After four years, or even eight years of experience, you may feel like you know it all. You don’t.
While it’s important to gain as much professional experience as possible to help prepare you for the PE exam, no single profession is going to deal with all aspects of the test. Portions of the test will focus on things that you haven’t dealt with in years, or maybe ever, and will likely never deal with again. It’s important to identify those areas early on and, while you should still study for the areas that you are familiar with, focus a bit more time on being sure that you are prepared for the unfamiliar areas.
Travor Fredrickson knew the odds weren’t in his favor, but he didn’t let that get him down.
“While it’s important to accept that not everyone passes the exam the first time, it doesn’t make it any easier when you find out that you’re part of the 46% first time failure rate, as I did.”
Travor completed the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Electrical and Computer Exam with a focus in Power. The pass rate for first-time test takers of this exam is 54% and only 27% for repeat takers. After failing the exam the first time, Travor knew the odds were not in his favor. But, he didn’t let that stop him from studying harder, taking the exam again, and passing.
He notes one positive side to taking the test a second time was that he had an idea of what to expect. He also received a breakdown from his first exam of the areas where he did well and not so well. This helped him to focus his studying on areas where he struggled.
“I found out that, while I was able to excel in the areas that I deal with in my day-to-day work routine, such as the NEC and power distribution, I did not do so hot in other areas that I haven’t dealt with since college. The breakdown helped me to focus in on the areas that needed more attention and pass the test.”
Before being eligible to register for this exam, you must complete four years of progressive engineering experience under the direction of a PE.
“It’s very important to not get discouraged if you fail. Use that 27% statistic as motivation to succeed and become the minority instead of the majority. According to that statistic, it’s harder to pass after failing than it is to pass the first time. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.”
The Electrical Department and all of EAPC is thankful for Travor’s hard work and determination as well as his encouragement for other aspiring PEs.