TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK - It's Not Too Late to Get Your PE!

"Being nearly 20 years out of college, I was VERY intimidated to attempt the PE exam. I can say with absolute certainty that Dr. Tom’s review course was the key to my success. The organized approach (study schedule, practice problem selection, and reference binder structure) allowed me to focus on learning the content for the exam instead of wasting time trying to figure those out on my own and just studying the MERM. I was doubtful that I could get back up to speed on so many of the subjects that I spent years studying in college, but it worked!

I initially was planning to attend a live class offered by another company. However, sitting through 4 days in a row of 8 hour classes (for three weekends) did NOT appeal to me or fit my learning style. Tackling it at MY pace and on MY schedule (weekday lunch and evenings, weekends), focusing on solving examples, and shoring up trouble areas before progressing to new lessons was the only way I could effectively learn the material. Doing, not merely watching is the key for me. Having the same teacher across all subjects was also a plus, as was the fact that Dr. Tom's classes are less expensive.

Dr. Tom's Fast Track Review has an aggressive schedule. However, I worked hard (30-40 hours a week) to "knock off the rust" my skills had collected over the years and get caught up. The classes reminded me of college lectures, except focusing on the applications instead of developing equations. Let's just say I was even knocking the rust off of my ALGEBRA skills when I began the course and still covered enough ground to not only pass but score a "B" on the exam.

I would recommend Dr. Tom’s Reviews, but due to time demands of the Fast Track Review, for those juggling work and family responsibilities, the 20-Week Review may prove a better fit. But I can't argue with the results!"

-Brent V., PE, Houston, Texas

 

Begin your review for the October Civil PE Exam today! 

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Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

PROBLEM OF THE WEEK - Mech: Thermal/Fluids NCEES Problem 530

Today we begin a new series we're calling the "Problem of the Week." Some problems that you will encounter while preparing for the PE Exam are trickier than others, and we're going after the those that seem to cause folks the most trouble. First, we'd like to challenge you to see if you can solve the problem on your own. But we won't leave you hanging! Dr. Tom and our instructors will provide you with a video of their recommended method of solving the problem.

We're going to start with Problem 530 in the 2016 NCEES Mechanical Practice Exam for Thermal and Fluid Systems (Problem 516 in the 2011 practice exam). This problem involves finding the efficiency of a steam turbine and is a classic problem in Thermodynamics, where the ideal expansion is isentropic.

HINT: The isentropic values of the exit conditions at point 2 are not available in the MERM steam tables, so use the Mollier diagram (entropy vs enthalpy) in the MERM instead. It is remarkable how accurate the Mollier diagram can be read.

Dr. Tom's Solution to NCEES TFS Problem 530 (Dr. Tom has also worked an alternate “Bonus” problem based on Problem 530. We recommend you check that video out too.)

DTC recommends that anyone taking the PE Exam purchase the NCEES Practice Exam for the exam they are taking. It is an essential exam review resource. https://account.ncees.org/exam-prep/

Begin your review for the October Civil PE Exam today! 

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Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work! 

Writing “Hidden Figures”

At the ASME Annual Meeting in Newport Beach, California, Allison Schroeder, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the movie "Hidden Figures," was a guest speaker. The movie has turned out to be one of the best of the year, telling the incredible story of the African-American women mathematicians working behind the scenes during NASA's Mercury Project. Ms. Schroeder grew up in the shadow of these historical events as both her father and mother were employed by NASA during this exciting time. Her talk touched on the choices that were made in bringing this powerful and courageous story to the screen where it may provide inspiration for a new generation of mathematicians and engineers. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, you should!

Begin your review for the October Civil PE Exam today! 

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Dr. Tom Has a Plan!

Our plan for your success is based on what we call the Dr. Tom Method. We call it that because Dr. Tom came up with it, but over the years we have all worked together to fine tune and develop this method into a highly structured review that step by step helps you develop the skills and resources you need to pass the PE exam. We’ve taken the guesswork out of what to study and what not to study. Just follow the plan and concentrate on learning what you need to know.
“The organized approach (study schedule, practice problem selection, and reference binder structure) allowed me to focus on learning the content for the exam instead of wasting time trying to figure those what to study on my own”
-Brent V., PE, Houston, Texas

Begin your review for the October Civil PE Exam today! 

Hop on the Fast Track with a $25 Off Coupon: fast25B!

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

First Steel @ One Vanderbilt - NYC

New York City can always use another skyscraper, especially one that will be the second tallest in the city at 1,401 feet, with 360 views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows. The first steel column, installed recently at One Vanderbilt, weighed in at 20 tons and is a feat of both construction and design. It will take nearly 2 and a half years for all of the steel to be installed. Standing next to Grand Central Station, this dramatic structure will include direct access to the subway system which will feature $220 million upgrades for transit and infrastructure. More pics and video at ModernSteel, 6sqft

Begin your review for the October Civil PE Exam today!  

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Testimonial of the Week! - Structured for Success

Dr. Tom’s prep course provided the structure and the solid foundation I needed to pass the Thermal Fluids PE exam.  Learning to quickly identify the type of problem and using Dr. Tom’s back-to-basics approach to problem solving helped ease some of my concerns of taking the exam and feel confident in my ability to do well.  I’ve used an in-class prep course before with no success.  The quality, exam day references provided, exam day tips and confidence in Dr. Tom’s program makes it easy for me to recommend Dr. Tom’s Classroom to others I know preparing for the PE exam.  Thanks for getting me over the hump and helping to accomplish a major goal of mine! 

Clint A., P.E.
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Begin your review for the October Exam today!  

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Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

Civil Engineering Marvel: Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Anyone who has ever driven the meandering 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, or any portion thereof, will tell you that it is one of the most amazing drives of their life. Although construction of the Parkway started in 1935, the final missing link of the parkway wasn’t completed until 1987 when the Linn Cove Viaduct was opened to the motoring public. Watch the video below to get a first-person experience of driving the viaduct from each direction.

Successful completion of one of the most complicated concrete bridges ever built required the coordination and cooperation of many civil engineers. The pre-cast concrete segments were designed, built, and installed in a manner to minimize the harm and impact of the natural environment on Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. Each of the PE exam disciplines were well-represented on the team to complete this segment, including those involved in the investigation and mitigation of water resources and environmental effects, evaluation and design of the geotechnical aspects necessary to support the facility, the design of the complex and unique structural components, construction of the roadway, and transportation elements to guide drivers along the roadway.

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

Testimonial of the Week! - Exam Strategy

"Dr. Tom's 20-week review course was very helpful at breaking down the mountain of information that is Mechanical Engineering into small bite-sized pieces. I had taken the PE twice before, and my biggest concern was problem identification and time management. I knew that these two strategies are critical to passing. On previous exams, I often times would not be able to quickly identify the question type and, therefore, wouldn’t know how to begin to solve it. I believe this was the main reason I did not pass before, and the other review course I took did not help out much with that.

It was apparent early on in Dr. Tom’s 20-Week Review course that problem identification was one of the main focuses. With the way the course topics were divided, as well as with use of the Personalized Resource Notebooks, I was able to identify problem types significantly faster than before. I believe this was the main reason I passed. Dr. Tom seems to really care about his students and course attendees, and I’m grateful his devotion has lead to such an effective review course. Dr. Tom’s course was much more effective than the other review course I took, and I would recommend Dr. Tom's 20-Week Review to others preparing for the ME PE Exam, without a doubt."

- William Allred, PE, LEED AP BD+C, RS&H, Merritt Island, Florida

Begin your review for the October Exam today!  

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Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

The World's Fastest Electric Motorcycle!

In the July 2017 issue of ASME's Mechanical Engineering magazine is a very interesting article about Eva Hakansson, who designed, built and rides the fastest electric powered motorcycle with a top speed of 270 mph. The photo of her beside her motorcycle on the Bonneville Salt Flats is reminiscent of the days of Craig Breedlove who broke the 600 mph mark in the mid 1960's in
his Spirit of America. Eva calls her championship vehicle "Killajoule." She has a PhD in mechanical engineering and comes from a family of mechanical engineers, father and mother, so she knows what she is doing. What I really liked was her advice to young people who want to be an engineer, "Math is the language of science. You don't have to like math, you just have to do math." She is definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

Testimonial of the Week! - Structure and Support

"The structure and support that I received from Dr. Tom's Classroom was paramount to my success during the exam. The exam strategies provided by Dr. Tom coupled with the Exam Day Companion kept me focused during the exam, allowing me to scoop up as much "low hanging fruit" as I could on my way to passing. I initially was more comfortable with the prospect of taking the Mechanical Systems portion of the exam, however after hearing Dr. Tom's pitch for the Thermal Fluids portion of the exam, I switched gears, and I could not have been more pleased with the results.

The instruction provided by Dr. Tom helped to calm my nerves about the exam as well as build confidence in my ability to pass. He told us that the purpose of the PE exam wasn't to measure your value as an engineer, but rather just your ability to pass this specific test.

I truly appreciate the efforts put forth by Dr. Tom and all others that make this review possible. I was happy to find people who cared about me and my success on the exam. I have had several colleagues ask me how I prepared for the exam, and I tell them about Dr. Tom's Classroom, the structure and support it provided, and without hesitation, I  tell them to start with Dr. Tom's Classroom."

- Chris, PE, Toms River, New Jersey

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

Testimonial of the Week! - Targeted Review

"I passed on my first try - 51 years old, military veteran, and 29 years since I passed the EIT exam.  I was getting nowhere trying to prepare on my own.  I bought some references and materials and attempted to work through them, but my confidence suffered.  I felt like I forgot what I learned as soon as I moved on to another topic.  Dr. Tom helped me focus my efforts, cutting out things not likely to impact the test.  I truly enjoyed Dr. Tom's online presence and encouragement.  His approach built my confidence steadily from beginning to end.  He is a gifted and enthusiastic teacher who comes alongside you with empathy and humor.  I started a few weeks late in the 20-week thermal/fluids review course, but caught up without too much difficulty.  Even if I hadn't passed, I was sure that my chances would be good with more effort using Dr. Tom's approach."

- Andrew Miller, PE

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

Testimonial of the Week! - Excellent Teaching

"I PASSED!!!! Your step by step course really did make all the difference! This was my third attempt at taking this thing. The first time I took an in-person study course, a lot of theory, not great with the problem practice. The second time I tried to study on my own...not good. And my third time I found you and your course! Thank you so much for everything! I took the April 2017 HVAC & Refrigeration exam. I used the EDC & PRN binders created through the course for almost every problem. I didn't even crack open the MERM accept for a couple random off the wall problems. The ASHRAE books also came in useful for a couple problems. But honestly your course and teaching method really made the difference for me! I knew I had to get all the "Low Hanging Fruit" and especially any problems that were "On the Ground, Rotting!”

I followed your advice and made sure not to get stuck and did a first time through just scanning and picking up the problems I felt most comfortable answering first. Your class was really great because I felt like in every video, you genuinely and sincerely wanted to help us pass this test. Like all great teachers and mentors you made me not want to disappoint you, even though I’d never really talked with you directly. You are an excellent teacher and the course is one of the most reasonably priced course I could find and discovering that it was also so amazing was really a pleasant surprise.    

I think the new test format definitely helped me as well. There were no problems on the topics I new least about (dynamics, statics, machines) being an HVAC mechanical designer by trade. I think it reduced the breadth of knowledge that I needed to know to pass.

Thanks Again!!! I will definitely recommend your course to others I know who are considering taking the test!" 

Erica Kerr, PE
North Las Vegas, NV

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

Soar to New Heights as a PE!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom Civil and Mechanical PE Exam Review Courses prepare you for success on the PE Exam and new opportunities in your career.

Use coupon code soar25B at drtomsclassroom.com for $25 off in June!

“Dr. Tom's course had a solid plan and he was there with us every step of the way. By the time exam day came around, I was very prepared and I passed. The pressure has been lifted and I'm excited to move on with my career. I would recommend this course to any mechanical engineer who is serious about giving themselves the best chance possible to pass the P.E. exam.”
     - Brian, PE, Taylor Machine Works, Starkville, Mississippi

Dr. Tom's Classroom – Helping Engineers become Professional Engineers!

Targeted Mechanical and Civil PE Exam Reviews that work!

Triumph over the PE Exam!

 

Dr. Tom's Classroom - the heroic way to prepare for the PE Exam.  And now is the perfect time to start your PE Exam review. For a limited time you can save $25 off when you sign up! Use coupon code hero25b to redeem this offer for either Civil or Mechanical.

This Changes Everything! - New Specifications for ME PE Exam

Well, maybe not everything, but it does change a lot. On October 31, 2016, NCEES released new specifications for all three Mechanical PE Exams. These new specs will result in major changes to the format of and topics covered on each exam in April 2017 and beyond. 
 
The new specifications indicate that the ME PE Exams for April 2017 will be follow a very different format from past exams. There is no longer an AM Breadth Exam and a PM Depth Exam. When you register with NCEES, you will choose one of three separate exams that cover the old PM Exam areas:

• Machine Design and Materials
• Thermal and Fluids Systems
• HVAC and Refrigeration

The new specifications for each exam are divided into “Principles” and “Applications” for each area, basically 50/50 of a total of 80 questions. However, it does appear, after reviewing at the new NCEES Practice Exams, that the nature of the problems on the exam will not be changing, just which problems will appear on which exams.

As a result, there are no longer any Statics, Dynamics, or Solids on the new Thermal/Fluids or HVAC/Refrigeration Exams, and there are no Hydraulics, Thermodynamics, Refrigeration, or HVAC on the new Machine Design and Materials Exam.  

I have posted a new video on YouTube explaining the changes that will result from the new specifications and giving my recommendations about which exam to choose. 

The DTC team and I are in the process of making the adjustments to our reviews that are needed to meet these new specifications. Much of the current material in the reviews will still be relevant, and the new materials will be added to the course as soon as they are ready. So you can still sign up and begin your review now, and you will have all the materials you need for the new exam format on the April 2017 Exam. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact us at info@drtomsclassroom.com.