Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for the PE Civil Exam

The PE Civil Exam is a pivotal step in your civil engineering career. With the transition to a computer-based testing (CBT) format, the exam is now entirely discipline-focused—meaning your entire 8-hour exam centers around that topic. Because of this format change, preparation strategies must be more targeted and disciplined. To help you stay on track, here are the top 5 mistakes to avoid when studying for the PE Civil Exam.

1. Not Creating a Study Plan Early Enough

One of the most common mistakes is diving into study materials without a structured plan. With so much content to cover, disorganization often leads to burnout or missed topics.

Avoid it by:

• Starting 3–6 months before your exam date

• Creating a weekly study schedule based on the NCEES specifications

• Allocating time for full-length practice exams and review sessions

Tip: Use tools like Google Calendar or Trello to block out study time and track your progress.

2. Choosing a Discipline Without Enough Research

Since the exam is now 100% focused on your selected focus area: Construction, Geotechnical, Structural, Transportation, or Water Resources & Environmental, choosing the wrong one can derail your study plan.

Avoid it by:

• Reviewing the official NCEES exam specifications for each module

• Selecting the module that best matches your education and work experience

• Looking at sample questions to gauge your comfort level

Remember: Once you register, you can't switch modules without paying another exam fee.

3. Relying on One Study Resource

Many candidates lean too heavily on one review course and miss out on diverse problem-solving approaches.

Avoid it by:

• Using multiple resources: practice exams, subject-specific books, and video lectures

• Practicing problems from at least two or three different sources

• Exploring free resources and forums for alternative explanations

4. Skipping Timed Practice Tests

Understanding the material is one thing, but answering 80 questions in 8 hours under pressure is another. Many examinees go in without any timed practice and struggle with time management.

Avoid it by:

• Taking at least 2 full-length practice exams under timed conditions

• Using only NCEES-approved calculators

• Practicing in a quiet, exam-like setting to simulate test day

5. Ignoring the NCEES Exam Specifications

The NCEES publishes detailed exam specifications for each discipline, outlining exactly what topics will appear and how heavily each one is weighted. Ignoring this document can lead to wasted effort on low-priority topics.

Avoid it by:

• Downloading the spec sheet for your chosen discipline from the NCEES website

• Aligning your study plan with the topics and subtopics listed

• Focusing on high-weighted areas to maximize scoring potential

Final Thoughts

The PE Civil Exam demands more than just technical knowledge, it requires focused preparation, strategic planning, and discipline-specific study. By avoiding these common mistakes and staying aligned with NCEES guidelines, you'll be well on your way to earning your professional license. Visit ncees.org for more information.