Passing the Practice of Engineering exam is essential for obtaining a PE license, which not only validates your engineering expertise but also opens doors to advanced career opportunities.
But what is the PE exam, and what does it entail?
The PE exam is an engineering exam that leads to becoming a licensed engineer. It is offered in various engineering disciplines, including civil, electrical, mechanical, and more. Each particular engineering discipline has its own specific requirements and topics covered. Still, in general, the PE exam is a computer-based test with multiple-choice questions designed to assess your practical knowledge and problem-solving skills.
In the past, it was divided into two main sections: breadth and depth, but recent formatting updates have changed everything about this exam.
Below, I’ll give you much-needed details about these NCEES exams and what other candidates have to say about the new PE exam formatting.
Key Takeaways
- Eligibility Criteria: Candidates need a bachelor’s degree in engineering and four years of work experience to qualify for the PE exam.
- Discipline-Specific Content: The PE exam now focuses more on discipline-specific content and has minimized the breadth segment.
- Closed-Book Format: The exam is now closed-book, allowing only the NCEES-supplied PE Reference Handbook.
- Importance of Review Programs: Effective preparation involves using review programs that offer structured learning and practice exams.
- Increased Exam Fee: The registration fee for the PE exam has increased to $400.
Understanding the PE Exam
The PE exam is a professional engineering test overseen by the NCEES National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. It assesses engineers’ competency in their chosen discipline. Passing the PE exam is a significant milestone in becoming a licensed professional engineer. It ensures that engineers have achieved a minimum level of competency in solving problems specific to their engineering discipline.
There are 27 different PE exams for which you can make an exam appointment. But before you can be given a test date, you must meet certain criteria.
Eligibility Criteria for the PE Exam
To qualify for the PE exam, candidates typically need:
- A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a graduate-level engineering degree that has been evaluated
- Four years of post-college work experience in their engineering discipline.
- Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
It is important to note that PE exam requirements are state-specific and ruled by your state’s board.
PE Exam Structure and Format
The PE exam covers a range of engineering disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering
- Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
- Mining and Mineral Processing
- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Water Resources Engineering
- Refrigeration and Mechanical Systems
Each discipline has its own exam specifications, focusing on the principles and practices of that particular field.
The total exam time is 8 hours. If you complete the first section in 2 hours, you can take a break of up to 50 minutes. You’ll then have 6 hours left for the second half.
Updated PE Exam
The PE exam format has undergone significant changes as of April 1, 2024, with a sharper focus on discipline-specific content. This update aims to make the exam more relevant to the practical application of engineering principles in your chosen field.
Previously, the PE exam was divided into two main segments:
- Breadth Segment: This section tested general engineering knowledge across five subdisciplines within civil engineering: construction, transportation, structural, water resources, environmental, and geotechnical.
- Depth Segment: In the afternoon, candidates selected one of these subdisciplines to focus on more in-depth, specialized questions.
However, the new format has redefined this structure. Depending on the chosen discipline, the breadth segment has been minimized or completely removed. Now, there are five distinct exams, each dedicated solely to its respective area, making the content much more specialized.
For example:
- The structural engineering exam now focuses exclusively on structural topics.
- The geotechnical engineering exam is primarily about geotechnical elements with minimal overlap from other fields.
- Similarly, the transportation exam has been refined to cover only transportation-related topics.
Minor Changes to the PE Exam
Beyond the major structural changes, the NCEES has made several minor but significant tweaks to the Practice of Engineering PE exam:
New Subtopics
While some familiar subtopics have been incorporated into the depth sections, entirely new subtopics have also been added. For example, the PE Civil Geotechnical Exam now includes a new subtopic on the “chemical, electrical, and thermal properties” of soils.
“I was a little surprised by the number of conceptual questions in the soil mechanics / materials realm vs math problems. Also the construction section after wastewater had a lot of surveying, geometrics, and even transportation questions. I actually preferred this over conceptual questions though. One more thing that I wasn’t aware of was that I could spend as much time as I wanted on the first section, and then have the remaining time to spend on the second section. The first section was 42 questions and the second was 38. Overall I feel good about my choice to wait and take this version.”
u/rmudkip
Updated Codes & Standards
Codes and standards are periodically updated, and the PE exam reflects these changes. For instance, the ASCE 7-16 standard has replaced the older ASCE 7-10. Additionally, some codes, like the UFC 3-220-01, have been removed entirely from the new specifications.
Increased Number of Questions per Topic
With fewer overall topics to cover, the number of questions per topic has increased significantly. For example, the number of questions on “Roadside and Cross-Section Design” in the PE Civil Transportation Exam has more than doubled, requiring more focused preparation on these critical areas.
Entirely New Topics
Some exams now include brand-new main topics. The PE Transportation and Water Resources exams, for instance, have added “Project Management” and “Project Sitework,” respectively, as new primary topics.
Updated PE Reference Handbook
The exam now uses version 2.0 of the PE Reference Handbook, which includes several updates such as new diagrams, updated formulas, and the removal of certain tables. Familiarizing yourself with this new version is essential for efficient exam navigation.
“… I wasted a lot of time adjusting the windows of the reference materials on the screen because they’re not really laid out very intuitively and they’re free-floating and can end up covering the questions. also, you can only have one chapter of one code book open at a time, but the nice thing is the chapter will open back to the last page you had open if you close it…”
Reddit User
Increased Exam Fee
Unfortunately, the cost of taking the PE exam has also increased. The registration fee is now $400, up from $375.
One of the most significant changes to the PE exam is the transition from an open-book to a closed-book format. This shift has major implications for how candidates prepare for and approach the exam.
No More Open-Book Exam
Previously, candidates could bring any bound reference materials, including notes, textbooks, and other resources, to the exam. This open-book format allowed for extensive referencing during the test, providing a cushion for those who might not have every formula or detail memorized.
However, with the move to a computer-based, closed-book format, this is no longer the case. Candidates are now only allowed to use the NCEES-supplied PE Reference Handbook during the exam. This handbook is a comprehensive resource, but it does not cover every possible nuance that might appear on the test.
Implications of the Closed-Book Format
- Memorization and Familiarity:
- Candidates must now rely more heavily on their memorized knowledge and understanding of engineering principles.
- Familiarity with the PE Reference Handbook is crucial, as it is the only allowed resource. Efficiently navigating this digital handbook can save valuable time during the exam.
- Increased Difficulty:
- The inability to bring personal reference materials means that candidates must be more thoroughly prepared.
- Understanding the breadth and depth of topics without relying on supplementary materials can make the exam more challenging.
- Focused Study:
- Preparation must be more focused and thorough. Candidates need to internalize key concepts and principles to succeed in this closed-book environment.
Impact on Preparation
With these changes, the way you prepare for the PE exam must adapt. The new format involves:
- More in-depth questions specific to your chosen discipline
- Less general engineering content
- A greater reliance on practical experience for those with substantial work background
For recent graduates or those with less hands-on experience, the new format may present a greater challenge. Effective preparation involves:
- Reviewing exam specifications and identifying key areas of focus
- Using study materials and reference guides tailored to the chosen discipline
- Scheduling sufficient study time leading up to the exam date
- Practicing with multiple-choice questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format
Given these changes, enrolling in a comprehensive review program has become more important than ever. Review programs provide a structured learning environment, covering all necessary topics systematically and ensuring no critical areas are overlooked. They offer several benefits, including:
- Structured Learning: Ensuring all necessary topics are covered systematically
- Expert Guidance: Instructors with extensive experience provide insights and tips beyond textbooks
- Practice Exams: Simulating actual test conditions to help you get comfortable with the closed-book format and identify weak areas
- Resource Familiarity: Extensive use of the NCEES PE Reference Handbook to help you become adept at using it efficiently during the exam
- Updated Materials: Ensuring that you are studying the most current and relevant material aligned with the latest exam requirements
Conclusion
The PE exam is a crucial milestone for engineers, assessing their knowledge and skills in their specific discipline. The recent shift to a closed-book format and focus on discipline-specific content require thorough preparation. Meeting the eligibility criteria, including a bachelor’s degree and four years of work experience, is essential. Given the increased difficulty, enrolling in a review program is vital for success. Proper preparation and understanding of the PE exam structure and requirements are key to achieving licensure and advancing your engineering career.
FAQs
The PE exam is a professional engineering exam that assesses an engineer’s competency in their specific discipline, required for licensure as a professional engineer.
Candidates need a bachelor’s degree in engineering, four years of post-college work experience, and must pass the FE exam.
The PE exam includes multiple-choice questions specific to the chosen engineering discipline and typically lasts eight hours with a scheduled lunch break.
The PE exam is administered year-round, offering flexibility in selecting an exam date.
Passing the PE exam allows engineers to submit and seal engineering plans, providing legal authority and enhancing career opportunities.
The PE exam is tough because it covers a wide range of technical and practical topics. For instance, Civil Engineering includes structural analysis and geotechnical engineering, while Electrical Engineering covers circuit analysis and power systems.
The PE exam lasts 8 hours, split into two 4-hour sessions with a total of 80 multiple-choice questions.
It’s recommended to study for PE for 300 to 400 hours, spread over several months, depending on your background and familiarity with the material.
