FS exam preparation

[Christopher.hermiz]

I just completed my certification for Land Surveying and I am ready to start studying for the Fundamentals of Surveying Exam (the FS) and would like to know what website most people use to study for the test. I am looking at the NCL PREP website, but are there other websites that others could recommend? Money is not an issue, I will be willing to pay so I would be able to pass.

[CBarrett]

Pick up a Van Sickle book, and work through all the 1000 or so problems. Then do it one more time.

Once you get through that, passing is almost guaranteed.

[CBarrett]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... jDvoK_lswR

[surveyor3]

Hey Chris, congrats on the certificate. I take the FS exam in July. I tried NLC test prep but didn't like it. Instead, I'm using the School of PE. https://www.schoolofpe.com/fs/
I've tried a few, and this is the one I've liked the best so far. I'm also using the following study guides/practice exams, which have been helpful and relevant.
https://account.ncees.org/exam-prep/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15912 ... UTF8&psc=1
The NCS FS practice exam even though I didn't think their FS prep course was very good

Some reviews for the Van Sickle book say they took the FS exam and that the book wasn't applicable (very few FS test problems found in the book). So this is why I didn't get this one.
I hope this is helpful. Best of luck.

[CBarrett]

Surveyor3, have you taken the FS test before?

[surveyor3]

Not yet. July. I went ahead and purchased a Van Sickle book, as you mentioned. Working through the problems.

[CBarrett]

This is the methodology, work the van Sickle book, then work through it again, if you are hitting 95% or more correct answers, you will pass the FS or the PS.
Key is to understand how to work the problems, obviously the questions are not going to be identical.

[David Kendall]

I spent more time programming the HP-33 calculator than I did studying for the FS. Maybe if I had it to do over again I’d buy the pre-programmed calculator for cogo on the test.

The takeaway was that once I understand the programs and the formulas then I’ll pretty much always be able to inverse and calculate angles, distances and coordinates on a regular calculator without programming. Speed is the goal and to be comfortable with using the programs on the FS exam.

I found the FS challenging at the time. My opinion of the PS is pretty low, if you’re struggling with that exam then you might want to earn some additional experience.

The secret to success for any test is to identify the content and to be over prepared and confident.

NCEES will tell you what their content is. Use their study guides first so that you know exactly what to study then expand on that outline.

Jan VanSickle is a fantastic teacher! There are many others as well.

Use your time wisely and apply your resources specifically towards the test content. Try not to practice Practical problem solving while preparing for the Fundamental exam. It’s certainly not a waste of time but maybe not the best way to apply your limited resources (brain space and time are likely the most precious). If I remember correctly you don’t really need a calculator for the PS test, or maybe they have one for you to use that is sufficient.

Good luck, enjoy the ride and believe in yourself. I don’t know either of you (although I had an encouraging and meaningful phone conversation with surveyor3 a few months ago) but I know that many people with less skills and experience than you have passed these exams and earned California Land Surveyors licenses

[CBarrett]

Use your time wisely and apply your resources specifically towards the test content. Try not to practice Practical problem solving while preparing for the Fundamental exam. It’s certainly not a waste of time but maybe not the best way to apply your limited resources (brain space and time are likely the most precious). If I remember correctly you don’t really need a calculator for the PS test, or maybe they have one for you to use that is sufficient.

PS test doesn't have a whole lot of math but for speed sake it is good to have HP 35. I tend to kay all my calcs in the calculator, even 2+3 because I have a mild tendency to flipflop numbers, so doing this is a safeguard.
You have to bring your own testing center approved calculator. HP35 fits the bill.

Never needed the programs for PS or state LS (although I did have the Minnesota DOT programs I keyed in.) I didn't get a preprogrammed one, because of the cost, and I already have an HP48 with programs for everyday use.

I took my LSIT on 1988 or maybe 1989, so a lot has changed since then. I hear that FS is still much more intense in calcs and technical detail than PS.

PS and California state are fairly different in the nature of questions. California state makes you actually apply the knowledge correctly with a number of very common red herring answers, so you have to know you material well, and know how to apply it well - when it comes to legal parts of the test plan. PS tests it in simpler and more general ways.

Get in a study group, there are several online. One of the great benefits is that there are people in those who took the tests very recently and already know the drill, and can REALLY help you focus on the important parts, not just about the material, but details of how the testing centers work, how they are proctored, time management, calculator choice and use etc etc...