College students who are interested in a career in an engineering field may benefit from taking the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam for professional engineers (PE). If you're preparing to take that exam, you may benefit from tutoring through Varsity Tutors, along with a PE Exam course. Employers look for this designation when they're looking to bring new engineers onto their teams.
Because there is no single exam for professional engineers, any PE exam course will focus on your chosen specialty. The information is usually complex, and tutors can help you to work through it, developing study plans that take your strengths and learning styles into account. They can create study aids that are designed to break down information that you're learning in a PE exam class, and potentially help you to remember it more easily.
There are two dozen different PE exams for different disciplines. Fourteen of those are pencil and paper exams, while the tests for nuclear, environmental, chemical and petroleum are available as computer-based tests. The table below outlines the different exams and pass rates for individuals who take the exam once, and those who repeat the exam, according to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES):
Exam | First-time Takers | Pass Rate | Repeat-Takers | Pass Rate | Format |
PE Agricultural and Biological | 27 | 70% | 5 | 80% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Architectural | 101 | 62% | 17 | 6% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Chemical | 241 | 80% | 18 | 61% | CBT |
PE Civil: Construction | 750 | 53% | 651 | 34% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Civil: Geotechnical | 531 | 62% | 345 | 35% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Civil: Structural | 1539 | 60% | 786 | 42% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Civil: Transportation | 1456 | 61% | 978 | 37% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Civil: Water Resources and Environmental | 1528 | 65% | 775 | 39% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Control Systems | 224 | 75% | 61 | 48% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Electrical and Computer: Computer Engineering | 29 | 59% | 4 | 0% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Electronics, Controls, and Communications | 136 | 66% | 31 | 32% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Electrical and Computer: Power | 1033 | 54% | 678 | 27% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Environmental | 330 | 64% | 138 | 34% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Fire Protection | 165 | 56% | 76 | 28% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Industrial and Systems | 86 | 66% | 13 | 8% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration | 641 | 69% | 219 | 33% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Mechanical: Machine Design and Materials | 559 | 72% | 123 | 39% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Mechanical: Thermal and Fluids Systems | 524 | 69% | 205 | 40% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Metallurgical and Materials | 44 | 77% | 12 | 25% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Mining and Mineral Processing | 70 | 60% | 12 | 25% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | 46 | 57% | 14 | 36% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Nuclear | 32 | 56% | 0 | 0% | CBT |
PE Petroleum | 183 | 66% | 59 | 37% | Pencil-and-paper |
PE Software | 12 | 42% | 3 | 0% | Pencil-and-paper |
In order to prepare for the exam, working with a private tutor on information you're learning in a PE Exam prep course can help you to focus on topics that are specific to your chosen discipline. They can also help you to bring your practical post-college work experience into focus as you work your way through a PE exam class. A tutor can design a program of study that highlights what you're struggling with, while reviewing concepts that you have some knowledge of. The test-taking strategies you can review in PE exam prep classes doesn't vary with test design, because there are no exams that are both computer-based and pencil-and-paper. The table below explains which are computer-based and which are pencil-and-paper formats.
Exam Formats:
- Computer-Based:
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)
- Fundamentals of Surveying (FS)
- Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS)
- Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE)
- Chemical
- Environmental
- Nuclear
- Petroleum
- Pencil-and-Paper:
- Structural Engineering (SE)
- Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE)
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering
- Architectural Engineering
- Civil (all modules)
- Control Systems
- Electrical and Computer: Computer Engineering
- Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls,
- and Communications
- Electrical and Computer: Power
- Fire Protection
- Industrial and Systems
- Mechanical (all modules)
- Metallurgical and Materials
- Mining and Mineral Processing
- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Structural Engineering (SE)
The scoring process varies, depending on how you're taking the test. Computer-based exams are scored on the total number of correct answers, but there are no deductions for wrong answers. Scores are typically available within 10 days of completing the exam, according to the NCEES. Pencil-and-paper exams are pass/fail, and for those who do not pass, a diagnostic report is issued, detailing one's strengths and weaknesses. It may take 8-10 weeks to receive results for pencil-and-paper exams.
Traditional PE exam courses are often set up for group instruction, so that could make things more difficult if you're not the kind of person to speak up when you're struggling. This can help you feel less stressed and self-conscious, and perhaps have a better understanding of complicated topics as you get ready for your test.
Reach out to Varsity Tutors today to see how tutors can help you to enhance the information you've studied in your prep courses. We look forward to supporting you as you reach for academic and professional success through a PE exam prep class and tutoring.

David: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...Professional Engineer (NYS). I have at various times held all certificates for Asbestos, Radon, Lead Based Paint and US-DOT Cert. I also was a Certified Hazard Materials Manager. Chief Stationary Egn. Lic. I attended Seminary and completed the course work for a MA Pastoral Ministry and worked as a Chaplain's Assistant. As to teaching I...
Education & Certification
- Erie CC - Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering Technology
- SUNY College at Buffalo - Master of Mechnaical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Chemistry
- High School Physics
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- +66 subjects

Clarissa: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...student's eyes when they finally understand a concept they've struggled with. I have lots of tutoring experience, beginning with working as a teaching assistant for several semesters in college. I also spent a year working in a free inner-city tutoring lab. I have taught professional development courses as part of my engineering job and I...
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Master of Engineering, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Linux
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Kazim: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...by profession with a passion to continuously improve my knowledge in engineering and understand how it applies to the world around us. I love to assist others in clearing their concepts and excelling in their education because with a good teacher makes a good student and with the best teacher students can go on and...
Education & Certification
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering
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- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- ACT Math
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A voracious reader and aspiring researcher in the field of network science and infrastructure security. My ultimate goal is to make a positive difference in the world, which is aligned with my purpose of self-actualization.
Education & Certification
- SWJTU - Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Engineering
- Masdar Institute - Master of Science, Engineering and Industrial Management
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Elementary School Reading
- English
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Dajin: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...students. I have been teaching students in Chinese and English for almost 2 years. I Speak fluent Mandarin, Cantonese and English (can read and write very well). Here is my education background: Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York, Ph.D., Structural Engineering South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China, M.S. and B.S., Structural Engineering I made over...
Education & Certification
- South China University of Technology - Engineer, Structural Engineering
- Clarkson University - Doctor of Engineering, Structural Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Physics
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Daniel: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...teaching these things as well. It's important to have a tutor that loves the subject they're teaching, otherwise they won't have the drive to help their students gain an exceptional level of knowledge. I will customize my tutoring approach to each student's individual needs, and I will do whatever it takes to get the student...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Pre-Algebra
- AP Physics 1
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Alberto: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...courses for years. My approach is to help the student learn how to learn. I help with the subject at hand, but most importantly I share strategies that will facilitate the learning process in other subjects. Comprehension is key. Many students need tutoring because they have been trained to jump into a quick answer or...
Education & Certification
- Tecnolgico de Monterrey - Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering
- Tecnolgico de Monterrey - Doctor of Philosophy, Industrial Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Industrial Engineering
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Gregory: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...a Honors degree in chemical engineering and a minor in mathematics from the Pennsylvania State University. I then received a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University doing all of my research work with Sandia National Laboratories. I achieved these goals by setting high expectations for myself and striving every day to meet these...
Education & Certification
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering
- Carnegie Mellon University - Doctor of Philosophy, Chemical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Chemistry
- SAT Subject Test in Chemistry
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Anthony: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...Professional Engineer for 15+ years and am passionate about teaching and tutoring the next generation of learners. My desire for your student is to gain understanding, not only to check the right box on an exam. I like to maintain a relaxed atmosphere where a student will be able to learn. My wife and I...
Education & Certification
- Drexel University - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Trigonometry
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Nima: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...a private tutor, lab instructor to instructor of record in different universities not only helped me to increase my expertise and experience in teaching but also guided me to pursue my long term job in teaching. My research experience has helped me a lot to gain more knowledge that can be useful in teaching and...
Education & Certification
- Amirkabir University of Technology - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus - Master of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Pre-Algebra
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