Customer Reviews

Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam, Ninth Edition

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just took the PE exam today (Oct. 24, 2003) and I really field tested this book thoroughly. I found it to be a great reference and it helped me answer a lot of the problems on the exam. There tend to be a bunch of questions on the exam that are definition questions...you look up the topic in the index and instantly, you have an answer. Or lots of questions where you have no idea how to solve it...look up the topic in the index, and instantly, you have the equation you need to solve the problem.

It does cover all the topics that the exam deals with...and even has nice supplemental material which deals with some theory/background. You must get the sample questions book that accompanies this book...I even looked through those problems occasionally to assist my in answering the exam problems.

There are some weaknesses though but ones that you can work around. For transportation, the book simply refers you to the codes. Same for the sample questions. It would be nice if the book contained more of the code directly so you wouldn't need to be jumping to those books. Same for the more special topics in structures...it would be nice if the book contained more AASHTO bridge type stuff and it doesn't help much with seismic.

The geotechnical section is very decent...and the water resources section is also good for the morning session (I took structures so do not know how it handles for other topics in the afternoon session). The environmental section was not very good to me (although I don't know much about that topic which is why I probably found it to be confusing) but there are some definitions that come in handy.

The only other slight nag is that the sample problems that accompany the book are in general too involved. You want to understand the topic but you don't want to overstudy a topic.

All in all, this is a must have...could use slight improvement but without much real competition from the other PE book writers, you gotta get it.

This is a good general reference book for use on the exam, as it contains a wide variety of subjects within the Civil discipline. The strong points of this reference manual are the number of topics discussed and the layout of the book (each module has its own tabbed section). The index and glossary are lengthy, which is an asset on the exam when you need to look up specific topics (college textbooks often skimp on the index and make you search the book for the topic because it isn't in the index). However, don't let it be your only reference on the exam, as this manual often refers to other references, particularly the AISC Manual of Steel Construction, TRB's Highway Capacity Manual, and AASTHO Green Book. Three glaring drawbacks: numerous errata (see www.ppi2pass.com), practice problems at the end of each chapter are few in number and do not resemble actual exam conditions (practice problems are one problem statement with 10 related problems; exam questions will stand independent of each other) and some depth modules may not be covered as extensively as others (a wide range of topics, but not many are discussed to great depth [particularly environmental and transportation]). I recommend using NCEES' Practice Exam if you want example questions similar to exam questions in style and difficulty. Don't rely on CERM as your only reference for afternoon depth modules (although it will function well for the simpler (shallower) problems in the depth modules); bring additional references to cover the specialty topics in your module (ACI/AISC, HCM, AASHTO Green Book, etc. depending on your module of choice). Overall, a very good reference book for general topics (AM session) but you'll need additional backup for the depth modules (PM session). 3 stars due to the drawbacks above weighing down the good breadth and layout (particularly the large number of errata - 8th edition had 13 pages of listed errata as of October 2001). Be sure to download and print the latest errata from the publisher website before you head to the exam!

This book is more or less standard-issue for PE-takers (come exam day, you'll see zillions of the CERM scattered throughout the exam hall). If you find yourself on the fence about shelling out the $$ for it, I've found it to be a good investment.

Having recently taken and passed the PE exam, I can attest to this book's usefulness. The index, in particular, I found to be pretty expansive - I used it to find answers to more than one problem where I was fairly clueless.

Please note, the CERM's utility is certainly highest on the morning (breadth) section. Although it won't be entirely useless on the afternoon (depth) portion of the exam, you'll definitely utilize other references more heavily. I, for one, was impressed by how lopsided the difference in difficulty between sections turned out to be.

Regardless of exam section, each question is equally weighted; thus, it's best to "clean house" where it's easiest - in the morning. You'll find this manual quite useful for that.

My $0.02...

I passed the exam in October 2005, and I used this book for 95% of the exam. I know I didn't get 100% on the exam, but I got enough to pass. Make a photo copy of the the index and appendices and put them in a three ring binder. Not only will this keep you from tearing up the book, it will save you time when you look up information in the index. Make sure you get one of the required calculators. I was amazed by how many people had to take the exam without a calculator because they didn't have one that was on the approved list.

I purchased the 6th edition of this book a few years back in anticipation of taking the PE exam. Then the PE exam changed. Therefore this Reference Manual changed. I would have to say that this 8th edition is a MUCH better reference book. It is well thought out, well presented and just simply contains much more information! I was thoroughly impressed from the second I cracked open the book and as I work through the problems I become more and more impressed with the book. At first I was distressed about buying the latest edition and having to spend the additional money but it ended up being money VERY well spent. I highly recommend this book if you are preparing for the exam or if you simply want an excellent reference book for your engineering library.

I bought this reference to use for studying for the PE, along with its accompanying study guide; however, I ended up studying only about 4 hours before the PE test. I made my first pass through each session using my normal references, leaving blank any difficult to find problems. I then went back through with this book. I passed the test (in 2002), but in hindsight, I would have done it the other way, That is, use the CE Reference first and then try my other books. This book is a real time saver, and the index is very thorough. I also use it regularly in practice. For perspective, I took the "Water Resources" test.

I've been fortunate to have a lot of varied experience in the Civil Engineering profession, but this is the most comprehensive review on the market. It's heavily weighted in the structures area. So if you're strong in structures, it's nothing more than a brief review. Definitely better than the 6th edition, which I have borrowed from a co-worker.

Used this book and companion problems booklet. I took only this book to the test and it did the trick. Though you need to read it to be familar with it. I took the water resources afternoon test and the book did not fail me. Great index lead me to appropriate pages after determining key word in test question. Problem booklet helped me get into the problem solving mode. Booklet also helped me determine info (conversions and equations) I would use a lot and I put those on seperate paper which I bound for the test. It helped to have the seperate notes because the book is big and time is wasted turning pages. I finished each section with 5 minutes to spare. Buy and read this book, work through some of the problem booklet, and you have a good chance of passing the PE. It was my only study guide (two months diligent study) and reference in the test and it worked for me.

I bought this book as my primary resource manual for the PE test. It contained pretty much everything that my texts had, but it took some time to learn how to navigate. If you buy this book, I have a few suggestions: Give yourself plenty of time to get familiar with it's contents and their locations. There is a lot of information, so you have to look pretty hard for some of it. Also, I used this book for about a month and a half, flipping pages, sticking pencils, stacks of papers and books inbetween the pages as I looked for info and as a result, the binding broke free towards the back, so use care with this book, it may not hold up to extensive abuse. Good luck (but not too much, I need to pass this damn thing!)

I had the (un)fortunate opportunity to try various PE review materials. This is by far the most organized, well written, understandable one of all--this is the one that helped me pass the PE!

Although variables are not always called out near the formulas, after consistent use it is easier to locate them. The content is so well done that this manual becomes a permanent, reliable resource at work.

Lindeburg manages to write the material so that people of various backgrounds can come into the material, understand it, and solve the problems.