. Should I go back to my old textbooks and re-learn some concepts of the areas I don't do every day or just go straight into the practice problems? Of course, I do work, so I am trying to optimize my time also. Thanks for your time and advice!






RE: SE Exam Studying
The SE Exam (each day) is really two exams in one. The first exam (the AM portion) tests a cursory knowledge of the design codes. The practice exams, Six Minute Solutions, and other publications cover this part reasonably well. The second exam (the PM portion) is the lighting round. How fast can you design and detail 4 problems, one from each of the materials covered. This is more difficult to study. Rebar detailing, development length, maximum spacing of bars, minimum reinforcement area, etc. are all well represented and that is just relative to concrete. There is one book that shows the full depth of these problems that I have seen: "246 Solved Structural Engineering Problems" published by PPI.
The exam requires nothing less than your total effort. Just remember “Success is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.”
RE: SE Exam Studying
http://ncees.org/exams/se-exam/
and review exactly which revision of the specification and design standards that the exam you plan to take will be based on.
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RE: SE Exam Studying
RE: SE Exam Studying
Make sure you can get through Chapters 11 and 12 of the ASCE7 in your sleep. Be able to get from Ground Acceleration Values -> Seismic Design Values -> Seismic Design Category -> Base Shear quickly...and be able to distribute that base shear upwards as need be. Every test is different, but from the practice problems you will see that generating these values are often a first step...which then leads into other steps. If you spend too much time fumbling here, you won't be able to tackle the additional tasks which are sure to follow.
"We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us." -WSC
RE: SE Exam Studying
RE: SE Exam Studying
By the way, when you are finished with the test, plan in advance to let off steam and reward yourself with a 72 oz microbrew with some of your compatriots. Believe me, you will need it.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering