Things to Do When Preparing for the October 2008 Examinations

Here are some tips for examinees on what to do (and not do) and bring for the upcoming examinations.

• THINGS TO DO - AND NOT DO
• READ THE EXAMINEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE GOING TO THE EXAM SITE
  October 2008 EIT & LSIT Examinee Instructions
  October 2008 PE & PLS Examinee Instructions
  NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to read, understand, and comply with all of the instructions contained in the Examinee Instructions. If you fail to comply with the Examinee Instructions, you will be ejected from the exam, your exams will be voided, and you will forfeit your application fee. Candidates who are taking multi-part exams (such as the Civil Engineer or Structural Engineer exams) will not be allowed to take the remaining exam(s) and will have all of their exams voided if they are ejected from the exam.
• ARRIVE EARLY
  You are required to be at the appropriate building at the "doors open" time indicated on your admission notice. So you need to arrive at the exam site in time to find the appropriate building before the "doors open" time listed on the admission notice. Varied site conditions, large candidate volume, parking, and other events at the site prevent us from providing firm start/stop times for the exams. The "doors open" time for the afternoon portion will be announced and posted at the end of the morning session. Each exam, several candidates are turned away in both the morning and afternoon because they arrive late. So give yourself ample time to allow for delays on the freeways, to locate the exam site and correct parking lot, to pay for parking, and to walk to and locate the the correct building that your exam will be offered in.
• DO NOT BRING ANY UNAUTHORIZED ITEMS INTO THE EXAM ROOM
  Do NOT bring any unauthorized items into the exam room. If you are caught with unauthorized items such as calculators, unbound materials, cell phones, or unauthorized writing instruments after the exam begins, the items will be confiscated, you will be ejected from the exam, your exams will be voided, and you will forfeit your application fee. Candidates who are taking multi-part exams (such as the Civil Engineer or Structural Engineer exams) will not be allowed to take the remaining exam(s) and will have all of their exams voided if they are ejected from the exam. More information about unauthorized devices and unauthorized materials is included in the Examinee Instructions that are linked above.
  EIT & LSIT Examinees: All personal items must be in a clear plastic bag. Opaque plastic bags, backpacks, and purses are not allowed.
  PE & PLS Examinees: You will be permitted to have only TWO measuring devices (ruler, protractor, architect scale, engineer scale) on your desktop at any one time.
• APPROVED CALCULATORS
  It is your responsibility to make sure that you bring only approved calculators with you to the exam.
  
  If you are taking an NCEES exam and your calculator is not included on this list, do NOT bring it with you -- NO EXCEPTIONS. If it is not on the approved list, and you are discovered with it in your possession after the exam begins, you will be removed from the exam.
  
  If you are taking a State-specific exam, and your calculator does not meet the requirements described in the Board's Calculator Policy, do NOT bring it with you -- NO EXCEPTIONS.
  
  If you are found to be in possession of an unauthorized calculator during the exam (even if you are not using it), the calculator will be confiscated, you will be ejected from the exam, your exam will be voided, and you will forfeit your application fee. Candidates who are taking multi-part exams (such as the Civil Engineer or Structural Engineer exams) will not be allowed to take the remaining exam(s) and will have all of their exams voided if they are ejected from the exam.
• WRITING INSTRUMENTS AND ERASERS
  Do NOT bring your own writing instruments (pens, pencils, highlighters) or erasers. You will be given pencils with lead and erasers at the exam. You are not allowed to use any other writing instruments or erasers other than the ones given to you at the exam.
  
  If you are found to be in possession of an unauthorized writing instrument or eraser during the exam (even if you are not using it), it will be confiscated. Candidates who are taking multi-part exams (such as the Civil Engineer or Structural Engineer exams) will not be allowed to take the remaining exam(s) and will have all of their exams voided if they are ejected from the exam.
• KEEP YOUR EYES ON YOUR OWN PAPERS
  Make sure you keep your eyes on your own papers and that you keep your answer sheet and exam book covered during the exam. NCEES performs an analysis of exam results using five separate methods for detecting potential copying/collusion (cheating). In 2006, the program flagged 107 candidates. The exam results of the candidates flagged as a result of the analysis must be withheld until the Board completes its investigation to determine if any exam subversion (cheating) occurred. Candidates determined to have copied or to have aided another candidate will have their results voided and may be denied from taking future exams.
• MANAGE YOUR TIME WISELY
  Bring a time-keeping device such as a watch or a clock (a cell phone is not an acceptable time-keeping device) and allot the appropriate time for each question. Each exam, several candidates have had their exams voided because they were writing or erasing after time was called. Wristwatches are allowed only if worn on the wrist or placed on the floor. Clocks must be placed on the floor.
• THINGS TO BRING
• Government-issued Photo ID - More information is available in the Examinee Instructions linked above
• Admission Notice
• Approved calculator(s) and spare batteries - See the Approved Calculator item above for more information
• Lunch
• Money for parking
• Sweatshirt, sweater, jacket, etc. - Hats with brims or bills are NOT allowed
• Reference materials if allowed - More information is available in the Examinee Instructions linked above
  NOTE:
  PE & PLS Examinees: The definition of "bound" materials has changed since 2007.
  EIT Examinees: Writing in the supplied reference handbook is NOT allowed.