Lots of the advice in regards to the mechanical pe exam revolves around focusing on the correct subjects to study, practice problems, and reference books (this website largely fits into this category). Today however, I want to focus on another area you should be paying attention to for your preparation. Your mind. Not how many facts you can memorize or differnent tricks you can use to remember how to solve questions, but how you feel and what you are thinking.
Your confidence and outlook about the exam will effect your performance as much as if not more than how much you know. You need to go into the exam “feeling” like you can pass it. I’m not talking about false self confidence or other positive self talk techniques. I’m talking about going into the test with a feeling of preparation and knowing you’re ready to pass the exam. You need to feel that although you’re not going to answer every question correctly (which is perfectly fine) you’re going to pass the exam.
Why is this important? Self sabotage is real. If you go into the exam hoping or wishing you’ll pass, thinking you’ll give it your best shot, you’ll come up short. Go into the exam confident you put in the necessary time. Approach the exam as just the next step in the process. Convince yourself it really is just a simple process. You sign up to take the exam, you prepare, you take the exam and you pass. Don’t inflate this exam to mystical proportions. All it is is a series of words and numbers and you choose answers and make your mark with that good ol’ #2 pencil. Once you understand that this exam isn’t a scary judgement on your worth as an engineer you’ll be able to pass it without any trouble.
Go into it with confidence that you will pass and it will become easy. There are many techniques laid out to help you build this confidence by putting in the necessary preparation, but after you have finished the preparation be confident that you put in the necessary work needed. Don’t second guess yourself and wonder what if I only do 10 more practice problems or what if I flip through my books one more time or what if I browse the forums for that one last nugget of advice. Do the work, be confident, and then relax. Don’t pass that first step though. You can’t go into the exam with confidence alone and expect to pass. You’re setting yourself up for a huge fall. What I’m telling you is that after you put in the necessary work, be confident that the preparation you did will lead you to passing the exam. Don’t second guess yourself and start self sabotaging.
That’s it for this post. Time to get back to your studies.
May 7, 2012 at 3:57 pm | Mechanical pe exam | No comment
