Little known fact: engineers make the world go round. From water slides to snowboards, the Ferris Wheel to Jurassic Park, engineers do more than just craft and design structures: they bring more fun and joy into the world.
If you want to join the world of structural engineering, you’ll have to pass the SE exam, which means you’re in the perfect place! In this guide, I’ll outline the best SE prep courses on the market and help you decide the best match for your needs.
Let’s discuss support, guarantees, format, and fees. Get ready to find the structural engineering review course of your dreams!
Top 5 SE Prep Courses
- Best Overall: School of PE
- Best Structured Learning: PPI by Kaplan
- Most Traditional: Advanced Engineering Institute (AEI)
- Best Webinars: Engineering Education and Training (EET)
- Most Budget-Friendly: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
SE Course Comparison
| Course |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 |
| Price | $2,190-$4,380 | $450-$2,595 | $850-$2,600 | $950-$1,250 |
| Discounts |  | |  | |
| Live Classes | | | | |
| Instructor Support | High | High | Mid | Mid |
| Peer Support | Mid | Mid | Mid | Low |
1. School of PE: My #1 SE Prep Course
Looking for the best of the best? Here it is: the School of PE is my #1 pick for SE exam prep courses.
Why? Let’s start with the heavy-hitting facts: School of PE boasts an astounding 93% pass rate, a pass guarantee for every package, and a proven track record that features tens of thousands of successful exam attempts.
To top it all off, SoPE’s live online course lectures are outstanding—but what else would you expect from the #1-rated engineering exam prep provider?
“Did 2 months of School of PE and passed last week! Honestly the test felt easy. I walked out thinking I got 90+ questions right. School of PE is one of the more expensive alternatives but I would definitely recommend it if you’re in the same boat I was and don’t mind paying for it. I would say it was definitely worth it!”
rrader20
Content Overview
Let’s take a look at the goodies you’re grabbing with the purchase of SoPE’s Lateral and Vertical Forces packages:
| Live Online Weekend Classes | Passing Guarantee | Instructor Support |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Compatibility | Student Forum | Recorded Lectures |
| Instructor-Curated Course Notes | Risk-Free Trial | 24/7 Student Support |
Pros
- Pressure-Free Exam Prep: Study and take a crack at the exam. If you fail, SoPE will re-enroll you in your course at no additional cost.
- Study Wherever, Whenever: SoPE’s mobile compatibility complements modern exam preparation. Waiting for an appointment? Sneak in some practice questions!
- Involved Instructors: From live Q&A to in-depth notes, your instructors are integral to your test prep experience. This makes for a more consistent review course, making learning easier.
- Highest Pass Rate: Of all of the courses you’ll see on this list, School of PE has the highest pass rate by far, at an astonishing 93%. Odds are, you’ll succeed—and that’s worth investing in.
- Working for the Weekend: Let’s face it: adults have to work during the week. We’re tired. SoPE ensures we can save our study time for when we’re available.
Cons
- Pass, For a Price: School of PE gives you the best opportunity to pass the SE exam, but that opportunity comes with a steep price tag.
School of PE Discounts
School of PE is incredible. It’s even more incredible when you can get it for less! See the deals you can get with our exclusive coupon codes.
Bottom Line
If you want the best chance to pass the SE exam, look no further than School of PE. With a jaw-dropping 93% pass rate for students (up to 79% more than the average test taker!) and a pass guarantee, you can be absolutely confident that your investment will reap the results you deserve. Add the stellar live instruction and support, and exam day will be a breeze.
2. PPI: Best Structured Learning
PPI is the real deal, leveraging over 45 years in the industry and a partnership with Kaplan to bring you some of the best study materials on the market. Features like live online lectures, instructor office hours, student chats and collaboration, and abundant hard-copy resources give PPI students a more traditional educational experience in their SE exam prep.
And, of course, we love a good pass guarantee! There’s so much to love about PPI. Let’s dig into the details.
“I used PPI for all three of my licenses (MechPE, CivilPE, SE) and passed every one the first time.”
SJBombero
Content Overview
| Live Online + On-Demand Lectures | Instructor Support/Office Hours | Passing Guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded Lectures | Student Chats and Forums | Syllabus and Homework Assignments |
| Tutorial Calculator Lessons | Presentation Slides | Exam Print Resources |
Pros
- Structured Structural Engineering: If you want something close to a traditional education environment, you’ll love PPI’s syllabus, homework, live classes, and exam strategy sessions.
- Printed Prep: Continuing to bring more traditional vibes, PPI offers printed SE reference materials, practice problems, and a Casio-FX 115 ES Plus Advanced scientific calculator.
- Collaborative Cohort: PPI allows you to interact with fellow students via live chat and forums. This is an excellent opportunity to create study groups and collaborate on assignments.
- Sensational Support: You can ask your instructors for clarification on tough concepts during your live classes, but you also have access to ask questions during scheduled office hours.
- Extended Access: Thanks to PPI’s pass guarantee, you can earn extended access to your course materials if you don’t pass the SE exam on your first try.
Cons
- Homework… Yeesh: Enough said! Look, homework helps students learn, but if you are thrilled to be past the homework phase, PPI may not be the best pick for you.
- Structure to the Extreme: If you’re more of a self-study kind of person, the structure that helps some students may feel overwhelming and restrictive to you.
PPI2Pass Discounts
Save on PPI and pass the SE exam for less with our exclusive discount codes.
Promo – PPI2Pass FE Live Online Course Bundle Now $1,795
Sale – PPI2Pass PE Live Online Course Bundle Now $2,595
Bottom Line
PPI is one of the top picks for SE exam prep courses due to their live learning options, structured curriculum, and printed materials. If you prefer a traditional prep course, PPI is a superb choice. While it isn’t perfect for self-study or students who can’t stand homework, I’d argue that most SE exam candidates will find something to love in their Live Online Course Bundle.
3. Advanced Engineering Institute: Most Traditional
Though Advanced Engineering Insitute (AEI) is based in California, you can access their materials nationwide. Plenty of students swear by AEI for their engineering exam prep because, like PPI, AEI adopts a traditional environment that most candidates will be familiar with. That environment includes interactive classes with handouts, in-class practice activities, and weekly homework with feedback.
This familiar layout can inspire confidence and accountability in students. While they aren’t perfect, AEI offers a solid foundation for aspiring structural engineers.
“I took AEI’s lateral course. AEI is very comprehensive and detailed. They also sell a gigantic binder full of material with the class that is beneficial in the workplace. I highly recommend.”
i_hit_softballs
Content Overview
| Live Webinars | Homework Assignments | Full-Length Exam Simulations |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture Recordings | Workshops for Niche Concepts | Class Handouts |
| Ask the Instructor Forum | Discussion Forum | Mini Exams and MCQ Practice |
Pros
- Classroom Classic: If you learn best from homework and in-class skill development, AEI is a good choice. Your familiarity with the format might make for a more successful study experience.
- Practice-Intensive: If you struggle to get yourself to practice the material, AEI holds you accountable and ensures you’ll get your reps in with class-driven practice activities.
- Sincere Support: Students gain access to 1-on-1 interaction with instructors to be given the best opportunity to succeed. This can include meetings, chats, emails, and even phone calls.
- Qualified Instructors: Qualified is an understatement! Of the eight instructors listed on the website, six have a doctorate in engineering, and many have education backgrounds.
Cons
- Individual Offers: Courses are really divided, so if you want everything, you’ll have to cobble together lateral/vertical, depth/breadth, and structure-type courses to get everything you need.
- Technologically Lacking: AEI feels pretty old school, so there’s not as much cutting-edge tech to get excited about.
Bottom Line
I’ll be honest: AEI isn’t particularly outstanding, but they have a great format that many students will enjoy. However, the same desire for structure and accountability that empowers one candidate can feel suffocating for another. Ultimately, knowing who you are and how you study best will determine whether AEI is right for you.
4. Engineering Education and Training: Best Webinars
Engineering Education and Training (EET) has some fans, but it doesn’t have the same fanbases as School of PE, PPI, or AEI. However, I still think it offers some suitable foundational study materials that make it worth a look.
The main knock is that students tended to appreciate the breadth portion but not the depth portion. However, the breadth course was discontinued in April 2024, and those portions have since been incorporated into the specialized PE civil exam courses. Whether it’s the same content or not, it may be frustrating for some who have to buy them together. But at around $1,000 for both combined, EET is a reasonably budget-friendly option. Further, EET is planning on introducing a 24-week subscription option in May 2025 and a live webinar in the summer of the same year.
“I’m currently taking the on-demand EET courses. I can say that I did find the breadth portion useful, but I would not buy the depth again as I feel my degree covered most of the subjects sufficiently. I’ll have spent about 2-3 months on EET, and my intent is to do practice problems and exams for another month. I believe EET was about $1100, which I find expensive, but if it improves my chance of passing 10 percent, I’ll be happy.”
WhoWhatWhenWhereHowY
Content Overview
| 85 Hours of Video Lectures | 8-Hour Simulation Exam | 80 Simulated Exam Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 350+ Multiple-Choice Questions | 250+ Solved Examples | 100 CBT Quiz Problems |
| 16-Week, 20-Week, and 24-Week Subscriptions | On-Demand or Live Webinar Format | Binder with Materials and Practice Questions |
Pros
- Effective Exam Simulation: The 8-hour mock exam contains 80 simulated practice questions, so students can flex their knowledge and master their timing for the actual exam.
- Asked and Answered: Candidates can practice with a decent number of questions and not just see but understand why the correct answer is… well, correct.
- Format Flexibility: Whether you prefer live and interactive or on-demand and self-paced, EET caters to your learning style. They also offer three access length options.
- Get (and Stay) Organized: Does your desk look like a paper volcano went off? EET’s binder helps you get organized (and stay that way!) for the duration of the class.
Cons
- Underwhelming Materials: If you want a lot of test prep materials to help you succeed, EET may be a tough sell. You’re missing out on workshops, printed materials, and a mobile-optimized platform.
- Go it Alone: Instructors can answer your questions via email; otherwise, you’re on your own—especially if you choose the on-demand package.
- No Pass Protection: To further the theme of lacking support, no matter how hard you study, if you fail? You’re on your own.
Bottom Line
EET isn’t in the top three for a reason. You’re not getting very many resources, you’re getting minimal support, and the packages noticeably lack a pass guarantee. However, if you’re on a budget and want live class options, you might appreciate EET despite their faults.
Final Verdict
You did it! You’ve reached the end. So, which prep course will you choose?
I’d recommend School of PE to pass your SE exam. Do the math: a 93% pass rate, a pass guarantee, live online weekend classes, and a track record of tens of thousands of success stories make for an unbeatable prep course. SoPE is a smart, safe investment for any aspiring structural engineer.
However, if the traditional “classroom and teacher” setup is more your style, PPI may be right up your alley. From a detailed syllabus and homework assignments to instructor support and designated office hours, PPI gives you structure and accountability to hold your hand on the path to success.
Whichever course you choose, you’re doing the research that lets me know you care about this. As a result, I have no doubt you’ll achieve your engineering dreams. You got this!
FAQs
Use a mix of prep courses, practice exams, and reference materials to cover both breadth and depth topics. Focus on scenario-based questions for your chosen specialization.
Start with a civil or structural engineering degree, then build knowledge through internships, on-the-job experience, and professional resources like textbooks or online courses.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering focusing on structural engineering is ideal. Look for programs accredited by ABET for thorough, effective industry preparation.
Begin by earning a degree in civil or structural engineering, then gain practical experience through internships or entry-level roles. Passing the FE and PE exams is key to advancing.
SE practice exams are available through prep providers like PPI, School of PE, and NCEES. These simulate the exam format and identify areas to improve so you’re more than ready by your exam date.
