PE Exam is Almost Here

Are You Calm And Confident?
Do You Have The Reference Material You Need?
Are You Ready?
Have You Adequately Prepared?

It has been recommended that an engineer-in-training (EIT) would need to prepare for at least two hours a day, for six months, to be ready for the PE Exam. He was also informed that one year would be even better.

Really?
A year to prepare for the PE Exam?
That’s 364 hours to 728 hours.

CRAZY!

If you are sitting for the PE Exam, then you already have four or more years experience performing engineering tasks. Why in the world would you need six months, nine months, or a year to prepare?

The only reason someone would need that much time is because they haven’t really been practicing engineering or they are attempting to take a test in a discipline totally unrelated to their field. Either of these scenarios is reason enough to not take the PE Exam.

But, since this is not you, your preparation time should be much less.

Preparation Time

Your preparation time should be spent refreshing your specific area of expertise knowledge. You can then brush up the topics that aren’t in your everyday activities. For example, if you practice mechanical engineering as an HVAC engineer, you should spend some time going over sample problems in electrical, plumbing, fire protection, structural and project management. And during this preparation, putting together your reference resources on each of the different problem types outlined at NCEES.org.

Whatever discipline you are planning to test in, the majority of your time should be spent assembling your Test-Prep Resource Library* and becoming extremely familiar with the location of the different test topic examples. This way, when you are actually in the PE Exam, you will know exactly where to go to find the information you need to answer the question at hand.


NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer
permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of these Test-Prep
Resources as a method of study and preparation. For example, taking the time to
assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your
study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all
your resources in one, easy-to-access tool.

The last thing you need – in terms of both time and sanity – on test day is an overload of material that you have to rifle through in an attempt to answer a question. This practice will frustrate you, waste your time, and ultimately derail your chances of passing the PE Exam. But, on the bright side, you will provide entertainment to others in the room watching you furiously searching for answers.

Steps To Success

Well that’s it … our guidance to preparing for the PE Exam. We believe these four steps are all you need for success:

  • Take the time necessary to prepare for the exam.
  • Assemble the “right” resources for the test.
  • Get adequate rest and give yourself enough time to arrive early to the exam.
  • And relax … you’ve been a practicing engineer for at least four years … you know this stuff.

We wish you the best of luck on the PE Exam and in your career!


PE Exam is Almost Here

Engineering Design Resources
NCEES
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Architectural Engineering PE Exam

The Architectural Engineering PE Exam tests proficiencies in Building Systems Integration, Electrical Systems, Mechanical Systems, Structural Systems, and Project Management & Construction Administration. The Architectural Engineering PE Exam is tailored specifically for engineers whose primary business focus is building design, commissioning, project management or other construction related engineering.

Architectural Engineering PE Exam

The exam consists of 80 questions – 40 in the morning and 40 in the afternoon. You will have four hours in each session with a one hour lunch break. Take the time during the lunch break to review what you can remember from the morning including the format of the test, content being covered and your general, overall “feeling” for how you performed in the first half. You can then make adjustments to your game plan, review material that appears to be dominating the exam and give yourself time to relax. Also, it’s a good time to eat something.

Building Systems Integration makes up approximately 17% of the exam. Topics include:

  • Building Vibration, Noise, Lighting, and Climate Control
  • Analysis of Building Construction
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Applicable Standards and Codes
  • Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Requirements

Electrical Systems make up approximately 25% of the exam. Topics include:

  • Electrical Systems, Short Circuit, and Grounding Analysis
  • Power Distribution
  • Voltage Drop and Lighting Calculations
  • Fire Alarm
  • Applicable Standards and Codes

Mechanical Systems make up approximately 25% of the exam. Topics include:

  • HVAC
    • Fan and Pump Laws
    • Psychrometrics
    • HVAC System Analysis
  • Plumbing
    • Domestic Water, Sanitary Waste, and Vent Systems
    • Fire Protection Systems

Structural Systems make up approximately 25% of the exam. Topics include:

  • Types of Construction
  • Structural Components
  • Loads – Gravity, Lateral, Temperature, Settlement, Construction
  • Analysis of Frames, Structures, Stability, and Deflection
  • Foundations

Project Management and Construction Administration makes up approximately 8% of the exam. Topics include:

  • Requests for Information, Change Orders, Architectural Supplemental Instructions, etc.
  • Submittal and Alternate Process
  • Design and Construction Scheduling
  • Construction Administration
  • Contracts

The pass rates for the Architectural Engineering PE Exam (as of 2019 data) are 72% for first time test takers and 48% for repeat test takers. This pass rate can increase with proper preparation and the use of relevant “Test Day” reference materials.

Architectural Engineering PE Exam Study Guide

To help increase the pass rate, a comprehensive Study Guide for the exam is available to help engineers taking this exam. The Study Guide includes sample questions with solutions, commentary on the various topics, a Test Day Resource List, recommendations for study, a list of formulas, and a list of useful websites.


Architectural Engineering PE Exam

Engineering Design Resources
NCEES
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EngineeringDesignResources.com prohibits the use or reproduction of this material by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This includes photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system.

Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links in these materials may have changed.

Any resemblance in the images in this material to actual people or locations is merely coincidental. EngineeringDesignResources.com prohibits reprinting, copying, changing, reproducing, publishing, uploading, posting, transmitting, or using in any other manner images in this material.

Professional Engineering Exam

Professional Engineering Exam

The Professional Engineering Exam is the final step a graduate engineer must take in order to sign and seal engineered drawings and perform, or supervise others performing, engineering calculations.

The Professional Engineering Exam is administered twice  per year, in April and October. Each eight-hour test day is divided into a four-hour morning session, a lunch break, and a four-hour afternoon session. Each session consists of 40 multiple choice questions that will measure the engineer’s grasp and understanding of the subject matter.

Professional Engineering Exams are available in the following disciplines:

  • Agricultural
  • Architectural
  • Chemical
  • Civil:
    • Construction
    • Geotechnical
    • Structural
    • Transportation
    • Water Resources and Environmental
  • Control Systems
  • Electrical and Computer:
    • Computer Engineering
    • Electrical and Electronics
    • Power
  • Environmental
  • Fire Protection
  • Industrial and Systems
  • Mechanical:
    • HVAC and Refrigeration
    • Mechanical Systems and Materials
    • Thermal and Fluids Systems
  • Metallurgical and Materials
  • Mining and Mineral Processing
  • Naval Architecture and Marine
  • Nuclear
  • Petroleum
  • Software
  • Structural

Resources to prepare for the examinations are available in the form of books, CDs, online classes, classes at local universities, etc. Refer to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for additional study resources and to get specific test information and areas of concentration for each discipline.  You may also find study resources at your discipline’s professional society.

PE Exam Pass Rates

According to data from NCEES, the most current pass rates for the Professional Engineering Exam are:

Improving PE Exam Pass Rates

You can greatly improve your odds of success passing a Professional Engineering Exam by:

  1. Being thoroughly prepared with organized, structured study
  2. Working as many example problems as possible
  3. Utilizing an adequate Test-Prep Resource Library©*

*NOTE: As per the NCEES Examinees Guide, books, notes, notebooks, etc. are no longer permitted in the testing room. This does not diminish the importance of a Test-Prep Resource Library© as a method of study and preparation. Taking the time to assemble a resource library will naturally help you categorize and document your study materials, help you determine what’s essential to pass the exam, and keep all your resources in one easy-to-access tool.


Professional Engineering Exam

Engineering Design Resources
NCEES
Contact Us

Copyright©  All Rights Reserved

EngineeringDesignResources.com prohibits the use or reproduction of this material by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This includes photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system.

Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, web addresses or links in these materials may have changed.

Any resemblance in the images in this material to actual people or locations is merely coincidental. EngineeringDesignResources.com prohibits reprinting, copying, changing, reproducing, publishing, uploading, posting, transmitting, or using in any other manner images in this material.