FAQs about the Civil PE Exam

What's the format of the civil PE exam?

The civil PE exam is 8 hours long, divided into 2 equal sessions, morning and afternoon. All questions are multiple-choice.

This exam is structured in a "breadth and depth" format. In the morning session, all examinees work the same "breadth" exam, which consists of 40 questions drawn from all five areas of civil engineering listed below. Examinees must answer all 40 questions. In the afternoon, examinees choose to work one of five "depth" exam modules: Construction, Geotechnical, Structural, Transportation, or Water Resources and Environmental. Each depth module consists of 40 questions that test knowledge in the areas specified. Examinees must answer all 40 questions in the module they select.

What type of the questions will there be?

The questions are all multiple-choice, with four answer choices each. Nearly all questions are unique--that is, one problem statement followed by one question. There may be a few multi-part questions, where one problem statement is followed by 2 or 3 questions, but in these cases the answers to the questions will be independent from each other (i.e., the answers do not "cascade").

What units are used on the civil PE exam?

The civil PE exam uses US Customary (English) units for all problems except those dealing with areas of practice that normally use metric units (such as problems involving chemical concentrations).

What topics does the civil PE exam cover?

The exam topics are described by NCEES as follows:

MORNING SESSION (40 multiple-choice problems)

1. Construction -- approx. 20% of problems
   • Earthwork Construction and Layout: excavation and embankment (cut and fill), borrow pit volumes, site layout and control
   • Estimating Quantities and Costs: quantity take-off methods, cost estimating
   • Scheduling: construction sequencing, resource scheduling, time-cost trade-off
   • Material Quality Control and Production: material testing (e.g., concrete, soil, asphalt)
   • Temporary Structures: construction loads
2. Geotechnical -- approx. 20% of problems
   • Subsurface Exploration and Sampling: soil classification, boring log interpretation (e.g., soil profile)
   • Engineering Properties of Soils: permeability, pavement design criteria
   • Soil Mechanics Analysis: pressure distribution, lateral earth pressure, consolidation, compaction, effective and total stresses
   • Earth Structures: slope stabilit, slabs-on-grade
   • Shallow Foundations: bearing capacity, settlement
   • Earth Retaining Structures: gravity walls, cantilever walls, stability analysis, braced and anchored excavations
3. Structural -- approx. 20% of problems
   • Loadings: dead, live, and construction loads
   • Analysis: determinate analysis
   • Mechanics of Materials: shear diagrams, moment diagrams, flexure, shear, tension, compression, combined stresses, deflection
   • Materials: concrete (i.e. plain, reinforced), structural steel (e.g. structural, light gage, reinforcing)
   • Member Design: beams, slabs, footings
4. Transportation -- approx. 20% of problems
   • Geometric Design: horizontal curves, vertical curves, sight distance, superelevation, vertical and/or horizontal clearances, acceleration and deceleration
5. Water Resources and Environmental-- approx. 20% of problems
   • Hydraulics (Closed Conduit): energy and/or continuity equation (e.g., Bernoulli), pressure conduit (e.g., single pipe, force mains), closed pipe flow equations including Hazen-Williams, Darcy-Weisbach Equation, friction and/or minor losses, pipe network analysis (e.g., pipeline design, branch networks, loop networks), pump application and analysis
   • Hydraulics (Open Channel): pen-channel flow (e.g., Manning?s equation), culvert design, spillway capacity, energy dissipation (e.g., hydraulic jump, velocity control), stormwater collection (e.g., stormwater inlets, gutter flow, street flow, storm sewer pipes), flood plains/floodways, flow measurement (open channel)
   • Hydrology: storm characterization (e.g., rainfall measurement and distribution), storm frequency, hydrographs application, rainfall intensity, duration, and frequency (IDF) curves, time of concentration, runoff analysis including Rational and SCS methods, erosion, detention/retention ponds
   • Wastewater Treament: collection systems (e.g., lift stations, sewer networks, infiltration, inflow)
   • Water Treatment: distribution systems, hydraulic loading

Note: NCEES states that these areas are examples of the kinds of knowledge that will be tested but are not exclusive or exhaustive categories.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Examinees must choose to work one of the following five depth exams. Each depth exam has 40 multiple-choice problems, and examinees must work all problems.

Note: Per NCEES, all five depth exams will be printed in the same exam booklet, so you will have the opportunity to look at each exam before deciding which one to select (assuming your state board doesn't mandate your selection). Be aware that the time you spend making your selection is part of the total four hours you have to work the afternoon exam--so don't vacillate too long.

1. Civil/Construction Depth Exam (40 multiple-choice problems)

• EARTHWORK CONSTRUCTION AND LAYOUT -- Approx. 10% of problems
  • Excavation and Embankment: Cut and fill
  • Borrow Pit Volumes
  • Site Layout
  • Site Control
  • Mass Diagrams
• ESTIMATING QUANTITIES AND COSTS -- Approx. 17.5% of problems
  • Quantity Take-Off Methods
  • Cost Estimating
  • Engineering Economics: Value engineering and costing
• CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS AND METHODS -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • Lifting and Rigging
  • Crane Selection, Erection, and Stability
  • Dewatering and Pumping
  • Equipment Production
  • Productivity Analysis and Improvement
  • Temporary Erosion Control
• SCHEDULING -- Approx. 17.5% of problems
  • Construction Sequencing
  • CPM Network Analysis
  • Activity Time Analysis
  • Resource Scheduling
  • Time-Cost Trade-Off
• MATERIAL QUALITY CONTROL AND PRODUCTION -- Approx. 10% of problems
  • Material Testing: Concrete, soil, asphalt, etc.
  • Welding and Bolting Testing
  • Quality Control Process: QA/QC
  • Concrete Mix Design
• TEMPORARY STRUCTURES -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • Construction Loads
  • Formwork
  • Falsework and Scaffolding
  • Shoring and Reshoring
  • Concrete Maturity and Early Strength Evaluation
  • Bracing
  • Anchorage
  • Cofferdams
  • Codes and Standards: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE 37), American Concrete Institute (ACI 347), American Forest and Paper Association-NDS, Masonry Wall Bracing Standard
• WORKER HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENT -- Approx. 7.5% of problems
  • OSHA Regulations
  • Safety Management
  • Safety Statistics: Incident rate, EMR
• OTHER TOPICS -- Approx. 10% of problems
  • Groundwater and Well Fields: Groundwater Control (drainage, construction dewatering)
  • Subsurface Exploration and Sampling: Drilling and sampling procedures
  • Earth Retaining Structures: Mechanically stabilized earth wall, soil and rock anchors
  • Deep foundations: Pile load test, pile installation
  • Loadings: Wind, snow, load paths
  • Mechanics of Materials: Progressive collapse
  • Materials: Concrete (prestressed, post-tensioned), timber
  • Traffic Safety: Work zone safety

2. Civil/Geotechnical Depth Exam (40 multiple-choice problems)

• SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION AND SAMPLING --Approx. 7.5% of problems
  • Drilling and Sampling Procedures
  • Soil Classification
  • General Rock Characterization (RQD, description, joints and fractures)
  • Boring Log Interpretation (soil profile)
  • In Situ Testing
• ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF SOILS AND MATERIALS -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • Index Properties
  • Phase Relationships
  • Permeability
  • Geosynthetics
  • Pavement Design Criteria
  • Shear Strength Properties
  • Frost susceptibility
• SOIL MECHANICS ANALYSIS -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Lateral Earth Pressure
  • Consolidation
  • Compaction
  • Expansive Soils
  • Effective and Total Stresses
  • Seepage (exit gradient, drain fields, seepage forces, flow nets)
• EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING -- Approx. 5% of problems
  • Liquefaction
  • Pseudo-Static Analysis
  • Seismic Site Characterization
• EARTH STRUCTURES -- Approx. 10% of problems
  • Slope Stability
  • Slabs-On-Grade
  • Earth Dams
  • Techniques and Suitability of Ground Modification
• SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • BearingCcapacity
  • Settlement
  • Mat and Raft Foundations
• EARTH RETAINING STRUCTURES -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • Gravity Walls
  • Cantilever Walls
  • Stability Analysis
  • Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls
  • Braced and Anchored Excavations
  • Soil and Rock Anchors
• DEEP FOUNDATIONS -- Approx. 10% of problems
  • Axial Capacity (single pile/drilled shaft)
  • Lateral Capacity and Deflections (single pile/drilled shaft)
  • Settlement
  • Behavior of Pile and/or Drilled Shaft Group
  • Pile Load Test
  • Pile Installation
  • Pile Dynamics (e.g., wave equation, PDA test)
• OTHER TOPICS -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • Groundwater and Well Fields: Well logging and subsurface properties, aquifers (characterization), groundwater flow including Darcy?s Law and seepage analysis, well analysis (steady flow only), groundwater control including drainage, construction dewatering
  • Loadings: Earthquake loads
  • Construction Operations and Methods: Dewatering and pumping, quality control process (when digging, confirming quality; writing QA processes)
  • Temporary Structures: Shoring and reshoring, concrete maturity and early strength evaluation, bracing, anchorage, cofferdams (systems for temporary excavation support)
  • Worker Health, Safety, and Environment: OSHA regulations, safety management

3. Civil/Structural Depth Exam (40 multiple-choice problems)

• LOADINGS -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • Dead Loads
  • Live Loads
  • Construction Loads
  • Wind Loads
  • Earthquake Loads (liquefaction, site characterization, and pseudo-static analysis)
  • Moving Loads
  • Snow Loads
  • Impact Loads
  • Load Paths
  • Load Combinations
• ANALYSIS -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • Determinate Analysis
  • Indeterminate Analysis
• MECHANICS OF MATERIALS -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • Shear Diagrams
  • Moment Diagrams
  • Flexure
  • Shear
  • Tension
  • Compression
  • Combined Stresses
  • Deflection
  • Progressive Collapse
  • Torsion
  • Buckling
  • Fatigue
  • Thermal Deformation
• MATERIALS -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • Concrete (plain, reinforced, prestressed, post-tension)
  • Structural Steel (structural, light gage, reinforcing)
  • Timber
  • Masonry (brick veneer, CMU)
  • Composite Construction
• MEMBER DESIGN -- Approx. 25% of problems
  • Beams
  • Slabs
  • Timber
  • Footings
  • Columns
  • Trusses
  • Braces
  • Frames
  • Connections (bolted, welded, embedded, anchored)
  • Shear Walls
  • Diaphragms (horizontal, vertical, flexible, rigid)
  • Bearing Walls
• DESIGN CRITERIA -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • International Building Code (IBC)
  • American Concrete Institute (ACI-318, 530)
  • Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI Design Handbook)
  • Manual of Steel Construction (AISC) including AISC 341
  • National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS)
  • Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges (AASHTO)
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE-7)
  • American Welding Society (AWS D1.1, D1.2, and D1.4)
• OTHER TOPICS -- Approx. 12.5% of problems
  • Engineering Properties of Soils and Materials: Index properties (plasticity index; interpretation and how to use them)
  • Soil Mechanics Analysis: Expansive soils
  • Shallow Foundations: Mat and raft foundations
  • Deep Foundations: Axial capacity (single pile/drilled shaft), lateral capacity and deflections (single pile/drilled shaft), settlement, behavior of pile and/or drilled shaft group
  • Engineering Economics: Value engineering and costing
  • Material Quality Control and Production: Welding and bolting testing
  • Temporary Structures: Formwork, falsework and scaffolding, shoring and reshoring, concrete maturity and early strength evaluation, bracing, anchorage
  • Worker Health, Safety and Environment: OSHA regulations, safety management

4. Civil/Transportation Depth Exam (40 multiple-choice problems)

• TRAFFIC ANALYSIS -- Approx. 22.5% of problems
  • Traffic Capacity Studies
  • Traffic Signals
  • Speed Studies
  • Intersection Analysis
  • Traffic Volume Studies
  • Sight Distance Evaluation
  • Traffic Control Devices
  • Pedestrian Facilities
  • Driver Behavior and/or Performance
• GEOMETRIC DESIGN -- Approx. 30% of problems
  • Horizontal Curves
  • Vertical curves
  • Sight distance
  • Superelevation
  • Vertical and/or Horizontal Clearances
  • Acceleration and Deceleration
  • Intersections and/or Interchanges
• TRANSPORTATION PLANNING -- Approx. 7.5% of problems
  • Optimization and/or Cost Analysis (transportation route A or transportation route B)
  • Traffic Impact Studies
  • Capacity Analysis (future conditions)
• TRAFFIC SAFETY -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • Roadside Clearance Analysis
  • Conflict Analysis
  • Work Zone Safety
  • Accident Analysis
• OTHER TOPICS -- Approx. 25% of problems
  • Hydraulics: Flow measurement (closed conduits), open channel (subcritical and supercritical flow)
  • Hydrology: Hydrograph development and synthetic hydrographs
  • Engineering Properties of Soils and Materials: Index properties (identification of types of soils, suitable or unsuitable)
  • Soil Mechanics Analysis: Expansive soils
  • Engineering Economics: Value Engineering and Costing
  • Construction Operations and Methods: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting
  • Temporary Structures: Concrete maturity and early strength evaluation

5. Civil/Water Resources and Environmental Depth Exam (40 multiple-choice problems)

• HYDRAULICS (CLOSED CONDUIT) -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • Energy and/or Continuity Equation: Bernoulli
  • Pressure Conduit: Single pipe, force mains
  • Closed Pipe Flow Equations: Hazen-Williams equation, Darcy-Weisbach equation
  • Friction and/or Minor Losses
  • Pipe Network Analysis: Pipeline design, branch networks, loop networks
  • Pump Application and Analysis
  • Cavitation
  • Transient Analysis: Water hammer
  • Flow Measurement: Closed Conduits
  • Momentum Equation: Thrust blocks, pipeline restraints
• HYDRAULICS (OPEN CHANNEL) -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • Open-Channel Flow: Manning's equation
  • Culvert Design
  • Spillway Capacity
  • Energy Dissipation: Hydraulic jump, velocity control
  • Stormwater Collection: Stormwater inlets, gutter flow, street flow, storm sewer pipes
  • Flood Plain/Floodway
  • Subcritical and Supercritical Flow
  • Flow Measurement: Open channel
  • Gradually Varied Flow
• HYDROLOGY -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • Storm Characterization: Rainfall measurement and distribution
  • Storm Frequency
  • Hydrographs Application
  • Hydrograph Development and Synthetic Hydrographs
  • Rainfall Intensity, Duration, and Frequency (IDF) Curves
  • Time of Concentration
  • Runoff Analysis: Rational and SCS methods
  • Gauging Stations: Runoff frequency analysis and flow calculations
  • Depletions: Transpiration, evaporation, infiltration
  • Sedimentation
  • Erosion
  • Detention/Retention Ponds
• GROUNDWATER AND WELL FIELDS -- Approx. 7.5% of problems
  • Aquifers: Characterization
  • Groundwater Flow: Darcy's Law and seepage analysis
  • Well Analysis: Steady flow only
  • Groundwater Control: Drainage, construction dewatering
  • Water Quality Analysis
  • Groundwater Contamination
• WASTEWATER TREATMENT -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • Wastewater Flow Rates: Municipal, industrial, commercial
  • Unit Operations and Processes
  • Primary Treatment: Bar screens and clarification
  • Secondary Clarification
  • Chemical Treatment
  • Collection Systems: Lift stations, sewer network, infiltration, inflow
  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting
  • Effluent Limits
  • Biological Treatment
  • Physical Treatment
  • Solids Handling: Thickening, drying processes
  • Digesters
  • Disinfection
  • Nitrification and/or Denitrification
  • Operations: Odor control, corrosion control, compliance
  • Advanced Treatment: Nutrient removal, filtration, wetlands
  • Beneficial Reuse: Liquids, biosolids, gas
• WATER QUALITY -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • Stream Degradation: Thermal, base flow, TDS, TSS, BOD, COD
  • Oxygen Dynamics: Oxygenation, deoxygenation, oxygen sag curve
  • Risk Assessment and Management
  • Toxicity
  • Biological Contaminants: Algae, mussels
  • Chemical Contaminants: Organics, heavy metals
  • Bioaccumulation
  • Eutrophication
  • Indicator Organisms and Testing
  • Sampling and Monitoring: QA/QC, laboratory procedures
• WATER TREATMENT -- Approx. 15% of problems
  • Demands
  • Hydraulic Loading
  • Storage: Raw and treated water
  • Sedimentation
  • Taste and Odor Control
  • Rapid Mixing
  • Coagulation and Flocculation
  • Filtration
  • Disinfection
  • Softening
  • Advanced Treatment: Membranes, activated carbon, desalination
  • Distribution systems
• ENGINEERING ECONOMICS -- Approx. 2.5% of problems
  • Life-Cycle Modeling

Note: NCEES states that these areas are examples of the kinds of knowledge that will be tested but are not exclusive or exhaustive categories.

Will there be a separate passing score established for each of the five civil exams?

Yes, there is a separate passing score set for each of the five exams. Beginning with the October 2005 administration, candidates will receive results of "Pass" or "Fail" only. Failing candidates will no longer receive a numerical score. Here's how NCEES explains it:

"From a testing standpoint, the five depth modules are five different exams. The passing score on each of the five exams will be determined separately by panels of licensed engineers who will meet after the exam is given. The passing score will be based on the panelists' expert opinions of the level of difficulty of each of the questions on an exam. Because the questions are different on each of the five afternoon exam modules, it is very possible that the experts on the panels will judge the overall difficulty level of the five exams to be different. Therefore, to maintain a common standard required to pass the exam, it is fair to set different passing scores. If one exam is judged to be harder than another, a lower passing score will be required to pass it."