For the past couple of days since I got the NCEES notification, first thing I do everyday when I wake up is to check the License Lookup.
“Acceptable?”
I was obsessed. NCEES indicated that my test results were “acceptable”… WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??
- Was what I turned in “acceptable” to the reviewers?
- Did NCEES graded the exam and found it “acceptable” for the state boards to start reviewing them?
- Does it mean that I passed the exam and can now call myself a SE?
I had no clue. According to the NCEES website (thanks to my buddy Justin who also took the exam at the same time):
Candidates who do not attain an acceptable result on a component will receive diagnostic reports for the morning and afternoon sections of that component. These diagnostic reports will indicate subject areas of relative strength and weakness.
So I figured, since you get diagnostic reports if you don't attain an acceptable result, “acceptable” must mean that you passed right?
I was 90% sure but I couldn't celebrate. I didn't want to jinx it. I didn't want to announce it to the world unless it's for sure.
I tweeted NCEES and CA Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Geologists asking what “acceptable” means… no response (I had a Tweeter account but never used it until now).
Justin called up the Board… no answer, only an automatic voice mail.
I searched forums and posted questions. Still not 100% sure.
I was desperate, kept refreshing the License Lookup page hoping the “Last Updated” date would change (even though I was pretty sure they only update it once a day sometimes around mid-night).
The Result
And finally, after 3 days of torture, my name with a “S” showed up on the license lookup this morning!!
I passed! I can now add S.E. to my name.
I couldn't have done it without all of my professors, bosses, and co-workers who taught how to do “good engineering” (especially my buddy Dean with all of the study materials and exam tips). Also couldn't have done it without all of my friends & family's support. And definitely couldn't have done it without my loving wife, Razan, who worked so hard to make sure everything was in order so that I could study in peace.
(Normally I don't really show my lovey-dovey side, but Razan, if you are reading this, I LOVE YOU and THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!)
This is one of my greatest achievements and I am truly grateful for everyone around me. And more importantly, I am now even more confident than ever that I have the ability to help others and I will do so as much as I possibly can!
Timeline
I just wanted to post the dates and duration of all of the events because maybe somebody, someday, will find this helpful.
- Started studying – 8/19
- Took the exam – 10/25 & 10/26 (67 days of studying)
- NCEES sent out email and I found out the results are “acceptable” – 12/17 (52 days after the exam)
- CA Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Geologists updated the database – 12/20 (3 days after NCEES released the results)
Thank You
Thank you so much for reading and I hope this post is useful to you in some way.
(I also want to thank NCEES and CA Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Geologists for working hard to release the results just in time for Christmas celebration!)
Let me know in the comments what you think! Cheers!