[Bldg-sim] ASHRAE: Building Energy Modeling Professional Certification

James Hess JHess at tmecorp.com
Wed Sep 8 20:03:21 PDT 2010


I agree, that was a tough exam, especially for somebody 10+ years out of school  :) , and especially when no reference material is allowed (unlike PE exam).

I did pass on first attempt, but here are some thoughts I had on the exam.

I thought the questions were fine. The test had good questions, and definitely tested our ability to understand very pertinent issues regarding building energy modeling.

And, now for my gripe :)

What made the test the toughest was how many questions had to be answered in the 2.5 hour period.  I felt very hurried on that exam and therefore quite frustrated when I finished.  I think it was like 115 questions in 2.5 hours.  That's not even 1.5 minutes per question, only 1.3

I answered the vast majority of what I attempted correctly, but did not have time to finish all of the questions.  

My recommendation would be to extend the total test time to 3 hours from 2.5 hours, giving slightly more than 1.5 minutes per question.

Delaying us getting to happy hour on a Friday by one half hour won't hurt anybody and give future testers a bit more breathing room to finish all of the questions.

Regards,  :)

JAH

James A. Hess, PE, CEM, BEMP
Energy Engineer
TME, Inc.
Little Rock, AR

-----Original Message-----
From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Haberl
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 10:11 PM
To: Otto Schwieterman; bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Cc: Abrams, Joyce
Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] ASHRAE: Building Energy Modeling Professional Certification

Hello:

I can't speak to the LEED NC exam, but I can say that anyone who takes and passes the ASHRAE BEM Certificate really has to know something about building energy modeling, and probably much more. The ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling (BEM) exam was developed by ASHRAE in cooperation with IBPSA USA. IBPSA USA and ASHRAE have also developed a BEM workshop to assist in reviewing for the BEM exam, which I'd highly recommend as well. Dates for these workshops can be found on the ASHRAE web page, as well as the IBPSA USA web page, and other places.

As someone who has taken and passed the exam, I can say that it was one of the hardest exams I've taken in a long time. It really tested my knowledge of building energy simulation and, with so many questions, and so short a time, it really tested my ability to sit through such an rigorous ordeal, and answer questions one after another, in rapid fire. I was humbled by the experience, and I've taught simulation since the early 1980s.

Finally, it is my biased opinion that the building energy performance industry will soon begin to see the value in having "ASHRAE BEM Certified" simulators. Hence, I would strongly recommend giving this some serious consideration as a career enhancing opportunity.

Jeff

PS: I'd also consider taking the ASHRAE BEM workshop...a good warm up for the exam.

8=!  8=)  :=)  8=)  ;=)  8=)  8=(  8=)  8=()  8=)  8=|  8=)  :=')  8=)8=?

Jeff S. Haberl, Ph.D.,P.E., FASHRAE..............jhaberl at tamu.edu

Professor............................................................Office Ph: 979-845-6507

Department of Architecture.............................Lab Ph:979-845-6065

Energy Systems Laboratory.............................FAX: 979-862-2457

Texas A&M University.....................................77843-3581

College Station, Texas, USA, 77843..................URL:www.esl.tamu.edu

8=/  8=)  :=)  8=)  ;=)  8=)  8=()  8=)  :=)  8=)  8=!  8=)  8=? 8=)8=0

________________________________
From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Otto Schwieterman [oschwieterman at fhai.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 2:09 PM
To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: [Bldg-sim] ASHRAE: Building Energy Modeling Professional Certification

Does anyone have opinions on the ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional  Certification? I am looking into applying and was wondering if anyone has any advice/tips or if they can compare it to the LEED NC examination.

Thanks,

Otto



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