Hi everyone. I've been looking for good advice on what materials to utilize in order to pass the PS exam as well as the PA specific licensing exam.
I found some good information on this forum already, but I wanted to get feedback on the list of books I plan to purchase to see if anyone who'd been through this (especially more recently) can give me some more advice.
PS EXAM
I was looking to get the 'Principles and Practice of Surveying Practice Bundle' PLUS the 'Surveyor Reference Manual' from the PPI2PASS website. I had used the Surveyors Reference Manual to pass the FS exam in 2017, but I gifted it to a former colleague.
I figure that would cover the surveying core of the PS test.
As for the legal books, that's where I'm not sure. I have seen quite a few different recommendations on the forum, but I have a hard time figuring out which book would be the best choice. Do I perhaps need more than one?
PA specific exam
I was planning to get ??Boundary Retracement Principles? by Knud Hermansen as it was recommended to me by my boss and I have seen it recommended on here.
As for the drainage part, I am not sure what book would best serve me. I have had no prior education on this since I got my survey-specific bachelor's in Croatia and it wasn't on the list of supplementary classes I took in order to qualify for sitting on the FS exam.
I would like to use this unexpected "free time" (being temporarily laid off) to start preparing for taking the tests late next year.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you!
You might find some good posts on this subject by searching the forum.?ÿ It seems to come up fairly often.
There is a chapter in Knud??s book that goes over the areas where Pennsylvania case law differs from the consensus of case law across US. ?ÿWhen I took the exam, a large number of questions seemed to be drawn from it. ?ÿJust sayin??
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My 2 cents:
- The Hermansen book is an absolute MUST have, both for the exam and for boundary practice in Pennsylvania.
- Grab a copy of the PA Erosion Control Manual, should be able to find it thru the Pa Dept. of Environmental Protection.
- You also should have a copy of Chapters 71, 72 and 73 of the Pennsylvania Sewage regulations, same source as above.
- Domestic Water Water Facilities Design Manual is another one you should have, pertains to sanitary sewer line design.
- Keep in mind in PA, a surveyor with competency may do a fair amount of work that is considered engineering in other states.
It has been a few years since anyone I am close to has taken the exam, but I have heard thru the grapevine, that the PA specific portion has been watered down significantly.?ÿ?ÿ
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Best wishes to you on your journey!
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Scott R.
Must have Knud's book. Also, try to take a stormwater review course if you are not proficient at that.?ÿ
Keep in mind in PA, a surveyor with competency may do a fair amount of work that is considered engineering in other states
I took one of the last pre-computer exams; definitely helped to know sanitary sewer design and septic area/well separation requirements.
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My exam theory in states that have storm drain on the exam is to make sure I have everything else nailed down tight, that way I don't have to re-learn all the hydrology.?ÿ?ÿ
Hey Yinzer
I am currently studying for both the PS and PA PLS exams right now. With everything going on, I was originally scheduled to take it last month but now I'm scheduled for July. I'm not sure how you feel about studying together right now, but I have tons of material (books, practice exams, videos) if you're interested or I can help anyway possible please let me know. I did the four year surveying engineering program at PSU so I have a lot available. I tried to send you a PM but since I only registered today I'm too new of a member to send them I believe.?ÿ
Get solved surveying porblems by jan van sickle for the PS, and get to know it well.
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For the PA portion,
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The Knud Hermansen book is necessary.
As is the DEP manuals, and The PA manual of practice.
You can find an online stormwater review course. I belive that the Delaware Chapter of the PSLS puts it on. It a bit expensive but very thorough and can be done remotely.?ÿ
@sreeserinpa is correct but also:
Stormwater management is a must, the TR-55 manual is a starting point plus PennDOT has culvert design and other storm data texts. If you understand the conversions necessary for CMP and HDPE pipe, the Concrete Pipe Design Handbook should serve you well. I would expect by now that they have also included Best Management Practices for stormwater.
Have you in fact been accepted for the PA PS, in other words have you more than 4 years boundary line surveying experience, not just stakeout and engineering surveys?
If Mr. Reeser is correct on the watering down, then God bless the poor landowners for they will not be well served.
Paul in PA
You should also have a copy of the Underground Utility Line Protection Act.?ÿ For any engineering questions, try to find a civil engineer who has taken the national PE exam.?ÿ He or she should have a copy of the Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam. All the stormwater formulas will be there, along with anything else engineering-related.?ÿ You should get and read the TR-55 manual because it explains the hydrologic method well and it's not a long read.