PE exam

PE Civil: Structural Exam Study Plan

A 12-week study plan for the PE Civil: Structural exam built from the NCEES specification: 80 questions, 9 hours, 5 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.

Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams · Last reviewed

This plan is built from the NCEES specification for the PE Civil: Structural CBT exam. It gives the exam format, the topic areas with the number of questions NCEES assigns to each, a suggested split of 90 study hours, and a 12-week schedule. Exam formats and specifications are revised from time to time, so confirm everything on ncees.org before you register.

The exam at a glance

ItemDetail (from the NCEES specification)
ExamPE Civil: Structural CBT exam
Questions80
Time9 hours, which includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break
FormatComputer-based test, closed book with an electronic reference
UnitsBoth the International System of Units (SI) and the US Customary System (USCS)
Specification effectiveApril 2024
Exam fee$400 (payable to NCEES, per the NCEES PE exam page)

With 80 questions in 9 hours, the average is about 6.8 minutes per question, counting the tutorial and break time, so the time available per question is slightly less. Plan your pacing from that.

Topic areas and suggested study hours

The question ranges are copied from the NCEES specification. The share and the hours are this site's suggestion: each topic's share is the midpoint of its question range as a part of all midpoints, and the hours split 90 total hours in that proportion. They are a starting point. Move hours to the topics where your diagnostic score is lowest.

Topic areaQuestionsShareSuggested hours
Analysis of Structures: Loads and Load Applications12–1817%15 h
Analysis of Structures: Forces and Load Effects17–2624%22 h
Temporary Structures and Other Topics5–87%7 h
Design and Details of Structures: Materials and Material Properties10–1514%13 h
Design and Details of Structures: Component Design and Detailing26–3937%33 h

12-week schedule

  1. Week 1: read the NCEES specification and look at the reference handbook layout. Take a timed diagnostic from the practice exam and record your score for each topic area.
  2. Weeks 2 and 3: the heaviest topic areas first, Design and Details of Structures: Component Design and Detailing and Analysis of Structures: Forces and Load Effects. Work problems by hand, then check the answers and the method.
  3. Weeks 4 and 5: Analysis of Structures: Loads and Load Applications and Design and Details of Structures: Materials and Material Properties.
  4. Weeks 6 to 8: the remaining areas (Temporary Structures and Other Topics). Lighter areas get a shorter pass.
  5. Week 9: a full-length timed practice set under exam conditions, with the reference material only.
  6. Week 10: review every missed question. For each, record whether the miss was a concept error, a calculation error or a handbook-lookup error. Do a second timed set.
  7. Week 11: close the gaps from the review. Do not start new material.
  8. Week 12: a light review, and the logistics: your appointment, identification, the testing-center rules and the route there.

How to use the practice questions

  • Attempt each question before you read the answer.
  • Time yourself at about 6.8 minutes per question or less on the timed sets.
  • Practice finding formulas in the electronic reference quickly. Lookup speed is part of the exam.
  • Keep an error log with three columns: concept, calculation and lookup.
  • The practice exams on this site are original study material. They are not NCEES questions and passing is not guaranteed.

Before you register

  • Eligibility, experience requirements and application steps are set by your state or territory licensing board. NCEES lists the boards on its website.
  • Open the NCEES specification linked below and check its effective date against the date you plan to test.
  • Check the NCEES site for the current PE exam fee and registration steps. Some boards also charge a separate application fee.

Related tools and labs

Calculators, labs and simulators are part of the All-Access Pass.

More exam study plans

Questions

How many questions are on the PE Civil: Structural exam?

The NCEES specification states 80 questions in 9 hours, and the time includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break.

What topics does the PE Civil: Structural exam cover?

5 topic areas: Analysis of Structures: Loads and Load Applications; Analysis of Structures: Forces and Load Effects; Temporary Structures and Other Topics; Design and Details of Structures: Materials and Material Properties; Design and Details of Structures: Component Design and Detailing. The question range for each is in the table on this page.

How long should I study for the PE Civil: Structural exam?

NCEES does not publish a study schedule. This plan assumes about 90 hours over 12 weeks, split by topic weight. Adjust the total and the split to your background and the diagnostic result.

Are the practice questions the same as the real exam?

No. The practice exams on this site are original study material written for exam preparation. They are not NCEES questions, and passing is not guaranteed.

Sources

Educational material. Examples use simplified, hypothetical inputs and are not a design, a construction document or professional engineering advice. Confirm requirements with the codes and standards adopted where the work is built and with a licensed engineer.

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