I'm preparing to test for my License in Oct. It's my 1st attemp. Intrested in any online classes designed for passing the test. I've been out of college a few years, many questions on test are not used in day to day practice. My math is still good, just looking for some refreshing.
Get the study guide from NCEES. Also study your state part extensively. I believe I took in three or four books in for my exam in April. The BLM manual (hardly used), I had a book that was extremely helpful. It was surveying terms and definitions. I probably used this book for 10-15 questions on the exams just to refresh my terminology. I didn't think the PLS exam was that difficult. It was kind of funny to see all the engineers taking all of their crates of books into the exam. I will be glad to answer any other questions you might have.
If you haven't done so already, search this site for older threads. This topic comes up every time a test date nears.
> I'm preparing to test for my License in Oct. It's my 1st attemp. Intrested in any online classes designed for passing the test. I've been out of college a few years, many questions on test are not used in day to day practice. My math is still good, just looking for some refreshing.
I am unaware of online courses, others on the site may have suggestions for those.
With any multiple choice exam, I find the best way to study is to do practice tests. Then, you can concentrate on the weak areas. So any practice tests you can find, so much the better.
I also used Kindle for PC to get digital copies of certain documents and books (like Water Boundaries by George Cole.) They are a little cheaper, the only drawback being you won't have a paper copy to bring to the exam unless you print and bind it.
Spend a lot of time indexing your reference materials. You're going to need to be able to look up the NGS precision standards for 2nd order control, for example. Don't be that guy ceaselessly leafing...
I found a copy of the 1973 manual, and was able to get by for the national portion with it, and did not need it for the State exam since Maine is a colonial state.
They seem to test from the texts; a good portion of your studying should be directly from those (Evidence and Procedures, Wattles, etc.)
Good luck in October!
Check with your state's association. Some societies will offer exam preparation courses. Also, check Land Surveyor Workshops. They have seminars in some cities in the few weeks leading up to the exam date. I attended one in Atlanta and it was well worth the approx $400. The Surveying Terms and Definitions is a great book to have along with the others mentioned. I used the definitions book more than any other I believe.
I agree, check with your state, they often offer a course, usually one you have to atend in person. It will be well worth the money. I took a review class at Missouri Rolla, it was a good class, and may not be that far of a drive. You need to have the attitude that this won't be your 1st attempt, it will be your only attempt, because you will pass it the first time. Good luck.
Ted Madson, Land Surveyor's Seminar, used to have a book (3.5"x5.5") entitled "How You Can Pass the State Surveyors Examination" that gave a pretty good synopsis of what a person needed to do and not to do to prepare for the exam. Whether it is still available, I don't know. Below is the address included that is in the book, but may be out of date.
LAND SURVEYOR'S SEMINAR
P.O. Box 13158 - University Station
Gainesville, Florida 32604
Phone: (904) 377-4310
> It was kind of funny to see all the engineers taking all of their crates of books into the exam.
Personally, I don't see a problem with taking a lot of books. If you don't need them, then fine, who cares what you look like? If you need it and don't have it you will kick yourself.
I bought one of those crates with wheels and took everything I thought I might need.
I will say that it will save time to be very familiar with the books, and maybe tag important pages, so you don't spend too much time frantically turning pages.
By now you should have a survey library that includes recent editions of a Elementary Surveying text, Brown's two books, and BLM Manual at a minimum.
Add to that "Surveying Solved Problems for the FS and PS Exams" by Jan Van Sickle, PLS for your study leading up to exam day.
> I'm preparing to test for my License in Oct. It's my 1st attemp. Intrested in any online classes designed for passing the test. I've been out of college a few years, many questions on test are not used in day to day practice. My math is still good, just looking for some refreshing.
While not an online class, you might find this 1 hour presentation on Advice for those Preparing to take a Surveying Licensing Examhelpful.
You will need to give a name and email address but I promise to not spam you.
Larry P
Thank you for the kind words Mr. Lee.
This fall we have Live Seminars set up for Raleigh NC and Cincinnati OH.
Raleigh FS Exam Review
Raleigh Hydrology Exam Review
Raleigh PS Exam Review
We work hard to make these classes really good. But your chances of success are more determined by how much effort you are willing to invest in studying than by what sort of review class you take.
Anyone who promises you a miracle is full of it. Success or not is usually rather simple. Plenty of hard work and careful preparation generally leads to passing. Little or no effort leads to failure.
Larry P
You mean my father's 1965 edition of Elementary Surveying is no longer applicable? JRL
GRL-
Following in his footsteps 101 is important too !
Cheers
DGG
I have several old editions in my library, also. But today we are talking about someone who is prepping for his first exam.
First Get Familiar With An HP 35
Buy it now and use it everyday for your work, even if it takes a little longer than the calculator you are familiar with.
You only have 2 months to go, so after the calculator, get your reference books in order. Know what is in them and where it is.
Get the NCEES practice test and formula sheet. Set it aside until you are familiar with the HP 35. When you are familiar with it and have all your texts in one place set aside a few hours and take the exam. You will know how many questions are in the PS exam so proportion that time according to the number of questions in the practice exam. If that time is 2 hr 35 minutes, at 2:35 STOP! and grade it. It will give you an honest opinion of your chances.
Go to a "review course" only if it is convenient, but it may give you brain overload in such a short time frame. I say don't bother this time around, just get comfortable with what you do know.
Since you have been out of school a while it is assumed you have taken the fundamentals, most say the PS is easier. Key you questions now to state specific areas. It is also assumed you have been working in the profession or how else did you meet the second level requirements? You have been getting educated for quite a few years, now it is time get trust what you know.
As always I will not wish you luck in the exam, this world needs prepared surveyors, not lucky surveyors.
Paul in PA
