Virginia State Specific Exam
So I'm looking at the "Suggested References" from the DPOR website for the LS (Not the LS-B) exam and that's a lot of material for a two hour, 50 question exam: VDOT Drainage Manual, Road Design Manual, Work Area Protection Manual; Virginia ESC Handbook, SWM Handbook: USACE Wetland Delineation Manual; ad infinitum.
I'm aiming for the June application deadline for the October exam. If I've got to be familiar with, bind, tab, and haul all that into the exam, so be it (I darn near took a bookcase in with me for PA, and needed most of it); but the question for the room is "Do they really draw questions from that varied a knowledge base?"
Ha,
Been looking at the same list and so far have downloaded a lot of data.
My big question is the application, I HATE doing those report of experience forms.
Ha,
Been looking at the same list and so far have downloaded a lot of data.
My big question is the application, I HATE doing those report of experience forms.
I'm planning on doing the application the second week of May from the house I'm going to be renting in Oak Island, NC...that way I can put part of my vacation on my timesheet 🙂
You going to the Spring Conference? I'm going to be there on Friday only.
I HATE doing those report of experience forms
I asked the Board staff in PA before I started in and they only made me do them going back ten years, so I cut and pasted the same thing into each form: "Licensed Professional Land Surveyor in direct responsible charge of boundary, topographic, subdivision, condominium, control, and construction stakeout surveys"
I hate having to fill out all that stuff from State to State. I wish they would say no need to feel out if registered in another state over 5 or 10 years. Pretty soon I am going to have references dying off. One of my old bosses can't read anymore.
I saved all of my answers for applications to a text file. Copy and paste is a beautiful thing...
I took the test 2 years ago. It is a challenging test. You may use 1/2 of the reference material. The answers do come from a wide range of the material. I felt that they were not testing so much on how much you remember but do you know "where" to find the correct answer. I tabbed the heck out of my reference material, so i could easily get to a specific chapter or subject. You may not need training but the VAS puts on a 4 day study session at VCU called "The John Foster School" for FS & PS preparation in July. The PS portion does focus more on state specific than PS. I have taken both sessions and the material they provide is the most valuable than the other reference material listed on DPOR. The class certainly put me over the edge to pass the tests on the first try. Focus on knowing the VDOT reference material
OK,
Application is in, Hope they accept it.
As far as materials go, 800+ page E & S Manual , I just don't know, maybe try and make a fact sheet up from the book and take that. Too bad being open book you can't take a PDF , HA!
Gary
Imagine how much time you will have at a little over 2'/question, subtract 45" for arranging & understanding the question in your terms, 30" to review the possible answers, and add some time for fidgeting & frustration; you'll realize the 200# library you brought is superfluous. The best approach is to attempt to read the references (maybe do a keyword search in those references) & take and categorize your notes.
If anyone else would like to add some more information about this test, it would help. I will be sitting for it in October and have not found any great resources regarding exam content and have found only a few precious details about it beyond this thread. I have used several of the Board-suggested references in the course of my work. The VDOT drainage manual itself would provide enough questions for an 8-hour exam!
