I took and passed the PE Structural exam in April 2018. I, like most people, was studying for the exam while working a full time job. So I decided the best way for me to study was to sign up for a course. I specifically used "School of PE" which has multiple types of courses. I took a version that was online based with a live instructor. You can research the different types of courses on their website. The course itself was 16 hours per weekend for six weeks and they provide notes and practice problems that you can revisit, add notes to, and use on the test.
In addition to the course, I also studied two hours a day for four days during the week from January till April. With regards to the books you need, make sure you have all the codes that NCEES says you need. I believe structural has the most but you will need them. Borrow them if you have to and practice using them. Time will be of essence come test day, so being able to go through references quickly will come in handy. Other books I used was the civil engineering reference manual that most people buy. I rarely used it during my practicing but it is very broad and covers a lot of topics. I used it on two or three questions. Also, if you actually have some resources you use on a day to day basis in your job, bring those too of they are relevant. Finally, I would highly recommend buying a practice test from NCEES and actually treating it as a practice test. Meaning, isolate yourself and simulate the actual test conditions and see how you do.
I know I have told you to get a lot of things that cost money but I hope your firm can reimburse you on some of these costs. Otherwise, borrow as many of them as you need to. I highly recommend the course; I found that to be the most helpful. Full disclosure: I do not work for School of PE and I am not being compensated by them for this.
I wish you nothing but the best. Feel free to reach out to me directly via email at
aodunlade3@....
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Fola Odunlade P.E.,M.ASCE
Project Manager
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-26-2019 21:34
From: Oreoluwa Adedapo
Subject: PE Structural Exam
Hello everyone,
I just recently graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington 2 weeks and I am planning to take the PE exam this October (I took the FE exam last September). I will like to ask if anyone that recently took the exam can recommend review course, books, and materials they used that were helpful.
Thank You
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Oreoluwa Adedapo S.M.ASCE
Student
Arlington TX
(469)682-9561
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