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:

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

This will depend on:

1. 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.

• Exam specific codes: (refer to exam specifications at NCEES.org)
  • International Building Code
  • International Energy Conservation Code
  • International Fire Code
  • International Mechanical Code
  • International Plumbing Code
• Exam specific standards and handbooks:  (refer to exam specifications at NCEES.org)
  • ACI 318 – Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
  • AISC – Steel Construction Manual
  • ANSI C2 – National Electrical Safety Code^®
  • ASCE  7 – Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures
  • ASHRAE Standard 62.1 – Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
  • ASHRAE Standard 90.1 – Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
  • NDS – National Design Specification for Wood Construction ASD and National Design Specification Supplement: Design Values for Wood Construction
  • NFPA 11 – Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam
  • NFPA 12 – Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems
  • NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
  • NFPA 14 – Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems
  • NFPA 20 – Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
  • NFPA 25 – Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
  • NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
  • NFPA 30B – Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products
  • NFPA 70^® – National Electrical Code^®
  • NFPA 70E^® – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace^®
  • NFPA 72^® – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code^®
  • NFPA 92 – Standard for Smoke Control
  • NFPA 101^® – Life Safety Code^®
  • NFPA 400 – Hazardous Materials Code
  • NFPA 497 – Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas
  • NFPA 499 – Recommended Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas
  • NFPA 2001 – Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
  • TMS 402/602 – Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures

5B. Read:

• 10 Must-Have PE Exam Resources
• 7 Additional Must-Have PE Exam Resources

*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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