First of all -I've enjoyed your videos and the content. I love structural engineering and enjoy watching videos from people in the industry and hearing others perspective of the industry. I just obtained my SE after taking and passing the lateral exam this April. I took the vertical exam last October. Good call to split the test up, there is so much content in this exam I do believe splitting up the exams is the best strategy and gives you the best chance of passing your first time. However, I couldn't help but think that 100 hours just isn't enough. My background is on the bridge side, so naturally I had to study more because of how heavy the morning portion is on buildings content. I work on projects mainly in the Midwest therefore I also didn't have any seismic experience. I diligently tracked my hours for both exams and I ended up studying 250 hours for vertical and 280 hours for lateral! Probably overkill as I felt both exams went really well and I passed both first time. I think I could have cut out 50-100 hours of studying and still passed -hard to say. However, people who have to retake the exams a couple times likely end spending about that same amount of time anyway. Also, recommend doing a review course like AEI or school of PE. I don't think I could of done it without them. They help you set a schedule and give great study resources. Also, try and approach studying from a first principles standpoint. If you try and understand the fundamental principles of what you are studying, you will find yourself learning about concrete while studying analysis or learning about timber while studying steel. At the end of the day, its all the same! Congrats on pursuing this, I have respect for anyone who decides to commit to doing this. No matter what, you will come out of this better. This test is tough but taking it was the best decision I made. The feeling you get when seeing that passing result and you realize you're an SE makes it worth it. Good luck! If you want it, you will get it!
I was averaging about 16 hours per week studying for the lateral last spring. About 280 hours total as well. Passed my first attempt. Im taking vertical this coming fall. I completely agreed, study/review course is almost a must.
You’ve got to hand write example problem after example problem…don’t just read over them. The connection between the pencil on paper and the brain is an important link. Also the importance of quickly recognizing the type of problem and how to get to the solution is critical. Tip: look through OLD engineering textbooks for examples that are not common in textbooks today. They tend to pop up on the exams. It’s a lucky break to recognize a problem presented outside your daily comfort zone because you saw an example worked out differently in an old book. You need to be able to get right to the solution instead of scratching your head while the clock is ticking. The seating for the exam was alphabetical when I took it. Everyone around me was acquainted and talking about how they were on their third or fourth try. It took a lot of effort but got it in one try. Good luck, it’s a great achievement.
I printed your example and took it to my PE exam that I passed 2021, these examples make me feel safe and cool mind. Now you will take SE. this make me to think about SE, you are the MAN so helpful your knowledge.
I'm planning on taking the new CBT SE exam, i figured i'd need to study about 600 hours in order to 1st time pass all 4 modules? My engineering experience has been steel structures in industrial facilities, with limited concrete foundation work. Did you pass?
Great work as always, thanks for uploading and please keep doing what you do because you've helped and still helping a lot of us passing the PE exam. one question, to qualify for the SE exam do you need to be working under the supervision of a licensed SE engineer for 4 years like you do for the PE exam ?
I thought you need an amount of work experience under an SE before sitting for the exam, but it appears this is not true. or perhaps its different state by state.
Thanks for the breakdown - I'm studying for the civil structural PE. I've read that a minimum of 200 hours is necessary for the PE, would you agree with that?
How are you studying for cold-formed steel? It's only one question on the exam, but there's over 800-pages of reference material. I'm not even sure where to begin or if it's worth it. Thank you!
I just printed the CFS manuals and made sure I understood the organization/structure of the manuals and then tabbed out the sections. I don't think its worth spending much more time then that on CFS. I noticed that generally the cold formed steel questions were pretty basic and if you could find the section in the manual you would likely be able to get the answer correct.
Im taking a similar approach Charlie - im going to use my SE reference manual and cross reference with the AISI and basically rely of the ref manual to answer any (hopefully) basic questions
Any SE's out there drop some helpful knowledge below!
First of all -I've enjoyed your videos and the content. I love structural engineering and enjoy watching videos from people in the industry and hearing others perspective of the industry.
I just obtained my SE after taking and passing the lateral exam this April. I took the vertical exam last October. Good call to split the test up, there is so much content in this exam I do believe splitting up the exams is the best strategy and gives you the best chance of passing your first time. However, I couldn't help but think that 100 hours just isn't enough. My background is on the bridge side, so naturally I had to study more because of how heavy the morning portion is on buildings content. I work on projects mainly in the Midwest therefore I also didn't have any seismic experience. I diligently tracked my hours for both exams and I ended up studying 250 hours for vertical and 280 hours for lateral! Probably overkill as I felt both exams went really well and I passed both first time. I think I could have cut out 50-100 hours of studying and still passed -hard to say. However, people who have to retake the exams a couple times likely end spending about that same amount of time anyway.
Also, recommend doing a review course like AEI or school of PE. I don't think I could of done it without them. They help you set a schedule and give great study resources. Also, try and approach studying from a first principles standpoint. If you try and understand the fundamental principles of what you are studying, you will find yourself learning about concrete while studying analysis or learning about timber while studying steel. At the end of the day, its all the same!
Congrats on pursuing this, I have respect for anyone who decides to commit to doing this. No matter what, you will come out of this better. This test is tough but taking it was the best decision I made. The feeling you get when seeing that passing result and you realize you're an SE makes it worth it. Good luck! If you want it, you will get it!
I was averaging about 16 hours per week studying for the lateral last spring. About 280 hours total as well. Passed my first attempt. Im taking vertical this coming fall. I completely agreed, study/review course is almost a must.
You’ve got to hand write example problem after example problem…don’t just read over them. The connection between the pencil on paper and the brain is an important link. Also the importance of quickly recognizing the type of problem and how to get to the solution is critical. Tip: look through OLD engineering textbooks for examples that are not common in textbooks today. They tend to pop up on the exams. It’s a lucky break to recognize a problem presented outside your daily comfort zone because you saw an example worked out differently in an old book. You need to be able to get right to the solution instead of scratching your head while the clock is ticking.
The seating for the exam was alphabetical when I took it. Everyone around me was acquainted and talking about how they were on their third or fourth try. It took a lot of effort but got it in one try. Good luck, it’s a great achievement.
Just took my FE and waiting on my results. Best of luck on your SE, it’s definitely something I plan on taking it in the future.
Fingers crossed!
@@Kestava_Engineering actually just got my result back, I passed!
Thanks for the tips! I am scheduled to take the gravity portion of the SE exam this October. All the best with your studies and the exam. 👍🏼
Best of luck! 💪
I printed your example and took it to my PE exam that I passed 2021, these examples make me feel safe and cool mind.
Now you will take SE. this make me to think about SE, you are the MAN so helpful your knowledge.
Glad it helped!
I'm planning on taking the new CBT SE exam, i figured i'd need to study about 600 hours in order to 1st time pass all 4 modules? My engineering experience has been steel structures in industrial facilities, with limited concrete foundation work. Did you pass?
passed 3 of the 4 tests. waiting on the results of the last lateral portion
I am following u from 1 year... Thank for sharing all useful information for all.... And main thing is... Your new look is nice.. 😍😎
Thanks a ton! 1 year team member!
Great work as always, thanks for uploading and please keep doing what you do because you've helped and still helping a lot of us passing the PE exam. one question, to qualify for the SE exam do you need to be working under the supervision of a licensed SE engineer for 4 years like you do for the PE exam ?
I thought you need an amount of work experience under an SE before sitting for the exam, but it appears this is not true. or perhaps its different state by state.
Thanks for the breakdown - I'm studying for the civil structural PE. I've read that a minimum of 200 hours is necessary for the PE, would you agree with that?
How are you studying for cold-formed steel? It's only one question on the exam, but there's over 800-pages of reference material. I'm not even sure where to begin or if it's worth it. Thank you!
I just printed the CFS manuals and made sure I understood the organization/structure of the manuals and then tabbed out the sections. I don't think its worth spending much more time then that on CFS. I noticed that generally the cold formed steel questions were pretty basic and if you could find the section in the manual you would likely be able to get the answer correct.
Im taking a similar approach Charlie - im going to use my SE reference manual and cross reference with the AISI and basically rely of the ref manual to answer any (hopefully) basic questions
How do you think you will schedule these hours leading up to the exam?
I'm trying to commit 5-10hrs per weekend and then roughly an hour each morning before I start work!
Hey, did you pass?
womp womp, just missed it. going again in April
Hi please can you share your email i wanna to asking you alot of questions about the location of exam and details