Is the PE exam difficult?

The PE exam is not a “tricky” exam. Students manage to fail even when questions are straightforward. The NCEES organization doesn’t sit in a room and think of ways to trick you. You will find, however, that they do list answers to questions with very common mistakes made.

How difficult is the PE test?

The 8-hour long, 80-question PE exam is very difficult. … Pass rates for most PE exams are around 70% for first-time test-takers, with some as low as 55%. Don’t take the mental challenge of studying for months then staying focused for an 8-hour exam lightly. It’s hard for good reason, too.

Which PE exam is the hardest?

A: The structural depth exam IS most likely the hardest exam to take. This exam requires a huge amount of subject matter that you require to know, as well as a huge amount of additional standards that you have to become familiar with.

Is PE exam harder than Fe?

The FE exam is actually harder than the Professional Engineer (PE) exam, simply because it is much more broad. It’s best to take it as close to graduation as you can, with all that schooling still fresh in your mind.

Can I pass PE exam without studying?

You simply cannot pass the PE Exam if you don’t study. Most engineers study for the PE for over 230 hours and some still struggle to pass. The content and test format is so advanced that if you’re not familiar with it before going in, you’ll spend the whole exam just trying to figure that out.

How long should I study for PE?

Generally, you should study for the PE exam for about 200-300 hours if you want to pass. The average study time is around 215-230 hours over a 3-month period. Few engineers study less than 100 hours or over 300. You may think you need less time, but studying more is worth it if it means you pass.

Is PE exam multiple choice?

Most of the PE Exams are 80 multiple choice questions taken over an 8 hour period – 40 questions in the 4-hour morning session and 40 questions in the 4-hour afternoon session. … This will help you gauge your tempo on test day.

How do you pass the PE?

Tips for Passing the PE Exam
  1. Prepare to Prepare. Make a Realistic Schedule. Be honest with yourself and the people around you. …
  2. Build Your Resources. Budget and Prioritize. …
  3. Take practice exams. Simulate the Exam. …
  4. Trust the Process. The road to and preparation for the PE exam is not a short one.

Which is the easiest PE exam?

Many engineers agree that the easiest Civil PE exam is water resources. According to pass rates on the NCEES website, 71% of engineers who take the water resources test pass on their first try. Transportation is a close second at 70%.

What happens if you fail the PE exam?

If you failed the PS Exam: You will need to register with NCEES to retake the examination. You do not need to submit a reexamination form, or in any way notify the California Board that you need to retake the NCEES examination.

Is the civil PE hard?

The exam is difficult, there’s no question about that. You need to understand that it takes many weeks to prepare for this exam and in order for you to pass you have to study hard. … The exam is tricky in that the “most nearly” questions will cause you to really pause and think about your answers.


What percentage of engineers get their PE?

Key Takeaways From Our Analysis. Only 50% of engineers become licensed Professional Engineers. The first time pass rate across all disciplines is 65%.

How many questions do you need to pass the PE exam?

Although there are no set numbers provided to pass the PE Exam, it is believed, according to research that you will need to correctly answer approximately 70% of the questions. That’s about 56 right answers out of 80. This is just an approximation, based on opinions given by multiple people.

How many times can you take the PE exam?

For most computer-based PE Exams, NCEES allows you to take the PE exam once within each 3-month time window and only 3 attempts are allowed every 12 months. You will also need to reach out to your state board to ask how many times they will approve you to sit for the exam.

How do you pass structural PE?

So let’s go over the references. Starting from the top the Ashta bridge design manual. And this guy

What do you need a PE for?

Authority. For many engineers, having a PE is a requirement to advance and gain greater responsibility. Only a licensed engineer can sign, seal, and submit plans and drawings, oversee work in the private sector, or serve as a fully qualified expert witness.