Do those testing for jobs as an engineer get to use calculators? The reason I ask is that I took a test for the DOT as an electrician and at the testing facility, everyone that was testing for just about everthing else, got to use a calculator. Being an electrician, I am quite used to this treatment, but it made me stop and think. You wouldn't want your banker working #'s without a calculator, nor just about any other profession, and in that regard I wouldn't want an electrician figuring out loads without one either. It seems that when testing, they are singled out to raise the bar and be smarter than anyone else. My question is, in this day and age why would they not be allowed to use a calculator when everyone else is allowed? Wouldn't you want to know if they could in a real world situation, come up with right answers in a proof positive way, or would you rather they just wing it ?
2007-03-14 23:42:10 · 10 answers · asked by lilredtop 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
In general, engineers are allowed to bring non-programmable, non-transmittable calculators to tests and exams.
In a few exams I even have had, the professor would allow anything, you could even bring in a laptop if you thought it would help.
Engineering isn't about testing a person's arithmetic or memory skills, it's about testing a person's ability to use information available to solve problems. This is why most tests & exams allow open books and calculators. This also reflects how our problem solving will be in the real world.
2007-03-15 02:48:53 · answer #1 · answered by Joe the Engineer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I got to use a calculator when I took the PE test. I also used an calculator in college when I was doing undergrad EE work.
So I am sure Engineers use calculators for just about every thing. But many problems require math skills that are beyond the calculator.
2007-03-15 09:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may depend on the test and the calculator. Some very sophisticated calculators can store info that would give an applicant an unfair advantage. Tests can be designed to determine depth of knowledge without the need for complex calculations (that anyone could do on a calculator). What is the tester trying to determine?
2007-03-15 07:45:19 · answer #3 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For both the EIT (engineer in training) and the PE (professional engineer) exams you are allows a calculator. However, the calculator has to be one on the approved list of calculator. This eliminates many programmable calculators that would give an unfair advantage.
2007-03-15 22:13:53 · answer #4 · answered by John K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes we can. I've used calculators for employment tests. I also used a standard scientific calculator when I took my FE Exam. Usually the calculators that you are NOT allowed to use are programmable calcs....something like the TI-89.
2007-03-15 08:22:32 · answer #5 · answered by id84030 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They use calculators and computers but they want to make sure you understand what you are doing.
2007-03-15 06:50:55 · answer #6 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes(iry)
2007-03-15 20:43:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-03-15 11:45:09 · answer #8 · answered by macgyver 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah we use calculators..
2007-03-15 06:58:53 · answer #9 · answered by les miserables 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah dude they do
2007-03-15 06:46:46 · answer #10 · answered by sayanesh_2006 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋