Taking PA state specific exam for a second time, does anyone know what study materials would offer the best help, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Since it is the second time, why not study all the questions that were asked the first time?
The PA board should have a list of things to be covered. PSLS has a review class each year for the state specific exam at it's annual convention in January. How soon to your re-exam date?
I have assisted several study for the exam with great success, even over the internet and could go over the same material. PA allows surveyors to do minor engineering projects, i.e. "stormwater design and road grades". If you have command over those subjects the test should be no problem.
I have a BS CE, 1973 and have a certificate in Urban Hydrology and Storm Water Management from Lehigh University, 1981. I have been doing stormwater management and roadway design for 35 years, covering thousands of lots with multiple projects in excess of 300 homes or dwelling units.
If you are interested in my help the fee would be $50 to Wendell for the board.
Paul in PA, PE, PLS
Paul in PA, post: 377591, member: 236 wrote: Since it is the second time, why not study all the questions that were asked the first time?
The PA board should have a list of things to be covered. PSLS has a review class each year for the state specific exam at it's annual convention in January. How soon to your re-exam date?
I have assisted several study for the exam with great success, even over the internet and could go over the same material. PA allows surveyors to do minor engineering projects, i.e. "stormwater design and road grades". If you have command over those subjects the test should be no problem.
I have a BS CE, 1973 and have a certificate in Urban Hydrology and Storm Water Management from Lehigh University, 1981. I have been doing stormwater management and roadway design for 35 years, covering thousands of lots with multiple projects in excess of 300 homes or dwelling units.
If you are interested in my help the fee would be $50 to Wendell for the board.
Paul in PA, PE, PLS
Paul,
Thanks for answering my post, I am certainly interested in your help. I will get in contact with Wendell and send him the $50. Thanks again.
Roger,
email me and let me know your education background to date and your available computer software and skills. For instance let me know what version of AutoCAD and NCEES approved calculator you have. I will be using an HP 35.
I will respond with a simple CAD drawing and instructions on how to gather up additional information. I will start you off on a computer then switch you to use texts, formulas, calculator, pencil and paper. You can then check your work with available computer programs.
Are you in PA, TX or somewhere in between? If possible it is good to meet at lest once, but not a necessity.
Paul in PA
I studied the topics outlined in the 'PA PLS EXAM CONSTITUENT PARTS' document (you can find in a google search.)
Part I pretty much sums up the Registration Law and the PA Manual of Practice (by the PSLS).
Part II is mostly Knud E. Hermansen ... Boundary Retracement Principles and Procedures for Pennsylvania.
Part III is mostly Engineering related
Part I - 6 Questions (20% of Exam)
Part II - 12 Questions (40% of Exam)
Part III - 12 Questions (40% of Exam)
I read Knuds book from Chapter 1 to 11 and reviewed the Appendices. Reviewed Brown's Boundary Control and Legal Principles for the topics listed. Also took a copy of the Registration and Manual of Practice with me when I knew I would we waiting somewhere (to study.)
The engineering is not extensive, pretty straight forward questions. I had taken the PE exam in 2014 so I took the study manual for that. There are some other good books out there for stormwater design you could study and take. But the PE books are good because they are all encompassing.
I also printed the DEP Sewage Facilities Chapters, PennDOT HOP, PA OneCall, ALTA/ACSM, and State Plane Coordinates (from PSLS) to take with me. I used a lot of those while taking the exam.
The key is reading all of that to be familiar enough, when a question is asked, you have seen it before and have an idea where to begin looking. You don't have time to read chapters looking for information. Read it before hand and then use the index to find what you have already read once.
If you have any other questions, let me know. I'm more than happy to help!
Turk
Paul in PA, post: 377591, member: 236 wrote: PSLS has a review class each year for the state specific exam at it's annual convention in January. How soon to your re-exam date?
There is a two day review class at the Summer Conference, August 25-26. I'll be there....I'm calling it quits on licenses as soon as I get PA to go along with MD & DE
http://www.psls.org/resources/Documents/newsletters/PA_Surveyor_Spring_2016.pdf&apos ;">See Page 5