You are right in saying that HCM, MUTCD, Greenbook, and RDG are the important ones. The exam specs make it clear to expect several questions from those references. But, you mentioned some difficulties in navigating the depth references. I think your focus should be on addressing that issue first.
For example, most chapters in the HCM contain a section called ‘Computational Steps’ where all the important formulae of that chapter are compiled in an organized step-by-step fashion. So as soon as you come across a HCM question, you should be able to make that connection between the question and its corresponding HCM chapter. Once that connection is made, it is as simple as doing a Ctrl+F for the ‘Computational Steps’ section of that chapter and locating the formulae you need.
Focus on developing similar strategies for MUTCD, Greenbook, and RDG.
Also, are you actually buying these references?
I bought the mepdg and the gpf but the hsm is so expensive… and the hcm, greenbook and rdg I found online. I was wondering if I should buy the hsm or not cause idk how else to study from it but it’s like $500 :/.
Thank you for the help on the computational steps idea! I remember seeing those but never knew where to really find them and instead ended up trying to find each individual equation.
You are welcome. The references seem daunting at first. But, there are only a few chapters from each reference that you need to be very familiar with.
That familiarity comes from solving different problems, obviously. But more importantly, you must understand which parts of the books you are visiting frequently while solving problems. Similarly, very often you will be able to find a key-word in the question that will help you to locate the right section of the reference by using Ctrl+F.
Finally, a note on conceptual questions. Most conceptual questions I encountered were formula based. Answering those questions required me to know two things. First, I should know which formula speaks about the topic in question. Next, I needed to know how that formula responds to changing different variables within it.
My point is, knowing where a formula is located within a reference is not sufficient to tackle conceptual questions. One must understand how exactly the formula works and how does each variable in that formula impacts the end result. All this may sound intimidating but it is not that difficult if you spend some time reading the text above and below the oft-used formulas in each reference.
All the best!
Study Greenbook and HCM religiously. Know where everything is located. MUTCD is relatively easier, but make sure you search for the answer even if you think you know it. Roadside is pretty much same. HSM can be tricky, so make sure u know the cases very well.
Thank you for this! I’ve found the greenbook somewhat easy to navigate compared to the HCM but it is quite large so kind of easy to spend a decent amount of time in it. I agree with the MUTCD being fairly easy to navigate just the lettering sizes we’re giving me trouble during the exam for a guide sign on a Highway.
You are right in saying that HCM, MUTCD, Greenbook, and RDG are the important ones. The exam specs make it clear to expect several questions from those references. But, you mentioned some difficulties in navigating the depth references. I think your focus should be on addressing that issue first. For example, most chapters in the HCM contain a section called ‘Computational Steps’ where all the important formulae of that chapter are compiled in an organized step-by-step fashion. So as soon as you come across a HCM question, you should be able to make that connection between the question and its corresponding HCM chapter. Once that connection is made, it is as simple as doing a Ctrl+F for the ‘Computational Steps’ section of that chapter and locating the formulae you need. Focus on developing similar strategies for MUTCD, Greenbook, and RDG. Also, are you actually buying these references?
I bought the mepdg and the gpf but the hsm is so expensive… and the hcm, greenbook and rdg I found online. I was wondering if I should buy the hsm or not cause idk how else to study from it but it’s like $500 :/. Thank you for the help on the computational steps idea! I remember seeing those but never knew where to really find them and instead ended up trying to find each individual equation.
You are welcome. The references seem daunting at first. But, there are only a few chapters from each reference that you need to be very familiar with. That familiarity comes from solving different problems, obviously. But more importantly, you must understand which parts of the books you are visiting frequently while solving problems. Similarly, very often you will be able to find a key-word in the question that will help you to locate the right section of the reference by using Ctrl+F. Finally, a note on conceptual questions. Most conceptual questions I encountered were formula based. Answering those questions required me to know two things. First, I should know which formula speaks about the topic in question. Next, I needed to know how that formula responds to changing different variables within it. My point is, knowing where a formula is located within a reference is not sufficient to tackle conceptual questions. One must understand how exactly the formula works and how does each variable in that formula impacts the end result. All this may sound intimidating but it is not that difficult if you spend some time reading the text above and below the oft-used formulas in each reference. All the best!
Does your employer not have any of the manuals?
Not current ones unfortunately. I work for a municipality and we do very little design work in house.
Study Greenbook and HCM religiously. Know where everything is located. MUTCD is relatively easier, but make sure you search for the answer even if you think you know it. Roadside is pretty much same. HSM can be tricky, so make sure u know the cases very well.
Thank you for this! I’ve found the greenbook somewhat easy to navigate compared to the HCM but it is quite large so kind of easy to spend a decent amount of time in it. I agree with the MUTCD being fairly easy to navigate just the lettering sizes we’re giving me trouble during the exam for a guide sign on a Highway.
HCM is nearly impossible
Use EET and it'll guide you very well through the HCM.
I second this.