PE Civil Structural Practice Exams: Two Full Practice Exams (Print or eTextbook)

Available in Print or eTextbook

NEW 2025 edition updated to closed-book PE Civil Structural format

Build exam day confidence and strengthen time-management skills with these two full 80-question practice exams.

The PE Civil Structural Exams book delivers exactly what you need to practice for the PE Civil Structural exam: two full 80-question practice exams, totaling 160 unique, exam-like problems. Our full, step-by-step solutions show you the most efficient problem-solving methods and, most importantly, require equations and tables from the official NCEES PE Civil Handbook and other closed-book design standards to solve.

We've meticulously studied the NCEES exam specifications to ensure the topic distribution and question difficulty accurately reflect what you'll face on exam day. Each problem is designed to be solved in an average of six minutes, helping you master the pace required for the 8-hour test.

  • Realistic Exam-Like Questions: Two complete 80-question exams challenge you to solve problems under timed conditions, perfecting your time-management skills.
  • Comprehensive Solutions: Our full, step-by-step solutions show you the most efficient problem-solving methods and, most importantly, require equations and tables in the official NCEES PE Civil Handbook and other closed-book design standards to solve.
  • Exclusive Content: Gain an edge with 160 problems found exclusively in this book - these questions are not found in PPI’s online Learning Hub or online courses.
  • Targeted Preparation: By matching the NCEES format and knowledge areas, you can confidently identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus your study time effectively.

Topics covered:

  • 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

Design standards referenced:

  • AASHTO, AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
  • IBC, International Building Code
  • ASCE 7-16, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures
  • ACI 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  • AISC, Steel Construction Manual
  • AWC NDS, Wood Design Package
  • CFR Title 29 Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards
  • CFR Title 29 Part 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
  • PCI, PCI Design Handbook: Precast and Prestressed Concrete
  • TMS 402/602, Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures

eTextbook Access Benefits Include:

  • One year of access
  • Ability to download the entire eTextbook to multiple devices, so you can study even without internet access
  • An auto sync feature across all your devices for a seamless experience on or offline
  • Unique study tools such as highlighting in six different colors to tailor your study experience
  • Features like read aloud for complete hands-free review
  • Regular content updates
PE Civil Structural Practice Exams
$150.00$135.00
PUB YEAR
2025
FORMAT
Paperback or eTextbook
PID# 867574

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.

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