Self-Study Book Bundle: Structural Engineering Vertical and Lateral Forces

Aligned with exam specifications effective through March 2027

This comprehensive collection of industry-leading PE Structural (SE) exam print resources provides a solid foundation as you prepare to pass the PE Structural exam the first time.

The print bundle is perfect for those who need a refresher before the exam. The review materials in this bundle are updated to the current PE Structural (SE) exam specs, contain thorough coverage of structural engineering principles and codes, and include numerous practice problems to challenge your knowledge of the concepts. The Print Bundle is ideal if you need to review key knowledge areas and would like extensive practice to be part of your exam preparation.

What's Included:

PE Structural Reference Manual

  • 10th Edition - Updated to October 2021 NCEES PE Structural Codes. The PE Structural Reference Manual offers a complete review for the NCEES 16-hours PE Structural (SE) exam with comprehensive topic coverage and over 270 example problems that include step-by-step solutions.
  • Features Include:
    • Covers all exam topics and provides a comprehensive review of structural analysis and design methods
    • New content covering design of slender and shear walls
    • Covers all up-to-date codes for the October 2021 Exams
    • Exam-adopted codes and standards are frequently referenced, and solving methods—including strength design for timber and masonry—are thoroughly explained
    • 270 example problems
    • Strengthen your problem-solving skills by working the 52 end-of-book practice problems
    • Each problem’s complete solution lets you check your own solving approach
    • Both ASD and LRFD/SD solutions and explanations are provided for masonry problems, allowing you to familiarize yourself with different problem solving methods.
  • Topics Covered: Bridges, Foundations and Retaining Structures, Lateral Forces (Wind and Seismic), Prestressed Concrete, Reinforced Concrete, Reinforced Masonry, Structural Steel, Timber
  • PE Structural Bridges Practice Problems with Solutions
    • Includes NCEES October 2021 Codes. This book is a comprehensive bridge practice problems book containing 77 multiple-choice bridge questions with detailed solutions for the Vertical and Lateral Components of the NCEES PE Structural (SE) Exam.
  • PE Structural Breadth Six-Minute Problems with Solutions for Buildings
    • 7th Edition - Updated to the most recent NCEES PE Structural Codes. PE Structural Breadth Six-Minute Problems with Solutions, Seventh Edition contains over 90 multiple-choice problems representative of the format and knowledge areas of the morning breadth exams for lateral and vertical forces.
  • Seismic and Wind Forces: Structural Design Examples
    • The 5th edition is updated by Alan Williams to the 2018 International Building and ASCE/SEI 7-16. In Chapters 1 and 2, sections of ASCE 7 are presented, analyzed and explained in a logical and simple manner and then illustrated by examples. Each example concentrates on a specific section of ASCE 7 and provides a clear and concise interpretation of the issue. Chapters 3-6 deal with the seismic design of steel, concrete, wood and masonry structures.
  • Scientific Calculator: Casio FX-115 ES Plus Advanced
    • Prepare for your exam with the versatile Casio FX-115 ES Plus calculator—accepted by the NCEES for all exams.
    Print Bundle: NCIDQ IDFX Exam
    $450.00
    PID# 598005

    FAQs

    The best PE prep course depends on your exam discipline, schedule, and how deep a review you need, but strong courses share three traits: structured review aligned to NCEES specifications, an extensive exam-like practice-problem bank, and full-length practice exams with diagnostics. PPI offers live-online and self-paced options across PE disciplines so you can match the format to how you learn.
    Plan for 200–300 hours of study. With a full-time job, that's about five to seven months at 10–15 hours per week; six months is a good default. Focus your hours on practice problems and the discipline-specific reference material, and take full-length practice exams to build endurance for the 8-hour format.
    The PE exam is rigorous and discipline-specific, so difficulty varies by field. Per NCEES (January 2026), first-time pass rates ranged widely: for example, Mechanical: Thermal & Fluid Systems 77%, Environmental 67%, Civil: Water Resources & Environmental 71%, Civil: Structural 61%, and Chemical 63%. The exam becomes more manageable when its content matches your day-to-day work, so most candidates plan several months of focused study.
    The most effective PE prep combines structured review of your discipline's topics, a large bank of exam-like practice problems, and full-length timed practice exams to build pace for the 8-hour day. Master your reference materials so lookups are fast, target weak areas first, and simulate exam conditions. PPI's discipline-specific review courses and practice exams structure all three.

    Some states require a BS degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program to sit for the PE exam. Other states allow you to take the PE exam with a degree in engineering technology, physics, math, or chemistry—or without any degree—as long as you’ve met the required work experience. Check your state requirements to see if you can take the PE exam without an engineering degree.

    You should prioritize your engineering interests and professional background when determining which PE exam to take. The difficulty level of each discipline is also important to consider. Reach out to licensed engineers in your network for additional perspectives, too.
    You can take most PE exams once per three-month testing window and no more than three times per year. Certain PE exams are only offered once per year in October. Some licensing boards are more restrictive, so check your state licensing board to confirm how often you can retake the exam.

    Most states allow you to take the PE exam after passing your FE exam and gaining at least four years of post-college work experience. However, some states now allow examinees to sit for the PE exam before completing their work experience. Check your state requirements to see when you’re qualified to sit for the exam.

    By NCEES pass rates (January 2026), the highest first-time pass rates were PE Agricultural & Biological (81%), Mining & Mineral Processing (80%), Fire Protection (78%), and Mechanical: Thermal & Fluid Systems (77%). But the truly 'easiest' PE exam is the one whose content matches your daily work: alignment with your experience beats raw pass-rate statistics. Choose the discipline that supports your career goals.

    It is an 8-hour exam. It contains 80 total questions: 40 multiple-choice questions in the 4-hour AM session, and 40 multiple-choice questions in the 4-hour PM session.
    PE exams are closed-book, computer-based test (CBT)s; your only reference is an electronic resource(s) supplied by NCEES on-screen. For the PE exam, NCEES will typically provide a discipline-specific reference handbook and one or more design standards. NCEES states which design standards will be available on the exam website in the specifications documentation.
    The PE exam tests for a minimum level of competency in engineering. You need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.

    What Our Customers Say

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    Nicholas
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    PE Mechanical Customer
    “The instructor was very knowledgeable in the exam topic areas and answered all questions. The course materials were very helpful in learning what will be on the exam. It was often more difficult than the actual exam questions, but they will prepare you for the test."
    Justin
    "This review course is very rigorous, but the amount of problems and difficulty of subjects cover what you need to be prepared for the exam. The course also allows you to interact with other PE exam takers to be able to ask them questions and learn from other students.”
    PE Mechanical Customer
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    PE Mechanical Customer
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    "This review course is well worth the time. The review materials are a good representation of what you could see on the PE exam. The live instructor feedback is valuable."