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Pre-Engineering/Engineering Technology

Entry Level Assessment Blueprint

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:

Safety

• Exhibit knowledge of appropriate personal safety procedures
• Describe the role of OSHA in the technical workplace
• Describe the use of standard safety equipment
• Select the appropriate safety equipment

Design Process/Problem Solving

• Identify principles of the problem solving process
• Outline the steps in the design process
• Translate word problems into mathematical statements
• Describe the importance of team participation in the design process
• Analyze solutions, identifying strengths and weaknesses
• Develop details of a solution
• Develop, test, and redesign prototypes

Manufacturing

• Identify common manufacturing operations (e.g., casting, molding, welding, finishing)
• Select appropriate hand tools for specific applications
• Select appropriate fasteners for specific applications
• Estimate and measure the size of objects using SI and US customary units
• Select appropriate measuring tools for specific applications
• Explain the role of quality control in manufacturing (e.g., tolerancing, datums, dimensioning)
• Distinguish between automated manufacturing control systems (e.g., PLCs, robotics, AGVs)

Assembly and Fabrication

• Explain the role of quality control in assembly and fabrication
• Differentiate between insourcing and outsourcing
• Identify the order and methodology of the assembly process

Materials

• Identify common materials
• Compare and contrast physical properties of materials
• Select correct materials for specific functions

Engineering Systems

• Solve problems using vectoring (i.e., predict resultant forces)
• Identify common forces that act on materials (e.g., torsion, shear, compression)
• Demonstrate the effect of electrical components within an electrical system
• Apply Ohm’s Law, Watt’s Law, and Kirchoff’s Law
• Identify series, parallel, and combination circuits
• Apply knowledge of AC and DC systems
• Demonstrate the effect of resistance in a fluid system
• Apply knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems
• Identify heat transfer methods
• Convert engineering measurements between different unit systems
• Compare/contrast conductors and insulators
• Solve thermal problems using appropriate units
• Determine appropriate uses of digital and analog systems

Communication and Teamwork

• Read and understand design documentation and technical manuals
• Write technical reports
• Deliver an oral presentation
• Express data in tables, graphs, and charts

Written Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours
Number of Questions: 175

Areas Covered:

7% Safety

18% Design Process/Problem Solving

15% Manufacturing

5% Assembly and Fabrication

7% Materials

36% Engineering Systems

12% Communication and Teamwork

Sample Questions:

Immediately report the malfunction of any piece of equipment to
A. other employees
B. a safety engineer
C. the supervisor
D. OSHA

One creative method of increasing the number of engineering design alternatives is
A. computer-aided design
B. computer-aided manufacturing
C. brainstorming
D. optimizing

Consensus is
A. agreeing on a proposed solution
B. disagreeing on a proposed solution
C. participating in the census
D. reviewing the proposed solution

The technician should use a _____ to cut a keyway in a shaft.
A. milling machine
B. lathe
C. surface grinder
D. jig grinder

The acronym, OEM, refers to
A. Only Electrical Manufacturers
B. Original Equipment Manufacturer
C. Operations Efficiency Monitoring
D. Open Equipment Manufacturing

Performance Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Number of Jobs: 2

Areas Covered:

60% Technical Writing
Participant will identify a problem or need, evaluate alternatives, design a solution, test the solution, analyze the results, draw conclusions and format the report correctly.

40% Oral Presentation
Participant will give a presentation within the alloted time. Presentation will include; correct number of slides following the technical report, a slide with a chart or table, a question and answer period, and good overall presentation style.

Sample Job: Oral Presentation
Maximum Time: 1 hour
Participant Activity: The participant will prepare and present a 5-minute oral presentation on the previously prepared technical report.