Prepineer Digest 009
FE Exam Chaos, force systems, how many problems needed and a success
We are 27 days in to the new year, and the question is:
Have you taken that first step?
Wherever you stand in your journey of becoming a licensed engineer, I want you to know one thing:
You have a goal, I have a mission – and with that…we were made for each other! 🙂
I hope you take that step, my friend, we are here for you.
Justin Dickmeyer, PE
Founder, Prepineer
The goods
What’s featured in this weeks digest
In this Prepineer digest, we are diving deep in to some of the more important components of exam prep, inching you forward, one brick at a time, towards success on the FE Exam – here is the rundown:
- We start off discussing how our reaction to defeat plays a roll in our success (or not): Calm or Chaos?
- Need some reps in practice, we’ve got you covered, walking you through a practice problem in Statics: How do you find the resultant force of a system of forces?
- So how many problems do you actually have to get right? We dive in to the depths of the unknown to give you some clarity: How well do I need to do to pass the FE Exam?
- After multiple failed attempts, Ashley didn’t let the setbacks control her destiny. She was bold, leaned in against the uncertainty and tackled her biggest obstacle: From Imposter to PE: The inspirational story of Ashley Sullivan
Click where you’d like to start, or check out each resource individually, whichever way you go, enjoy!
Quick tip
Calm or Chaos?
For the last decade I have been blessed to work with some of the most talented engineers around the world as they prepare for the FE Exam.
Over this time, I have observed countless stories of personal struggle lead to life changing growth – these stories of transformation have been the lifeblood for much of my inspiration in doing what I do.
But as much as I have enjoyed guiding these individuals, one of my deepest passions has been in identifying and understanding those deep traits that allow those opportunities to manifest.
Uncovering the connections I find in those students that succeed versus those that hit a brick wall is something I take seriously. As a coach and mentor, it is my duty to share my observations to help unleash the potential in each and every one of my students I come in to contact with.
These deep traits tend to surface at each “fork in the road” – one such fork is that of “not feeling like I am making enough progress”.
As individuals, we want to always feel as if we are getting better each and every day.
If we aren’t getting better, if we don’t feel like we are moving closer to our goals, we tend to settle in to a narrative of being stuck. Whether this is true or not, as each day goes by, it becomes more and more true to us.
I find that success doesn’t lie in whether or not one hits this “fork” – all will at some point – only difference is, one allows it to define them, while the other leans against it as a moment in time and continues forward regardless.
For some students, they are able to silence the noise of feeling defeated in the moment, knowing that it is all just part of the growth process.
For others, the constant barrage of feeling defeated turns their focus outwardly to others, assuming no one else is feeling what they are feeling – parralyzing them in their pursuit.
Listen, without a doubt you are going to hit many points in this journey that leave you feeling defeated. There will be times that you feel their is no light on the other side.
These thoughts in and of themselves are not bad, it’s when you allow them to take the wheel and define your journey that they become disastrous.
Our drive to always want to be progressing is unique and powerful – it’s gotten us to the point we are in life. But allowing a narrative that along the road their won’t be any forks to contend with, we are slowly handing over the control of our overall progress to happenstance, and it’s at this point the chaos prevails.
We can’t allow that, we won’t allow that – let calm prevail and be confident that these forks are all part of the process.
You got this.
Daily Dose
How do you find the resultant force of a force system?
Without a doubt, aside from the pure Mathematics, the most broadly applied subject you will encounter in the practice of engineering is Statics.
The theories found within this subject are foundational to much of the material you will encounter in the areas of Dynamics, Mechanics of Materials, Fluid Mechanics amongst others – so with that, we need to get to work.
In this video, we dive in to a FE Exam Practice Problem in the subject of STATICS, specifically revolving around determining the RESULTANT OF A FORCE SYSTEM acting on a hook…this is PART 2 of 2 for this particular problem.
Enjoy! 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
How many problems do I need to get right?
There are a million and one questions that can come to mind when one decides it’s time to start the journey of becoming a licensed Professional Engineer.
What is covered on the FE Exam?
How long is the FE Exam?
Where do I even take the FE Exam?
The list goes on, but of all of them, let’s be real, if we could know the answer to just one to get started, it’d be this:
How many problems do I need to get right to pass the FE Exam?
Let’s take a dive in to the myth that is this question…
Student Success
Ashley Sullivan, PE
This week we close with a student success spotlight on Ashley Sullivan.
Every success story we hear leaves goosebumps on our arms, but the stories of those who pick themselves up after falling short on the exam before are extra special to us.
Ashley had been beaten down by the FE Exam twice prior to joining Prepineer. Deep, debilitating scars appeared within due to these past failures, but at the end of the day, she never gave up hope.
Here is her story of personal triumph:
I often get discouraged by my impostor syndrome tendencies. My whole life, really, I’ve been a terrible test taker. However, that seems to be the main way we, as a society, measure intelligence. It has never been a hindrance until the FE Exam.
After I failed the test for the second time, I made excuses about how I didn’t have the money or time to take it again.
I had myself convinced there for a bit that what I was telling myself was the truth…But honestly, I was just scared.
I didn’t want to fail again.
Then I found Prepineer (recommended by my colleague Anali). As cheesy as it was, I found the introduction page encouraging – to read a reassuring, empathetic message was so inspiring.
It reignited my confidence through teaching me motivation. It reminded me of what I kept trying to remind myself, it’s not a matter of “if”, it’s a matter of “when”.
The overwhelming amount of content I needed to pick back up and study suddenly seemed conquerable.
Through my academics, I found it rare to find a teacher who could truly teach without condescension. You have that capability to transcend this stereotype, delivering value, assurance, with a caring, empathetic hand.
What I really like about Prepineer is that you cater to different types of people. There’s stuff for your visual learner, audio learner, there’s a community for your group learners, you have a progress bar for those who like to physically check things off of a list, etc.
Prepineer truly grasps that there is more than one way to approach the same goal.
Engineers are stereotyped and categorized into the same “boring, analytical, black and white” group, but we don’t all think that way. So, I like the way the lessons are diversified and there are different avenues to approach each subject.
The whole program feels very authentic and personal. From my experience, that sort of “belonging” feeling you get from a product only comes from a passionate creator.
Thanks to you and the Prepineer team’s continued support and encouragement, I felt empowered to tackle this challenge that had stumped me twice before. I truly feel that Prepineer and it’s community equipped me with the resources and coaching I needed that made surmounting this obstacle not only possible, but—dare I say it—easy.
I can’t express my gratitude enough.
What an oh so sweet moment in Ashley’s career.
This CAN be your story. Stop letting the obstacles ahead (or behind) control your direction. Be bold, step out, and tackle your goals with passion…that’s what you were put on this earth to do.
Until we meet again my friend, may God bless you and your family! 🙂
