FEATURED TESTIMONIAL – “Especially Tailored for Computer-Based Testing”

by DTC Blog

“Been out of college for more than 18 years and getting back into the habit of studying for long hours, relearning subjects like Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, HVAC, remembering concepts, learning techniques to solve problems and more importantly juggling family commitments and work would have been an impossible task until I came across Dr. Tom’s Classroom (DTC) course.
While looking for online PE classes, I came across a few major ones which were more expensive and offering courses for shorter duration of time as compared to DTC. The DTC course which is spread across 20 weeks and accessible for a year, is well structured with videos on different topics, enough practice problems and short duration exams.
I am grateful to Dr. Tom and his team for coming up with such detailed course, especially tailored for computer-based testing, that helped me pass the PE-Mechanical (TFS) exam in April 2021. I highly recommend Dr. Toms Classroom course. Thanks for all you do at DTC.”
– Jinu George, PE, PGDBA, Nassau County Department of Health, New York

PE Exam Prep That Works
Test Drive Your Course for Only $50!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary

Discarded Plastics Get New Biodegradable Life

by DTC Blog

New research at the Ames Laboratory’s Institute for Cooperative Upcycling of Plastics (iCOUP) recently discovered a chemical process that transforms plastic trash into biodegradable detergents and surfactants. This new process will help make plastic use more sustainable. 

Researchers worked with plastics called “polyolefins,” which represent more than half of all discarded plastics, from food packaging to furniture. The process breaks down the carbon-carbon bonds to change the materials into compounds that can be used in many ways, including as detergents, emulsifiers, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

The best part of the process is that its end products are biodegradable, unlike the plastic trash it started with.  This discovery has the potential to increase plastics reuse and decrease impact on the environment – a win-win.  – Beth Sciaudone, Civil Water Resources & Environmental Instructor

PE Exam Prep That Works
Pay-As-You-Go and Start for Only $50!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary

Flexible to Fit Your Schedule and Budget

by DTC Blog

All DTC courses are designed to give you the maximum flexibility in working your PE Exam preparation into an already busy schedule. And we offer three flexible payment options to make becoming a PE as stress free and affordable as possible for you.

“I’m a father with two young children and a demanding job. I knew that finding a study resource was critical for me. I wasn’t going to be able to commit hours mid-day or on the weekend to studying. I found the Dr. Tom course after researching PE exam study aids. The initial testimonials grabbed my attention, and after watching your exam strategy videos I felt instantly confident that this was the right program for me. The structure and organization provided by the course and the frank commentary on what or what not to study, were critical in my success. I can’t comment on any other study programs out there, but I can say with complete certainty that the Dr. Tom program ensured my ability to pass the exam. I can’t thank them enough!”
– Aaron John Tippie, PE, Westwood Professional Services, Inc., San Antonio, Texas

PE Exam Prep That Works
Pay Up Front and Save $200!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary

Lobsters Inspire 3D Printing Design

by DTC Blog

One of the hottest topics in the last decade or so has been 3D printing. Almost every issue of ASME magazine has at least one article on 3D printing and several ad’s for equipment or software to create all sorts of shapes and sizes, from nano size objects like gears to an entire house.

A recent AMSE article describes how the structure of the shell of a lobster could take 3D printing in a direction that would make the 3D printed object considerably stronger. Apparently, the lobster’s shell is made up of hundreds of layers of very small fibers oriented in various directions. This sandwich type construction makes the lobster’s shell both strong and resilient.

The article discusses how 3D printed structural elements could be created, though it is unlikely that these elements would become mainstream any time soon. However, learning about the structure of the lobster’s shell was fascinating. As Jonathan Tran, the faculty member at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia doing this research said, “You get a lobster shell on your finger and you start to wonder, why it is so stiff? Can we mimic it?” The answer seems to be “yes.” I will certainly have a greater respect for these incredible creatures. – Dr Tom

PE Exam Prep That Works
Test Drive Your Course for Only $50!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary

FEATURED TESTIMONIAL – Exactly What I Needed

by DTC Blog

“I would like to thank you all who work to provide this review course. I took my PE exam for the second time and just learned that I passed! This course allowed me an in-depth review of the topics I didn’t master or was rusty on, a strategy that removed my test taking anxiety and, most importantly, a structure that fit well into my life. I am a very busy, but also organized, person and this course was exactly what I needed to focus on learning the material and eliminate figuring out what I had to learn.

The first time, I studied for 2-3 months, but felt behind the curve from the very beginning. I always did well in school, but I also always prepared and studied. Once I got to this exam and felt unprepared, the test anxiety kicked in and it didn’t go well. The next time, I went searching for another and found this course. From the beginning, I really liked it. I liked the structure, pace, in-depth review and resources provided.

I worked through the course and repeated any material I felt I wasn’t strong in. I also utilized the practice exams to help ease any test anxiety. When I showed up to take the test for a second time, I applied the DTC method and ended up with plenty of time to work the more challenging problems. The test was still challenging, but I did feel confident about the questions I could answer. The DTC method works. I appreciate the interest, time and dedication your team has spent on providing this course. I am very thankful to have successfully completed this step in my career and am ready to move onto the next!”
– Alexandra Carr, US Army Corps of Engineers, Grand Rivers, Kentucky 

PE Exam Prep That Works
Pay-As-You-Go and Start for Only $50!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary

COVID-19 Impact on Construction

by DTC Blog

Research from the University of Maryland shows the effects of COVID-19 related construction procurement and worker absenteeism. The author also raises interesting questions about the supply chain and preparation effects of future decisions related to resilience. For instance, will construction and engineering firms react more quickly to future indications of disruptions by pre-ordering and strategically planning for possible supply chain breakdowns? – Daniel Findley, DTC Civil Transportation Instructor

PE Exam Prep That Works
Pay Up Front and Save $200!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary

Civil Engineers – Now Is the Perfect Time To Begin Your 20-Week Review

by DTC Blog

If you’ll be taking the Civil PE Exam in October, now really is that perfect time to start your DTC 20-Week Review. Dr. Tom developed the 20-Week Review because he found, after many years of preparing engineers for the PE Exam, that 20 weeks is the optimal time frame for learning and retaining the knowledge and skills you need to pass the exam.

There are concepts you need to relearn, problem-solving skills you need to develop, reference materials you need to organize, and practice solving problems that needs to happen. All this takes time. Start too early and your familiarity with the material will fade over time. Start too late, and the information won’t sink in and you won’t get enough practice.

DTC’s targeted, structured review will help you focus your efforts and make the most of the ideal 20-week exam preparation window, all with the support of a team that is dedicated to your success. Let us help you triumph over the PE Exam.

“Dr. Tom’s 20-week course helped me learn everything I needed to pass the PE Exam on the first try. The best part about the 20-Week Review is that material is not crammed into a 3 or 4 week review like some other PE courses. You develop a weekly schedule of what you need to work on. With the 20-Week Review, you gradually rebuild and strengthen what you learned in college so you can take on the PE exam with confidence. I just wish I could shake Dr. Tom’s hand and tell him thank you for everything!”
– Michael Noll, PE, Delmar Systems in Houston, TX

PE Exam Prep That Works
Test Drive Your Course for Only $50!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary

A Hero and His Bridge

by DTC Blog

As my father served in the Army in WW II, I grew up learning a great deal about the war, especially about the technological advances that won the war for the Allies like long range bombers, radar, decoding machines, and a host of other things.  Until he was injured, my father served with General Patton, so the evolution of tanks during the war was always an important topic, especially the replacement of the Sherman tank with the Patton tank.
 
Knowing my interest in bridges, a colleague sent me a link to a fascinating video about a British engineer, Sir Donald Bailey, who developed a unique bridge that could support the British equivalent of the Patton tank, the Churchill tank. Surprisingly, I had never heard of the Churchill tank, nor of the “Bailey” bridge he designed. I could try to explain how the Bailey bridge was assembled and moved into place, however the video does a much better job. The video runs about 6 minutes, but I can guarantee that you will be captivated by this incredible story of a bridge and the engineer who was clearly one of the heroes of the war. – Dr. Tom

PE Exam Prep That Works
Pay-As-You-Go and Start for Only $50!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary

FEATURED TESTIMONIAL – “Absolutely Outstanding”

by DTC Blog

“When I searched the internet for PE review courses, I came across Dr. Tom’s sample video lessons and videos describing his approach for taking the PE exam. After viewing these videos, I quickly realized his course was for me, and I did not consider any other review courses after that. What impressed me most from these videos, was Dr. Tom’s sincerity and passion for helping engineers pass the PE exam. At the time, I also realized that Dr. Tom was a very good instructor, certainly better than many I had in college.
 
While taking the DTC review course (Mechanical MDM), I learned there was definitely a methodology for taking the PE exam. And Dr. Tom and his team know exactly what this methodology is. A person may know engineering well, but unless he/she is properly prepared on what to expect on the exam, how to use his/her time wisely, or understands exam strategy, their chances of success without a Dr. Tom’s course will be much less.

One of the reasons Dr. Tom’s courses are so successful is that Dr. Tom and his team have a good understanding of what problem types will appear on the exam. And this knowledge is put to use by having students focus their time and effort on problems having a high probability of appearing on the exam and not on ones which are unlikely to appear.
 
Dr. Tom’s lessons are very clear and concise. And solving the problems is a key part of preparing for the exam. Fortunately, the course does not throw a lot of theory at you and I actually enjoyed the course. Additionally, another important feature of the course was the numerous tips and suggestions on preparing for and taking the exam. This information was invaluable and I probably would not have passed the exam without it.
 
I graduated college in 1979, so as one can imagine, many of my technical skills were quite rusty. But Dr. Tom’s ability to convey the technical material in a clear and concise manner allowed me to get up to speed quickly. I PASSED the PE exam on the FIRST attempt (on March 26, 2021) and, as a result, I am truly grateful for Dr. Tom’s and his team’s dedication, hard work and support.
 
In summary, my Dr. Tom review course was ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. There is nothing I would change about it.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to everyone!”
 
– Lawrence J. DiPietro, Lawrence DiPietro LLC, Wakefield, MA

PE Exam Prep That Works
Pay Up Front and Save $200!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary

Clean Energy Equipment Avoiding the Landfill 

by DTC Blog

In the next five years, Ireland will decommission more than 11,000 tons of wind turbine blades. It’s a bit counterproductive for something that produces clean energy to end up in the landfill, but at 40 feet long each, the question was: for what else could they be used? Civil engineers at the University College Cork are exploring the possibility of using them for pedestrian bridges, but national labs and even corporations are looking at other options. – Shannon Warchol, DTC Civil Structural Instructor

PE Exam Prep That Works
Test Drive Your Course for Only $50!

Dr. Tom’s Classroom – Achieve the Extraordinary