Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
EXAMINEE
GUIDE
MARCH 2015
NCEES
EXAMINEE
GUIDE
MARCH 2015
CONTENTS
Section I: Overview...........................................2
Currently, the only NCEES exams administered via computer are the
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS)
exams. The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE), Principles and Practice
of Surveying (PS), and Structural Engineering (SE) exams are administered as
pencil-and-paper exams.
OVERVIEW
ABOUT NCEES
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
develops and scores the examinations used for engineering and surveying
licensure in the United States. It also facilitates professional mobility and
promotes uniformity of the U.S. licensure processes through services for its 2
member licensing boards and licensees. These services include the Records
program, practice exams, credentials evaluations, exam administration, and
more. Learn more at ncees.org.
SECTION II: COMPUTER-BASED EXAMS
CONTACT INFORMATION
NCEES computer-based exams are administered exclusively at approved Pearson VUE test centers.
All NCEES exams are confidential, secure, and protected by the laws of the United States and
elsewhere. They are to be used only for valid assessment and licensing purposes.
REGISTERING FOR A How to
COMPUTER-BASED EXAM Register REGISTRATION PROCESS
Log in to your
Eligibility MyNCEES 1. Register and pay for the exam.
Eligibility to sit for an NCEES exam varies account, select 2. Receive authorization notification
by state/territory and is determined by each the REGISTER from NCEES to schedule an exam.
licensing board. It is your responsibility to button, and
3. Schedule the exam.
review your licensing board requirements at follow the
ncees.org/boards before registering for an onscreen 4. Receive the appointment confirmation
exam. instructions. letter from Pearson VUE.
During
MyNCEES Account registration,
You must have a MyNCEES account to you will be required to agree to conduct
register for an exam. To create one, go transactions with NCEES by electronic
online to account.ncees.org and follow means, including but not limited to the exam
COMPUTER-
the instructions. The information provided registration process. You will also be required
during this process will be used to create your to attest that you have read the rules and BASED
appointment confirmation letter. The first and policies in the NCEES Examinee Guide and agree EXAMS
last names you use to register must match the to comply with them.
government-issued ID that you will provide for
admission to the test center.
4
We do the exams.
You do the math.
Study with NCEES.
All reschedule fees are payable directly to Changing Your Exam Discipline
Pearson VUE and are subject to applicable If you decide to take the exam in a different
COMPUTER-
Pearson VUE fees. Examinees who reschedule discipline after registering, you will need to
less than 48 hours in advance of their cancel your existing exam and re-register for BASED
scheduled appointment will pay a higher fee the new exam. You will be eligible for a refund EXAMS
than those who reschedule more than 48 hours of the NCEES registration fee less a $50
in advance of their scheduled appointment. administrative fee.
If, on the day you are scheduled to test, you Under ADA, a disability is a physical or mental
are unable to attend the exam for any of the impairment that substantially limits an
following reasons, you may be allowed to individuals ability to perform one or more
reschedule without paying a rescheduling fee or major life activities, as compared with most
may be allowed to cancel with a full refund: people in the general population.
Illness, either yourself or immediate family Indicate your need for accommodations during
member the registration process. You will receive email
Death in the immediate family confirmation from NCEES to acknowledge
Disabling traffic accident the request for accommodations. The NCEES
Court appearance or jury duty Examinees with Disabilities Guide, which
Military duty provides instructions on how to submit
supporting documentation, can be found at
ncees.org/exams/special-accommodations.
The review/approval process can take up to 30 The first and last name on your appointment
days and will not begin until NCEES has received confirmation letter and your ID must match.
all required documentation. You will not be To help speed up the process while checking
authorized to schedule an appointment for in, bring a printed copy of your appointment
testing until this process has been completed. confirmation letter.
Email questions related to the accommodations You are allowed to bring one NCEES-approved
process to NCEES at accommodations@ calculator into the testing room. You may
ncees.org. store spare calculators and covers with your
personal belongings. To review the list of
Test Center Rules and Regulations approved calculators, visit ncees.org/exams/
You will be required to review and agree to calculator-policy.
comply with the NCEES CBT Exam Rules
and Agreement during the check-in process Only the following items are allowed into the
at the test center. In addition, the NCEES testing room:
COMPUTER-
Nondisclosure Agreement will appear
onscreen prior to beginning your exam. In The ID used during the admission process BASED
order to take the exam, you must agree to A calculator (without the cover) that complies
EXAMS
comply with the agreement within 2 minutes. with the current NCEES Calculator Policy
If you do not accept the terms within 2 minutes Key to your test center locker
or if you click No, the exam will end and you Reusable booklet and marker supplied by
will forfeit your appointment and exam fees. Pearson VUE
7
Eyeglasses (without the case)
THE DAY OF YOUR Light sweater or jacket
COMPUTER-BASED EXAM Items included in the Pearson VUE
Arrive at the Pearson VUE test center 30 Comfort Aid List
minutes before your scheduled appointment.
Items not permitted in the testing room
What to Bring include but are not limited to cell phones,
You must present a current government-issued handheld computers/personal digital assistants
ID upon arrival at the test center. Acceptable (PDAs) or other electronic devices, pagers,
forms of ID must be government issued and watches, wallets, purses, hats and other head
must include a valid expiration date, your coverings (unless they qualify as religious
name and date of birth, a recognizable photo, apparel), bags, coats, books, notes, pens,
and your signature. Your name must be in pencils, erasers, food, and beverages.
English. Valid
U.S. military You must store all belongings not permitted in
DAY OF THE EXAM IDs that do the testing room in designated areas outside
p Appointment confirmation letter not include a the testing room. Most test centers have small
signature will lockers. You must turn off all electronic devices
p NCEES approved calculator
be accepted. before storing them in a locker. The test center
p Acceptable form of identification Student IDs is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced
p Approved comfort items will not be personal items.
accepted.
Approved Comfort Items Other individuals taking non-NCEES exams
The test center will provide items included on are likely to be testing at the same time as
the Pearson VUE Comfort Aid List, such you, and neither NCEES nor Pearson VUE has
as earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, and control over keyboarding noises that may be
tissues. These items do not require preapproval. associated with such exams if they include
Other comfort aids, such as braces (neck, essay questions. A test proctor can provide you
back, ankle, etc.), hearing aids, eye drops, and with noise-canceling headphones or earplugs if
mobility devices, will be allowed in the testing you encounter such a situation.
room upon visual inspection by test center
staff. Test center staff will conduct the visual CHECK-IN PROCESS
inspection by examining the item but will not Upon arrival at the test center, you will be
physically touch you or the item. provided a copy of the NCEES CBT Exam
Rules and Agreement to review. You must
Any items that do not appear on the Pearson indicate your agreement to comply with these
VUE Comfort Aid List must be requested rules by providing a digital signature before
COMPUTER-
as a testing accommodation during the exam testing begins.
registration process and approved prior to BASED
scheduling your exam. A Pearson VUE representative will confirm
EXAMS
that the only items in your possession are
Reference Materials ones allowed into the testing area. These
The current version of the appropriate NCEES items include your ID, an NCEES-approved
reference handbook will be supplied onscreen calculator (without the cover), the key to your
8
as a searchable PDF. All NCEES examinees test center locker (if applicable), eyeglasses
will use a 24-inch monitor while testing to (without the case), a light jacket or sweater,
allow sufficient space to display both the exam and any approved comfort items.
question and the reference handbook. You can
download the current version of the handbook Once you have placed any unapproved items in
from ncees.org/practiceexams at no cost. a test center locker, the representative will take
a digital photo of you and you will be asked to
Testing Environment provide a palm vein scan. The palm vein scan
All NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers will collect your palm vein image to digitally
provide a consistent testing environment for verify your identity and to protect the security
all examinees. To ensure a high level of security and integrity of the exam. Your signature, palm
throughout the testing experience, you will be vein scan, and photo will be securely transmit-
monitored at all times. Both audio and video ted and stored with your exam results.
may be recorded.
After completing the check-in process, you
You are prohibited from eating, drinking, will be escorted into the testing area, where a
chewing gum, smoking, and making noise proctor will confirm your identity and ask you
that creates a disturbance for other examinees to provide another palm vein scan. You will be
during the exam. required to provide a palm vein scan each time
you enter and exit the testing room.
After verifying your identity and the exam you will those questions after
be taking, the proctor will answer any questions you submit them. THE EXAM APPOINTMENT
you might have, provide you with a reusable You will then have p Nondisclosure
booklet and marker for scratch work, escort the option of taking a agreement2 minutes
you to your workstation, and launch the exam. scheduled break (see p Tutorial8 minutes
Upon entering the testing room, you may not next section). Manage p Exam5 hours 20 minutes
communicate with other examinees. your time accordingly p Break25 minutes
to ensure that you p Survey5 minutes
THE EXAM APPOINTMENT have plenty of time to
Prior to beginning an exam, you will be given 2 complete the remaining
minutes to review and agree to comply with the questions.
NCEES Nondisclosure Agreement. If you do
not read and agree to comply with this agreement Breaks
within 2 minutes, the exam appointment will You may take a 25-minute scheduled break
end and all associated fees will automatically be after completing, reviewing, and submitting
COMPUTER-
forfeited. approximately 55 questions.
BASED
After agreeing to comply with the NCEES You may take fewer than 25 minutes for your
EXAMS
Nondisclosure Agreement, you will be provided scheduled break. However, any remaining break
an 8-minute tutorial to review how to advance time will not extend the amount of time allocated
through the exam questions, flag items for review, for answering the remaining exam questions.
access the reference handbook, and do other
9
exam-related tasks. You may exit the building during the scheduled
break. It is important to return on time from the
Additional reusable booklets are available at any scheduled break and to allow time for the exam
time during the exam by raising your hand and proctor to readmit you into the exam room. Once
notifying the proctor. The proctor will take and the 25 minutes have expired, the exam clock
review your booklet before issuing a new one. automatically begins again.
Notify the test administrator immediately if you You may also take unscheduled breaks at any
experience any problems with the computer or time during the exam by raising your hand to
software or encounter any other issue. The test notify a proctor. However, the amount of time you
administrator is not allowed to answer questions take for unscheduled breaks will be deducted from
related to exam content. your testing time. You are not allowed to exit the
building during unscheduled breaks.
Exam Format
Each exam consists of 110 questions. You will While you are taking an unscheduled break,
be given 5 hours and 20 minutes to complete you are permitted to access only these personal
the entire exam and should manage your time items that you stored during the exam: beverages,
accordingly. food, and items on the Pearson VUE Comfort Aid
List. You may also access medication required at a
After approximately 55 questions, you will be specific time, with the prior permission of the test
prompted to review those questions and then administrator. You are not permitted to access any
submit them. You will no longer have access to other personal items during an unscheduled break.
Examinee Survey The test administrator is authorized to take
You are required to complete a brief onscreen appropriate action to investigate, stop, or
evaluation upon finishing the exam. correct any observed or suspected irregular
behavior, including discharging you from the
Exit Procedures test center and confiscating prohibited devices
Raise your hand to notify the proctor when or materials. You must cooperate fully in
you have completed the exam and survey. The any investigation of a suspected irregularity.
proctor will confirm that the exam has ended NCEES reserves the right to pursue all available
properly, gather your reusable booklet and remedies for exam irregularities, including
marker, and escort you to the receptionist area. canceling scores and pursuing administrative,
All exam results will be encrypted and civil, and/or criminal remedies.
transmitted to Pearson VUE and NCEES, along
with your digital signature, photo, and palm If you are involved in an exam irregularity, the
vein scan. following may occur: invalidation of results,
notification to your licensing board, forfeiture
COMPUTER-
You will be given a verification-of-testing letter of exam fees, and restrictions on future
before leaving the test center. This letter will testing. Some violations may incur additional BASED
include your name, address, digital photo and consequences, to be pursued at the discretion EXAMS
signature, current date and time, and name of the of NCEES.
exam. It serves as your confirmation of testing.
Appeals
Exam Irregularities If your exam results are invalidated and you
10
Fraud, deceit, dishonesty, unprofessional believe NCEES should review that decision, you
behavior, and other irregular behavior in may appeal to NCEES within 30 days from the
connection with taking any NCEES exam are date of the decision. You must send your appeal
strictly prohibited. Irregular behavior includes in writing by email, mail, or fax to the NCEES
but is not limited to the following: failing to Manager of Compliance and Security.
work independently; impersonating another
individual or permitting such impersonation In most cases, results are invalidated for one of
(surrogate testing); possessing prohibited two reasons. First, there is a good-faith reason
items; communicating with other examinees to question the validity of the results. Second,
or any outside parties by way of cell phone, you have engaged in activities prohibited by
personal computer, the Internet, or any the NCEES Examinee Guide, the NCEES CBT
other means during an exam; disrupting Exam Rules, or the NCEES Nondisclosure
other examinees; creating safety concerns; Agreement. If you decide to appeal, your appeal
and possessing, reproducing, or disclosing must provide information that resolves, to the
nonpublic exam questions, answers, or reasonable satisfaction of NCEES, the concerns
other information regarding the content that led to the invalidation of your exam
of the exam before, during, or after the results. Your appeal should also indicate the
exam administration. Evidence of an exam specific relief requested. You will be notified of
irregularity may be based on your performance the NCEES action within 60 days after receipt
on the exam, a report from an administrator or of the appeal.
a third party, or other information.
If you wish to contest a decision to invalidate EXAM RESULTS
your exam results, you may also choose to Exam results for computer-based exams are
pursue arbitration in accordance with the typically available 710 days after you take the
procedure described in the NCEES Agreement exam. You will receive an email notification
to Arbitrate. Arbitration may be pursued from NCEES with instructions to view your
only after appealing a decision to cancel exam results in your MyNCEES account. Results will
results. Arbitration is the final and exclusive include information specific to your licensing
remedy for challenging a decision by NCEES to board regarding how you should proceed based
cancel or invalidate exam results. on your performance.
Examinee Comments All results are reported as pass or fail. If you fail
Provide any comments or concerns regarding the exam, you will receive a diagnostic report
the test center to a Pearson VUE representative showing your performance for each of the major
before leaving the test center. Provide any topics covered on the exam. The diagnostic
comments regarding the exam to NCEES report is provided to help identify the knowledge
COMPUTER-
within 48 hours via your MyNCEES account. areas where improvement is needed before
retaking the exam. The purpose of this report is BASED
Report suspicious activity or an exam to provide general information on performance; EXAMS
irregularity by going online to ncees.org/ it is not designed or intended to be used for any
exams and completing the security tip line or other purpose. A sample diagnostic report is
by calling 800-250-3196, ext. 5296 (to leave a provided in the appendix of this guide.
message) or ext. 5467 (to speak to staff).
11
Current exam specifications for the FE and FS exams are located online at
ncees.org/exams.
The FE and FS exams each consist of 110 items. Using Item Response Theory,
a commonly used statistical process for high stakes exams, the exams are
constructed using a linear-on-the-fly (LOFT) algorithm. This means that all
COMPUTER-
examinees will be required to answer 110 questions; however, each examinee
will not have the same 110 questions. The algorithm will assemble your unique BASED
exam within the same specification framework (i.e., the same number of EXAMS
questions per topic area) and the same relative level of difficulty.
Each exam includes a limited number of pretest items that will not be scored
and will not have an impact on your results. This is common practice within
13
high-stakes testing and allows NCEES to evaluate the pretest items for
potential use in future exams. These items are randomly placed within the
exam and are not identifiable as pretest items.
SECTION III: PENCIL-AND-PAPER EXAMS
CONTACT INFORMATION
All NCEES exams are confidential, secure, and protected by the laws of the United States and
elsewhere. They are to be used only for valid assessment and licensing purposes. You can review the
exam administration schedule for pencil-and-paper exams at ncees.org/exams by clicking on PE
exam, PS exam, or SE exam.
REGISTERING FOR A To register with NCEES for your exam, log in to
PENCIL-AND-PAPER EXAM your MyNCEES account, select the REGISTER
Before registering for an upcoming NCEES button, and follow the onscreen instructions.
exam, review your boards approval and During registration, you will be required to
registration process at ncees.org/boards. agree to conduct transactions with NCEES by
electronic means, including but not limited to
Eligibility the exam registration process, and to attest
Eligibility to sit for an NCEES exam varies that you have read the rules and policies in the
by state/territory and is determined by each NCEES Examinee Guide and agree to comply
licensing board. It is your responsibility to review with them.
your licensing board requirements at ncees.org/
boards before registering for an exam. Once NCEES registration closes, you will not be
permitted to make any changes to your exam or
exam location.
Exam Confirmation
MyNCEES Account You will receive a confirmation email from
You must have a MyNCEES account to NCEES once you have successfully completed
register for an exam. To create one, go to the registration process.
account.ncees.org and follow the online
instructions. The information provided during Exam Authorization
the registration process will be used to create You will receive an exam authorization
your exam authorization, which will be used for approximately two weeks before the exam. It
admission to the exam site. will confirm your identity, the location of your
exam site, the exam administration date, and
How to Register arrival instructions. To determine how and
Before registering for an NCEES exam, review when you will receive your exam authorization,
the approval and registration process for you can review the policies and procedures of
your licensing board. your state or territory at ncees.org/boards.
To avoid delays at the exam site, verify that the request for accommodations. The NCEES
the first and last names printed on the exam Examinees with Disabilities Guide, which
authorization match your first and last names as provides instructions on how to submit
they appear on the government-issued ID that supporting documentation, can be found at
you will use during the exam check-in process. ncees.org/exams/special-accommodations.
You can confirm your registration status and The review/approval process can take up to 30
reprint your exam authorization through your days and will not begin until NCEES has received
MyNCEES account. all required documentation. You will not be
authorized to schedule an appointment for
Cancellations and Refunds testing until this process has been completed.
Licensing boards are responsible for
administering pencil-and-paper exams in Email questions related to the accommodations
their state or territory. Most use a third-party process to NCEES at accommodations@
provider, and each has its own policies and ncees.org.
PENCIL-
procedures for cancellations and refunds. Visit
ncees.org/boards to determine the policies Test-Site Rules and Regulations AND-PAPER
and procedures for your state or territory. You must agree to abide by the NCEES EXAMS
Candidate Agreement at all times. The
If you have an issue regarding a payment agreement is located in the appendix of
or refund, contact NCEES directly at this guide and online at ncees.org/exams/
864-654-6824. Fees associated with charge exam-day-policies.
16
backs, returned checks, or any form of disputed
payment are the responsibility of the issuer. THE DAY OF YOUR EXAM
Refer to your exam authorization for
Exam Accommodations instructions
NCEES provides reasonable and appropriate specific to your
accommodations for individuals with exam site. DAY OF THE EXAM
documented disabilities within the meaning p Exam authorization
of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as What to Bring p NCEES-approved calculator
amended (ADA). If you believe that you have You will be
p Acceptable form of identification
a disability that prevents you from taking an required to
exam under standard conditions, you may present an
request accommodations. acceptable form
of ID upon arrival at the exam site. Acceptable
Under the ADA, a disability is a physical or forms of ID must be government issued and
mental impairment that substantially limits must include a valid expiration date, your name
an individuals ability to perform one or more and date of birth, a recognizable photo, and
major life activities, as compared with most your signature. Valid U.S. military IDs that do
people in the general population. not include a signature will be accepted.
Indicate your need for accommodations during To avoid delays while checking in, bring a
the registration process. You will receive email printed copy of your exam authorization.
confirmation from NCEES to acknowledge
You are allowed to bring NCEES-approved Testing Environment
calculators into the exam room. To review the NCEES strives to provide a consistent testing
list of approved calculators, visit ncees.org/ environment for all examinees.
exams/calculator-policy.
CHECK-IN PROCESS
Reference Materials Upon arrival at the exam site, you will be
Visit ncees.org/exams to determine if you required to present your exam authorization
are allowed to bring reference materials into and acceptable identification to a proctor prior
the exam room. If outside reference materials to being admitted into the exam room.
are allowed for your exam, the materials must
be bound and remain bound during the exam. Exam proctors will assist you in locating your
Loose paper may be bound with ring binders, assigned seat and ensure that you have in your
brads, plastic snap binders, spiral-bound possession only the NCEES-designated items
notebooks, and screw posts, but not with allowed into the exam room. Cell phones are
staples. Writing tablets and legal pads are not not allowed in the exam room at any time. If
PENCIL-
allowed. You may tab reference books before you have a cell phone in your possession after
the exam with sticky notes and flags, but pads the exam begins, you will be dismissed from AND-PAPER
of sticky notes and flags are not permitted in the exam room, your exam will be invalidated, EXAMS
the exam room. and you will forfeit your exam registration fee.
17
ncees.org/practiceexams
Items permitted in the exam room are Breaks
You may request to take a break at any time by
Snacks (such as hard candies, candy bars, gum) raising your hand and waiting for a proctor to
and nonalcoholic drinks, as long as having assist you.
them does not disturb other examinees
Wristwatches and small clocks Exit Procedures
Head coverings that qualify as religious Raise your hand to notify the proctor when
apparel you have completed the exam. The proctor will
Two straightedges, such as a ruler, scale, collect the exam book and answer sheet before
triangle, or protractor dismissing you. Once dismissed, you will not
Approved reference materials be permitted to re-enter the exam room. If
Eyeglasses (no case) you complete the exam within 15 minutes of
Handheld, non-electronic magnifying glass exam time expiring, you must remain at your
(no case) seat until the exam ends and all examinees are
dismissed from the exam room.
PENCIL-
Items not permitted in the exam room include
but are not limited to Examinee Survey AND-PAPER
NCEES will email you an online post-exam survey EXAMS
Cell phones 710 days after the exam. This is your opportunity
Hats with brims, hoods (on hooded to provide feedback on the exam process and the
sweatshirts, for example) exam site conditions. If you have feedback specific
Slide charts or wheel charts (handheld to an exam question, provide it immediately after
18
cardboard or plastic calculating devices the exam through your MyNCEES account using
with rotating or sliding pieces) or drafting the examinee comment form.
compasses
Weapons of any kind Exam Irregularities
Tobacco products Fraud, deceit, dishonesty, unprofessional
Personal chairs behavior, and other irregular behavior in
connection with taking any NCEES exam are
If you are taking a closed-book exam, you may strictly prohibited. Irregular behavior includes
bring approved personal items only if they are but is not limited to the following: failing to
in a clear plastic bag. Purses and backpacks are work independently; impersonating another
not permitted for closed-book exams. individual or permitting such impersonation
(surrogate testing); possessing prohibited
ON EXAM DAY items; communicating with other examinees
After everyone is seated, a proctor will begin or any outside parties by way of cell phone,
reading the exam instructions. Once the proctor personal computer, the Internet, or any
begins reading the instructions, examinees will other means during an exam; disrupting
no longer be admitted into the exam room. You other examinees; creating safety concerns;
will receive an NCEES pencil with an eraser to and possessing, reproducing, or disclosing
use during the exam. Using a non-NCEES writing nonpublic exam questions, answers, or
instrument or eraser to complete any portion of other information regarding the content
the exam will lead to dismissal from the exam of the exam before, during, or after the
and/or invalidation of your exam results. exam administration. Evidence of an exam
irregularity may be based on your performance You will be notified of the NCEES action within
on the exam, a report from an administrator or 60 days after receipt of the appeal.
a third party, or other information.
If you wish to contest a decision to invalidate
The chief proctor is authorized to take your exam results, you may also choose to
appropriate action to investigate, stop, or pursue arbitration in accordance with the
correct any observed or suspected irregular procedure described in the NCEES Agreement
behavior, including discharging you from the to Arbitrate. Arbitration may be pursued
test center and confiscating any prohibited only after appealing a decision to cancel exam
devices or materials. You must cooperate fully results. Arbitration is the final and exclusive
in any investigation of a suspected irregularity. remedy for challenging a decision by NCEES to
NCEES reserves the right to pursue all available cancel or invalidate exam results.
remedies for exam irregularities, including
canceling scores and pursuing administrative, Examinee Comments
civil, and/or criminal remedies. Provide any comments regarding a particular
PENCIL-
exam question to NCEES within 10 days via
If you are involved in an exam irregularity, the your MyNCEES account. AND-PAPER
following may occur: invalidation of results, EXAMS
notification to your licensing board, forfeiture Report suspicious activity or an exam
of exam fees, and restrictions on future irregularity by going online to ncees.org/
testing. Some violations may incur additional exams and completing the security tip line or
consequences, to be pursued at the discretion by calling 800-250-3196, ext. 5296 (to leave a
19
of NCEES. message) or ext. 5467 (to speak to staff).
21
AN NCEES RECORD
Is accepted by licensing boards
nationwide
Can be quickly and easily transmitted
to any state board
Reduces unnecessary paperwork
for you
Do you need to be licensed in
multiple states?
Items Permitted in Testing Room: Only the following items are allowed
into the testing room.
All belongings not permitted in the testing room must be stored in designated
areas outside the testing room. Most test centers have small lockers. The test
center is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced personal items.
Unscheduled breaks may be taken at any time during the exam. The exam
timer will not stop for unscheduled breaks. Examinees may not leave the
building during an unscheduled break.
NCEES CBT EXAM RULES AND AGREEMENT (CONTINUED)
To leave their seat, examinees must raise their hand and wait for an
administrator to assist them. Only the following items may be accessed during
an unscheduled break.
Beverages
Food
Items included in the Pearson VUE Comfort Aid List
Medication required at a specific time with prior approval of the test
administrator
Please click on the response below to indicate whether you accept the terms
of this agreement. Click Y to symbolize your signature and to accept these
terms. You must click Y to continue with the exam.
If you do NOT accept these terms, click N and let the test center staff know APPENDIX
that you are finished with the exam. Clicking N will end the exam, and you
will forfeit your exam fee.
Y. Yes, I accept the terms of this agreement and agree not to disclose any
part of this exam at any time.
24
N. No, I do NOT accept the terms of this agreement.
NCEES AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE
1. In the event that any legal dispute arises between you and NCEES in
connection with your participation in any NCEES examination where that
dispute is not resolved by the appeals process, you agree that the exclusive
means for resolving the dispute shall be binding arbitration as described by
the terms of this agreement. This means that you waive the rights you may
have to resolve the dispute in a court of law or by any other means that
might otherwise be available to you.
2. NCEES agrees to be similarly bound except that NCEES reserves its full
rights to pursue injunctive and other appropriate relief in any state or
federal court in cases of unfair competition or violations of, or threats to
violate, any intellectual property rights of NCEES. With respect to any
action filed by NCEES pursuant to this paragraph 2, you consent to submit
to the jurisdiction of the state or federal court in which NCEES seeks relief.
3. Arbitration proceedings initiated pursuant to this agreement to arbitrate
shall be conducted in accordance with the then current rules of the
American Arbitration Association. The arbitration and any proceedings APPENDIX
relating to it shall be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The arbitrators
award shall be binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court
of competent jurisdiction. Information about the American Arbitration
Association, its rules, and its forms are available from the American
Arbitration Association, 335 Madison Avenue, Floor 10, New York, New
25
York, 10017-4605.
4. In the event of arbitration, the parties shall bear their own costs and
attorneys fees associated with the arbitration proceedings, unless the
arbitrator directs one of the parties to pay the others costs, or attorneys
fees, or both.
5. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no arbitration brought pursuant to
this agreement shall be joined to any arbitration involving any other party
whether through class-arbitration proceedings or otherwise.
6. This agreement is part of the registration process to take any NCEES
examination. Your assent to be bound by it is a requirement for taking the
examination, but you may sit for the examination only if you also fulfill all
other conditions imposed by NCEES.
NCEES CANDIDATE AGREEMENT FOR PENCIL-AND-PAPER EXAMS
Licensure candidates qualified to take any NCEES pencil-and-paper exam
must review this agreement and the NCEES Examinee Guide before sitting
for the exam. Examinees are required to sign their exam answer sheet
before the exam starts to affirm that they have been provided this
information, have read and understand the material, and agree to
abide by the stated policies and procedures, which apply to all NCEES
exams. Full compliance is required.
Approved Calculators
Only models of calculators listed below are permitted in the exam room for the
2015 exams.
Hewlett PackardHP 33s and HP 35s models, but no others.
CasioAll fx-115 models. Any Casio calculator must contain fx-115 in its
model name.
Texas InstrumentsAll TI-30X and TI-36X models. Any Texas
Instruments calculator must contain either TI-30X or TI-36X in its APPENDIX
model name.
Admission Requirements
For exam admission, examinees must present their Exam Authorization
and a current, government-issued identification, such as a drivers license or
26
passport, that contains the following: name, date of birth, expiration date,
signature, and a recent and recognizable photograph. The first and last name
on the examinees ID and Exam Authorization must match. Valid U.S. military
IDs without a signature are accepted. Student and expired IDs are not accepted.
For the morning session, examinees must report to the exam site by the time
shown on the Exam Authorization. For the afternoon session, examinees must
report to the exam room by the time announced at the exam site. Examinees
who do not report at these times may not be admitted. No one will be admitted
after the exam instructions begin.
If any prohibited item is found in an examinees possession after the exam APPENDIX
begins, the item will be confiscated and sent to NCEES. No refund will be
provided to examinees dismissed from the exam.
Exam to Be Scored
On exam day, examinees will receive only the exam listed on their Exam
27
Authorization and will not be allowed to sit for a different exam. NCEES will
score only the exam listed on the Exam Authorization.
Reference Materials
Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exams: This is a closed-
book exam. Examinees may use only the reference material provided
on exam day. The reference materials are available on the NCEES Web
site. Examinees may not bring their own copies of the NCEES reference
material, additional reference material, or Post-it type notes or flags into
the exam room.
Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) and Structural
Engineering (SE) exams: These are open-book exams. Examinees must
bring their own reference materials. All reference materials must be
bound and remain bound during the exam. Bound refers to (1) materials
permanently bound, as by stitching or glue, and (2) materials securely
fastened in their covers by fasteners that penetrate all papers. Ring
binders, spiral binders, plastic snap binders, brads, and screw posts are
acceptable fasteners. Staples are not acceptable fasteners. Writing tablets
and legal pads are not allowed. Examinees may tab reference books before
the exam with Post-it type notes and flags, but pads of Post-it notes and
flags are not permitted in the exam room.
CANDIDATE AGREEMENT (CONTINUED)
Personal Items
Personal items are the sole responsibility of the examinee. Neither NCEES,
the state board, exam proctors, or the site facility are responsible for any lost,
misplaced, or stolen items.
PS examinees may bring personal items in a clear plastic bag only. Purses
and backpacks are not permitted in PS exams.
Examinees may bring snacks (e.g., hard candies, candy bars, gum) and
nonalcoholic drinks, as long as having them does not disturb other
examinees.
Examinees may wear wristwatches or place them on the floor. Clocks must
be placed on the floor.
Examinees may not wear hoods (on hooded sweatshirts, for example) or
hats with brims during the exam. Head coverings that qualify as religious
apparel are permitted. APPENDIX
Examinees may not bring slide charts or wheel charts (handheld cardboard
or plastic calculating devices with rotating or sliding pieces) or drafting
compasses.
Examinees may not bring weapons of any kind.
Examinees may not bring tobacco products or personal chairs.
28
Exam Irregularities
Fraud, deceit, dishonesty, unprofessional behavior, and other irregular
behavior in connection with taking any NCEES exam is strictly prohibited.
Irregular behavior includes but is not limited to copying or allowing the
copying of exam answers; failing to work independently; possessing prohibited
items; communicating with other examinees or outside parties by telephones,
personal computers, the Internet, or any other means during the course of
an exam; surrogate testing or other dishonest conduct; disrupting other
examinees; creating any safety concerns; beginning the exam before instructed
to do so; failing to cease work on the exam when time is called; and possessing,
reproducing, or disclosing nonpublic exam questions, answers, or other
information regarding the content of the exam without authorization, before,
during, or after the exam administration. NCEES will conduct an analysis each
exam administration to identify incidents of copying or collusion.
CANDIDATE AGREEMENT (CONTINUED)
The chief proctor is authorized to take appropriate action to investigate, stop,
or correct any observed or suspected irregular behavior, including discharging
examinees from the exam site for prohibited activities and confiscating
any prohibited devices or materials. Examinees must cooperate fully in any
investigation of a suspected irregularity. NCEES reserves the right to pursue
all available remedies for exam irregularities, including canceling results
and pursuing administrative, civil, and/or criminal remedies. Examinees
or other persons implicated in an irregularity will be identified to the state
board, which may invoke additional sanctions. Examinees implicated in an
irregularity will not receive exam results and will not be eligible for a refund of
exam fees.
NCEES, jurisdictions, and testing agents also take steps that are intended to
ensure standardized administration on test day. If events occur that cause
testing to be canceled or interrupted, involve a mistiming on any part of the
test, result in a deviation from required testing procedures, raise concerns
about possible advance access to exam content by one or more examinees,
or otherwise disrupt or compromise the normal testing process, NCEES
will determine whether corrective action is warranted, which could include
canceling results or not scoring answer documents. If NCEES determines
that corrective action is necessary, affected examinees may have the option
to retest at no additional fee (normally on a future national test date) or to
receive a refund of the exam fee, unless the affected examinees caused or
were involved in the conduct that resulted in the need for corrective action,
in which case the jurisdiction that authorized seating for the exam will have
the right to withhold either or both of these options. If a jurisdiction offers a
retest and an examinee selects that option, the examinee may be required to
retake the entire exam in order to produce a valid result. These are the sole and
exclusive remedies available to any examinee who is affected by disruptions in
testing or a potential exam compromise.
CANDIDATE AGREEMENT (CONTINUED)
Additional Information
Current exam specifications, preparation materials, scoring methods, and APPENDIX
other exam information are available at ncees.org or by calling NCEES at
800-250-3196.
30
SAMPLE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FOR NCEES CBT EXAMS
NCEES provides all examinees who do not pass with a diagnostic report to help them identify the knowledge
areas in which they need to improve before retaking the exam. The purpose of this report is to provide general
information on the performance of the examinee; it is not designed to be used for any other purpose.
The report shows the knowledge area, along with the number of items in each knowledge area and the
examinees performance in terms of a scaled score from 015. The report also provides information showing
the examinees relative performance in each knowledge area compared to the average performance of the
passing examinees. The performance comparison chart is not shown to scale and simply indicates the relative
performance to assist the examinee in preparing to retake the exam.
Please see the sample diagnostic report for the FE Electrical and Computer exam on the following pages. In APPENDIX
reviewing the report, here is how the examinee should interpret the results. (Colors show are for illustrative
purposes only. Actual reports are grayscale.)
Mathematics, Probability and Statistics, Power, and Computer Networks: My performance in these
areas ranged from 7.48.2, but they were consistently lower than the average score of the passing
examinees. There is definite room for improvement in these areas.
31
Ethics and Professional Practice, Properties of Electrical Materials, Engineering Sciences, and
Electromagnetics: My performance in these areas ranged from 5.38.2, but I am significantly lower
than the average score of the passing examinees. These are areas where I need to focus prior to retaking
the exam.
1. Mathematics, Probability and Statistics, Power, and Computer Networksvery strong focus. Even though
my performance was closer to the passing examinees than the green topics, there are 26 questions in these
areas versus 18 in the green topics, therefore giving me more opportunity to improve.
2. Ethics and Professional Practice, Properties of Electrical Materials, Engineering Sciences, and
Electromagneticsstrong focus
3. Engineering Economics, Circuit Analysis, Linear Systems, Signal Processing, Electronics, Control Systems,
Communications, Digital Systems, Computer Systems, and Software Developmentgeneral review
For more information on the knowledge areas included in each of the FE and FS exams, download exam
specifications at ncees.org/exams.
SAMPLE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FOR NCEES CBT EXAMS
!
"
#
"
#
$
%
$
APPENDIX
32
Sample Diagnostic Report
&YBNJOFF/BNF'*%/VNCFS
&YBN%BUF ..%%::::
!
#
!
+
"
%
$
+
&
'
()*
0
1 2 /.0
3
3 -.(
2
3 4.2
)
, 2 -.(
5
1 5 /.0
-
(& /.3
/ 6
1 ) /.(
4 1
) /.-
(& - /.4
SAMPLE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FOR NCEES CBT EXAMS
(( / -.2
(0 ) ).3
(3
1 5 4.(
()
# 3 -./
(5
1 - ((.&
(-
1 2 /.-
(/ 1
2 ().&
33
APPENDIX
SAMPLE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FOR NCEES PENCIL-AND-PAPER EXAMS
NCEES provides all examinees who do not pass with a diagnostic report to help them identify the knowledge
areas in which they need to improve before retaking the exam. The purpose of this report is to provide general
information on their performance; it is not designed to be used for any other purpose.
The report shows the number of items in each knowledge area as well as the examinees performance in
terms of number of correct items and percentage correct. The report also provides information showing
the examinees relative performance in each knowledge area when compared to the average of the passing
examinees. The performance comparison chart is not shown to scale and simply indicates the relative
performance to assist the examinee in preparing to retake the exam.
Please see the sample diagnostic report for the PE Chemical exam on the next page. In reviewing the report, APPENDIX
here is how the examinee should interpret the results: (Colors shown are for illustrative purposes only. Actual
reports are grayscale.)
Mass and Energy Balances and Thermodynamics: I only got 8 out of 19 correct in these knowledge
areas, and that was a lot less than the average passing examinee. This is an area I need to work on.
Fluids: I seem to be consistent with the average passing examinee. I should still review this area prior to 34
retaking the exam, but there are other areas that need more of my focus.
Heat Transfer: Again, compared to the average passing examinee, Im in pretty good shape.
Mass Transfer: This is an area I really need to work on. Even though there are just 10 questions, I only
got one correct, and the average passing examinee did much better than I did.
Kinetics: Again, overall the average passing examinee did better than I did. While there are just nine
questions, I only got four correct. Theres still room for improvement in this area.
Plant Design and Operation: Compared to the average passing examinee, I did better in two areas and
worse in four. Overall, I got 10 out of 15 correct. Again, theres still room for improvement in this area.
1. Mass and Energy Balances and Thermodynamics, Mass Transfervery strong focus
2. Kinetics, Plant Design & Operationstrong focus
3. Fluids, Heat Transfergeneral review
For more information on the knowledge areas included in each of the PE exams, download exam specifications
at ncees.org/exams.
SAMPLE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FOR NCEES PENCIL-AND-PAPER EXAMS
APPENDIX
35
NCEES.ORG
P.O. Box 1686, Clemson, SC 29633
864-654-6824