The exam is crafted and presented to a group of volunteers selected by peers and the Board of Registration. This group reviews and refines the content based on the scope of work a geotechnical engineer will be working in. This group works to remove ambiguities and/or trick questions, yet includes questions that may appear to be odd (figure out estimated consolidation settlement of a new building adjacent to an existing building based on the existing building settlement performance from date of construction). You had to used this info to solve for consolidation parameters to solve the settlement questions for the new building.
After taking the exam the first time (and not passing), I categorized the questions to various aspects of geotechnical practice. Once I did that, I started reviewing the questions that I could recall and worked out solutions listing assumptions and references. This also got me to review some of the reference materials and indexing each with tabs for quick access. As example, if I was to solve a seepage problem, I pulled Cedergren's book and could quickly find a variety of subjects and examples. Where I did not feel the reference provided in a book was complete, I'd add additional supporting information/references in the margins of the topics that could guide me to further information. Doing this turned into a fairly comprehensive review of materials, as well as helped me reemphasize basic soil mechanic relationships that are occasionally used so I did not waste time looking up relatively simple information.
I rented a room in Sacramento and spent the two days before the exam re-reviewing and working on solving problems.
Finally, figure out how you take tests. If like me you've been away from academia for a spell, you have to re-hone your test taking skills. My approach was to go down the list of questions until I found one I knew I the answer to, answered it, and repeated the process. Got my brain into a focused, quick, successful, problem solving mode. Then it was wash, rinse and repeat, so to speak!
Hope this is helpful.
