Skip to main content

Which Civil PE Exam is the Easiest?

Civil PE Exam Overview

The NCEES administers the PE exam; the PE exam tests for a minimum level of competency in a particular engineering discipline. The Civil PE exam is offered in pencil-and-paper format twice a year, in April and October.

The Civil PE exam is 8-hours long and includes 80 questions. The exam is administered in a single day and is split into two sections:
  • Morning session: Breadth section - contains questions from all five areas of civil engineering.
  • Afternoon session: Depth section - focuses on a single area of practice. While registering for the Civil PE exam, you have to select a depth module. There are five Civil depth modules, namely:
    • Construction
    • Geotechnical
    • Structural
    • Transportation
    • Water Resources and Environmental.
Which Civil PE Exam is the Easiest?

PE Civil Exam
Image Source: https://www.ndtv.com/education/candidates-can-opt-out-of-ca-exams-if-they-family-members-suffer-from-covid-19-sc

Naturally, you will have the question, "Which depth exam is the easiest?"

The answer to that question simple, all exams are easy if you prepare well.

Don't roll your eyes. I know this sounds cheesy and corny but hear me out!

You are better off choosing a disciple you have more work experience in, as you will be familiar with the basic concepts in that discipline.

For instance, if you are working as a bridge engineer and took more transportation classes in college, you are better off opting for the transportation depth exam.

There is no singular model that is the easiest for everyone. The exam you find the easiest might be the toughest for someone else. So, choose the module you are well-versed in. If you are still on the fence, take up some practice exams and see if you feel comfortable with one topic over the others.

Civil PE Exam Pass Rates

Decided on the depth exam topic? Take a look at the recent Civil PE exam pass rates.

Module

First-time Takers

Repeat Takers

Civil: Construction

53%

26%

Civil: Geotechnical

66%

48%

Civil: Structural

56%

35%

Civil: Transportation

70%

51%

Civil: Water Resources and Environmental

67%

44%

Upon seeing that 70% of the first-time takes have passed the Civil: Transportation exam, you may arrive at the conclusion that the Civil: Transportation exam is the easiest. But don't make the mistake of choosing an exam based on the pass rates.

If you opt for the Civil: Transportation exam based on the pass rates but don't have enough experience in transportation, or if you did not take many transportation classes in college, you may end up failing the exam.

What is the Best Way to Prepare for the Civil PE Exam?

There are no shortcuts to passing the PE exam, you have to work hard and dedicate few months of your life to pass the PE exam with high scores. Here are few things you can do to improve your preparation process:
  • Reference material: Buy the best-rated reference manuals and guidebooks to enhance your prep and familiarize yourself with charts, formulas, and problems.
  • Review Course: Signing up for review courses on popular platforms like School of PE can be of great help, and it can improve your chances of acing the exam on your first attempt. Expert instructors can help you understand complex topics and clarify your doubts.
  • Practice Tests: Take up time-based practice tests to improve your confidence and helps you cope with the actual examination pressure. Solve many practice tests to enhance your problem-solving skills. Grade your practice tests to identify the areas you could improve on.
Conclusion

Getting the PE licensure is tremendously valuable, and it can help you reach new heights in your career. So, stop looking for the easy way out and start prepping for the exam.

Some Useful Links:


Good luck!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Everything You Need to Know About CA Seismic Exam

Since the state of California falls under a seismic zone, Civil Engineers should take into account seismic activities while designing structures. To earn your Professional Engineering (PE) licensure in California, you must pass the PE exam and California Civil Seismic Exam. Read on to learn more about the CA Seismic exam and tips to enhance your exam preparation. About the Examination The California Seismic exam is an open book exam administered by Prometric Testing. This is a computer-based test (CBT) spanning 2.5 hours and consists of 55 MCQs. You can take the test year-round during the following months: First Quarter: January–March Second Quarter: April–June Third Quarter: July–September Fourth Quarter: October–December In the event that you fail the exam, you can retake it once per quarter. This exam tests a candidate's knowledge of the following Engineering concepts: Standards of Practice - Knowledge of the laws regulating engineering surveying and the standards of care requi...
Post a Comment
Read more

How I Studied for the Civil PE Exam and Passed

The Professional Engineering license is essential in a Civil Engineer's career. People who desire long-term career growth in Civil Engineering should pass the Civil PE exam and get their PE license. But acing the Civil PE exam can be tricky. I recently passed the Civil PE exam, and in this blog post, I will be sharing some prep strategies and tips that can help you ace the Civil PE exam. 1. Form a Study Schedule and Adhere to it Taking the PE exam without a good prep plan is futile. So, come up with a study schedule and ensure you are not straying away from it. To devise a study plan, visit the NCEES website and check the exam specifications and covered topics; break down the syllabus into manageable sections and spend more time on your weaker subject areas. Once you have set up the schedule, make sure there is absolutely no room for distraction. Notify your friends and family that you will be busy for the next few months, and you will have little to no time to socialize. Info...
Post a Comment
Read more

Top Nutrients required for Healthy Hair Growth

Having healthy long hair is one of the wishes for most of the woman. If you are one among them, then you have come to the right place. In this article I will explain about the top essential nutrition required for healthy hair growth. Protein Biotin Iron Omega 3 Fatty Acids B Vitamins Vitamin C Zinc Protein: Protein is the main nutrition required for healthy hair. Our hair structure is made up of proteins called keratin. Lack of proteins in your diet will result in hair fall. So, include foods that are rich in proteins such as eggs, chicken, lean meats, fatty fish etc. Biotin: Biotin helps to produce amino acids which forms the important protein called Keratin. Our diet should include foods that are rich in biotin such as like almonds, carrots, walnuts etc. Include these foods in your diet to get a healthy long hair. Iron: Hair follicles receive oxygen from the iron present in the red blood cells. Hence it is important to include iron rich foods such as spinach, eggs, soyabeans etc., fo...
Post a Comment
Read more