2024 PE Exam Comments

Congrats to all those who took the 2024 exam. I truly enjoy reading your comments. 

Any comments you make can help future test-takers. And of course suggestions for blog/Guidebook/Companion improvements are always welcome and appreciated.

Please remember the blog rule: specific prior PE Exam questions cannot be discussed. General topics, resource suggestions, and testing techniques only please. Try not to discuss 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. 

NOTE: The 2025 Exam: Exam Availability: Once a Year Next Test Date: October 8, 2025

If anyone would like some help or advice, feel free to reach out to me. I like to discuss what's going on with the new generation and only when I want to, so it's no bother at all. 

https://ncees.org/exams/pe-exam/petroleum/

2023 PE Exam Comments

To all who were bold enough congratulations on taking the 2023 exam!  

Any comments you take the time to make can help future test-takers prepare. And of course suggestions for blog/Guidebook/Companion improvements are always welcome and appreciated. I enjoy hearing from all. 

Please remember the blog rule: specific prior PE Exam questions cannot be discussed. General topics, resource suggestions, and testing techniques only please. Try not to discuss 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. 

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.

2021 PE Exam Comments

2021 is history. Comment away! Suggestions for blog/Guidebook/Companion improvements are always welcome and appreciated. I enjoy hearing from all. 

Please remember the blog rule: prior PE Exam questions, in whole or in part, will NOT be discussed. General topics, resource suggestions, and testing techniques only. Please don't "cross the line" by discussing specific problems from prior exams. Comments like: "...several of the drilling questions with probability...” is crossing the line. Thanks, folk! 

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

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 PE Exam Comments

2019 is history! Comments - especially suggestions for blog/Guidebook/Companion improvements - are most welcome and appreciated. I would enjoy hearing from anyone and everyone.

Please remember the blog rule: prior PE Exam questions, in whole or in part, will NOT be discussed on this blog. General topics, resource suggestions, and testing techniques only. Please don't "cross the line" by discussing specific problems from prior exams. For example, comments like: "...several of the drilling questions with probability...” is crossing the line. Thanks, folk!

UPDATE 1: There is a delay between comment submission and when it appears; please be patient. Don't hesitate to gmail me at mdavidgo with any issues.

UPDATE 2: I am being extremely conservative in rejecting comments. So if your comment doesn't appear after 24 hours, it's likely this is why. Please understand there is nothing technically "wrong" with these comments, I just don't want there to be any possible question. So if this happens to your comment please re-work it and resubmit. Your suggestions are valuable, so I hope you re-post!

UPDATE 3: Since this is the first year of the CBT, it would be nice if anyone who has taken the previous style of exam and the CBT both to weigh in, especially suggested changes to the Guidebook and companion problems.

PE Testing

An timed exam has predictable methods for targeting a 40-60% error rate:

1. Potential subjects too broad to fully study.
2. Problem has an uncommon reference.
3. Misleading anchoring.
4. Confusing or complex wording.
5. Irregular problem difficulty (easy...or missing the trick?).
6. Shortcut required or problem too long.
7. False answer match
8. Unexpected numerical precision.
9. Inexact correct answer.

Most of these are self-explanatory, but #3 is a bit cryptic. "Anchoring" is a cognitive bias toward a particular solution path (the incorrect one) resulting in mentally excluding all others (including the right one) and so freezing up.

Regarding #1 and #2 it's very easy to waste time on a problem you don't really understand rather than cutting one's losses and spending the extra time checking problems one does know how to do. Ironically, limiting the open-book option with the single allowed reference on the CBT will help avoid this problem.

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).

2018 PE Exam Comments

2018 is history. Leave any comments (and suggestions for blog, Guidebook, and Guidebook Companion improvements) in the comments below. I would enjoy hearing from anyone and everyone.

Please remember the blog rule: prior PE Exam questions, in whole or in part, will NOT be discussed on this blog. General topics, such as resources, testing techniques, or general problems only!

UPDATE: PLEASE remember the blog rule!!! I'm having to delete entire comments below (much with good commentary) because they "cross the line" into problem discussion.

For example, comments like: "several of the...questions with probability” is crossing the line (as I've just been informed by a person who decides where that "line" is).

Come on folk; I'm going to start moderating comments before they post to respect the integrity of the test. Or just remove these type of posts (or even the blog) altogether. Let's help everyone out here so people can have a free resource to study from (as well as become better engineers).

One more clarification: if your comment got deleted, please note I'm NOT claiming it was improper; I'm sure I nuked a lot of good, legit comments that were mixed into other comments. I'm just trying to be very conservative and fast at the same time.

2018 #2 Guidebook available

UPDATE 4: Today is 10/9/2018 and I'm nearly out of new books; to get one in time for the exam you will need to use Amazon.
UPDATE 3: The exam is in October; make sure your postage is fast enough to reach you in time!
UPDATE 2: Note as of 10/19/2018, I've sent out 6 and have at least 10 left so don't hesitate to send your old copy in.
UPDATE 1: Note the new paperback edition has "2018/#2" on the cover and different order to the TOC, so that's how you know you have the update.

The 2018 #2 Guidebook (2nd printing, Sep. 2018) replaces the 2018 #1 (1st printing, May 2018) for all Amazon orders as of 9/5.

This new version supports the Kindle Petroleum PE Problems: 2018 1-40 & 41-80 (that is, Guidebook Companion #5 & #6) for 80 new problems and 8 hours of study. New subjects are now added, such as MOC/PSM/emissions/recovery/stimulation/geology/etc/etc...

The 2018 Companion #6 (Problems 41-80) is available on Amazon. Since this is a Kindle book you can use it instantaneously upon download. As usual, I'll post solutions and answer any questions on this blog.

I'll also exchange older Guidebooks, even spiral versions (non plagiarized only). For those who don't want to give up their current copy due to the risk of shipping time, loss of personal notes, etc., I can work with this, *see the instructions below.

EXCHANGE RULES: Mail to MDD at: 2460 Belmont Dr., Anchorage, AK 99517 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 bought it/order number.
4. Toss in $5 cash (no checks) to cover printing expenses.
5. No guarantees. I'll try and return a new copy ASAP but on a first-come, first serve basis as supplies last. For fast & guaranteed, use Amazon.

My entire purpose has always been to help other engineers (via blog, Guidebook, and Companion problems) and merely to break even money-wise. I hope to continue this tradition as time and funds allow. And I'm always available by gmail (mdavidgo) or this blog (use a recent comment section) for any questions or comments.

Petroleum PE Problems 2018: 41-80

The 2018 41-80 Guidebook Companion is available on Amazon. I only publish this on Kindle to keep the cost <$10.

The sample problems look fine on a smartphone or computer using the free Kindle app; it's a two problems per page format. All you need is scratch paper and a calculator.

Problems 41-80 reference the September 2018 Guidebook (2nd printing, which again has new sections and additional material). It also leans very hard on the SPE Handbook (although every problem can be solved using the September 2018 Guidebook alone).

Harder than 2016, 2017 , and 2018 1-40 versions (in my opinion) I think they offer a challenge to most engineers. However, I still find the 2016 version the most applicable to reality. Yet I've been surprised at the diversity of opinion out there: everyone seems to have a different view of what is difficult.

Sidenote: folks currently have and are using the new Guidebook (2nd printing) and so far, so good. Myself, I haven't yet seen a copy (expecting my first ten copies on the 17th at which time I'll start mailing replacements (if they look OK) and order more as demand dictates.

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.