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Approved Calculators

Approved Calculators

NCEES Approved Calculator Review

Let's be honest--the right calculator is a very important component of your FE and PE exam prep; you have to become very familiar with the calculator you are going to use on the exam. Before you take the FE or PE, be sure you know the in's and out's of what your calculator can do so that you can be prepared for anything the exam throws at you. 

My  advice is to get a calculator that has a solar power option.  You do NOT want this thing to die on you in the middle of the test.  Bummer.  Some even recommend bringing in 2 calculators in case one does die for some unknown, crazy reason.  I think that's overkill, but you get the idea.

Calculators

Here's a list of approved calculators for the PE exam by the NCEES organization:

Casio:

All FX-115 models are approved by the NCEES organization.  The picture on the left is one type of model but you can check out any of them by clicking on the picture and searching in Amazon.  You must have the fx-115 number in the model name and you should be good to go.

I think this calculator rocks.  It has a ton of functionality; it has solar power, it is a breeze to learn, and offers a ton of functions.  That's  why I started the list with this guy--I jumped right to the best.

During my personal studies, I knew many students who used this calculator, and I wished that I had.  I think it really is the best.  Give it some heavy consideration.  

Texas Instruments: TI 30X and 36X

I really like the TI30XIIS.  This TI model is what I actually used on the exam.  The one pictured on the left is the exact model that I took with me.  It's solar-powered, easy to navigate, and it doesn't require a lot of time to learn it.  It's very basic, but it gets the job done.   

If I were to do it again I would probably buy the TI36X.  That calculator can do amazing things and it's approved to use.  Go search for the TI36X and you won't be disappointed.  

Hewlett Packer: 33S and 35S

These HP's are usually the Cadillac (is that a thing now?) of calculators.  The biggest downside, however, is that they are NOT solar-powered. They also require RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) to enter in functions, which I personally hate.  People that know RPN, though, never go back to the old 1+1= button mashing.  

RPN works like this:  1 enter 1 + and it kicks out 2.  There is a learning curve to it, and frankly I didn't want to spend the time to learn it. 

However, they are very nice calculators, and I believe you can change the RPN function to standard.  The simple fact that this calculator didn't have solar power automatically disqualified it in my book.  If you are an HP lover though, then this calculator is for you!  Check one out here.

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keep up with us

@theceacademy
Here’s Matt Handal on the 2 most important thing Here’s Matt Handal on the 2 most important things civil engineers should do to further their career. And hint: the first one is a must!. 😉

#pe #fe #passthepe #passthefe #peexam #feexam #cea #civilengineeringacademy
#civilengineers #civilengineering #pereviewcourse #fereviewcourse
Do civil engineers just work on the technical stuf Do civil engineers just work on the technical stuff or do they need to work on the business side of things as well? 🤔 Here’s Matt Handall on why the latter comes naturally as you progress in your career.

#pe #fe #passthepe #passthefe #peexam #feexam #cea #civilengineeringacademy
#civilengineers #civilengineering #pereviewcourse #fereviewcourse
It’s HIGHER EDUCATION DAY! 📚🎓 👷 To cel It’s HIGHER EDUCATION DAY! 📚🎓 👷

To celebrate this important 4-year period in our lives, we’ve just created a list based on the latest  U.S. News ranking for the top universities for civil engineering in the US.

The ranking takes into account a lot of different aspects, including not only the universities’ programs themselves but also the professional outlook for students after completing their degree.

And if your university is not on the list, no need to feel bad! It’s just a ranking based on some academic stats.

I went to the University of Utah, which isn’t on the list, but I’m still pretty happy with my choice. 😉

One question: How has your college education and experience helped you in your career and/or personal life?

I’d say one of the best benefits I got from it was my network of competent and helpful professionals in different fields within civil engineering.

Now it’s your turn! Let me know in the comments below! 👇

#pe #fe #passthepe #passthefe #peexam #feexam #cea #civilengineeringacademy #civilengineers #civilengineering #pereviewcourse #fereviewcourse
Do you think you cannot pass the PE exam as a full Do you think you cannot pass the PE exam as a full-time working mom? Then read this! ⬇

Our latest podcast guest is Erin Friedman, who passed her PE exam on her first try as a full-time working mother of two kids, all that after being out of the industry for 10+ years! 😲

In this interview, she unpacks all the aspects and the lessons that went into and came out of this incredible journey.

Are you out of the civil engineering industry and want to get back into it? She dives into how she was able to do it and how your out-of-the-industry skills can help you more than you think.

Are you a mother with kids and want to know how to balance all that plus your PE exam prep? Erin also dives into how she found time to study in her busy life and her exam prep plan.

And there’s much, much more!

Check it out NOW! Just click the link in our bio to give this episode a listen!

#pe #fe #passthepe #passthefe #peexam #feexam #cea #civilengineeringacademy #civilengineers #civilengineering #pereviewcourse #fereviewcourse
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