The Fundamentals Exam (First Exam)

The Fundamentals of Surveying Exam (FS) is the first exam for those wanting to become a Professional Surveyor. It is not designed to be a comprehensive test of all the skills necessary to become a successful surveyor. (This despite the extensive list of topics covered.)

This exam is designed to test the your knowledge of the most basic items only. The Principles of Surveying Exam (Second Exam) will build upon the information you were supposed to have learned in order to pass the Fundamentals Exam.

So, what is covered on the FS exam. Turns out the content is not a deep dark secret kept hidden away in a cave near Clemson SC. NCEES publishes an outline that tells you what to expect and in what amounts.

This time I'm going to post the entire list of subjects. In later posts I plan to go into each of the 15 different subject areas and get into more specific detail.

For now, just know that these are the subject areas.


More to come, stay tuned.

Larry P

The Magic Bullet

I get calls (lots of calls) from people wanting advice on how to become a surveyor. That is part of why I started this blog. I want to help you be successful. I want you to pass the exams. (I want you to join us on the CEU Cruise someday but that is another story.)

Many of the calls I get are from people wanting exactly the same thing. Everyone wants a Magic Bullet. They all want to know what one book they can buy, what one course they can take, what one thing they can do that will guarantee success on the exams.

I have sad news folks. There is no magic bullet. There is no one course, one book, one anything that will guarantee success. Oh sure I've seen companies who make outlandish claims for the success of their students. (BullS**t).

As you may have read in earlier posts on this blog, there is no substitute for plain old hard work and dedication. You can not get by with less than that full effort.

The breadth of material covered on the exams is so wide that it is not possible to write one book or design one course that covers everything. There is a reason it takes years to properly prepare. There are no magic bullets.

Larry P

The new NCEES Calculator Policy has been posted

Each year in mid November, NCEES posts a new calculator policy.

The 2010 Calculator Policy is now available on their web site.

Nearly as I can tell, the new policy is nearly identical to the 2009 policy.

This is good news for those persons who have been studying for awhile.

Larry P

Step 3. Choosing the right Calculator for me?

First, some basics.

NCEES (the people who write the exam) announces a new calculator policy in early November of each year. They are very strict about their rules so don't even think about getting around them. Recently a Puerto Rican court awarded significant damages to NCEES in an exam theft case.


From the current calculator policy:

Examples of acceptable Casio fx-115 models include but are not limited to:
	fx-115 MS fx-115 MS Plus fx-115 MS SR fx-115 ES

The HP 33s and HP 35s models are the only acceptable HP calculators.

Examples of acceptable TI-30X and TI-36X models include but are not limited to:
	TI-30Xa TI-30Xa SOLAR TI-30Xa SE TI-30XS Multiview TI-30X IIB TI-30X IIS TI-36X II TI-36X SOLAR

So which calculator do I really need for the exam?

If you really know the material, any of the models listed will suffice. Many Professional Surveyors argue that any calculator that does basic trig functions is all you need.

So why the big deal over which calculator is best for me?

While it is true that the basic capabilities of each of these calculators is the same, there are some important differences. I know nothing of the Casio models listed. But a quick Google check indicates that these models are not programmable. I have a TI-30XA on my desk. I've used that thing I bet going on 15 years or more. It does fine for quick basic calculations. But it too is not programmable.

That leaves the HP 33S and HP 35S. They are programmable.

If I don't really need anything other than basic functions, why is my calculator being programmable such a big deal?

It is true that most everything you'll need to do on the exam can be handled by basic functions. The problem is using those basic functions to solve the more complex questions (like something as simple as a bearing bearing intersection) takes time.

Time is the most precious commodity you have on exam day. Anything that can save you time can make the difference between success and failure. Having a calculator with some programs (and equations) buys you time.

Does this mean every student should have one of the HP Calculators for study and exam taking?

Few rules have truly universal application. If you know your trusty Casio or TI like the back of your hand, you might wish to stick with it. If you can work trig functions and perform polar to rectangular conversions in your sleep with one of the allowed models, stick with it.

If you will be starting fresh with a calculator, I highly suggest you get one of the HP models. You might as well learn a model that will give you the most flexibility and advantage.

Land Surveyors Workshops is one resource for programs for the HP 33S plus HP35S Programs and calculators.

LSW also has video materials that can help the neophyte learn the calculator.

Surveying Mathematics with the HP 35S

Math Practice Exams with the HP 35S

Surveying Calculations with the HP 33S.

Surveying Mathematics with the HP 33S


So which HP is better, the 33s or the 35s?

Better is a very subjective term. Each model has it's own strengths and weaknesses.

The 33s is slightly less expensive when you can find one. (LSW stopped selling the 33S because we had very real difficulty getting them.)

The 35s comes with a hard case and much better keys.

Frankly, neither of these calculators is likely to become the old friend you'll have and use for the next couple of decades. They pretty much fill one function. Used properly, they can help you pass the exam.

Larry P

Step 2. Know Thy Self

You've gotten past Step 1 - Get Serious. (If you haven't gotten past Step 1 quit now and wait until you can get past it.)

Now, you need to be honest with yourself.

• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to pass the exam(s)?

You'll grow tired of hearing me say this, but the path to success is paved with work and study. Lots of both.

Plenty of people do lots of both without success. That doesn't mean they aren't intelligent. It probably does mean they simply didn't invest their efforts in the proper areas.

Proper areas? Yep, proper areas.

The scope of the material covered by these exams means you can not know everything you need to know. None of us do. Even those persons who have worked it the profession a lifetime can only aspire to come close to knowing everything they need to know.

The exams are not designed to measure whether you know everything. You don't.

They are designed to determine whether you hold the minimum necessary knowledge.

The very best place for you to begin your work and study is by figuring out what you know.

You can't figure how to get to where you want to be until you determine where you are.

Try these steps.

1. Decide which calculator you will use for the exam. (Remember the calculator you choose must be on the approved list. They will not let you into the exam room with a calculator that is not on that list.) I will go into more detail on the advantages and disadvantages of the various calculators in future posts.
   
2. Use that calculator and nothing else when you are studying.
3. If you are taking the Fundamentals Exam, get a copy of the materials that will be supplied to exam takers. (Fundamentals)
4. Purchase an example exam. They are relatively inexpensive. (Fundamentals of Land Surveying Sample Exam, Sample Questions and Answers or Principles and Practice of Land Surveying, Sample Questions and Answers.)
5. DO NOT open the Sample Exam book and begin using it to study. This is a common mistake. These books aren't bad study material. Their best value to you is not as study material. Their best value is as a diagnostic tool.
6. Simulate the exam. Use the Example Exams as a real exam. Go to a quiet place with no interruptions. Turn off your cell phone. Take only the materials you will have in the real thing. Allow the same amount of time per question as in the real thing.
7. When done, grade your performance.
   

The results of your sample exam should give you a good idea of your areas of strength and areas where you need help.

Once you know that, you can focus your work and study in the areas that will give you the best chance of success.

Larry P

Step 1. Get serious

So you want to be a Professional Land Surveyor.

Step 1. Get serious.

It isn't easy becoming a Professional Land Surveyor. In fact, it's tough. As I've said before the requirements are complex. As with any complex endeavor, you don't ask your friends what they think about something and then act on that advice alone.

No, when you embark on a journey like this, you go first straight to the source. So who is "the source"? First, go to the website of the Board of Licensure for your state.

Each state has it's own rules and requirements. In some states you will be required to have a 4 year degree in an accredited school before you are eligible to take the first test. You should learn the requirements before you start filling out applications paying fees.

Don't ask (or even let) someone else do this basic research for you. If you want to be a professional, it's time to get serious and act like it. Do your own research with the Board for your state.

If you aren't quite sure what the rules mean or how to interpret particularly difficult passages, do not hesitate to ask someone. But, not just anyone. Call the Board office. They will (almost certainly) be glad to help. If the Board tells you something different from what someone else said, who should you believe? That's right, at the end of the day it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks. The Board decisions count.

Once you determine you are qualified to take the Fundamentals Exam (FS), allow plenty of time to submit all the necessary paperwork. This is not a weekend project. The forms are almost always confusing and the requirements complex. (I told you the process wouldn't be easy.)

Once your paperwork is submitted, you sit back and wait to hear from the Board whether or not they will let you take the exam, right? NO. Not just No, but Hell No.

Often (far too often in my humble opinion) the Board does not notify the exam taker they have a seat until very late. I've heard of people being told they could take the exam with less than one week notice. That is rare, but it happens. Much more commonly the board will notify you one month or so ahead.

One month is not sufficient time to prepare. I advise people they need to begin their studies at least 6 months ahead. There is a ton of material to cover and you can not do anything more than "cram" if you wait too late to begin studying.

If you are "cramming" for the exam rather than learning the material, you aren't serious. This isn't like some political science course in High School. The information on the test is information you need to know and understand for the rest of your professional career.

Get serious and learn the material.

I'll get into more detail on the exam(s) with future posts. For now, just always remember Step 1, Get Serious.

Larry P

Time to Begin

This is the first post of what I hope will become a very useful blog.

I (and some other knowledgeable friends) will post tips and resources for those persons who are preparing to take one of the Land Surveying Exams.

If you are deep into studying for one of the exams you probably already know this, but for those who might stumble upon this site, I'm going to take a moment to explain the basic process.

First, each state (and US Territory) has it's own Land Surveying licensing laws. If you want to become a Professional Land Surveyor you should first contact the surveying board in your state. (Here is a page with links to the websites of each of the boards.)

Some states require a 4 year degree in a field directly related to Land Surveying. If you do not hold such a degree you might wish to first find out whether you are eligible to apply to take the first exam.

That's right, I said first exam.

Here is how the basic process. License candidates (after meeting the application criteria) take a standard 8 hour exam. This exam is called the Fundamentals Exam.

Those who work hard and are able to pass the Fundamentals Exam can move forward in the process.

After passing the Fundamentals Exam (and meeting additional requirements) candidates take a second exam. This second exam (the Principles and Practice of Surveying ) is a multi-part exam. Part of this exam is a national standard exam and part is jurisdiction specific.

For a more detailed explanation of the entire process you see this page from NCEES. NCEES is the organization that writes and administers the standard exams. I'll be posting more information about those exams in future blog entries.

Finally, let me leave you with a thought. I work regularly with people wanting to become Professional Land Surveyors. Over the years I've heard lots of other people wish these candidates "good luck". I do not do that.

If you are trusting luck to help you through this process, you should quit right now. Don't do anything more. Luck has nothing to do with being successful. Hard work and perseverance are the keys to success. There is are no substitutes.

Now, if you are serious about this, get to work.

Larry P