Test Taking Strategy - 2019 CBT

Note: I will not talk about specific problems from any prior exam.

First: Get your materials; review the 2019 Update - SPE Petroleum Engineering Certification and PE License Exam Reference Guide (Ghalambor) digital version. Next, learn the Petroleum Engineering Guidebook in detail along with SPE Textbook Series #1, #2, #12, and #4 as time allows. Have a good Petroleum Dictionary to use when you study. Have the Halliburton Red Book or equivalent. Invest in the 7 volume Petroleum Engineering Handbook and read it, focusing on weak areas.

Second: Do the Petroleum PE Problems 2021: 1-43 to get used to the exam style, using the Ghalambor reference that you will have on the real exam. Next, do the Petroleum PE Problems 2018: 1-40 or the 2005 SPE Sample Exam 1-40. It's critical to do these practice problems under actual test conditions. Lock yourself in a room for four hours with your calculator, the approved CBT text, and whatever you will eat and drink. You will need to use resources for pipe sizes, etc., but assume those will be given on the exam problem itself. It is important to start off with timed problems to get a feel for the exam before you invest a lot of time studying. If you lack four uninterrupted hours try 10 problems per 1 hour for the same effect.

Third: Take, practice, and completely understand every problem on the 2005 SPE Sample Exam 1-80. This is your calculation problem study time. Do every problem as many times as needed until each one takes less than 6 minutes each (on average).

Fourth: Review whatever reservoir textbook you are most familiar with. Also, if you have the time, do and completely understand every problem on the 2014 SPE Practice Exam (this isn't like the actual exam, it's mostly easy and fast, but worth a look if you have extra time since it has a few challenging reservoir problems). Study any weak areas.

Fifth: Do the 2016 Petroleum PE Problems 2018: 41-80. If you don't have it, use the 2005 Practice Exam 41-80. This is your final check. If you can get 70% under exam conditions, you will probably do all right on the real thing. Use this test to hone your test-taking skills under time constraints.

Sixth: Sometime in the month before the exam, do the Petroleum PE Problems 2017 and 2016: 1-80. Take them as if it's real, including food and restroom breaks, but again use other resources that have information that would be provided on the problem. Regroup and study as needed. If you have the opportunity to take review courses (Bing is highly recommended) do so. The lectures are invaluable, especially for engineers without a petroleum degree.

Regarding studying: I didn't find practicing calculation problems to help much past a certain point. If you can do every problem on the 2005 exam within time constraints (average 6 minutes per problem), you should be good to go on calculations.

Regarding the futility of studying calculation problems to prepare for the PE Exam? Read David Vaucher who after taking the 2014 exam said, "I think I did well. I’m confident because I spent ample time preparing..." and "...I am certain that I got all the calculation questions right...". But to his chagrin he then learned he did not pass. Think about that; he believes he didn't miss a single calculation problem yet did not pass! This demonstrates the danger of relying on your calculation acumen to carry you.

So how should one prepare? Achieve real understanding and hone your test-taking skills. This was how I generated my study notes (now Guidebook) during the years I waited to take the exam. These notes (later "Guidebook") summarized the main points from SPE textbooks. And little else. Know the basics well.

You have probably heard the joke that to avoid being eaten by a charging bear you don't have to outrun the bear, just the other guy? Well you don't need to get every answer right on this exam. You just need more answers correct than about half the other guys. Think like this when you study.