2017 Test Study Plan

If you passed the 2016 Exam, congratulations. I'm hearing from a lot of you who did [edit: rumor has it the cut-off score is 43; if you agree or know different, please leave a comment below].

If you didn't pass, don't let it get to you. It's no big deal. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Remember, anyone who can pass the FE exam has already shown they have the brains to pass the PE if they 1) study enough, 2) keep a positive mental attitude, and 3) do enough practice exams or similar problems.

My study suggestions for 2017:

1) Read the 2016 exam comment thread (link to left) and every blog post regarding testing methods and resources.

2) Select and acquire your chosen resources. Start reading them today.

3) Read the Guidebook carefully, every word, until you know it extremely well. Learn any concept in it you don't completely understand. Tab chapters; practice using the TOC. Ensure you have the second printing (I'll update your old one for free).

4) Get to where you can solve every 2004 Sample Exam question in under 6 minutes. The 2004 is not like the modern PE exam but it's a great tool for subject mastery. If you have questions about any particular problem, I have similar example problems linked on the right-side of this blog.

5) Months before your 2017 test date (I prefer 6 months) take the 2016 AM Practice Exam (under test conditions). From this experience, decide on your "testing strategy". My preference is 5 problems (done in order) each half-hour, never to return. However, many people prefer to do the easy ones first, or even do them by subject. Choose your method now, in order to practice it on future practice exams. You will test like you practice.

6) Study weak areas. Continue to do practice exams or realistic problems. Make sure that you fully understand every problem you see on a practice exam, even if you get it correct. On the real exam, you will be under stress and may not be so lucky.

If you don't intend to use the Guidebook or Practice Exams, that's no problem, just make sure you know your primary resources well. If you can afford it, take Bing's class (see link to the lower left). You can also learn problems from any SPE Textbook Series as practice problems, or the SPE Certification Exam. There are lots of free options out there.

I don't recommend bringing sample exam problems to the real exam. You won't have the time to be looking around for similar problems when testing. To highlight a particular problem, make notes in your primary resource.

Q & A

I often get questions about what is the best "method" to take the PE exam.

Here's my experience. Keep in mind everyone is different and YMMV.

1) I brought all my books (3 totes on small dolly) and faced them up (like a laying-down bookshelf) in an organized way (how I did my practice tests). Those totes sat on the floor to my left and right. I had the entire 7 HS, 12 TS, a dozen spiral-bound API docs, Redbook, Dictionary, Well Control, Bradley, Bing, Mian, etc.,etc. This setup was an absolute waste of time. But it made me feel better!

2) I kept the GB, calculator, pencil, paper, test book on my desk. The desk was big and roomy. The wall clock was fine, but we didn't start on time on either half-test, which threw me off on how I watched my timing.

3) Wore one digital watch with no sound (a guy got kicked out of our test for his watch beeping a single beep just twice!).

4) Wife brought a light lunch; I ate in the testing building. I brought no food into the exam itself and drank a limited amount of water (to avoid the restroom). My intent was to take NoDoz or Jet Alert for a caffeine buzz, but forgot them. And I was tired too: I packed late plus goofed off the night before. Yep, I was that stupid...

5) Earplugs were provided (use them!), pencil, paper. I never used my straight edge. No time.


What worked best for me regarding test strategy?

A) I divided each half-exam's 40 problems into 8 "mini tests"; 5 problems each 30 minutes. I did them in order. With leftover time, I checked and rechecked those five problems until my 30 minutes was up. If I couldn't finish one or more within the 30 minutes, I moved on, never to return.* I believe this was the most important thing I did when taking the exam because if forced me into rigorous time management.

B) I resisted opening any book (besides the GB, dictionary, or Redbook) until I was done and checking my work. This prevented me from "flipping pages" in vain on any particular problem. I think this was the second most important thing I did.

C) The dictionary was the unexpected killer resource (thanks Bing!). I used it at least 3 times to help get to an answer. I had mine tabbed by letter. It's a must have. Tab it and get used to using it on practice exams.

D) I used the HS, TS, and Well Control (for the pictures) several times to check answers. They never helped me actually get answers, just confirm what I already suspected, or had in my notes (GB). But I did waste at least 15-20 minutes looking around in them.

E) *I ignored 2 esoteric or long questions (each half exam) until the end (this saved 15 minutes which I used to revisit them at the end of the exam). If I wasn't familiar with a problem, I just worked it fast and moved on, expecting to miss it. But that was rare. I found the test subject matter fair and as expected. I didn't have a desire to add anything to my notes (GB) at the end of the exam.

F) Each hour, I forced myself to stop, put my pencil down. close my eyes, and breath deeply for 15 whole seconds. Best move ever. It's hard to give up that minute, but it made me more productive.

G) I always reviewed/checked my work on all five problems at the end of each 30 minute mini-test. I felt good doing most problems, yet caught at least 3 mistakes each half-exam! Tricks. And these were problems I was confident I knew how to do; I was merely doing a routine check. This left me jittery and unsure of myself. How many more did I miss? So I left the exam wondering if I had passed, but reflecting I realized I probably did very well because of my paranoia.


What surprised me?

I) My many books didn't help me at all (like many others think they do). If anything, they hurt me by using valuable time (except the dictionary; that was an awesome tool; HT Bing!).

2) How much my notes (now the GB) helped to "center" me and remind me what I already knew. At the start of any problem, I always flipped to the relevant GB chapter for a quick scan for a refresher. I can't explain how hard it was to switch from drilling to rod pumps to reservoir to API specs to some word problem about geology to...you get the idea. I simply can't adjust like that effectively without a quick overview of the subject to focus my mind.

3) How difficult it was to manage time, stay focused, and remain unemotional for 8 hours. It was the hardest and longest exam I've ever taken. It's not a sprint; it's a marathon and the winners separate themselves from the pack in the second half, long after the excitement is gone. It's all about pace, stamina, and time management.

4) How much the lectures from Bing's class helped. Especially the review of TS1 and TS2. I missed taking the exam in 2014, the year I took Bing's class, yet I still remembered quite a bit from the lectures. Lots of good stuff in those lectures if you are lucky enough to be able to take it. See the link to the lower left to find out more about Bing and when his classes are available.