How to Pass the Professional Review Examination PRPE

How to Pass the Professional Review Examination (PR/PE) Dr Sam Man Keong 岑文强 CEng, FIET, MICE, MIMMM, FSE, FSPE, PEng(UK), FBEng, CEnv. Email: sammk@singnet. com. sg ; HP: 96740515 How to Pass PReview-2011 1

Highlights (1) • • Introduction Preparing for the CPR of the ICE – – – Written Submissions. Interviews. Essay Preparation. The Engineer in Society. Causes of failure. One Word of Advice. How to Pass PReview-2011 2

Highlights (2) • Professional Review for CEng(UK) – A Real Example. – Panel Details. – Criteria. – Conditions for Recommendation for Passing. – Panel Recommendation. • Some Good Books to Read. • Questions & Answers. How to Pass PReview-2011 3

About the Speaker – Dr Sam Man Keong • Singapore : SP/NUS/NTU. • Australia : Melb. U/RMIT/CQU. • Chartered Engineer (UK/Ireland/Australia) • Registered Engineer (UK) • Chartered Builder (UK) • Chartered Mathematician (UK) • Chartered Scientist (UK) • A life-long learner. How to Pass PReview-2011 4

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it isn’t a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. …. W. J. Byran 把握當下，莫等待。 How to Pass PReview-2011 5

Introduction – PR/PE • ICE –PE : It consists of the assessment of a report and supporting documents on training or experience submitted by the candidate; an oral examination at which he is questioned both on the report and generally on his training; and two essays, one connected directly with his work, and the other on a question chosen from a list of 36, previously available to the candidate, on ‘The place of the engineer in the community’ and ‘Management’ topics. The Examiners give the candidate a choice of two questions and he must answer one. How to Pass PReview-2011 6

Introduction – PR/PE • The PE is an occasion when, having regard to his age and experience, a candidate’s professional competence is being tested in all its aspects. • It must not be seen only as a 30 minute oral examination followed by the essays. That is only the culmination of a process which has lasted for a minimum period of six years. How to Pass PReview-2011 7

Introduction : How to prepare and to pass the ‘Professional Review’? • Engineering Ethics. – Moral Thoughts. – Code of Professional Conduct. • Professional Judgement. – Education – Knowledge – Experience (Civil Engineering): • (a) Feasibility Studies or report work, or • (b) the design and construction of civil engineering work. How to Pass PReview-2011 8

PR/PE – ICE, UK • The ICE-PE was first held in 1945 when it replaced Section C of the Institution Examination. Initially interviews were conducted by one person, but an Assessor was later introduced in case the Interviewer required a second opinion. This led in 1948 to the present system (1984) of having two Interviewers, and the need to pass the Professional Interview, as it was then called, was incorporated into the By-laws. • Professional Examination Part 1 (PE 1/IPD)[ AMICE] • Professional Examination Part 2 (PE 2/CPR)[ CEng, MICE] How to Pass PReview-2011 9

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ICE, UK – PE 1/IPD • PE 1 is primarily a test of technical competence, although candidates also have to satisfy other detailed requirements. • Everyone (except mature candidates) must have an approved degree, or a non-approved degree with top-up examinations agreed by ICE. • 3 years Training under Agreement. How to Pass PReview-2011 11

ICE, UK – PE 2/PR • PE 2 is a test of professional competence. • Normally taken about three years (gaining the necessary professional experience) after passing the PE 1. • Four sponsors : to complete and submit a confidential questionnaire to the ICE. • The written submission will include: – – A 2000 word report on your professional experience A 4000 word project report Forms Details of courses attended. (Record of Continuing Education on Form i. CE 8, certified by a sponsor). How to Pass PReview-2011 12

Preparing for the PR of the ICE – Written Submissions : PE 1/PR • Training Record. • Report on experience: no longer than 2000 words; no longer than 4000 words for research candidates. • Calculations, Drawings, Quantities and Costings. • Forms. How to Pass PReview-2011 13

Preparing for the PR of the ICE – Written Submissions : PE 2/PR • Individuals have to take responsibility for planning and organizing relevant experience and off-the-job training. • Project report : 4000 words. How to Pass PReview-2011 14

Preparing for the PR of the ICE – Interviews • At both PE 1 and PE 2, the candidate will be interviewed by two senior members of the profession. • PE 1/IPD : Technical Competence. • PE 2/CPR : Professional Competence. • The Examiners will already have formed a view of you from your written submission and their next reaction will be to your appearance as you walk towards them. How to Pass PReview-2011 15

Preparing for the PR of the ICE – Interviews • Preparation for the Interviews: – Preparing for the essays. – Preparation for the interview : several weeks before the interview date you should read your submission very critically, listing all the topics mentioned. • It will sound very weak in the interview if you have to say “Well, I don’t know about it” too many times when you have claimed knowledge of a subject in your submission. How to Pass PReview-2011 16

Preparing for the PR of the ICE – Interviews • If you do claim knowledge of a topic, then make sure you have done the necessary reading – books, articles, ICE Proceedings, project documents, etc. • Do remember that your written submission includes a list of courses attended and where necessary, your Training Record. These topics can come up at interviews too! How to Pass PReview-2011 17

Preparing for the PR of the ICE – Interviews • The Examiners themselves come from widely differing backgrounds and obviously have a wide range of individual personalities. • Improving your interviewing skills will not only assist your chances of success at PE 1 and PE 2 but will be important for future job, promotional and appraisal interviews. How to Pass PReview-2011 18

ICE-UK : Professional Review How to Pass PReview-2011 19

ICE- UK : Professional Review • The Examiners will be asking themselves the following questions: – – – 1. What has the candidate done? 2. Why has he done it? 3. Does he fully understand what he has done? 4. What engineering decisions has he made? 5. What investigations has he undertaken which led him to make these decisions? – 6. Has he carried out any research which persuaded him to reach his conclusions? How to Pass PReview-2011 20

ICE- UK : Professional Review • The oral examination is not a confrontation between the candidate and the examiners. • Candidate : – appearance and grooming. – When leaving the room he will have his back to two pairs of very observant eyes. Being down-at-heel is not the best way to impress people! • The examiners : – are trying to find out what you know, not what you don’t know. • It should therefore be an interesting discussion on your experience. How to Pass PReview-2011 21

Preparing for the PE of the ICE – Essay Preparation • PE 1 Essay : Unseen based on submission. • PE 2 Essay : Published list. – The Examiners select two questions from the published list of 36 questions, and the candidate can choose which of these two questions to answer in the 90 minutes. – It is also very important that your studying covers all the question topics as you cannot predict which questions you will be asked. How to Pass PReview-2011 22

Preparing for the PE of the ICE – Essay Preparation • PE 2 Essay : Published list. – The best time to start is at least a year before you plan to take PE 2 and preferably even longer. – Start a file on each of the questions. – Information for each question should actively be sought: books and journals; newspapers; discussions with SCEs, colleagues; attending meetings of ICE. . etc; attending courses, conferences. – Write out the essay plan for a 1000 word essay using references and taking time over it. • “knowledge and relevance”; must display good ‘grammar, syntax and clarity of argument and presentation’. How to Pass PReview-2011 23

Preparing for the PE of the ICE – The Engineer in Society • The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), UK. – 1818 : The Formation of ICE. – 1828 : Royal Charter granted. – 1922 : Supplementary Charter (giving the ICE the role of qualifying body for all civil engineers). • The two main purposes of the ICE are: – A learned society. – A qualifying body. How to Pass PReview-2011 24

Preparing for the PE of the ICE – The Engineer in Society • The Engineering Council (EC), UK. – The EC was established by Royal Charter granted on 27 th November 1981, replacing the much smaller Council of Engineering Institutions (CEI). – 53 member organizations arranged in five groups. • Issues concerning the Engineer’s place in society. • EC Part 2 : 300 – The Engineer in Society How to Pass PReview-2011 25

Preparing for the PE of the ICE – Causes of Failure • (a) Lack of confidence : 5 Is (indecisive; incompetent; ……), • (b) slavish use of proven techniques and the avoiding of engineering decisions, • © insufficient and hurried preparation of the report and other documents; this implies you have not taken the examination seriously enough, How to Pass PReview-2011 26

Preparing for the PE of the ICE – Causes of Failure • (d) inability or failure to give evidence of the ability to organize one’s thoughts clearly in both speech and writing, • (e) failure to speak up at the oral examination, this has the effect of destroying confidence on both sides: in the candidate’s confidence in himself and the Examiner’s confidence in the candidate. How to Pass PReview-2011 27

Preparing for the PE of the ICE – One word of advice • READ THE INSTRUCTIONS – ICE 43 Rules for the Professional Examinations. • Should be read from cover to cover, not once, but several times, to ensure that you understand what is being required of you. If you comply with these rules your chances will be much better that you don’t! • Website : www. ice. org. uk How to Pass PReview-2011 28

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Professional Review for CEng(UK) – A Real Example. • Panel Details. • Criteria. • Conditions for Recommendation for Passing. • Panel Recommendation. How to Pass PReview-2011 31

Criteria : 5 main areas • A. Knowledge & Understanding. • B. Application to Practice. – 1. Sound theoretical approach. – 2. Creative problem solving approach. – 3. Exploiting emerging technologies. – 4. Promote innovation and technology transfer. – 1. Identify potential projects & opportunities. – 2. Research, design & development. – 3. Plan and implement solutions. – 4. Evaluate solutions and make improvements. How to Pass PReview-2011 32

Criteria : 5 main areas • C. Leadership Management & Supervision. • D. Inter personal Skills. – 1. Plan for effective project implementation. – 2. Plan, budget, organize, direct, control. – 3. Staff management & technical development. – 4. Continuous improvement. – 1. Work with others & communicate. – 2. Presentation and discussion. – 3. Team building and negotiation. How to Pass PReview-2011 33

Criteria : 5 main areas • E. Professional Conduct. – 1. Code and Rules of Conduct. – 2. Safe Systems of Work. – 3. Codes of Risk and Environment. – 4. Continuing professional development. How to Pass PReview-2011 34

Conditions for Recommendation for Passing. • • Total score ≥ 33 Block Mean Score in Any Block ≥ 1. 5 Not more than one Zero across the whole form. Panel Recommendation: – 1. Satisfied the requirements…. – 2. Failed to satisfy…. – 3. Marginally failed to satisfy… – 4. The panel could not reach an agreement…. How to Pass PReview-2011 35

Professional Review for CEng(UK) How to Pass PReview-2011 36

Professional Review for CEng(UK) How to Pass PReview-2011 37

Website : http: //www. peb. gov. sg/peb/html/index. html The Professional Engineers Board Singapore (PEB) is a statutory board in the Ministry of National Development. PEB was established since 1971 under the Professional Engineers Act. How to Pass PReview-2011 38

PR Exam in Engineering in Singapore – Professional Engineers Act • Approved Qualification, e. g. BEng awarded by National University of Singapore (NUS) or Nanyang Technological University (NTU). • Experience : not less than four years of practical experience in such professional work and at such level of responsibility as to be sufficiently competent for registration as a professional engineer. How to Pass PReview-2011 39

PR Exam in Engineering in Singapore – Professional Engineers Act • Sat and passed the following examinations: – Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE Exam), – Practice of Professional Engineering Examination (PE Exam). • FE Exam – Part 1 – 3 hours (9 am – 12 noon); 40 MCQs – Part 2 – 3 hours (2 pm – 5 pm); Answer 5 out of 9 questions (Civil)’ Answer 5 out of 7 questions (Electrical, Mechanical) How to Pass PReview-2011 40

PR Exam in Engineering in Singapore – Professional Engineers Act • PE Exam : – Summary of Postgraduate Professional Experience – Report on Postgraduate Engineering Experience : 2, 000 – 4, 000 words; in detail his involvement in not more than four projects in the branch of engineering that he is seeking registration. See ‘Check List for PI in Appendix A’. [website: www. peb. gov. sg ] – Professional Interview (PI) How to Pass PReview-2011 41

Pathways to become Professional Engineer in Singapore Approved Qualifications, e. g. BEng from NUS/NTU PEB – PE Exam PEB – FE Exam . Report on Postgraduate Engineering Experience . Summary of Postgraduate Professional Experience . Professional Interview (PI) Experience Professional Engineer (PE) How to Pass PReview-2011 42

Professional Interview for Registration as Professional Engineer - Singapore • Requirements: – 1. Appropriate qualifications – Section 15(1); – 2. Appropriate experience – Section 15(2)(a); – 3. Sat and passed prescribed examinations – Section 15(2)(b); – 4. Good character and reputation – Section 15(4)(a); and – 5. Able to carry out the duties of a professional engineer effectively – Section 15(4)(b). How to Pass PReview-2011 43

Professional Interview for Registration as Professional Engineer - Singapore • The Purpose of PI is to determine the following: – 1. The duration and adequacy of practical experience; – 2. The type, quality and relevance of practical engineering experience; – 3. The character and reputation; and – 4. The ability to carry out the duties of a professional engineer effectively. How to Pass PReview-2011 44

Professional Interview for Registration as Professional Engineer - Singapore • The PI process comprises three components: – 1. review the Summary of Postgraduate Professional Experience; – 2. assessment of the Report on Postgraduate Engineering Experience; and – 3. attending the interview. How to Pass PReview-2011 45

Professional Interview for Registration as Professional Engineer - Singapore • The Professional Interview (PI): – Applicant : 10 – minute presentation of one or more of his projects highlighted in his report. – About 45 minutes : to discuss with the panel on his involvement in achieving the various competent elements as presented in his report; to answer questions on other aspects relating to his application and professional practice such as summary of postgraduate experience. – Further information or clarification. How to Pass PReview-2011 46

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Some Good Books to read. . • ICE, UK: – The Routes to Corporate Membership. – Rules for the Professional Examination. – How to Pass the Professional Examination by R. L. Armstrong. – Preparing for the Professional Examination of the Institution of Civil Engineers. • Books on Engineering Ethics, e. g. Engineering Ethics by Charles B. Fleddermann. How to Pass PReview-2011 50

ICE - UK How to Pass PReview-2011 51

Engineering Ethics How to Pass PReview-2011 52

Ability will enable a man to get to the top but character is the only thing that keeps him from falling off. …. Anonymous How to Pass PReview-2011 53

Questions & Answers Thank You 自强不息, 力求上进 How to Pass PReview-2011 54