Is the PE exam really hard?

This professional engineers' test is a grueling 8-hour long test. Just the time is given to complete it hints at how exhausting and extensive it is. The percentage of successful candidates can be as low as 49% or as high as 82% for first-time takers.

How hard is it to pass PE exam?

Truthfully, the PE exam really is not that difficult. The exam is more a test on your organizational skills and prior preparation. Being organized is the most critical element on exam day. As you know from the FE exam, you are on the clock with a set time limit for both morning and afternoon sessions.

What is the most difficult PE exam?

Which PE Exam is the Hardest? According to NCEES® stats, the structural depth and geotechnical exams are the hardest of civil PE exams. Only 64% and 55% of students managed to clear it in the first attempt. You will have to consistently prepare for the PE exam for 3 to 6 months to clear it, no matter which exam.

Is PE really hard?

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 hard is the PE compared to the FE?

Despite the FE exam having more questions, the PE test has a much longer time limit. This implies that the questions are much more difficult and take more time to complete. Plus, the higher number of available disciplines can lead to more difficult specialized exams.

How Hard Is the Civil PE Exam? (The Truth)

How many people fail the PE exam?

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

What is the easiest PE exam to take?

2022-2023 PE Exam Pass Rates

Based on first-time PE Examinees passing most frequently, these have been the easiest PE exam disciplines in 2022-2023, each with a passing rate of at least two-thirds: Agricultural and Biological Engineering (83%) Metallurgical and Materials (79%) Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration (77%)

How many people pass the PE exam first try?

The percentage of successful candidates can be as low as 49% or as high as 82% for first-time takers. The average passing score for the PE power exam is approximately 59 right answers out of 80.

Can you pass the PE without studying?

If you want to pass the PE Exam without studying, it is difficult but not impossible. You can do it by focusing on the relevant topics and saving most of your time.

Is it bad to fail PE?

In US secondary schools, you don't fail, but you won't graduate, as you'll lack the necessary PE credit(s). Sometimes it's possible to get a waiver. Also, many extracurricular activities can take the place of the PE credit.

Which state has the hardest PE exam?

However, some states that are known for having more challenging requirements for PE licensure include California, New York, and Texas.

Is the PE exam curved?

The examiners take special measures to identify flawed questions before scoring takes place. They look for ambiguity, gender or ethnic bias, technical accuracy, and unusual statistics. The PE Exam is not graded 'on a curve' and so there is no set percentage of candidates who pass each time.

Why do I keep failing the PE exam?

Underprepared. One of the significant causes of failing the PE exam is not being fully prepared for the exam. Many students think that quickly reviewing the exam specification, NCEES® Reference Handbook, and working through some problems may be good enough to pass the exam – but trust us, that is not the case.

How many hours of studying to pass PE exam?

You'll hear several tips repeatedly for the PE Exam, including studying 200-300 hours over three to six months. However, some engineers have passed the exam after just glancing at a practice exam the day before. Others took more than three attempts and over 300 hours of studying. Most will fall somewhere in between.

How many hours to study for PE?

PPI, a Kaplan Company, a major provider of exam preparatory courses and materials, recommends studying three hours a day over 12-14 weeks for the FE exam, and a total of 200-300 hours over 5-7 months for the PE exam.

Is the PE exam multiple choice?

For more information on the format of the exam and the topics covered download the specifications below. The PE Mechanical exam includes multiple-choice questions as well as alternative item types (AITs).

What is the 80 20 rule for the FE exam?

There is a lot of information to cover when preparing for the FE exam. However, you can focus on the most important concepts with the 80/20 rule. This rule states that 80% of the consequences come from 20% of the causes. In other words, you can get a lot of results by focusing on a few key areas.

How long does it take to prepare for PE?

The approximate time frame for in-depth preparation and promising success comprises 200-300 hours. On average, students can easily pass the PE exam after studying for 3-4 months.

What grade do you need to pass PE?

As mentioned earlier, there is no predefined PE passing score set by the NCEES® you need to achieve for the PE Exam. However: It is suggested that the average passing score for the PE exam is about 70%. It means you will need to correctly answer about 70% of the problems, that is roughly 56 out of 80 correct responses.

Is the PE exam open book?

PE exam is open book, meaning you can bring as many books/reference as you like.

Which PE exam has the lowest pass rate?

1 - Which PE exam is the hardest? As per the available data, PE Electrical and Computer Exam is the hardest among all with the least passing ratio of 49 percent.

Is the PE exam changing in 2024?

Starting in April of 2024, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is making a big update to PE Civil Exam Specifications to better test engineers on their specific discipline within civil engineering.

How many questions does the PE exam have at most?

It is designed for engineers with a minimum of four years of post-college work experience in their chosen engineering discipline. The PE Civil exam is computer-based and administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test center. The exam includes 80 questions.

When should I start studying for PE exam?

Six Months in Advance: Make Time to Prepare

Experts recommend setting aside roughly 300 hours over six months to study and prepare for the exam, which equates to 10-15 hours per week, or approximately two hours per day, of dedicated study time. “Make a schedule and stick to it,” Mirabile recommends.

How do I start preparing for PE exam?