Are you meant to be an Engineer?

Engineering is one of the most coveted professions in the country and engineers from all disciplines are associated with dynamism and ardor. While taking up the FE exam is the first step towards building a strong career in engineering, successful engineers go on to take the PE exam after gaining sufficient experience. Post the success in PE exam, there is no looking back. 

However, while acquired knowledge and skills push an engineer to the epitome of success, there are certain inherent qualities that are truly characteristic of a "born engineer". Let us explore them in detail. 

Table of Contents

1. Strong problem-solving skills

2. Attention to detail

3. Ability for analysis

4. A fair sense of inquisitiveness

5. Commendable project management skills

Strong problem-solving skills

Successful engineering is all about battling through myriad challenges to find the right solution. In fact this is the reason why every PE review course is designed to test the problem solving ability of an individual. While all resources may be at hand (like the multiple reference books made available in the open book PE exam), sifting through the maze to obtain the most innovative solution can be a real challenge.

Attention to detail

While grasping the big picture is relatively easier, it takes a shrewd professional to dig deeper into the minutest details of a project. 

Ability for analysis

Irrespective of the discipline of engineering, one common skill that sets apart a good engineer is his ability to handle numbers. From creating building designs to developing software, engineers need analytical skills backed by a strong love for numbers. If crunching numbers and interpreting them seems like a headache, engineering may not be the right choice for the long run. 

A fair sense of inquisitiveness 

Those little kids who cannot stop with their long series of "what-ifs" and "whys" can probably make good engineers. Reasoning lies at the heart of engineering and again this is why the professional engineer exam strongly emphasizes the application-oriented questions that test the reasoning ability of the individual. 

Commendable project management skills

Once the engineer emerges successfully out of the PE exam, his career starts to take some interesting twists and turns. Bigger projects and better opportunities come along and the engineer must be well-equipped to handle them. This is where the engineer's project management skills come in handy. Students with a flair for handling responsibility can certainly turn into leading engineers in the long run.

When individuals possessing these traits meet the right learning and resources, engineers are rightly empowered.

Ease the Pressure and Master Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry demands significant emphasis from students preparing for their FE exams. It is considered to be one of the most difficult topics that deserves intense effort and continuous practice. While all this hype may cause scary illusions about the subject, in reality, there is no class more rewarding than organic chemistry when it is understood correctly.

Compiled together is a set of simple yet effective guidelines that can make organic chemistry a piece of cake for anyone preparing to take the FE exams. 

Table of Contents

1. Ask questions

2. Try the notecard trick

3. Make optimal use of resources

4. Opt for spaced repetition

Ask questions

Never take anything for granted while learning organic chemistry! Reason out every single step of the mechanism and every formula you derive. While advanced subject experts may at times miss out on mentioning certain minute details, students must be willing to explore deeper to get to the very roots of the subject. Also, remember that one of the fundamentals of engineering exam preparation is to never postpone learning, and this especially applies to the case of organic chemistry. Thus students must not hesitate to ask questions and clarify doubts right then and there. 

Try the notecard trick

While understanding concepts is one part of the subject, the ability to remember the facts is another. With so much to remember and so little time, preparing for FE exam efficiently can be a challenge. Prepare notecards with different reactions and chemical naming rules, and carry them around while quizzing your own memory. Although the practice may seem a little excessive, the additional effort is sure to pay off largely in the end. 

Make optimal use of resources

From study material to FE exam review and practice sets, do not spare a single resource that can provide a good opportunity to learn and practice organic chemistry. Leverage the good resources to learn the nomenclature rules, draw the complex molecular structures and gain an in-depth understanding of the various mechanisms involved. The motive here is to familiarize oneself with the subject and thus eliminate the unwarranted fear before taking the FE exam. 

Opt for spaced repetition

"Spaced repetition" is a smart learning technique which involves breaking down the information into smaller chunks and reviewing them regularly for an extended time period. For instance, do not attempt to memorize the chemical properties of acids, aldehydes and alcohols in one single shot. Instead, familiarize yourself with acids first, give yourself a few good hours of break and follow up with aldehydes but only after you have reviewed the acids. Come back the next day to the properties of alcohol but only after you have reviewed acids as well as aldehydes. With time, the properties of all three compounds will stay intact in the student's memory.  

Remember, organic chemistry is not just meant for the chemical engineers who will be appearing for FE exams. It involves the study of molecular mechanisms and chemical reactions that lay the foundation for other branches of science too.

Impact of construction on adjacent facilities and mitigation measures employed

Table of Contents

1. Archaeological resources

2. Natural resources

3. Air quality

4. Traffic and parking

5. Parks and recreational space

There's a lot more to engineering than simply applying technical knowledge to the task at hand and achieving the required outcome. While being result-oriented is a necessity, as a responsible engineer, keeping a tab on what the implications of one's actions are is of the utmost importance. Construction can have an adverse and noticeable impact on the adjacent community and facilities. An engineer aiming to pass the PE exam must not only learn the technical aspects required for construction but also be aware of its adverse impacts.

Archaeological resources:

Construction can have an adverse impact on important archaeological resources in the vicinity. Excavation or other potential developments could result in in-ground disturbances that may cause damage to historic structures.

Mitigation measures:

The Building Codes in the U.S. propose a monitoring program. Every engineer taking the PE exam prep course should know how to set up an effective monitoring program to detect the beginning of damage. This can allow one to alter the construction procedures used.

Natural resources:

Construction may also affect natural resources, wildlife and aquatic animals. For instance, the construction of an over-water pier involving in-water construction activities may displace several aquatic organisms. The noise generated may also disturb endangered birds and other wildlife.

Mitigation measures:

A survey must be carried out to identify important natural resources that may become affected. For the example stated above, following Best Management Practices (BMPs) can help contain turbid water and reduce the effects on aquatic resources. Noise impacts to fish, wildlife and birds can be reduced by using bubble curtains.

Air quality:

The local air quality may become affected due to emissions from the operation of construction equipment and construction vehicles. Activities such as hauling, dumping, excavation etc., may result in dust emissions that have been known to cause respiratory problems in humans.

Mitigation measures:

Setting up traffic management and air pollution control plans is a must. Dust control measures such as frequent watering of exposed areas and employing dust covers for construction trucks can be effective. Other measures such as minimizing construction vehicle trips and preventing idling of trucks or other equipment should be employed as well.

Traffic and parking

One of the most noticeable and immediate effects of construction is the disruption of traffic and parking spaces available to the public. Depending upon the project, construction may result in road closure, inconvenient traffic detours, reduced roadway capacity and traffic jams during peak hours.

Mitigation measures:

The significant impacts to traffic and parking that can be expected must be clearly understood. Measures like speeding up construction in key areas, setting arrival and departure times for construction workers before peak hours, monitoring movement of construction materials and setting up smart work zones may help. Adequate installation of traveler information systems and safe detours must also be provided to the public.

Parks and recreational space:

Increased traffic congestion, dust and noise make the project area a less than desirable location. The effect of poorly-managed construction activities on parks, open spaces etc. is so disruptive that recreation activities will be temporarily suspended.

Mitigation measures:

In order to avoid causing an inconvenience to the public, a responsible engineer preparing for the PE exam should set up specific mitigation measures. These measures could include identifying pedestrian and bicycle routes, setting up convenient detours, temporary sidewalks etc. As expressed earlier, mitigation measures to reduce noise and emissions should be set in place.

Other impacts to the elderly and disabled population, local businesses and public utility services may also be caused and need to be taken care of.

While preparing for the Professional engineering exam, knowing the potential impact construction can have on adjacent facilities can help one set up a proper mitigation plan. More insight can be gained on the issue by taking a PE review course in order to be better prepared for the PE exam.

How to Incorporate Effective Exam-taking Techniques

Over and beyond studying the PE exam material and diligently following the PE exam prep course, it is also important to focus on mastering some exam-taking techniques. The multi-hour long PE exam will test your ability to take a test. So, it's a good idea to be well prepared for it. Apparently, your test taking ability can influence up to 10% of the final result of your exam.

Here are some tips and techniques you can consider:

Table of Contents

1. Your overall outlook of the exam

2. The day before the exam

3. Get to the exam center early

4. Understanding the questions

5. Answering the questions

Your overall outlook of the exam

First and foremost, your outlook of the exam matters. The exam might be difficult or easy, but how you approach it makes all the difference. Go with a healthy attitude in dealing with it - be confident yet cautious.

The day before the exam

Instead of attending last minute PE exam prep courses or cramming through study material in the last moment, relax and ensure you have a good night's sleep. Try to avoid staying up late but instead make sure you have at least 8 hours of good rest. If you attend the exam feeling sleepy or tired and not at your best, chances are you can make some careless mistakes. Do note, PE exam can be a bit tricky. Therefore, relaxation is key to handling these exams.

Get to the exam center early

On the day of the exam it is advisable to get to the exam center early, so that you have enough time to settle down and collect your thoughts. So all the necessities for the exam, keep it prepared the day before itself so that you can avoid arriving late for your exam. Make sure you use the restroom before the exam starts. Further, instead of socializing, keep to yourself as by sharing your preparatory skills or discussing the exam ahead, unnecessary exam doubts can sprout out.

Understanding the questions

Once you get your hands on the exam sheet, read each and every question deliberately and cautiously. Read it, word to word, and don't just skim through the question and assume you have understood what is expected. Sometimes questions are not what they appear. Read it twice, sometimes you catch on to something the second time around.

Answering the questions

Most of the questions and problems take just one or two steps while some might need 3 or more. But anything more than that, kindly recheck, as there might be a different approach or method to it. As you answer the questions, be vary of your time and clock yourself, no more than 6 minutes should be spent per question. If you get stuck on one of the problems, move on, continue with the others and then come back to it. Keep a close watch on your time.

Armed with these exam-taking techniques can positively make a difference. While attending PE prep courses and thoroughly studying PE material are indeed pivotal, incorporating appropriate exam techniques can give you a 10% advantage. Practice taking exams prior to the actual exam by enrolling for a PE Exam Prep Course can help build your confidence!