2022 PE Exam Comments

The 2022 exam is now in the past! 

Any comments you test-takers have will help future test-takers to prepare. And any suggestions for blog/Guidebook/Companion improvements are always welcome and appreciated. I really enjoy hearing from everyone. 

Please remember the blog rule: specific prior PE Exam questions, in whole or in part, cannot be discussed. General topics, resource suggestions, and testing techniques only please. Try not to "cross the line" into discussing specific problems from prior exams, such as comments like: "...several of the drilling questions with probability...” it too specific as per the test-writers. Thanks, folk! 

There is a delay between comment submission and when it appears; please be patient. 

11-7-22 UPDATE: Thanks everyone for the excellent comments!

If you didn't pass his year and need some help prepping for 2023, let me know in the next few weeks and I'll try to set up a free class or two by Zoom or email. Sometimes all it takes is some basic advice. I do these classes just to keep mentally 'up-to-date', so don't worry about putting me out.

Resource Question

Question: I found your blog, thank you for all the information and practice questions and guide work. I am overwhelmed so far in my quest to study for the exam. Seeing your suggestions that I read SPE Textbook Series #1, #2, #12, and #4 and the 7 volume Petroleum Engineering books makes me think I need to start with a prep course to hone in on how to study efficiently. Based on commenters or private correspondence do you know which prep course is best suited for the newer CBT test?

Answer: I would merely 1) do as many practice problems as possible using the SPE Exam Resource. Once you've done that, you will have a solid idea of your weak areas and what resources you need to get. Only then would I consider taking a course as needed. Regarding which course, I think that depends on your specific weak areas. But since you will need to do practice problems anyway, start there.

Petroleum PE Problems 2021: 1-43: CBT #1 (Kindle)

Petroleum PE Problems 2021: 1-43: CBT #1 is now available. It has been updated for compatibility with the new CBT exam:

1. All problems can be solved using only the SPE 2019 Reference Guide and an approved calculator.

2. It has 43 problems, not 40.

3. Many problems are extremely difficult (but still fair in that any competent engineer should have a reasonable chance at solving). Examinees often must select multiple answers, and so know the exact answer. Bluntly, guessing is now unreliable.

4. Solutions are given in detail at the end of the text, with exact quotes and specific calculations, as well as the precise SPE and Guidebook source location.

Prior problem sets 2018, 2017, and 2016 were designed for the pre-2019 exam and to learn the Guidebook for the exam. They served this purpose very well. However, now that the exam is closed book, it is critical to use the SPE 2019 Reference Guide when doing problems to learn the equation locations. This problem set is designed to be used in this way.

 

CBT

Below is a summary of an excellent blog comment discussing the CBT.

1. The only thing you can bring into the room is an approved calculator (no cover/case) and the clothes you wear. No pens/paper/food/drinks/keys. They pat you down, scan your glasses, and empty pockets (they may have spare approved calculator for loan).

2. The reference book is on the screen beside the exam. It has search capability. The errors were still in it but they have no impact as everything needed (and more) was usually given in the problem making the reference rarely needed.

3. A 7 page dry erase tablet with gridlines and a marker for plotting is provided. No eraser. You may ask for another tablet if you fill it up. 

Basically, it's as predicted: everything needed is usually in the problem itself making the provided reference fairly irrelevant (and even a distraction). A good study plan should therefore focus on 1) learning the material in the SPE Handbook, and 2) practicing problems for speed. Avoid getting bogged down with a study plan focusing on looking things up. You will either know it or not.

2019 CBT PE Exam

The 2019 Petroleum PE Exam is now CBT and closed book except for a single reference: 2019 Update - SPE Petroleum Engineering Certification and PE License Exam Reference Guide (Ghalambor).* This has just become available from SPE.

I have read, reviewed, and used the 2014 Reference Guide (see the upper right blog link for my review). I have also purchased the 2019 Update, and I'm impressed with the improvements! It's now a good book in its own right, one worth keeping, and not just for the exam.

Bottom line? Yes, the exam has changed and people can no longer claim it is a "battle of references". But honestly I believe it has been this way at least since 2015, with pass rates being inversely proportional to the number of pages turned during the exam. This is not a bug, it's a feature. The CBT merely formalizes this reality.

So how to study for the CBT? I don't see much change except to know the 2019 Update well. Also know the SPE Petroleum Handbook (for word problems) and the SPE Textbook Series (for word and calculation problems). I think my Guidebook and Guidebook Companion problems still hold up well as a primary framework to study from, since the Guidebook has summaries of both series.

However, we have definitely moved into a digital world, both in real life and on the PE exam. So I think it's time for me to update the Guidebook into a digital format, especially for practical day-to-day use in the field. This will be my next project.

The 2019 Update will be provided in digital format for the exam. The search options will will be important; I'm guessing it will have a "control f" search function. Assuming so, studying from it in digital format will be useful.

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.

Guidebook exchange/update

Congratulations to all who took the Petroleum PE Exam in 2018 this fall. Pass or fail, you are the elite. Most petroleum engineers never take this plunge. And honestly, can you blame them? The petroleum PE exam is a monster, pure and simple. I'd rather take the bar!

The 2018 #3 Guidebook (3rd printing, Oct. 2018) is the latest version (what you get from Amazon). I'm happy to exchange any older (non-plagiarized) Guidebooks. Even if you passed the exam don't hesitate to exchange because many continue to use it in the years to come. See exchange instructions below.

My purpose in this space has always been to help fellow engineers (via blog, Guidebook, and problems) as time allows because there are so few resources out there. I hope to continue this tradition and stay available for questions/comments (use a recent comment section or email to reach me).

I've also now 240 practice problems on Amazon Kindle (written on request from blog readers). They are organized into groups of 40 so you can get only what you need. They are digital to keep them inexpensive plus available for immediate download. And if on a budget most of these problems and solutions can accessed for free on the left side of this blog. On the right side of the blog are even more free problems solved using the Guidebook similar to the 2005 SPE practice exam.


TO EXCHANGE: First contact me (use a recent blog comment or email) so I can have a copy ready & give you an address. Then mail the following:

1. Self-addressed, USPS stamped 9x12 envelope (no UPS or FedX). 
2. Old Guidebook (*or just include the front & back covers, copyright plus few odd pages).
3. Where you got it.
4. Toss in $5 cash to cover printing (if on a budget, don't worry about it).
5. No guarantees. I'll return a copy ASAP (first-come-first-serve; for fast/guaranteed, use Amazon).

Guidebook, 2nd edition, TOC

Guidebook, 2nd edition, TOC.

The 5 subject areas are listed on top: Drilling -- Production/Facility/Project -- Reservoir
A significant change to the 2nd edition is a "Note" section at the end of each chapter.
The Note section includes "money quotes" or "phrases" (generally from SPE sources TS & HS).
Also included in the Note section: blank pages for personal notes.

I include this here because Amazon has not updated the Guidebook website image, but any Guidebook ordered from 9/7 onward should look as below and be a second edition.

Resources...

A quick PE exam note from yesterday: I volunteered 7 hrs at the nearby BOEM office to instruct local PE exam test-takers. Great folk; I enjoyed meeting all (one was even a prior COP coworker, which was a pleasant surprise).

Why I tell the story? It was a nice sunny day so I decided to walk. My wife offered to come and pull my books in her bike trailer, so I put them in. Let me tell you: there was no curb-jumping on that trip! The trailer creaked. It held the entire SPE Handbook Series, SPE Textbook Series, Bradley, the Hyne Dictionary and a few others plus my Guidebook. I'm pretty sure we exceeded the weight limit...you can see a picture of most these books on the cover here.

Look, I don't recommend using all these resources on the exam itself unless you already have them, they are well marked and tabbed, and you are disciplined enough to resist flipping pages when you get stuck. But it was instructive, even a bit frightening, to see the weight of it all. Good thing I had coincidentally done my deadlift workout that morning...that was just a warm-up!