2010 California State PLS Exam Results

pls7809 · Post by **pls7809** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:09 am

Ric,

Another burning question:
There used to be a page on the BPELS website that had the exam statistics (% passed, passing score, number that sat for the exam, etc.) and I can’t seem to find it. Is that information available? They used to have all of that info from the previous exams as well, but I also can't find that.

Thanks.

Ric7308 · Post by **Ric7308** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:00 am

The Board's results are exported to a separate system maintained by DCA for all Boards and Bureaus under their administration. That system is the one that assigns the actual license numbers.

Statistics for all of April's exams were provided late yesterday afternoon for update and if not available now, should be available by tonight.

PLS8746 · Post by **PLS8746** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:44 pm

I still have not received my letter in the mail and presume the mail man lost it.
I found out in an e-mail from Greg Sebourn when he sent it to congratulate me.
Congratulations to all that passed and to the not so lucky ones, don't give up.

I would like to send a huge thank you to Diane Wells for coordinating the best and most comprehensive LS review course by the LA Chapter of CLSA.
She knows the cream of the crop instructors and they delivered. I highly recommend this review course to all in need.

Thank you to my family, friends, colleagues, mentors and teachers for your encouragement, insight and confidence in my ability to excel - especially helping me stay focused.

Teri Kahlen, PLS 8746

PLS8746 · Post by **PLS8746** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:39 pm

Stats are out:

2010 State-Specific PLS
Tested 367
Passed 85
Pass % 23.16%
Failed 282
Fail % 76.84%
Cutscore 206
Possible 400

Rob_LS · Post by **Rob_LS** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:23 pm

...was indeed a crowd this year - 22 of the 76 (29%) were already Civil Engineers... Obviously they know how to study, and how to take exams. Congratulations to all you "Double Threats" I hope to be one myself someday, but I will be going over to the Dark Side...

Rob McMillan, PLS, EIT
(by order of when I got it...)

Rob_LS · Post by **Rob_LS** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:26 pm

pls7809 wrote:Ric, The burning question I have is, how do they give out the numbers? Is it based on anything, like order of receipt of application, for example? Or is it random based on the stack of exams once they are finished being graded?

The numbers are assigned by height...

klgerman · Post by **klgerman** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:05 pm

I still haven't received my letter either. Only evidence of passing I have is my name on the roster. A friend of mine, also from Nevada, who passed 2 years ago says he didn't receive any notice until his certificate showed up in the mail. I'm wondering if it works differently because we're from out of state?

pls7809 · Post by **pls7809** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:07 pm

They're trying to keep the "out of staters" out by giving out as little information as possible. LOL

Congrats.

E_Page · Post by **E_Page** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:23 pm

Since there is no budget, out of state postage is not authorized. Gas for a state vehicle, however is, as long as it's within CA. If you drive to Stateline, a representative of BPELS will drive up Hwy 50, and meet you at the centerline of Stateline Ave to hand you your letter.

Dave Lindell · Post by **Dave Lindell** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:44 pm

Wouldn't that be alphabetically by height?

Rob_LS · Post by **Rob_LS** » Sat Jul 24, 2010 6:26 am

JONES ROBERT MICHAEL - <aybe some day he'll be the BPELS Executive Officer
FULDE DOUGLAS KEVIN - Better not forget the definition of Land Surveying
REILLY TIMOTHY JOHN - Better understand written contract requirements
MCCABE THOMAS JOSEPH - Better not forget the requirements for filing a Record of Survey
AMOROSO GREGORY MICHAEL - Better protect and perpetuate monuments
VAN PESKI GLEN KAREL - Better not forget to renew his Land Surveyor license

Look them up and compare to the PLS Act - re-educate yourselves...

klgerman · Post by **klgerman** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:01 am

@Ryan, If it earns me any credit, i'm a native Californian from the Central Valley (Manteca) and only fled over the border to Nevada 5 years ago. Got my CA stamp so I can consider coming back home without taking a step backwards professionally. So hopefully that earns me some partial credit with the "Keep the out-of-staters out" crowd. :)

@Evan, Sounds like a perfectly illogical idea. Thus well within the realm of something government would do. Just tell them to leave my certificate in the monument well, i'll be by shortly to pick it up!

@Rob, by height would have been nice. At 6'7" I would have probably gotten the first number...hmmm, or would that be the last number?

pls7809 · Post by **pls7809** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:04 am

Once a Kalifornian, always a Kalifornian, except if you move to Oregon :)

Again. Congrats on passing...it's all in fun.

LS_8750 · Post by **LS_8750** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:14 am

I attended the Pacific Land Seminars four day comprehensive review course this last April put on by Tony Cuomo, PLS. Thought it was fantastic and felt thoroughly prepared upon sitting for the exam. Passed the first time, highly recommend it. Without it I would not have had any idea of what to study.

And yes, I am a PE and possess the mad scientist study ethic that the engineers learned through college. But still, that test was no joke, it seemed the goal was to fail you, to test your nerves under pressure moreso than to test your knowledge of land surveying. I'm glad I don't have to do that again! And it couldn't have come at a better time, baby on the way and all.

Cheers to all and good luck!

Clark E. Stoner, PE, PLS (in order)

mpniewski · Post by **mpniewski** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:14 am

I didn't take any prep courses, but I do have a 4-year degree in both Land Surveying and in Engineering. Passed first time.

I have to admit, I have taken my fair share of exams. But the California PLS exam was probably the most challenging, but one of the most fair I have experienced. It definitely tested your ability to think critically under pressure in a limited time, but there was nothing on the test that I would consider out of bounds or unreasonable. All basic knowledge of surveying principles and law. But I can say that I am proud to be one of the few switch hitters.

Mike Pniewski, PE, PLS (#8738) (also in order)

JasonCamit · Post by **JasonCamit** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:26 am

So when you say California PE, are you refering to the Seismic portion? I saw the correction nevermind

LS_8750 · Post by **LS_8750** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:30 am

I agree with you entirely Mike. The CA specific LS reminded me of the Ca specific PE seismic portion. Doable, fair, but not enough time to really get through it and answer everything with confidence. I left at least 20% of the LS test blank because I ran out of time.

Cheers!
Clark Stoner, PE, PLS

mpniewski · Post by **mpniewski** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:59 am

LS_8750 wrote:I agree with you entirely Mike. The CA specific LS reminded me of the Ca specific PE seismic portion. Doable, fair, but not enough time to really get through it and answer everything with confidence. I left at least 20% of the LS test blank because I ran out of time.

Cheers!
Clark Stoner, PE, PLS

I finished it with about 5 minutes to spare. No time to go back and check anything. But that was probably a good thing. Definitely helped that I knew my resources cold and could look up things rather quickly both with index tabs and then knowing where the one particulat thing I was looking for was within the section. More than anything, that is the one skill that has helped me the most in passing both the CA Specific PE exams and the California PLS.

boydston · Post by **boydston** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 1:55 pm

I just got my account here activated, so I am joining this discussion a little late. I took the LS exam for the first time in april and got my results like everyone else.... passed the national!! got 200 on the state and of course needed 206. I'm appealing the test and am looking for any advice, I noticed that in Sacremento last year a class was offered for help in preparing your appeal. I took the LS review classes at the Riv. flood control, and am hoping they might offer something.

Thanks,
Scott Boydston

pls7809 · Post by **pls7809** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 1:58 pm

Scott,

Search on this site. Someone posted last fall about the appeals process and it appeared to be a very thorough post. As of now, the Riverside chapter has no plans to offer such a class, since I don't know if anyone has the experience of going through the appeal.

Ryan.

Rob_LS · Post by **Rob_LS** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:02 am

Sacramento Chapter will again hold an LS Appeal and Exam Strategy seminar - Aug 6th, 2010. 6:00pm - 8:30pm. At Round Table Pizza - 3005 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento, CA. This is an opportunity to learn about the appeal process, and if worst comes to worst, prepare for the April 2011 exam. This is a FREE event, and the Chapter will provide pizza and soft drinks. Let us know you will attend via e-mail: Rob_LS@comcast.net

If you are traveling to attend, consider attending the Northern Counties CLSA picnic on Saturday. See the July Focal Point for picnic details.
http://sac-surveyors.org/focalpoint

Scott Hurtt · Post by **Scott Hurtt** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:34 am

( Finally got my login straightened out whew!)

To all the instructors my most sincere thanks for the time volunteered to help get us ready for this years exam. Also, thanks to the CLSA/NALS conference/review in Reno this year. I truly believe I would not have succeeded this year without your invaluable preparations and enthusiasm Vance. Special thanks to Mike Hart for the Public Lands portion. Mr.(s) Pallamary, Kruger and Thomas for the Boundary section - great job!

This has been quite literally a dream come true for me personally. Started surveying in Virginia over 30 years ago. Was told the most difficult place to get an LS was in California. I was just a buck chainman then so what did I care. But those comments stuck with me and so did the profession. Now I have achieved my dream and it all seems a bit surreal right now.

Years of preparation and attitude adjustment were essential, but it was the wisdom of you guys that got me over the top. Keep up the excellent work guys and take a bow.

Scott Hurtt, PLS

BoundaryMan · Post by **BoundaryMan** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 2:58 pm

Is the Appeal Session Mr. Pallamary still on tomorrow, same place & time? I plan to attend.

Stephen Johnson · Post by **Stephen Johnson** » Thu Sep 16, 2010 12:14 pm

"jcoffey;
Kevin -

I just received a single page letter, serving as temporary evidence that I am a PLS. From my experience with other PEs and LSs recently who both passed and didn't pass, I expect that the BPELS license lookup database will be updated by the end of this week (not yet), giving me a glipse at my license number. Then the certificate will arrive in about 4-6 weeks (and it says that on the letter).

The envelope contains a single page white letter whether you passed or didn't so, sorry, the envelope is not going to help you - you're just going to have to tough it out and open it!

John Coffey, PE, PLS
San Diego, CA"

That is much faster than it used to be. I got my registration by comity & test in March 1990, received official notification in June 1990 and got my wall certificate in March 1991. They were slower than molasses in January on the Klondike.

SJ

subman · Post by **subman** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 8:58 am

More good news! I advised one of my guys to file an appeal and attend the workshop. He did and just received news that he passed. He is now PLS 8810, another PLS/PE. That makes five of us within Land Development Division at Los Angeles County Public Works.

California Surveyors Forums

2010 California State PLS Exam Results

The dual license crowd...

DON'T LET RIC FOOL YOU!

Rob LS

This year and the end of last year had really good #s

LS Appeal Strategy Seminar

Thanks San Diego Chapter!

Justin Pallamary, PLS