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.
Bob: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...for today's students. I returned to school after a business career and earned my PhD. For the past 5 years, teaching and tutoring math and statistics students within the Minnesota State colleges and universities system has been both challenging and satisfying. Helping students overcome their math frustration is a highlight. These subjects are not for...
Education & Certification
- North Dakota State University-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - Master in Public Health, Public Health
- Walden University - Doctor of Philosophy, Health Services Administration
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Professional Certifications
- Computer Programming
- GRE Subject Tests
- +53 subjects
Bahrulla: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
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
- FE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
- Exam P - Probability
- UK GCSE Mathematics
- +86 subjects
Alberto: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...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 procedure. That hinders the capacity to learn the next topic and the next...
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
- Data Science
- Discrete Math
- Physics
- +49 subjects
Eyram: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...a pretty good school (NYU), I think I know what it takes to get you where you need to be. Drafting software is best mastered by making enough mistakes to ingrain habits that prevent them. To do that, I provide that safe space so you can make those mistakes comfortably, without embarassing yourself as a...
Education & Certification
- Polytechnic Institute of New York University - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Technology and Coding
- Professional Certifications
- Science
- +30 subjects
Corrie: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...as an E.I. and a P.E. Currently, I am working towards a master's degree in Social Work with a focus on Latinx communities at Boston College. The bulk of my tutoring experience comes from my time in the Peace Corps. I served as a Community Environmental Conservation volunteer in Panama from 2015 to 2018. I...
Education & Certification
- Colorado State University-Pueblo - Bachelor of Engineering, Environmental Engineering
- Boston College - Master of Social Work, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- PE - Principles and Practice of Engineering - Environmental
- PE - Principles and Practice of Engineering - Civil - Water Resources and Environment
- FE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
- +20 subjects
Joy: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
I am a professional engineer who has a passion for helping students of all ages to be successful - specifically, in STEM! I love to tutor math, science, and engineering of course, but I am also passionate about good communication and storytelling!
Education & Certification
- Arizona State University - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
- Arizona State University - Master of Science, Environmental Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- FE - Fundamentals of Engineering - Environmental Engineering
- AP Physics 1
- Business
- +42 subjects
Dakota: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...school. Right around rejection letter number 30, I started to field questions from concerned friends and family members. They inquired not only to my mental state after being told my no to my dreams, but also what my back up plan was. To be honest, I never really had an answer for them. With each...
Education & Certification
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus - Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience
- Virginia Tech Carillon school of Medicine - Doctor of Medicine, Premedicine
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- USMLE
- OAT
- GRE Subject Test in Chemistry
- +85 subjects
Paul: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
I am a professor at a small university in Abilene, TX. I believe that all students can learn and it is up to the teacher to be creative in reaching the students.
Education & Certification
- McMurry University - Bachelor of Science, Biology Teacher Education
- Abilene Christian University - Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- TExES - Texas Examinations of Educator Standards
- PRAXIS
- UK GCSE Biology
- +94 subjects
Nima: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...be guaranteed by emphasizing on high-quality teaching for next generations. I remember since the young age, I have been enjoying and feeling honored to share any new knowledge with other students which are the motivations of my teaching desire at the present time. 14 years of experience in teaching from being a private tutor, lab...
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
- ACT Math
- Calculus 2
- Statistics Graduate Level
- +27 subjects
Jeremy: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...and Structural Engineering. Jeremy started his professional life in 2007 working as an enlisted member of the United States Air Force. In this role Jeremy had the opportunity to work as a member of Security Forces, a role in which he would gain the disciplines required to succeed in his future endeavors. After 8 years...
Education & Certification
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach - Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- AFOQT - Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
- FE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
- EIT - Engineer in Training
- +23 subjects
Taiwo: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...aim of success. I obtained my bachelors 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...
Education & Certification
- Covenant University - Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
- University of Houston - Master of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Exam LTAM - Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
- Exam FM - Financial Mathematics
- Exam P - Probability
- +158 subjects
Michael: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...graduated from The Citadel in 2010 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and in 2018 with a Masters in the same. While at The Citadel, I worked as a tutor in the Writing and Learning center and helped hundreds of students improve their math skills. I've been with Varsity for almost two years and love...
Education & Certification
- The Citadel - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
- The Citadel - Master of Science, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- FE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
- FS Exam - Professional Licensed Surveyor Fundamentals of Surveying Exam
- Statistics
- +59 subjects
Troy: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
I love teaching, mentoring and encouraging students! Each student has the ability to do it on their own. Further yet, they even have the ability to over come the completely natural lack of motivation at times, even if they don't know they can. And I just love guiding them to this realization!
Education & Certification
- Florida State University - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
- Florida State University - Master of Science, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- High School Physics
- AP Physics 1
- Algebra 2
- +12 subjects
Ridvan: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...Philosophy program (Geotechnical / Geosynthetics) at the University of Oklahoma. I am currently a Registered Professional Engineer in Oklahoma, USA. I am also a certified "Project Management Professional" by PMI. While I tutor a broad range of Civil Engineering and Math related subjects, I am most passionate about the topics in Geotechnical Engineering, Project Management...
Education & Certification
- Missouri University of Science and Technology - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
- University of Oklahoma Norman Campus - Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- PE - Principles and Practice of Engineering - Civil - Transportation
- PE - Principles and Practice of Engineering - Civil - Construction
- CAPM - Certified Associate in Project Management
- +119 subjects
Dajin: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...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 30 presentations in English and Chinese, in technical conference in US or in China (8...
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
- EIT - Engineer in Training
- Technology and Coding
- AP Chinese Language and Culture
- +24 subjects
Kazim: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...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 achieve anything they dream of in their lives. Imparting my knowledge and understanding...
Education & Certification
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Professional Certifications
- Middle School
- Statics and Dynamics
- +74 subjects
Clarissa: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...I enjoy math and science and solving problems. Math was hard for me when I was young, so I think I have an ability to empathize with students who struggle and to find a way to explain concepts so each individual can understand. I love seeing the light come on in a student's eyes when...
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
- Programming Tools
- Technology and Coding
- Middle School Math
- +59 subjects
Jason: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...of science in civil/structural engineering. Since graduation I have worked as a structural engineer, designing hospitals, health care facilities, bridges, dams, and other structures. I have experience tutoring undergraduate students in many subjects related to math and engineering. I have a hug passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and believe STEM allows us...
Education & Certification
- University of Colorado Boulder - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
- University of Colorado Boulder - Master of Science, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- FE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
- Physics
- Microsoft Excel
- +22 subjects
Daniel: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...University of Texas in December of 2009 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I have a strong personal passion for my profession. As a result, this passion extends into math, science, physics, and all areas related to the science of Engineering. I enjoy all of these things, which means I enjoy teaching these things as...
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
- Trigonometry
- Academic Coaching
- Study Skills
- +39 subjects
Anthony: PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam course instructor
...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 are also currently homeschooling our three children. I Have taught all of them...
Education & Certification
- Drexel University - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PE Exam - Professional Licensed Engineer Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
- Pre-Algebra
- Computer Science
- Basic Computer Literacy
- +21 subjects