100 Days to PE Exam Success

May 19, 2023 by

PE Exam SuccessTo PE Exam Success

That’s 14 weeks
(plus a few days)

Have you started preparing?
Where are you starting?
What are you studying?
Is a study plan in place?

If you answered no to any – or all – of these questions, then the next blog posts should prove to be beneficial. Not knowing where to start or what to study can cause you to procrastinate or skip preparing at all.

Future blogs will post tasks that will help you get on track, stay on track, and prepare for PE Exam success.

As you spend time preparing, let us know how you’re progressing, what other information you might need, and any strategies you’re using that may be useful for others.

Let’s get started …

Week 1:

  • If you haven’t done so, go to NCEES.org and:
    • Register. Be aware of the date the PE Exam registration closes.
    • Check your state’s licensing requirements.
    • Download the Examinee Guide.
    • Download the Exam Guide for your specific discipline.
  • Read the blog post 10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources. Start assembling the suggested items, and keep a running checklist of those things you need to acquire.
  • Read the blog post PE Exam Success – The 10 Best Ways To Be Prepared.
  • Download as many Sample Exams as you can find. To get you started, go to EngineeringDesignResources.com. By familiarizing yourself with sample exam problems, you get a feel for what to expect on Exam Day. Also, don’t overlook Sample Exams from related Disciplines. For example, if you are taking the Civil Engineering – Structural – PE Exam, find and use Sample Exams from Architectural Engineering, Structural Engineering, etc.
  • Determine a plan of study. How much time are you going to spend each day? Each week? Without a plan, you may tend to stray and not cover all the topics.
  • Sign up for a review class – either online or at a local college. It’s probably been four years since you were tested on some of the topics. Reviewing the topics on the exam would be helpful.
  • Jump in. The next 100 days will go by fast. If you don’t commit to starting now, April 17th will be here before you realize. By spending a little time each day starting now, you won’t have to cram at the end.

Tune in again, as we’ll get more specific and go deeper into your preparation for PE Exam success.

100 Days to PE Exam Success

Engineering Design Resources

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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.

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How to Pass the PE Exam

May 19, 2023 by

How to Pass the PE Exam – Without Spending a Fortune

How To Pass The PE Exam

To answer the question “How to Pass the PE Exam,” we offer the same four recommendations to everyone who asks. Based on the feedback we’ve received from past test-takers, this preparation method works.

Take a Review Course
  • This recommendation is purely subjective. If you are confident you know the exam material well enough, then skip this recommendation. If you’re not so confident, then look into review course options. Most universities and community colleges offer some type of PE Exam test preparation course. Be careful when choosing this route. The university’s professors typically present these courses, who may approach their portion of the review as an opportunity to “teach” you the information from an entire course in a few short days. This method is truly information overload and may not show you How to Pass the PE Exam.
  • Another option is to take an online review course. Kaplan Engineering, School of PE, PPI2PASS, and the Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers are all reputable companies with online courses. Again, take the time to research these companies to make certain they offer what you need in a format that’s beneficial.
  • EngineeringDesignResources.com offers 60-Day Review Courses for Architectural, Civil (Construction, Geotechnical, and Structural), Electrical, Fire Protection, and Mechanical (HVAC/Refrigeration and Thermal/Fluid Systems).
Work as Many Representative Problems as Possible
  • This How to Pass the PE Exam activity gives you confidence and feedback at the same time. If you know the subject matter well enough, then you should have no problems working through sample problems. If you can use extra reinforcement in any area, you’ll know immediately by struggling. This feedback is valuable; you can use it to seek out additional information (add to your Test-Prep Resource Library©) and work more sample problems.
  • To find practice problems, search the internet based on your specific exam – i.e. Electrical Engineering PE Exam Sample Problems or visit EngineeringDesignResources.com.
Assemble a Comprehensive 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.
  • In our blog post 12 Weeks to PE Exam, we go into detail about a Test-Prep Resource Library©. To summarize, your library should contain resources addressing each of the topics listed at NCEES.org. Put all these resources into tabbed three-ring binders for easy navigation during the exam. This method will allow you to quickly and efficiently retrieve the information you need without fumbling through textbooks, review manuals, and college notebooks.
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.
Take a Practice Exam
  • Taking a practice exam is helpful in three ways:
    • First, you get a feel for the pace of the exam by setting up your practice exam similar to an actual test day. To do this, start the morning section at 8:00 am, work until 12:00, take a one-hour lunch break, start the afternoon section at 1:00 pm, and finish up at 5:00 pm. This costs you an entire Saturday or Sunday, but the experience gained will far outweigh the cost.
    • Second, you find subject areas where you need more information or practice. It’s better to find out your weak areas during a test run than on the actual exam.
    • Third, you practice using your Test-Prep Resource Library©. You discover what’s usable and what needs to be reworked, and you might even find sections that can be trimmed down.
  • To find practice exams, search the internet based on your specific exam – i.e. Civil Engineering Construction PE Exam Practice Exam, or visit EngineeringDesignResources.com.

Additional Information can be found at:

How to Pass the PE Exam

Engineering Design Resources
NCEES
Contact Us

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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.

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12 Weeks to PE Exam

May 19, 2023 by

12 Weeks to PE Exam

12 Week Planning Calendar

In 12 Weeks to PE Exam, we focus on resources and the Test-Prep Resource Library©

In one of our previous posts, 100 Days PE to Exam Success, we outlined ten action items for you to get started on immediately. Hopefully by now, you’ve been able to check off everything on the list – or at least half of them.

  • How are you doing?
  • Have you gotten registered?
  • Do you meet the licensing requirements?
  • Have you read the referenced blog posts?
  • Have you put together your game plan?

We are firm believers in assembling a concise, well-organized 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 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.
  1. Working as many sample problems as possible.
  2. Taking a review course that only reviews test-specific topics.
  3. Remaining calm and confident throughout the process – including Exam Day.

If you’ve read any of our PE Exam Study Guides you will remember the story of Jeff Setzer’s exam day. Other test-takers were hauling in reference material on hand trucks and in actual bookcases. Jeff stood with his little box of binders feeling vastly outnumbered and grossly under prepared.

But he wasn’t.

He had assembled just what he needed in a system of binders that allowed him to find information quickly and efficiently. Jeff was amazed and amused at the mad scramble, the frantic searches, and the sighs of grief as others tried desperately to find what they needed.

We don’t want you to experience those feelings of exasperation.
So your mission is to assemble a 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 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.

Do internet searches on each of the topics listed on the NCEES website.

  • Print off any articles, sample problems, example situations, helpful commentary, etc. you think would be helpful on Exam Day.
  • Assemble three-ring binders with your resource information. The number of binders and the organization of the material will depend on which exam you’re taking and on what information you include. Everyone is not the same in terms of their strengths and weaknesses so no two resource libraries should look exactly the same. You only want to include information you need – do not include resources in your strong areas or resources that you think may be on the test. Stick to the NCEES outline.
  • Include information you’ve gathered since graduation that is helpful in your daily career.
  • Include applicable Code Books, Standards, and Guides. If including the entire book is too much, make copies of useful charts, tables, etc.

Do not overlook this very important task!

Your Test-Prep Resource Library© will definitely be essential to the provisions you take to the exam site, and it will also:

  • Help you find and strengthen your weak spots
  • Support the strengths you already have
  • Give you confidence – by knowing you’ll have what you need
  • Become a useful resource in your career after the exam.

So commit to investing the time required, don’t take the first resource you find, research each topic thoroughly, and be successful on EXAM DAY!

12 Weeks to 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.

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10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources

May 19, 2023 by
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.

These 10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources should be at the top of your PE Exam Test-Day Checklist

These resources are specifically listed for those taking a Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Exam but some are applicable to every test. Refer to the NCEES Examinee Guide for a list of approved and not approved items allowed in the exam room. Check out the links – the pictures are links, too – to find related information.

1 – Acceptable Form of ID

Acceptable forms of ID must be government issued and must include:

  • a valid expiration date
  • your name
  • date of birth
  • a recognizable photo
  • your signature

Valid U.S. military IDs that do not include a signature will be accepted.

2 – Exam Authorization

Bring a printed copy of your exam authorization to prove that you’re registered and approved to take the exam. This will help in avoiding delays at check-in.

3 – International Building Code

We recommend purchasing a copy of the International Building Code. After the exam, you can either use it in your practice or attempt to resell it.

4 – Approved Calculator

Review the Approved Calculators List on NCEES.org.

  • Don’t try to outsmart the system on this one.
5 – Timer

A timer is a definite must-have for the test. With 80 questions on the exam and eight hours to finish, that only gives you six minutes per question. In this six minutes, you must:

  • read the question
  • determine what the question is asking for
  • find your resources
  • solve the problem
  • mark the answer sheet

For the majority of questions – hopefully – this will be plenty of time, but there is always a certain percentage of the questions that will take you more than six minutes to solve/answer. By using a timer, you can stay on schedule, picking up a few precious minutes here and there to use towards those more difficult questions. The last thing you want on test day is to be well short of finishing when the proctor indicates you have 30 minutes left.

Note: Cell phones are NOT allowed in the exam room at any time. Do not plan to use your smart phone app as your timer or else …

6 – Resource Library

In addition to the International Building Code, you need to have those resources that are specific to your particular exam. A good rule is that if you used a resource – code book, handbook, chart, graph – when solving practice problems during your preparation, then include them in your Test-Prep Resource Library©*

If you used something once or twice, make a copy of that particular resource only. Your Resource Library is not intended to be every notebook, textbook, study guide, Post-It Note®, scrap of paper you can find. You will see people hauling in so much material you might feel under-prepared.

Don’t!

There is no way they can use all that stuff in the limited amount of time available. The good news is you’ll be amused by the fact they spent a lot of time and effort getting their collection to the test site while you waltzed in carrying a box of binders.

7 – Binders of Solved Example Problems

If you’ve taken any of the Crash Courses we offer, then you are well aware of our endorsement for working example problems. You can take all the review courses you can find, read all the study guides you want, and use any number of other preparation routines, but you still won’t beat the benefit of working problems. We built our Test-Prep Resource Library©* by finding example questions for each of the topics shown for the specific exam. Working through the problems will allow you to add to the supplemental materials you found helpful. Then, assemble everything into your five-binder library. These five binders, plus a few Code books, are all you will need to pass your PE Exam.

8 – Equations, Formulas, & Conversions

Although this one seems a bit obvious, I can assure you there will be a question or two that requires some obscure equation or conversion factor you don’t have. Find a good source of equations and conversion factors – in a book or online – and add those to your library.

9 – Engineering Economics Resources

Almost all the PE Exams have an Engineering Economic analysis problem or two. During your preparation time, determine the most typical type of analysis problems – depreciation, present worth, future worth, equivalent uniform annual benefits – and find applicable tables and charts to solve these problems.

10 – Snacks and Nonalcoholic Drinks

Make certain your snacks (i.e. hard candy, candy bars, gum) and drinks can be opened and consumed with little or no noise that would disturb the other examinees. There is nothing more annoying in a testing room than someone attempting to quietly open a candy wrapper. In their efforts, they usually make considerably more noise than if they would have just opened it normally. Your goal is to quickly have a snack without anyone noticing.

That’s it … our 10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources!

10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources

Engineering Design Resources

Engineering Design Resources
NCEES
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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.

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Life Safety Systems

May 19, 2023 by

This blog post will discuss how to incorporate some Life Safety Systems knowledge into your exam preparation.

So…how is your exam prep coming along?

“When it’s time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

Even though a weekend may be at hand, don’t let up on preparing for the exam. There will be plenty of weekends after you become a Licensed Professional Engineer.

However, do yourself a favor…

Take some time – and in the weeks to come – to decide for yourself what truly makes you happy. What will you be proud of at the end of your life? What will you regret not having done? Make a list of all the things you want to:

  • Be: What kind kind of person – friend, parent, neighbor, engineer – do you want to be? How do you want to be remembered? What legacy do you want to leave?
  • Do: What adventures do you want to have? Do you want to travel? Sky-dive? Scuba-dive? Save the rain forests? Feed the hungry? What would make you “feel alive?”
  • Have: What material things do you want? A bigger house? A sports car? A boat? Abundant resources to help the needy? These things can be “trophies” or “toys.” Or they can be resources to benefit others.

Give yourself this time to decide in advance what you want to accomplish in your life. What does success look like to you? Don’t get to the end of your life only to “discover that you never lived.”

Now for the Life Safety System information…

The Uniform Building Code and the Life Safety Code – NFPA 101 – are the two primary resources we will focus on in this post. Keep in mind that the National Electrical Code, NFPA 13, and other Codes and Standards contain Life Safety information.

Life Safety SystemsAction Items:

  1. Get a copy of the International Building Code®. Tag or make copies of sections that relate to Life Safety Systems. At a very minimum:
    • Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy (Chapter 4)
    • Types of Construction (Chapter 6)
    • Fire and Smoke Protection Features (Chapter 7)
    • Fire Protection Systems (Chapter 9)
    • Means of Egress (Chapter 10)
  2. Get a copy of NFPA 101 – The Life Safety Code®. Tag or make copies of sections that address issues like:
    • Generators
    • Batteries
    • Exit Lighting
    • Fire Alarms
  3. Look through NFPA 13 for items directly related to Life Safety Systems

Add a section in your Test-Prep Resource Library©* for Life Safety Systems. Put these items – and others you discover as you prepare – in this section.

*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.

Life Safety Systems

Engineering Design Resources

Engineering Design Resources
NCEES
Contact Us

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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.

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Building Envelope Analysis

May 19, 2023 by

Building Envelope Analysis

Today’s topic is Building Envelope Analysis, but before we start …

“In life you need either inspiration or desperation.”

~ Tony Robbins

Webster’s dictionary defines INSPIRATION as “something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create; a force or influence that inspires someone.”

DESPERATION is defined as “a strong feeling of sadness, fear, and loss of hope.”

You are at a point in your career where you have:

  1. Been supported, encouraged, mentored, and positively influenced – INSPIRATION, or
  2. Been left to fend for yourself, learning to be an engineer on your own – DESPERATION

Although in any endeavor, there is a certain amount of learning-by-experience and trial-by-fire, the best way for someone to realize and reach their full potential is to have a mentor. Better yet, have more than one mentor who teaches, guides, and encourages.

Unfortunately, the sad truth is that most engineers who run their own business, or who ascend to a position of leadership in an already established firm, learned what they know on their own. Either they didn’t have positive, knowledgeable, and encouraging role models, or they arrogantly shunned available support and are now passing these traits on to the next generation of engineers.

However, there are alternatives.

EngineeringDesignResources.com‘s goal is to help, inform, encourage, and support those working in building design and construction. Our sole purpose and passion is to be the “something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create” through information, resources, and community. Take what you need from these posts, ask for help when you need it, and then, we can then pass that knowledge and INSPIRATION on to others.

BUILDING ENVELOPE ANALYSIS

As a building designer, one of your charges is to design and specify heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems for buildings. These systems can be as simple as ventilation fans for air movement or indoor air quality up to highly specialized air treatment systems. In addition, you may be required to provide input into the building design, especially when it comes to building materials.

Both of these functions require knowledge and mastery of Building Envelope Analysis. By learning these skills, you make yourself a valuable part of the whole Design Team. You will gain the respect of Architects, Owners, and Contractors as well as other Building Design professionals.

For your Test-Prep Resource Library©*, you want to find and include the following Building Envelope Analysis information – density, conductivity, conductance, and resistance or U-values – for:

Building Materials

Load Calculations for Building Envelope Analysis:

  • For roofs, walls, and glass conduction: q = U x area x CLTD
  • For glass solar: q = area x SC x SHGF x CLF
  • Conductivity = k in BTU per (hour)(square foot)(temperature difference)
  • Conductance = C in BTU per (hour)(square foot)(temperature difference)
  • Resistance (R) = 1/k or 1/C in (hour)(square foot)(temperature difference) per BTU
  • U-value = 1/R in BTU per (hour)(square foot)(temperature difference)
  • Available from ASHRAE or search online:
    • Cooling Load Temperature Difference (CLTD) tables
    • Shading Coefficients (SC) tables
    • Solar Heat Gain Factor (SHGF) tables
    • Cooling Load Factor (CLF) tables
  • Weather Data

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 your own 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.

In conclusion, using this Building Envelope Analysis information and a few quick calculations, you can be a driving force in the overall building design and system selections – building skin, structural, and HVAC. Set up a model on a laptop computer or tablet prior to a design meeting in order to quickly change and modify building dimensions, directions, and materials. You will assist the Design Team and Owner in making decisions, and you have made yourself a valuable part of the Project Team.

Building Envelope Analysis

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.

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Which PE Exam Is Easiest?

May 19, 2023 by

Which PE Exam is easiest to pass with minimal study and preparation time?

Which PE Exam Is Easiest

We continuously receive questions like these:

  • Which PE Exam is easiest?
  • Which exam requires the least amount of study and preparation?
  • In what discipline should I test to ensure I pass and get a PE License?

Our answer is always the same,
they’re all easy … if you’re prepared.

Stop rolling your eyes for a minute, and let us explain.

It’s our experience, after working with hundreds of eager (and a few not so eager) test-takers, that:

  1. those who are most successful have the most experience and/or knowledge in a particular discipline, regardless of their past career path.
  2. those who struggle with the exam, and typically have to retake it several times, are the ones attempting to test in a discipline in which they think they should (or are receiving imprudent advice).

Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?

However, in reality, that’s not always the case.

For instance, someone graduates from college with a degree in Mechanical Fluids Engineering and then spends the next four years working as an HVAC construction engineer.

The wise path is to take the Mechanical Engineering HVAC and Refrigeration PE Exam or the Civil Engineering Construction PE Exam.

In all honesty, there are some who insist on taking Mechanical Engineering Thermal and Fluid Systems PE Exam because that was their major.

Wrong Choice

So, back to our answer to Which PE Exam Is Easiest?…

All PE Exams are easy … if you’re prepared.

Preparation is not cramming four years of college review and four years of practical, on-the-job experience into as little time as possible just to pass an exam.

  • First, this rarely works, especially given the fact that you probably have a job, a social life, and other outside interests that consume a good deal of your free time. So, the amount of time you are able to devote to preparation for the exam is most likely considerably less than required.
  • Second, the intent of the PE Exams is not to make you learn or re-learn multiple concepts in order to pass a test after which you will promptly forget the vast majority. The intent is to show you’ve been able to develop a level of mastery of a discipline and that you are competent enough to provide your services to the public.

As you’ve probably witnessed in your career, those two letters – PE – after someone’s name evokes a great deal of confidence from the general public. In addition, it’s the licensing board’s duty to responsibly award PE licenses.

Preparation begins your first day “on the job”

Through your four-year internship (i.e., J-O-B), you learn how to apply the principles acquired in college, how your particular discipline operates, how to design and implement projects, how the quality review process works, what codes and standards are applicable, and so on.

It’s during your work experience that you gain the knowledge you need to pass the PE Exam and to continue a career in engineering. This same four-year period will also reveal your passions – what you are meant to do.

So, when it comes time to select which PE Exam to take, don’t try to figure out which PE Exam is easiest, I recommend spending some time reflecting on the past four years.

  • Do you like what you do?
  • Do you have a passion for your vocation (or does it just “pay the bills”)?
  • Do you find yourself pursuing activities outside of work that are in-line with your career or completely different?
  • Are you really good at what you do, and would you be a good ambassador for your profession as a Licensed Professional Engineer?
  • Are you able to step away from the label you “earned” in college and take the exam that truly tests your knowledge and abilities?
Resources

After you’ve answered the questions above and understand the path you should follow, then it’s time to tackle the particulars of the exam. Read PE Exam Success – The 10 Best Ways To Be Prepared and How To Pass The PE Exam for additional information on what it takes to pass the PE.

Which PE Exam Is Easiest?

Which PE Exam Is Easiest

Engineering Design Resources
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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.

Filed Under: PE Exam Prep

5 Daily PE Exam Preparation Actions

May 19, 2023 by

Preparing to take one of the Professional Engineering Exams is a big undertaking. Even if you’ve been performing engineering design work for a number of years, there will be topics on the exam with which you are unfamiliar. You will need time to gather and organize materials, prepare a realistic study schedule, study, research, and review. Every year we get feedback that people don’t budget enough time or stick to their schedule … the exam always seems to “sneak” up on them. Family obligations, work commitments, and life invariably derail the best of intentions. For this reason, we have prepared a list of 5 Daily PE Exam Preparation Actions that have helped others:

5 Daily PE Exam Preparation Actions

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1. Work a set number of sample questions each day.

This will depend on:

    1. how many days you have until the exam
    2. how much time you can spend each day
    3. how familiar you are with each topic

Example: You have three months (12 weeks) until the exam. You can work one hour per day, Monday thru Friday, and four hours per day Saturday and Sunday. This gives you 13 hours per week for 13 weeks, or a total of 169 hours, to work problems. Assuming an overall average familiarity with the exam topics, you will probably need to work between 1,000 and 1,500 problems. This works out to between six and nine problems per hour. Monday thru Friday you’d work six to nine problems, and Saturdays and Sundays you’d work 24 to 36 problems.

2. Add information to at least one section of your Test-Prep Resource Library© (see note below).

Even though you are no longer allowed to take information into the testing center, you can still gather your study materials into an organized Resource Library. This library will be beneficial during your review sessions and, if you don’t pass the exam, you’ll have a head start preparing for the next time.

3. Research an exam topic – thoroughly.

Print the topics found in the exam specifications at NCEES.org for your specific exam. Start gathering information on each topic, and organize the information into your Test-Prep Resource Library© (refer to #2 above). The less familiar you are with a topic, the more research you will need to do.

4. Ask a PE in your company or search the internet for advice.

Most licensed engineers are eager to share their experience and knowledge. Asking for their advice on preparing for and taking the licensing exam will probably turn into a very long conversation full of great information and helpful hints. If you can’t get one of them to talk (which is hard to believe), or you just want additional input, search the internet. There are bulletin boards, chat rooms, and websites (like EngineeringDesignResources.com) where you can find great information and possibly schedule a meeting or phone call by Contacting Us. Don’t downplay the importance of this step.

5. Read one section from a code book, a standard, or a handbook.
5B. Read:
*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.

5 Daily PE Exam Preparation Actions

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Architectural Engineering PE Exam

May 19, 2023 by

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

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PE Exam – Let’s Get Started

May 19, 2023 by

Ready for the PE Exam – let’s get started! Do you remember the first time you tried something new? Whether it was skydiving or scuba-diving, a new sport or a new instrument, learning to drive or learning to fly, those first few “steps” can seem huge. Most times, all we need to do is take a deep breath, put one foot in front of the other, and begin moving.

Put one foot in front of the other and move.

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Put one foot in front of the other and begin moving.

Apply these same steps to just about any endeavor. Take, for instance, preparing for the PE Exam. Hopefully, by now you’ve made the decision to take the PE Exam and have registered with NCEES.org. Where most people find themselves at this stage is … “The exam is two months away; I’ve got plenty of time to prepare … I’ll start later.” Before you know it, one month is gone, then another week, and another. Now you’re in panic-mode. There’s not enough time to properly prepare, so you try to cram as much as possible into the little time remaining, and you spend the next few weeks agonizing over the daunting task.

If you’re taking the Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, or Structural PE Exam, you’ll only have to carry this burden around for six months, until the next exam. However, if you’re taking the Architectural PE Exam, you get to suffer for twelve full months … one whole year. Don’t be this person. Take these next two months seriously. Put in the work. Do the hard things necessary to pass the PE Exam, and remember this by Walt Disney…

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

So … let’s get started.

This post – and a few others – primarily pertain to the Architectural Engineering PE Exam, but the information presented is applicable to any exam.

These first two topics are to get the test-taker to consider building systems – Architectural, Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing – as a whole – and how each one affects the others:

  1. Aspects of building performance that affect human comfort (e.g., vibration, noise, lighting, climate control) and,
  2. Impact of one system on another (e.g., lighting load on air-conditioning system capacity)

For example, how do vibrations transmitted from HVAC equipment to the structure impact the overall acoustics of a space or entire building?

  • Does the Mechanical Engineer treat the cause with additional isolation devices to limit the transmission?
  • Does the Structural Engineer use heavier – or more – steel to counteract the impact?
  • Does the Architect and Acoustics Engineer provide additional sound dampening?

How do each of these affect the occupants?

Vibrations can be annoying and interfere with productivity.

Sound dampening can alter the intended “feel” of the space.

Noise can undermine speech and affect attention.

Everything we do as designers has the capacity to impact something else, so we must be aware of our efforts as well as the efforts of others.

To successfully navigate this portion of the exam, we recommend gathering information – articles, charts, graphs, examples, etc. – that relates to these types of impact.

Gather information on:

  • Vibration
  • Noise
  • Lighting
  • Climate Control
  • Insulation Types & Characteristics
  • Day-Lighting
  • Windows
  • Building Materials

In addition, gather information on:

  • How does the lighting load affect the air-conditioning load?
  • Does the HVAC load affect the overall electrical load and service size?
  • What effect do the MEP systems have on the Structural systems?
  • Do the combined systems affect the final architectural design?
Test-Prep Resource Library

In future posts, we will provide some beneficial resources and websites that you can include in your Test-Prep Resource Library©*. For now, do some digging on your own and see what you can find. Be curious, always ask why or why not, and never merely take someone else’s opinion for your own. This part of the exam has a certain element of subjectivity, and it’s not always “written in stone.” In your quest, you might find a new insight or twist on a long-held belief that makes you question your stance on the issue. That is not a bad thing. Tony Robbins, a life and business strategist, says, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”

*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 your own 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.

So, are you ready for the PE Exam – let’s get started!

PE Exam – Let’s Get Started

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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.

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