The Most Difficult PE Exam, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the PE Exam you think is the most difficult!

Updated on Apr 23, 2024 06:40

In the challenging journey of becoming a licensed Professional Engineer, understanding which PE Exams are the most daunting can significantly affect preparation strategies. Many aspiring engineers often struggle with determining how to allocate their limited study time to maximize success. This list and your voting contributions help paint a clearer picture of these exams’ difficulty levels. By participating, you're not only aiding your own preparation but also assisting fellow test-takers in making informed decisions about their study focuses.

What Is the Most Difficult PE Exam?

1

66
votes
Structural Engineering (SE) Exam

This exam requires a deep understanding of structural analysis, design, and construction. It covers a wide range of topics, including steel, concrete, masonry, and timber design. The SE exam is considered the most challenging of all PE exams.
The Structural Engineering (SE) Exam is a professional engineering exam that evaluates the competency and knowledge of individuals in the field of structural engineering. It is designed to assess the ability to design and analyze various structural systems in compliance with relevant codes and standards.

Duration: 16 hours (split into two 8-hour sessions)

Format: Multiple-choice questions and essay-style problems

Discipline: Structural Engineering

Coverage: Structural analysis, design, and evaluation of various materials and systems

Code Requirements: Incorporates knowledge of nationally recognized structural design codes and standards
2

31
votes
Chemical Engineering (CE) Exam

The CE exam tests the ability to solve complex problems in chemical engineering, including process design, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena. It requires a solid understanding of chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
The Chemical Engineering (CE) Exam is an advanced professional engineering examination that evaluates the competency of individuals in the field of chemical engineering. It is designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a chemical engineer to practice effectively and safely.

Difficulty Level: High

Exam Duration: 8 hours

Number of Questions: 80-100

Type of Questions: Multiple-choice

Disciplines Covered: Chemical engineering principles, applied mathematics, process design, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, kinetics, reactor design, plant design, safety, and ethics
3

8
votes
Electrical and Computer Engineering (EE) Exam

This exam covers electronics, power systems, control systems, and telecommunications. It requires a thorough understanding of circuit theory, digital systems, and computer architecture.
The Electrical and Computer Engineering (EE) Exam is a standardized professional examination administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) to assess the knowledge and competency of individuals seeking to become licensed Electrical and Computer Engineers.

Field: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Exam Type: Standardized professional exam

Purpose: Assess knowledge and competency for engineering licensure

Administration: Administered by NCEES

Difficulty: Challenging
4

23
votes
Mechanical Engineering (ME) Exam

The ME exam covers topics such as mechanics, thermodynamics, and materials science. It requires a strong understanding of physics, mathematics, and engineering principles.
The Mechanical Engineering (ME) Exam is a professional engineering exam designed to test the competency of individuals in the field of mechanical engineering. It assesses the candidate's knowledge and understanding of various theoretical and practical aspects of mechanical engineering.

Exam Duration: 8 hours

Number of Questions: 80-100

Question Format: Multiple Choice

Depth and Breadth: The exam covers a broad range of mechanical engineering topics, with a focus on both depth and breadth of knowledge.

Topics Covered: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Mechanics of Materials, Machine Design, and more.
5

16
votes
Environmental Engineering (ENV) Exam

The ENV exam covers topics such as water and air quality, environmental regulations, and pollution control. It requires a thorough understanding of chemistry, biology, and environmental science.
The Environmental Engineering (ENV) Exam is a professional engineering exam that assesses the competence of candidates in the field of environmental engineering. It focuses on applying principles of engineering, mathematics, and scientific concepts to protect and improve the environment.

Exam Type: Computer-based

Duration: 8 hours

Number of Questions: 80 multiple-choice

Discipline Areas Covered: Water and wastewater, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, environmental sustainability, and other related topics

Exam Format: Closed-book
6

10
votes
Civil Engineering (CE) Exam

The CE exam covers a broad range of topics, including transportation, geotechnical engineering, and construction management. It requires a strong understanding of engineering principles and a deep knowledge of construction materials and techniques.
The Civil Engineering (CE) Exam is a professional engineering exam that assesses the knowledge and competency of individuals in the field of civil engineering.

Exam Duration: 8 hours

Number of Questions: 80

Exam Format: Multiple Choice

Discipline Breadth: Morning Session

Depth Modules: Afternoon Session
7

8
votes
Industrial Engineering (IE) Exam

The IE exam covers topics such as production planning, quality control, and operations research. It requires a solid understanding of mathematics, statistics, and engineering principles.
The Industrial Engineering (IE) Exam is a professional engineering exam that assesses the knowledge and competency of individuals in the field of industrial engineering. It is designed to evaluate the ability to design, optimize, and improve complex systems and processes in various industries.

Exam Format: Computer-based exam

Number of Questions: 80 multiple-choice questions

Time Limit: 8 hours

Disciplinary Topics: Work design and measurement, facility design and material handling, operations research, production planning and control, computerized simulation and modeling, quality engineering, supply chain management

References Allowed: NCEES-supplied reference handbook
8

11
votes
Petroleum Engineering (PE) Exam

The PE exam covers topics such as drilling operations, reservoir engineering, and production methods. It requires a deep understanding of geology, physics, and engineering principles.
The Petroleum Engineering (PE) Exam is a professional examination designed to assess the competency of individuals in the field of petroleum engineering. It consists of a comprehensive assessment of the candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the practice of petroleum engineering.

Exam Format: The PE Exam is a computer-based test (CBT) that includes multiple-choice questions.

Exam Duration: The exam is typically an 8-hour long test.

Discipline-Specific Modules: The exam is divided into two parts: Part A (Fundamentals of Engineering) and Part B (Discipline-Specific Module).

Discipline-Specific Depth: The Discipline-Specific Module focuses specifically on petroleum engineering principles and practices.

Reference Materials: Candidates are allowed to bring and use specific reference materials during the exam.
9

3
votes
Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) Exam

The FPE exam covers topics such as fire dynamics, fire protection systems, and fire safety codes. It requires a strong understanding of physics, chemistry, and engineering principles.
The Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) Exam is a professional engineering examination that assesses the knowledge and expertise of individuals in the field of fire protection engineering. It is designed to test the skills required to design and analyze fire protection systems and ensure the safety of people, property, and the environment in the event of a fire.

Exam Format: Computer-based

Exam Duration: 8 hours

Number of Questions: 80

Reference Materials: Allowed reference books provided by NCEES

Content Areas: Fire dynamics, Fire protection systems, Fire modeling, Fire protection management, etc.
10

8
votes
Computer Engineering (CE) Exam

The CE exam covers topics such as computer architecture, software design, and digital systems. It requires a solid understanding of computer science, mathematics, and engineering principles.
The Computer Engineering (CE) Exam is a professional engineering examination that measures the competency of individuals in the field of computer engineering. It is designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to practice as a computer engineer.

Exam Format: Multiple choice questions

Duration: 8 hours

Number of Questions: 80

Domain Knowledge: Computer systems, digital systems, networks, software development, algorithms, etc.

Difficulty Level: High

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Discussion

Ranking factors for difficult PE Exam

Exam pass rates

Exam pass rates are a good indicator of how difficult a PE Exam is. Comparing pass rates across disciplines may help identify which exams have a lower success rate, signaling a higher degree of difficulty.
Scope and breadth of topics

The range of knowledge and skills required for a specific PE Exam can also affect its difficulty. Disciplines with a broader scope may require individuals to master a wider range of topics, potentially making the exam more difficult.
Depth of knowledge required

Some disciplines may require a deeper understanding of certain topics or complex engineering principles, making the exam more challenging.
Exam format and question types

The structure of the exam, including the number of questions, question types, and time allowed, can significantly impact how challenging the exam is. Disciplines with a greater emphasis on problem-solving or analytical skills may be more difficult.
Industry standards and regulations

Some PE Exams may deal with specific regulations and standards that govern the practice of engineering in a particular discipline. Familiarity with these regulations can impact the difficulty of the exam.
Availability and quality of study material

The amount and quality of study materials available for an exam may affect its overall difficulty. Disciplines with limited or scarce study resources may require individuals to rely more heavily on independent research to prepare for the exam, making the preparation process more difficult.
Level of experience and expertise in the field

Personal experience in the engineering discipline can impact how difficult an individual may find the exam. Someone with a strong background in a particular discipline or extensive experience may find the exam less challenging compared to someone with limited professional experience.
Changes and updates in the exam content

Engineering is a continuously evolving field. Changes in technology and industry practices can lead to updates in exam content, which, in turn, might affect the difficulty level of the exam. Regularly reviewing and staying current with any updates or changes to the exam content is crucial to properly gauge the difficulty level.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult PE Exam. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or exam is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2223 views
182 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each exam once every 24 hours. The rank of each exam is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most difficult pe exam

Professional engineering (PE) exams are a series of rigorous tests that engineers must pass to obtain their license and practice engineering in the United States. The exams cover a wide range of topics and are designed to evaluate an engineer's knowledge and competency in their respective field. While there are several PE exams, each with its own unique set of challenges, many engineers consider the structural engineering exam to be the most difficult. This exam requires a deep understanding of complex structural analysis, design, and construction principles, as well as a mastery of codes and standards. Despite its difficulty, passing the PE exam is a crucial step in becoming a licensed professional engineer and advancing in one's career.