6 Easy Steps to Pass the PE Exam on the First Try

Every engineer faces the colossal PE exam on their path to licensure, and everyone prepares differently. I'm here to share the 'tasty tidbits'—the key strategies—that helped me go from zero knowledge to passing with flying colors in less than two months.

Step 0: Sign Up for the Exam

While this seems like a simple step, the actual requirements vary significantly depending on which state you take the exam in. Some jurisdictions require four years of verified engineering experience just to sit for the 8-hour NCEES exam.

Once you have an exam date picked, the stakes become real, and your studying will feel urgent. Logistically, avoid dates that coincide with major life events (like having baby, a wedding, or other big transitions). You need to foresee having at least two to three months of solid, focused study time (this duration may be more or less based on your existing confidence with the material).

However, don't wait for the 'perfect' moment—life is messy. It's best to pick a date and commit to it.

Step 1: Obtain the Official NCEES Reference Handbook (Today!)

This is the most critical starting point, and it's typically free. Testing rules and requirements—including the codes and design standards referenced—change often, sometimes yearly, which many people don't realize until it’s too late.

The biggest game-changer recently was the system-wide shift to Computer-Based Testing (CBT). Because of this, the NCEES Reference Handbook is now the only reference material you are allowed to use on exam day. You cannot bring your old textbooks or notes!

The handbook is searchable, but you must know its layout and content inside and out. If you’re relying on outdated study guides or previous exam specifications, you might be wasting time on topics that have been removed or studying problems that use old standards. I highly advise researching your specific discipline (like Civil: Transportation) to ensure all your practice material matches the current NCEES specifications exactly.

Step 2: Secure Your Testing Preparation Materials

You will need a structured approach, and whether you pay for it or find it for free, having quality prep material is non-negotiable.

I personally opted for a review course like School of PE because I wasn't familiar with some of the Transportation topics (like road design or traffic control). These courses are incredibly expensive, so if possible, try to have your employer pay for the course as professional development.

Crucial Warning: External Codes & Manuals Beyond the NCEES Handbook, many depth exams—especially Civil disciplines like Transportation—rely heavily on external reference manuals that are not provided during the CBT. For the Civil Transportation exam, for instance, you might need to reference up to 15 different manuals (like various AASHTO or HCM codes). You must identify these specific documents via your discipline's NCEES specifications. These official codes can cost hundreds of dollars to purchase. I opted to find slightly older versions that were free online, but be warned: if you don't prepare with these external materials, you are almost guaranteed to fail, as the problems heavily rely on them.

If a paid course isn't an option, don't panic! There are plenty of fantastic, free resources available. Your primary goal is finding practice problems that mirror the exam's difficulty and format. Here are a few reliable YouTube resources for practice and concept deep dives:

• For Civil PE Candidates:
  • Civil Engineering Academy: Offers conceptual problems and tutorials, often focusing on depth sections like Transportation and Water Resources.
  • Daniel Findley (or similar): Look for channels that walk through the NCEES Reference Manual section by section, which is crucial for the CBT exam.
• For Mechanical PE Candidates (HVAC and Thermal/Fluids):
  • Mechanical PE Exam Prep: Provides extensive, solved practice problems and tutorials, with a strong focus on HVAC systems, psychometrics, and fluid mechanics.
  • Dr. Tom's Classroom: Offers sample lessons and focused problem-solving sessions for mechanical disciplines.

Step 3: Establish Consistency with a Dedicated Study Place and Schedule

For some people, studying comes naturally, but for most of us, it requires routine and intentional effort. The most important thing is that you make a schedule that you yourself will actually follow through with.

You need to find a space where you can focus, study, and leave without distraction. While a public library or work office after hours are common choices, I chose a grocery store's upstairs cafe because the hours fit my schedule.

My routine looked like this:

I followed this consistent schedule three days a week starting two months before my exam date. As the exam approached, I increased my time, opting to study every day and dedicating a full weekend to mock exams. Consistency—even small blocks of focused time—trumps cramming every single time.

Step 4: Create a Study Log to Track Your Progress

These days, with powerful tools like Google Sheets or Excel, you can track everything automatically. I created a spreadsheet to track exactly what I studied each day, including which subjects I covered, the number of problems solved, and how long I spent.

This simple act of tracking was honestly a game-changer for two main reasons:

1. Better Recall: It’s great for recalling what you studied, especially if you need to quickly review a topic you haven't touched in three weeks.
2. Motivation: Seeing the raw numbers—problems solved and hours studied—gives you a massive confidence boost as the exam date nears, helping you stay accountable.

Here is a template based on the columns I used:

Step 5: Practice Problems and Prioritize Your Weaknesses

This is the phase where you stop watching lectures and start doing. You need to objectively consider your strengths versus your weaknesses and let that guide your study plan.

For example, I work primarily in land development in civil engineering, and I was torn between taking the Transportation and the Water Resources exams. I chose Transportation because I felt I could learn that material more easily and quickly than Water Resources.

When going through the required topics, organize them into three key categories to maximize efficiency:

Solving Practice Problems and Mock Exams under timed, realistic conditions is the only way to mentally and physically prepare for the exam's endurance test.

Step 6: Be Calm, Collected, and Take That Exam!

You've put in the hours, you've mastered the Reference Handbook, and you know your stuff. The final step is trusting the process and managing your energy on test day.

The night before, stop studying. Do something relaxing—watch a movie, go for a walk, or prep a good, healthy meal. Get a full eight hours of sleep. On the day of the exam, arrive early, eat a protein-rich meal, and keep your focus tight.

The PE is a marathon, not a sprint. Remember your training: you know how to use the search function, you know which sections are in the book, and you know how to pace yourself. Breathe, read each question carefully, and skip anything that takes more than three minutes. Come back to those tough problems later. You’ve done the work—now go prove it.

Final Thoughts on Your PE Journey

Passing the PE is an incredible milestone, and it’s one that requires dedication, planning, and a bit of mental toughness. For me, that meant sacrificing a few months of personal time, but the payoff of passing was absolutely worth it.

If I can pass the PE while balancing a full-time job and a strict study routine, so can you. The six steps above break down a monumental task into manageable chunks. Remember: schedule your test, master the handbook, find your resources, be consistent, prioritize your weaknesses, and walk in there confident.

Good luck, future P.E.!