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FE Review Computational Tools. April 8 , 2014 Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E. Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. & Elect. Eng. Outline. Introduction Overview of Computational Tools Section Spreadsheet Computations Structured P rogramming Exam Tips. Outline. Introduction
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FE ReviewComputational Tools April 8, 2014 Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E. Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. & Elect. Eng.
Outline • Introduction • Overview of Computational Tools Section • Spreadsheet Computations • Structured Programming • Exam Tips
Outline • Introduction • Overview of Computational Tools Section • Spreadsheet Computations • Structured Programming • Exam Tips
About Me… • B.S.E.E., Virginia Tech, 1992. • Electronics Engineer, U.S. Naval Research Lab, 1992-1995. • M.S.E.E., Johns Hopkins, 1995. • Ph.D., Virginia Tech, 1999. • Assistant Professor, WVU, 1999-2005. • Associate Professor, WVU, 2005-2010. • Full Professor, WVU, 2010-present. • Passed FE Exam, Oct. 2010. • Passed PE Exam, Oct. 2011.
Outline • Introduction • Overview of Computational Tools Section • Spreadsheet Computations • Structured Programming • Exam Tips
Do I Need to Know Today’s Topic? • Each discipline has its own exam • Some of the disciplines require computer knowledge • Civil (4-6 questions) • Mechanical (3-5 questions) • Chemical (4-6 questions)
Outline • Introduction • Overview of Computational Tools Section • Spreadsheet Computations • Structured Programming • Exam Tips
Question #1 • In a typical spreadsheet, the reference H$8 is typed into cell T5. If this reference is copied into cell AA8, which cell will it refer to? • (a) AA5 • (b) O8 • (c) O11 • (d) T8 K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #1 • In a typical spreadsheet, the reference H$8 is typed into cell T5. If this reference is copied into cell AA8, which cell will it refer to? • (a) AA5 • (b) O8 • (c) O11 • (d) T8 • The answer is (b) H I J K L M N O T U V W X Y Z AA K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #2 K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #2 K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #3 “Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #3 “Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #4 “Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #4 2 3 4 16 “Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #5 “Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #6 “FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Question #6 “FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Question #7 A partial spreadsheet is shown below: “FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Question #7 The answer is (D) 4
Question #8 “FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Question #9 “FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition,” Barron’s, 2008.
Outline • Introduction • Overview of Computational Tools Section • Spreadsheet Computations • Structured Programming • Exam Tips
Structured Programming • You will be given several lines of pseudocode, and asked to determine the final values of variables. • Syntax similar to Matlab or Fortran. • Need to understand logic for branching and looping. • IF/THEN • DO/WHILE • DO/UNTIL • FOR • GOTO (outdated) • Could be asked about generic programming concepts.
Question #10 • A computer structured programming segment contains the following program segment. What is the value of Y after the segment is executed? Y = 4 B = 4 Y = 3*B – 6 IF Y > B THEN Y = B – 2 IF Y < B THEN Y = Y + 2 IF Y = B THEN Y = B + 2 (a) 2 (b) 6 (c) 8 (d) 12 M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #10 • A computer structured programming segment contains the following program segment. What is the value of Y after the segment is executed? Y = 4 B = 4 Y = 3*B – 6 Y = 3(4) – 6 = 6 IF Y > B THEN Y = B – 2 TRUE, SO Y = B-2 = 4-2 = 2 IF Y < B THEN Y = Y + 2 TRUE, SO Y = Y+2 = 2+2 = 4 IF Y = B THEN Y = B + 2 TRUE, SO Y = B+2 = 4+2 = 6 (a) 2 (b) 6 (c) 8 (d) 12 M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #11 M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #11 M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #12 M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #12 M.R. Lindeburg, “FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2006.
Question #13 “Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #13 “Fundamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition,” Kaplan, 2008.
Question #14 K. Whitehead, “999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review,” PPI, 1997
Question #14 RESULT = TRUE implies A.AND.B = TRUE which requires that both A and B be TRUE. So A must be TRUE.
Question #15 • The following code segment is an example of what programming technique? b = cube(a) cube(a) { b= a*a*a return b } • branching • function call • looping • subroutine M.R. Lindeburg, “FE/EIT Sample Examinations, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2010.
Question #15 • The following code segment is an example of what programming technique? b = cube(a) cube(a) { b= a*a*a return b } • branching • function call • looping • subroutine M.R. Lindeburg, “FE/EIT Sample Examinations, 2nd Edition,” PPI, 2010.
Outline • Introduction • Overview of Computational Tools Section • Spreadsheet Computations • Structured Programming • Exam Tips
It’s a Marathon • The exam is long: • 6 hours total. • Includes tutorial and 25 minute scheduled break. • 5 hours and 20 minutes exam time (320 minutes). • Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. • Develop your test stamina through practice. • Get good night’s sleep: Don’t cram! • Eat big breakfast. Bring a few snacks & a drink. • Manage your time effectively. • 110 questions 2.9 minutes/question • Should use all of your available time.
Know the Handbook • You will be given electronic access to the “Supplied Handbook”. • Know where to find things in the Handbook. • Use the it when preparing/studying. • The index can be helpful. • the pdf is searchable, so practice doing keyword searches.
Know Your Calculator • Your calculator must be on the “approved list”. • I recommend the Casio FX 115 • Take advantage of its advanced features. • Integration, derivatives. • Matrix/vector operations. • Finding roots. • Practice with your calculator. • You can’t bring the instruction manual with you. • There is an electronic backup calculator. • TI-30XS
Passing Scores • NCEES does not release its minimum passing scores. • Your score will be psychometrically adjusted. • Passing scores have been between 50-70% in the past. • No penalty for guessing. • Make sure to respond to every question. • Suppose you only get 1/3 of the problems correct, and guess on the rest. If 1/4 of those guesses are correct, what will your overall score be?
Passing Scores • NCEES does not release its minimum passing scores. • Your score will be psychometrically adjusted. • Passing scores have been between 50-70% in the past. • No penalty for guessing. • Make sure to respond to every question. • Suppose you only get 1/3 of the problems correct, and guess on the rest. If 1/4 of those guesses are correct, what will your overall score be? No Matter Your Discipline, You Can Get 1/3 Right!
Time Management • Work the Exam in Three Passes. • Ones you know for sure, and can solve quickly. • Spend first 80 minutes answering the easiest 40 questions. • Per question: 2 minutes. • Ones you can likely solve, but will take time. • Spend 160 minutes answering 40 more questions. • Per question: 4 minutes. • Take your break an hour into this stage. • Ones you don’t know. Just guess. • Last 80 minutes can be for guessing, checking easy answers, and attempting the very difficulty problems. • Should hopefully only have 30 such questions