It includes 80 questions and can last up to 9 hours. You're very focused on what you need to know and you don't have a lot of standards. I'm just letting you know the reality of it. So if you miss one date while pursuing certification as a, , you will not be eligible for the PE license and wont be able to start your, In the U.S., engineers must be licensed at the state level by professional licensing boards to become a PE. The on-demand course will run $550 and the webinar course will run $600. Sign up for our newest FREE webinar "The Top 5 Steps to Prepare for, Take, and Pass the Civil PE Exam" coming up on July 24 and Aug 4th! Let me know in the comments what you think is easiest, which is hardest. And we did a whole episode about that. https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter. You want to achieve maximum results with the least amount of effort - you're busy (we all are)! Exams. And if you scored extremely well in transportation topics, maybe you want to consider that. could you please tell me how having PE construction License would benefit me ? PPI PE Mechanical prep courses provide absolutely everything you need to pass your exam the first time. If you are in that field and are comfortable using their books then this is your exam. Ultimate Civil PE Review. It's like the ASCE-7 and the OSHA Manual. Select the 'PE Exam' and the specific discipline you are interested in. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so be sure to answer every question on the test. And all because you were a little more intentional with all those studying hours that you were going to put in anyway. You may consider it too. ), and with the right preparation, you can definitely pass! Most people choose an afternoon depth exam that is related to their work and area of expertise. Isaac Oakeson: You know, there is probably some not good facts or myths about the construction being the most popular. When engineering professionals think of the PE exam, they think of PPI2Pass in one way or another, and for good reason.PPI2Pass has been prepping engineers for the PE exam for close to five decades, and provides some of the best study materials around.. Maybe they disliked it there, whatever the reasons are around that. Exam registration fees vary by state and foreign location, and should be paid either to NCEES or your state licensing board, depending on your states requirements. Anybody in the world, if you've reached the qualifications to take the PE, you can take the structural depth exam. I will definitely be recommending your products to all my colleagues. So I would rank the transportation exam somewhere right in the middle. All rights reserved. I'm an "old guy" :-). Which PE Exam Should I Take? Examinees have 9 hours to complete the exam, which contains 80 questions. And you're only going to get a few questions on there. You know, it's like an inch thick of structural material, and there's quite a bit in there. One of the biggest advantages of taking a review course is knowing how to compile a reference manual full of the most useful and relevant sources that youll need on exam day. Your detailed study guide should outline all test topics and the amount of time you will dedicate to each topic on the exam. So a little easier than transportation. Although it differs from person to person, you should dedicate between 200-300 hours on average to prepare for the PE examination if you commence studying three to four months before the exam. Obviously there is that whole "ethics" thing where your not supposed to design things outside your area of expertise, in terms of actual licensing many states don't know or care, they . Today, Ken continues to use those finely tuned skills to educate students as a professional writer and teacher. NCEES gives pass rates for all PE exams on their website. However, if you want to know the exact fees for your discipline, follow the steps below: Venture to the NCEES engineering website. Transportation's pretty thick in there. If your goal is a promotion in your current role, select the one that best matches your current role. Any reputable professional engineering review course will help you learn whats important to pass the test! In that case, you will need to devote 264 hours to studying for the PE exam. Ultimately, the entire NCEES infrastructure is in a conversion process this year with an expected launch schedule between now and 2024. The first time pass rate across all disciplines is 65%. - Study for FE Wondering which is the easiest PE exam? But that's my advice if you are confused about which depth exam to take. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. This exam is still administered in paper and pencil format. Today, I will break down each depth exam and give my opinion as to which is the easiest (and hardest) to take and why. Do you have a passion for your vocation (or does it just pay the bills)? Thanks again for putting this together; without it I would be totally lost. Can't really help you with the references to take because it's been a few years since I took the test and, I still have them, but they aren't exactly handy at the moment. Structural is hard only because of all the codes/standards you need to know well. All of these exams are administered twice per year: once on. It does involve foundation work as well as structural and tensions and, you know, a lot of other things. If you're in the construction world, take it. You can use that to your advantage. The implications of these changes are vast, but were going to focus on the effect this has on 2023 PE exam dates in particular. Why is The FE Exam Hard? Source: Reddit r/fe_exam So what does this mean? Choose your state, then select PE as your test before entering your discipline. Its got the most practice problems and material of any resource out there and is the most Civil Engineering Academy's PE Course Review. PE Exam results are graded pass/fail and are released 8-10 weeks after the paper and pencil exam (or 7-10 days after a computer-based exam). If you work in an industry or you're doing something that just has no relation really to a specific topic, I would go back and think about what I did in college. This can go a lot of different ways, but these are simply based on my own opinions about this and no one else's. So, I'll give you my thoughts about this as we continue on. Maybe they hated it in college. You just have to know those codes and standards really well, and you plug and chug. So it was really fun to have him on to talk about that. So you have earned an engineering degree, cleared the FE exam, acquired the title of EIT, garnered four years of work experience, and are finally looking forward to taking the PE exam. Other computer-based PE exams use a different algorithm thats more of a high-stakes testing model. Now, if you actually look at transportation and the numbers behind it, you'll see that transportation and water resources have the highest amount of test takers. Another great reason to rank this as the easiest exam to take is that if you look at the historical pass rates for water resources they are typically at 70% or higher for first time takers and consistently rank higher if you are a repeat taker of the exam. Construction's very small. They use the same specifications. The depth exam is, not surprisingly, much more specific, with questions that go into much more specialized detail. In fact, PPI provides such stellar reference manuals and other print materials that other prep . So if you miss one date while pursuing certification as a Professional Engineer (PE), you will not be eligible for the PE license and wont be able to start your engineering career. And you don't need to know standards. Why PPI2Pass Makes Our Best PE Prep List. The scaled score represents your ability level and is compared to the minimum ability level for that exam. So I got a Civil Engineering Reference Manual sitting in front of me. Check the NCEES website forspecific rulesregarding books, calculators, cell phones, computers, and security procedures, as these sometimes change. I never know how to really word this. The hardest exam, I believe, to take for the civil PE exam is the structural depth exam. CRUSH was created to help you pass the CPA exam as fast as possible without losing your freaking mind! It is administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers. OK, let's just get this out of the way. No way. It's this guy. That sounds great until you struggle to decide which resources and how many you should bring into the room. Before I answer it, I have a question for you. For one, there are no standards required for this 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. The Best FE Civil Review Exam Prep Course & Practice Exam Test, CEA 71 Becoming an Engineering From Honduras to the US with Martha Castellon, CEA 70 Crushing the Transportation PE Exam with Shannon Beranek, The Best PE Civil Review Exam Prep Course & Practice Exam Test, CEA 69 How To Deal with a Challenging Personality, Your email address will not be published. People that take the construction depth exam are often surprised about the difficulty of the problems asked. Based on pass rate or what? So that's nice. You could chance not bringing in some of them, but a missed question here and there really add up when you need to get as many right as possible. Isaac Oakeson: And I also think, if you actually look at the Civil Engineering Reference Manual, which I have sitting somewhere around here -- Yeah, right here. According to pass rates on the NCEES website, 71% of engineers who take the water resources test pass on their first try. You just dive into water resources, which is super nice. Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Spring 2023 Special 10% Discount FE Electrical Course PE Power Course Close Top Banner FE Electrical School of PE Review Courses. Of course saying it's the second easiest doesn't mean it's a walk in the park, you still have to bust your butt to study for it, but I think this one has the least amount of curve balls and codes they could hit you with. Thats right the PE exam is an open book test. Today, I will break down each depth exam and give my opinion as to which is the easiest (and hardest) to take and why. Typically, the exam costs between $350-$375, plus any additional fees your state board requires. Our answer is always the same, they're all easy if you're prepared. If you have any questions about anything related to the PE or the FE, or becoming a professional engineer, head to civilengineeringacademy.com. Like, yeah, the volume of material is quite a bit. PE exam disciplines that are available in a computer-based testing (CBT) format can be taken year-round. Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Schedul 5 Best Professional Engineering Review C Best Continuing Education for Engineerin 7 Best FE Exam Prep Courses [ 2023 Revie Chemical Engineer Salary: How Much Does Aerospace Engineer Salary: How Much Does Best Fundamentals of Surveying Exam Prep 75+ Important Engineering Statistics for 2023, Save Big with Securities Training Corporation Promo Codes. That's where construction ranks. Which Mechanical PE Exam discipline is the easiest? You might have really struggled in water resources classes. Like, you have to know every discipline because construction touches every discipline. Only licensed engineers can submit plans and drawings. That's good advice for each of these exams, really. It contains 80 total questions: 40 multiple-choice questions in the 4-hour AM session, and 40 multiple-choice questions in the 4-hour PM session. Anyway guys, hopefully this was helpful to you as it was for me. Isaac Oakeson: The other thing is the historical pass rates. So let's dive right into it. Enter your name and email address below and I'll send you periodic updates about the podcast. Isaac Oakeson: I personally took geotech. requires a minimum of four-years of post-college work experience to register. The calculator models that are allowed to use in the PE exam are listed . So the structural engineering depth exam is definitely one, I think, is the most difficult when you're preparing for the PE exam. Zilch. If you need to reschedule your exam, follow the instructions on the NCEES website to do so. | Pass Rates + Topics Asked on the FE Is the Fundamentals of Engineering exam hard? In what discipline should I test to ensure I pass and get a PE License? You don't have any standards. A lot of people get confused about that a little bit. There could be a lot of these that go for construction, thinking it will be the easiest, and then fail on their first try. And I think people, when they're preparing for that, are always surprised at how difficult the construction depth exam is. I get this question all the time. This means you'll need to study and review to pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam, otherwise known as the PE exam. Teaming up with the School of PE when preparing for the PE exam can help you pass the PE exam and realize your dream of becoming a licensed professional engineer. https://civilengineeringacademy.com: Which Civil PE Exam is the Easiest? I totally get it. PE Exam Success Results Vary Primarily Due To The Use Of Effective Exam Preparation Methods Or Not! According to NCEES.org, this is so they can use whats called a linear-on-the-fly (LOFT) algorithm to construct year-round exams, which makes cheating an impossibility. So dont worry about having to study for a different kind of exam if youre taking paper and pencil instead of digital, or vice versa. Check out how to register for the PE Exam below! But if I'm going to rank them, that's the one I'm going to rank as the hardest, okay? In 2023, the exam date falls on, The PE Control Systems Engineering Exam is administered in pencil and paper format; there is currently no computer-based version of the test. Those are my thoughts. This year, the PE Agricultural Engineering Exam falls on, This exam is still administered in paper and pencil format. So you can just see by the statistics of it, as well as the standards and the material that you're studying. First is obviously look at what you're doing for your employment and what's going to benefit you or complement what you're doing there. So, you know, let's get on board with that. The PE Industrial and Systems exam is computer-based. The problem with construction is that they test you on a range of topics. Not for subject matter itself (although it can be), but simply because there are so many resources that you are required to bring with you and know pretty well. Nearly every licensure and certification on the planet is shifting to digital. Of all the standards that are out there, having these two really isn't bad. In fact, go check out our episode with Tim Miller. Stories of suitcases full of books and notes arent unusual, but do you really need all that? So that's the first thing. " thanks so much again for your guidance and great resources. Hi Isaac my work is primarily in structural, but I heard geotech may be easier to pass. I did geotech myself. After graduating from San Diego State University he went on to earn his Certified Public Accountant license and created CrushTheCPAexam.com to share his knowledge and experience to help other accountants become CPAs too. The National Society of Professional Engineers explains that in order to become a licensed PE, you must: So what are you waiting for? CFA Institute does not endorse, promote or warrant the accuracy or quality of ais-cpa.com. The PE exams are the same nationwide. If you know the standards then you'll be fine, but that's a lot of money to invest in extra books. Isaac Oakeson: Now, take that with a grain of salt because every exam is difficult and I'm not here to discourage you from taking any of those, especially if it relates to the field that you are in. As another commenter said, if I don't pass or don't like the Construction exam, I could always take it again (3 times in a year!) It seems like it's kind of the go-to exam when people are preparing for this, and they're not sure which category they want to take. is the easiest test just to try it out or as a hail mary to see if they could pass without much preparation. And in the end, youll spend all that time learning in-depth skills in a discipline youll probably never use again. . ), the construction depth exam incorporates topics found throughout the entirety of the book. I also heard recently about 1.5yr that the depth portion was changed to be much more theory than calcs. Are you good with waste water management? I get it. Conclusion. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Not a lot in there. If you look at the Civil Engineering Reference Manual (reminder: use the discount code of CIVAC to get 15% off at ppi2pass.com) you'll notice that the geotech section is the thinnest section of material. Your depth exam is where things vary a great deal. I would rank geotechnical engineer as the second easiest (and most skipped) depth section to take. Before even taking the exam, engineers must have gained a minimum of four years work experience to be eligible. and try Transportation next. had a net income of $93,000, while those with a PE license made significantly more: $108,000. And if you actually thumb through what we call the geotech material, geotechnical, it is seriously like a quarter of an inch thick. This is the simple answer, but the truth is, theres much more to it. And so a lot of engineers go into that thinking it's going to be easy. Of course, if you enroll in a PE review course, youll have an even better idea of what to focus on because someone has already done the work for you! I dont want to scare you, but you need to know that regardless of what you do, the PE Exam is going to be hard. The ASCE 7 is most likely a small load combination like 1.2D+1.6L and the OSHA is most likely material that you can find using the CERM as it covers a lot of material that has appeared on the exam. But this must be the very first thought that would have struck your mind: Everyone would like to take the PE exam that they can pass on their first attempt to become professional engineers without wasting their time retaking the exam. Your email address will not be published. Hey Isacc, thanks for the great insight! To create more opportunities and grow your engineering career, a Professional Engineer (PE) license is the answer. It wasn't until recently that they added these. Just for a visual. So, those are the things you want to consider. An FE exam waiver may be considered in lieu of additional engineering experience. So my thought is that the volume of material that you actually get tested on is very -- It's pretty limited. Updated: March, 2022 Is the FE Exam hard? Other sections are very small. The NCEES website lists the topics and roughly how many questions for each will appear on the various PE exams in its section of exam-specific informationhere. An engineer taking the water resources depth on their first attempt is more likely to pass than any other discipline. TLDR; the structural depth exam is most likely the hardest exam to take. So, that's my thoughts surrounding transportation. Now, I'm not saying that this should discourage you when you take and prepare for this exam. As the PE exam is entirely different each time, it is a matter of chance which examination might include simpler problems and which one might contain tough ones. Prepare Smarter Not Harder! Always think about your career goals when considering the PE Civil exam. Looking at the specifications and codes, for me PE Civil Construction would be the easiest? with PE construction can i stamp drawings ? I would rate the construction depth exam as the the fourth easiest exam, meaning it takes second place in difficulty among the five exams you can take. You can worry about the other exams later if you want to take them. Having said that, every PE examination is challenging and demands unwavering dedication and hard work. If you search through online threads like Ive done, youll see that whenever a specific discipline is mentioned as the easiest, its almost always water resources or transportation. , this is so they can use whats called a linear-on-the-fly (LOFT) algorithm to construct year-round exams, which makes cheating an impossibility. Some exams are held only once a year while others can be taken year-round. (update: Because of the ongoing situation with COVID-19, all paper and pencil tests have been cancelled.). What do you guys think? It will also set each exam at the same relative level of difficulty. And I believe that is the water resources. Based on the latest published pass rates from NCEES, all three disciplines are about the same, with approximately two thirds of first time exam takers passing, and just over half of second time exam takers passing. A PE license is essential to start your engineering firm. Congrats to all that just took the PE last weekend! Keep in mind though, if you are just going for the P.E., then you only need to take the structural depth exam with the breadth exam. Isaac Oakeson: So, that's my opinion. This 8-hour exam has 80 questions and requires four years of experience post-college. And if I just thumb through here, I can see structural. PPI is our partner to help you ace your FE and PE exams. EET offers a prep course for the PE civil exam. Cookie Notice Whats wrong with you? I've looked at what's on each exam on the NCEES website, and, while Transportation does interest me ("oh that sounds cool"), I gotta admit that I am more familiar with the Construction topics after working 10 years in the industry. Think about if you were working in geotechnical and took the water resources exam. However, the three easiest disciplines for first-time takers to pass (based on NCEES pass rates) are the Industrial and Systems, Metallurgical and Materials, and Architectural exams. For example, civil engineers typically take the structural breadth and depth exam, while electrical engineers often take the Power depth exam. The exam has 80 questions and lasts 9 hours total. The Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination is available at different times for different disciplines. J/K. With 80 questions on the test, you have just 6 minutes per question. The familiarity that I had with the structures topics and questions made it a lot easier for me to answer those. Licensure candidates typically must pass two exams to achieve their professional engineering license, The Fundamentals of Engineering or FE exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering or the PE exam.