2017-2018 BEST SE Exam Seminars

[mohendess]

What seminars are rated the best for SE prep? I have taken the Structural Exam twice and have failed it miserably. Understanding that it takes a lot of time in preparation, I need some pointed advice in finding the best prep class that could refresh my lost knowledge in structural analysis, at the same time segue into a deeper understanding of the lateral analysis discipline. I believe my lacking design experience in steel and concrete is proving to be the big hurdle in my two year long venture, but haven't lost hope in trying to push the envelope and throw my hat in the ring!

 

[Parkite]

I feel your pain, I have failed it three times now... and the third time worse than the second. And now I am not in a position to take it until 2019.

Regardless, I would not recommend the PPI course. It is more expensive than the others and it focuses more on its material than what is on the SE exam. E.g. it spends a grundle of time prestressed concrete, but nothing on theoretical concepts. I also felt it was inadequate for the lateral stuff.

I have heard one positive and one negative review of the SEA-Illinois class. Online I have heard good reviews of EET courses. And I had a coworker that strongly recommended the Kaplan-NCSEA course (which has probably changed now) but he had a good background in structural engineering, and that course is just a one-day thing.

As to steel. The PPI steel design book is good. Also, download the free AISC design examples and walk through those. There is a similar thing for the AISC Seismic Manual. It does an example problem for every equation in the AISC specification. Plus, as you know now that you have taken the test twice, knowing the manual and how to work through the tables is a big help.

For AISC lateral, AISC has a bunch of free recordings somewhere, that I cannot find right now. It doesn't really do steel design more just seismic theory. And things like calculating Fa and Fv. Also, SEA of California Seismic Design Books are good. Especially book one, which does pretty much everything basic for seismic design imaginable.

 

[mohendess]

Thank you Parkite. Since your last post, I have already spoken with the manager at EET trainers, and am very hopeful they will steer me in the right direction. Thank you for your objective analysis on the best SE prep classes out there. After speaking to Ahmed, I am convinced he and his staff will give me the skills needed to pass both exams.

Lots of luck to you too out there...


--Mohendess