The importance of the NCEES Practice of Engineering Examination for civil engineers across the US is not necessarily new news. This is why almost everyone takes the exam searches and opts for the best PE review course to prepare for it. However, preparation for something as crucial as this exam is not limited to study materials and practice tests. As necessary as these things are, you have to be on the top of your game to get through this exam with flying colors.
Sometimes, no matter how well-prepared you are, you could easily lose your energy and confidence with a couple of setbacks during the exam. And not being prepared to deal with them can ruin all your effort just like that. Of course, you could be all set to ace your PE exam and take on 8-hour tests like a pro, but it is always wise to be prepared for the worst because you never know.
The question remains, how? How can you be completely ready for your exam besides studying for it with PE review course?You can go through the common mistakes that most people make and therefore be precisely careful not to repeat these errors.
Here we have listed some of these major mistakes to avoid when taking your PE exam for you to check:-
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Not Managing Your Time Effectively
There is no more significant asset than time; remember that. If you don’t figure out how to make the most of each second of your 8 hours given, it is bound to affect your results. Time management during the exam must be such that you are synchronizing well with the clock and going from one question to another. Ensure that you aren’t wasting too much time on a particular question that will make working on other questions difficult.
There are a total of 80 questions to be done, so you should divide your time accordingly. While solving or brainstorming on a query and finding yourself stuck, don’t think twice and skip. Jump onto the next one, do not keep lingering around that question. Instead, do the next one and then the next one, and so on. Then if you find time in the end, look through and try to get answers for the questions you skipped.
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Not Utilizing the Spare Time
Further, some people are naturally quick at finishing exams, but that doesn’t mean they are not making mistakes along the way. If you are someone who finishes off the exam before the time with relative ease, do not hand over the paper and walk away. You are working on 80 questions consecutively. There is an excellent possibility of you making silly mistakes, if not big ones. Being able to finish the exam early is a blessing if you can take it the right way.
After you are done, go through each question thoroughly again. As mentioned above, do not take even a second for granted. Double, triple-check the answers. But mainly, go ahead and solve the ones that you are most doubtful about to see whether you get a different result or just to be sure. Never be in a hurry to leave the exam hall. Submit the paper only when you are 100 percent confident with whatever you have in there (or as close as possible!).
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Carrying A Lot of Reference Materials Along
The pressure and the overwhelming feeling during the PE exam are already there. This is why the easier and simpler you make it for yourself, the better. Some people take too many reference materials to assist them during the exam and waste more time on them – getting burdened rather than benefitted from these reference materials. Just because you are allowed to take references along by NCEES doesn’t mean you necessarily need a bunch of them.
Yes, these will come in handy, but only if used correctly and smartly. Organize your reference content in one place properly. Assign headings and numbers, and pages suitably, ensuring that you don’t waste minutes going through the reference looking for something specific. Know that reference material aims to make the job easier for you and not confuse you. Prepare your references while you are taking the PE review course and familiarize yourself with them.
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Solving Majority of Questions Manually
As you might already know, apart from the reference books, you are permitted to take your calculator. Now, to clear your PE exam, you have to know a lot more things than just textbook knowledge, and it includes knowing how to go about the exam and use the resources. So, if you have carried your calculator along, use it every time it is needed. Do not do the calculations manually and waste time and also risk getting incorrect values.
While preparing for the exam, ask around or check the internet to learn which one is the best calculator. Always go for the latest and most preferred one. Get used to operating the calculator beforehand to avoid any confusion or delay when in the examination room. Conveniently using the calculator will save a significant amount of your time that you can utilize for rechecking your answers or working on the ones you couldn’t succeed at on your first try. Finally, make sure whatever calculator you get is one that the NCEES approves. You do not want to be kicked out of the exam because you brought your do-everything calculator.
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Rushing Through the Exam
One of the critical qualities that prove helpful when taking a high-profile exam like the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination is being calm. Even though time is a significant factor, which we discussed earlier, rushing through the test is not the ideal solution. If you can manage your time effectively, you will end up having more time than you need. Plus, rushing through the exam will cause more panic than usual, increasing the chances of mistakes.
After you are given the questions, do not think too far ahead. Take one question at a time. Give it a good 5-6 minutes, and then move on to the second. Make yourself comfortable with the time in hand. And to do that, practice as many time-based practice exams as possible. With each practice exam, you will understand your pace and skills better and will be able to use them all during the main exam. There are plenty of quality practice exam providers online that you can seek assistance from.
Basic Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for PE Exam
Since now you know what mistakes, you should stay clear of during the exam. Don’t you want to know what mistakes you are making while preparing for it? Find out a few mistakes to avoid when preparing for the test below:
- Do not disregard practice tests. Many of you might think that covering as much syllabus as possible is preparing well. But the truth is without taking actual practice tests, you will not be ready. Practice tests help you know how much you have studied and prepare you to take the exam successfully.
- If you think you have a week zone, instead of skipping it during preparation, do it first. Working on challenging concepts with a fresh mind will help you grasp them better and make your weak zones your stronger subjects.
- For those who are wondering whether to take a PE review course, we say you should. Some people think they will be saving money by preparing on their own. But with a course’s help, you are increasing your chances of passing the exam, making PE review course a genuine investment and not a waste of money.
Conclusion
The information that you find here is what you need to find success on your PE exam. And as far as preparation is concerned, you can reach out to Civil Engineering Academy for the same. They have practice exams for the PE breadth exam and PE depth exam. They also offer PE review courses and many more tools to those looking to ace the NCEES Practice of Engineering Examination (PE) or Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE). You can go through their website to get a much clearer idea and to take these tests.
