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.
Veeral: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
I'm a highly motivated individual who wants to make students understand that the subjects that they are learning in school will help them outside of academia if they are willing to look at it from another perspective.
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- Texas A & M University-College Station - Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering
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Nima: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...the class interaction of students in the class, especially for undergraduate courses? This is the question I have been asking myself a lot since many years ago. I reached to a method that can enhance the class interaction and involve them more in the class, and more importantly decrease their stress and encourage them more for learning. Taking a random quiz (extra credit exam) in the class of the material being taught in the same...
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- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
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Prafulla: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...at the same time. As school topper in Maths and Science as well as university topper in Mechanics, I think I am the most suitable tutor for you. I am an engineering researcher who wants to pursue his career in the academics. I worked as Postgraduate Demonstrator, Lab Demonstrator and Assessor, Project Supervisor, even as an Assistant Professor for university-level engineering students. Mostly I taught them Engineering Maths/ Analytics and Engineering Mechanics/ Sciences subjects. I...
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...little hard work they can make that happen. I want to question those students who are unsure of this path. Medical school is challenging, and admissions committees are learning how to weed out students who are not passionate about becoming a physician. If a student is doubting their reasons for entering this field, then I also wish to provide mentorship to these applicants as well. Everything happens in life for a reason. If the reason...
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Taiwo: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...degree in mechanical engineering some years back and recently completed my masters degree in the same field. I have worked with students between grade 4 to college standing in the past. I'm proficient in math, physics, and science generally. I love tutoring math, it gives me a sense of purpose to explain defining concepts. I expose students to different problems and build their understanding. I am interested in sports (soccer). I have experience and comfortable tutoring...
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...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 are also currently homeschooling our three children. I Have taught all of them beginning elementary math through to algebra and geometry. I graduated with dual degrees in civil and architectural engineering. I have passed the NCEES engineering exams and...
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Subject Expertise
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...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 achieve anything they dream of in their lives. Imparting my knowledge and understanding of mathematics and physics is important because I may be helping someone go on to make important scientific discoveries or saving many lives in the future....
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Jude: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
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