PE Exam Study TipsAmy Kaleita, PhD, PE

Associate Professor, Land & Water ResourcesAgricultural & Biosystems Engineering

Iowa State University

Thanks to …

Dr. Kelly Thorp, PE Tony Mensing, PE Dr. Kendall DeJonge, PEAgricultural Engineer USDA-ARS

Agricultural Engineer USDA-NRCS

Agricultural Engineer USDA-ARS

In case you need more encouragement…• Remember that the exam is a test of minimum

engineering competency• You can answer most of the questions• Some because you know the material• Some because you have good quantitative skills• Some because you have good judgment

Reasons you might get this question right:

You know pond design.

You read the question and understand most of the elements.

You look up “sediment delivery ratio” and then it clicks.

How on earth do I start studying?• Review the list of topic areas

• Ask colleagues and former instructors about themes you’re not sure of.

• If your expertise were a house, consider the topics where• Minor touch up or cosmetic work is needed• Significant renovation is needed• A whole new addition or gut job is needed

• Buy the calculator• Gather your references

• What you already have• Things you can borrow• What you should buy

References: Two main schools of thought

1. There is no limit to the references allowed, so bring any and all possible references, just in case.

2. More references may just overwhelm you, so only bring the ones you are familiar with & that you used during studying

http://www.asabe.org/media/175886/ag-bio_pe_exam_reference_list.pdf

References we used Amy (2013)PocketRef

2008 ASABE Standards

Soil & Water Conservation Engineering

Principles of Process Engineering

Fundamentals of Electricity for Ag

Shigley’s Mech Engr Design

CE PE Reference Manual

Engineering Principles of Ag Machines

Light Ag & Industrial Structures

Fluid Mechanics

National Engr. Handbook Ch.4 Soils

Ag Waste Management Handbook (excerpts)

Tony (2012)Transport Processes (Geankopolis)

MWPS-30 Sprinker Irrigation Systems

Grain handling textbook

MWPS-28 Farm Buildings Wiring Handbook

2004 ASAE Standards

Design Hydrology & Sedimentology for Small Catchments

MWPS-1 Structures & Environment Handbook

Soil & Water Conservation Engineering

Engineering Field Handbook Ch. 2

Kelly (2010)Engineering Principles of Agricultural Machines Pocket Ref (for units conversions)Soil and Water Conservation Engineering 2009 ASABE standards NRCS Soil and Water Engrg Field HandbookCivil Engineering PE Exam Ref. ManualPrinciples of Process Engineering - HendersonApplied Hydrology – ChowMechanics of Materials – HibbelerNRCS Ag Waste Management Field HandbookFundamentals of Electricity in AgricultureIrrigation System Design – CuencaEngineering Economic Analysis - NewnanMechanical Measurements – BeckwithMin. Design Loads for Bldgs …Shigley's Mech Engr DesignHydrology and Hydraulic Systems - GuptaMathematical Statistics – Miller Engine and Tractor Power - GoeringNDS Design Values for Wood ConstructionHandbook of Hydraulics - BraterIntroduction to Soil Physics - HillelFluid Power Circuits – CundiffMWPS-Structures and Environment HandbookDesign of Wood Structures - BreyerAgricultural Wiring HandbookEnvironment Control for Animals and Plants Transport Processes– GeankopolisFAO-56 crop evapotranspiration - Allen

Kendall (2009)PocketRef

2005 ASAE Standards

Civil Engineering PE Reference Manual

Engineering Principles of Ag Machines (Srivastava)

Soil and Water Conservation Engineering (Schwab)

Hydrology & Hydraulics (Gupta)

Principles of Process Engineering (Henderson)

Fundamentals of Elec. For Ag (Gustafson)

Min Design Loads for Bldgs (Hoffman)

Design & Op of Farm Irrigation Systems

Ag Waste Mgmt Field Handbook

Reference Highlights

• PocketRef• ASABE Standards

Advice on references

• Bring them to the test in a wheeled suitcase• References with a good index are WAY better than

those with a poor index• Be prepared to work in both unit systems

The purpose of studying

• Get your mind back to a place where some of those topics are familiar.• Get to know your references.• Remind yourself that you know and can do many

things.• Review core material.• Learn some new things.• Make a good set of notes.

Where to get study resources• ASABE Webinars• YouTube• ASABE PEI Sample exam

Tips for test day

• Read all the test day material beforehand – site instructions, etc.• Dress in layers• Relax or don’t relax• Don’t spend too much time on one problem• Don’t write off problems – try to at least eliminate

crazy answers• Be awesome