How to Pass the PE Exam

How to Pass the PE Exam – Without Spending a Fortune

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:

• 100 Days To PE Exam Success
• PE Exam Success The 10 Best Ways To Be Prepared
• 10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources

How to Pass the PE 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.