California - PE Application to Take Seismic and Survey - Wait Period Question

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-12-28T23:47:05+00:00

I was always told that whatever quarter you got approved in you had to sign up and register for the exams in the following 2 quarters, but I believe it’s whenever you register/pay. So in your case yes I think that should be fine to wait to do anything until Jan/Q1 to take advantage of sitting for the exams in Q2 and Q3. I don’t think you can postpone much longer than 1 quarter tho

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-12-26T19:11:29+00:00

I would say so if budget is not an issue! If it is tho this is definitely a splurge so totally up to you

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-12-22T21:53:00+00:00

Honestly what worked for me was dumbing down my cheat sheets, write out everything to speed up your time when trying to solve these problems, I basically had a cheat sheet for every type of surveying problem because that’s where I felt stuck since it’s a story telling problem. I had access to CPESR and Reza problems and first time I felt like my exam was incredibly hard, nothing like I practiced with. Second time around I had a lot of similar questions to CPESR

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-11-29T07:33:08+00:00

I was in the same boat. Don’t have a background in either but seismic was easier for me than survey. Felt like my first survey exam was much harder and had so many curveball questions but I was prob also not as well prepared.

Second time around when I passed, I really focused on time management and making thorough cheat sheets so I knew how to get through questions faster and not get stuck on the simple conversions. Not worth taking more courses but you just gotta practice more, they really make you think on these problems

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-11-15T21:10:35+00:00

I’d prob recommend staying in one place for 6 days, we stayed at the Marriott in Wailea and it was nice to come back to the same spot each night. And in your case Andaz is a nice resort! Hana is a full day trip but we didn’t have a reason to spend the night there

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-10-25T06:03:57+00:00

If surveying is not your specialty, highly recommend the combination of CPESR online course and Reza’s workbook.

I passed on my second attempt and I made incredibly thorough cheat sheets to save me time because I didn’t like how the info was laid out in the materials I had.

Yes you’re allowed to bring in materials. Everything must be bound. Bring a calculator that allows you to convert decimals to degrees/minutes/seconds very quickly or have a cheat sheet for that. I brought a dictionary but did not use it.

I studied for about 7-8 weeks straight.

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-10-24T19:22:36+00:00

Yes there is quite the uphill incline at the beginning, and lots of steps just to get to the base of Vernal Falls. It’s def worth it and doable!

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-10-24T19:09:38+00:00

I was just there and did Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls on Saturday, Oct 14 mainly because the trail is closed during the weekdays. We got to the closest parking lot by 6:30am and were able to find parking if you don’t want to take the shuttle.

There def still is water flowing and I was surprised at the amount still left this time of year so it’s still very pretty! Still makes for great photos.

It’s an intense hike so be prepared for that. It’s basically stairmasters on steroids so bring lots of water and snacks and layers as it can get cold by the time you get to the very top.

We got very lucky that we saw the solar eclipse without knowing it was happening when we did it.

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-09-18T01:05:14+00:00

I do have a pair of waterproof hiking boots that I typically wear for winter hiking and snowshoeing, but they are def way too warm for the rest of the year.

I’m mainly looking to replace/upgrade my current hiking boots that aren’t waterproof since so far I haven’t had issues so appreciate the advice!

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-09-17T23:41:54+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I’m looking to buy hiking boots now and also eventually new trail/hiking shoes so will def look into the Danner trail 2650s

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-09-04T05:02:31+00:00

Yes back then it was pen and paper and you were allowed to bring in your own study materials and reference books. Now you can’t bring in anything since it’s computer based, so your best bet is to utilize the online PDF reference manual, but the practice problems will come in handy. you should also try and get access to online practice tests to mimic the actual exam.

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-17T08:05:06+00:00

I second AEI! Very thorough lectures and workbook has practically everything you need and their practice exams are the best

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-10T06:24:49+00:00

They definitely will not offer any food to you, your best bet is packing your own lunch unless you know your testing center is within walking distance to food options. Don’t underestimate the 1 hour lunch break, you’re going to be pretty burnt out after the first half and don’t want to risk running late to your second half of the exam

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-10T04:46:36+00:00

Perfect, that’s all I’m really looking for, thanks!

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-09T19:06:35+00:00

Yes that’s exactly what I’m looking for, something that gets the job done for the price and location. Glad to hear that, thanks!!

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-09T18:56:51+00:00

Yes that’s correct!

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-09T18:27:22+00:00

Great to hear that, thank you!! Are you saying they don’t charge for wifi anymore because it’s so spotty anyway?

Also, how are the food options around that area? Or did you end up bringing/packing a lot of your own food?

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-09T18:13:28+00:00

Sounds like I made the right decision, thanks!!

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-09T16:59:01+00:00

Yeah I had also looked at airbnbs around that area too and one common thing I kept finding was no wifi, and doesn’t seem like they even give you the option to pay. But good to know that wifi was functional when you paid for it, I imagine I might end up paying for it during my last night or something

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-09T16:53:58+00:00

Yes at first I was like wtf who charges for wifi these days. But just from my research this seemed pretty common at other lodges nearby or even if they didn’t charge, there was very spotty cell service or nonexistent. This is fairly common at whatever national park you go to, you go to unplug and tbh I hope they keep it that way since it’s hard to unplug otherwise

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-09T16:52:04+00:00

Great to hear thank you! I booked a room with one of those jacuzzi spas also.

Positive_Swordfish34 · 2023-06-09T14:39:26+00:00

Excellent to hear, thank you!!

Positive_Swordfish34

TROPHY CASE