Exam Preporation

SBE CertPreview

What will the exam be like? The SBE National Certification Committee offers sample test software for the SBE certification examinations. Learn more about SBE CertPreview.

SBE Suggested References

The National Certification Committee suggests a number of references for you to review in preparation for SBE certification examinations.

Taking the Test

  1. Multiple choice questions are used, even for problems requiring calculations. Only in a portion of the Senior Broadcast Engineer and Specialist exams are there essay-type questions.
  2. Candidates will NOT be allowed to use notes, old exams or other study materials. Standard reference texts and tables and calculators will be allowed, but not computers. Essay questions are closed book.
  3. Scratch paper may be used but must be re-sealed with the exam. Only blank paper may be taken from the examination room.
  4. The examinations are designed to be representative of the “real world” of broadcast engineering. Therefore, emphasis is placed on the ability to solve problems rather than on the memorization of answers.
  5. Each examination must be completed within three (3) hours.
  6. Each examination will be identified with the name of the candidate and will be handled in specially sealed envelopes.
  7. Each candidate will be required to sign a statement that he/she will not divulge the contents of any questions contained in his/her examination.
  8. Numerical scores will NOT be reported. Candidates will be notified ONLY of pass/fail results.

Suggested Engineering Reference Materials

The National Certification Committee suggests the following as references in preparation for the engineering SBE certification examinations. This is just a short list of publications suggested as useful references. The exams are not specifically based on these materials. The National Certification Committee will add other references to the list as the Committee reviews new publications.

Books

Titles in red are available through the SBE Bookstore, which offers a discount to SBE Members. Titles marked with an asterisk (*) are currently out of print; however, this does not mean they are out-of-date or unavailable through some booksellers or libraries.

  • Handbook for Sound Engineers, 3rd Edition – edited by Glen M. Ballou, published by Butterworth-Heinemann
  • Reference Data for Engineers, Radio, Electronics, Computers & Communications, 9th Edition – by Mac E. Van Valkenburg, published by Butterworth-Heinemann
  • Electronic Communication, 6th Edition – by Robert L. Shrader, published by McGraw-Hill
  • The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications – published by the American Radio Relay League
  • The ARRL Antenna Book – published by the American Radio Relay League
  • Radio-Frequency Transmission Systems: Design and Operation – by Jerry Whitaker, published by McGraw-Hill *
  • AC Power Systems Handbook, 2nd Edition – by Jerry Whitaker, published by CRC Press
  • Electronic Systems Maintenance Handbook, 2nd Edition – by Jerry Whitaker, published by CRC Press
  • Standard Handbook of Audio and Radio Engineering, 2nd Edition – by Jerry Whitaker and Blair Benson, published by McGraw-Hill
  • Stereo Microphone Techniques – by Bruce Bartlett, published by Butterworth-Heinemann *
  • Electronic Instrumentation and Measurement – by Dave Buchla and Wayne McLachlan, published by Prentice Hall
  • Standard Handbook of Video Television Engineering, 4th Edition – by Jerry Whitaker and Blair K. Benson, published by McGraw-Hill
  • SBE Engineering Conference Proceedings (years 1986-1996) – published by the Society of Broadcast Engineers

National Association of Broadcasters

  • NAB Engineering Handbook – updated periodically by the National Association of Broadcasters
  • NAB Legal Guide to Broadcast Law & Regulation, 3rd Edition – published by the National Association of Broadcasters
  • Engineering Conference Proceedings – published by the National Association of Broadcasters

Federal Communications Commission

  • FCC Rules, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 (Telecommunications), Parts 0 to 19
  • FCC Rules, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 (Telecommunications), Parts 70 to 79
  • FCC Office of Science & Technology Bulletin No. 65, “Evaluating Compliance with FCC-specified Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation”

Current Periodicals

Such as:

  • Broadcast Engineering
  • Radio
  • Radio World Engineering Extra
  • Radio World Newspaper
  • SMPTE Journal
  • TV Technology
  • Video Systems

Equipment Manufacturers Instruction Manuals

From such companies as:

  • Hewlett Packard
  • Tektronix
  • Ampex
  • Sony
  • Abekas
  • Harris

Handbooks of Recommended Standards and Procedures

Published by:

  • The International Teleproduction Society
  • SMPTE