How I Passed The PE Exam On The First Try | PE Civil Construction Exam

Today we are talking about how I was able to pass the PE civil construction exam on my first try with only 2 months of studying! I'll go over what the exam is, my studying process, and 5 tips to help you increase your chances of passing too!
Instagram: @kikoga
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PE Exam Materials I Used To Pass:
NCEES Practice Exam (can also get this through NCEES): amzn.to/3wq3WOB
Civil Engineering Reference Manual (I used older 14th Edition): amzn.to/3gw201i
Lindeberg Practice Problems (I had an older version of this): amzn.to/3pWwxZw
Software Used In Construction:
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0:00 Intro
0:41 PE Exam Overview
You take the PE exam after you get some experience working in the industry. PE=Professional Engineer. Getting your PE gives you an added level of legitimacy in the industry and you likely need to get your PE for the better paying design jobs. In construction, PE's are not seen as much, but for me it was seen as an added tool in my toolbelt. I took the PE Civil Exam with a focus on construction. PE Civil has multiple depth topics: structural, construction, transportation, water resources and geotechnical. The PE civil construction test was 80 questions total, split into two 40 question halves (breadth and depth sections) with 4 hours to complete each half. All questions are multiple choice. The test is open book so bring a suitcase for all your reference material. Be sure to check your state's requirements for licensure as it does vary from state to state.
2:42 My PE Exam Studying Experience
So I made the mistake of applying to take the exam very late. Hawaii requires you to be approved by the board of engineers to even take the PE exam. By that time all other courses were already full so I was kind of stuck. Luckily Path Civil Engineering Education (Pathceed) reached out to me and offered to have me try and take a look at their course for the PE civil breadth section, and I was so lucky that I did. So once I finished the Pathceed course, I just used my coworkers old books and practice problems in the hopes that it would give me enough info to pass, which luckily it was.
7:43 5 Tips To Help You Pass The PE Exam!
Tip 1: Practice Problems
There is no way of getting around practice problems, you have to do it. The best practice problem book is the NCEES PE civil practice exam. It's the closest to the actual problems on the test. I also used an old version of the Lindenberg problems that I have linked above and the Pathceed course had some other practice problems as well. A big part of doing a bunch of problems is getting used to your reference material and knowing where to find all your information.
Tip 2: Use old coworkers study materials or form study group
So I was lucky that a couple coworkers passed down their study material to me to give me a starting point especially for the construction depth portion of the exam. If you don't have that, maybe there are other coworkers that are taking the test too that you can bounce ideas off of and make sure you're on the right track.
Tip 3: Make sacrifices
As you likely are working a full time job while studying for this exam, you have to realize your weekends will be the best time to study. If you want to pass, you're going to have to make sacrifices in your personal time to dedicate to preparing for this exam.
Tip 4: Take A Course and Start Early
The best thing about these courses is that they consolidate all the information you need into one spot for the exam. Takes the guesswork of sifting through the CERM and trying to figure it out for yourself. I only did the Pathceed course but there are a bunch out there that'll help take the guesswork out of creating a study plan when you are already so busy.
Tip 5: During The Exam: Do all the problems you know first, then go back
Just a general test taking tip, but something worth mentioning for sure. All questions are worth the same, so see the whole test first, then go back and attack the ones you are unsure about.
*Some of the links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Kienen Koga will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Kienen Koga is part of an affiliate network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

[@TheContemporaryClassroom]

Congrats on passing the exam! Loved the transparency and honesty about your study plans and what resources helped!

[@viliamevuetibau3015]

Welcome back and congrats on getting your P.E.

[@marim5033]

Love to see it!! Good work 💪🏼

[@KienenKoga]

Thanks Mari!

[@edwardazizi8935]

Congrats on passing the exam. It would be amazing if you could make a video on a project that you have previously worked on, or are currently working on, and maybe talk about what had been done, the challenges faced, and so on.

[@justina8143]

Bro I've been following your channel for a year now and I'm so happy for you man! you have no idea how much you inspire the next generation of engineers. I'll be taking my PE exam in about 2 to 3 years, I'm a design engineer (EIT) FOR Structural Design. Can you do a video on Structural design engineers vs Construction engineers?

[@brihendz100]

Found your videos somehow... Great content. I'm about a year away from the PE and I am excited. Congratulations on passing the test!!! I work in a similar position as you just on the owner's side in heavy civil roadway construction. As I said great content! You better come to negotiations with a lower number in mind. Haha.

[@AndrewBuilt]

Hey, Great channel, glad I found you from the group.

[@giovannigarcia8786]

what a beast! 😤 Congrats!

[@KienenKoga]

Thanks!

[@lion321321321321]

Thank you for this video. You help a whole lot

[@KienenKoga]

Good to hear! Thanks for watching!

[@gourangakundu8069]

you are a great man . congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@INKOOINKOO]

Love your channel my man, waiting for more new videos based on Civil engineering Work-life 😎🤝

[@KienenKoga]

Thanks!

[@012coyang]

Perfect, just the video i was looking for! Im planning on taking my PE exam next year so this was awesome to hear your advice! Keep up the good work brother!

[@KienenKoga]

Lol thank you

[@Kishankumar-eo4rb]

Congrats

[@riz5836]

Congratulations, bro can you please make a video on FE exam as well?. I'm planning on taking it.

[@mister-hmotovlog9996]

Congrats, just a question. Can I still design if my major is construction engineering and management?

[@omarrenteria8197]

Great video as always and congrats on your new license! Can I get your thoughts real quick! For someone who has been in the construction industry for two years as a commercial roofer and getting to see the kind of work that comes with construction, talking to GCs, looking at blue prints, and seeing all the pieces coming together (love the hustle and long hours lol), I was wondering if it would be better to seek a job more in the remodeling business to better understand the framing, concrete work, plumbing, electrical, and overall the skills required to understand the build up of a project rather than just focusing on the roofing aspect. Feel like skills learned in the remodeling job would benefit me a lot more when going to school for an associates in construction management and forgoing towards a bachelors.

[@KienenKoga]

Sounds like a great idea. The more you understand how different trades affect each other the better builder you will become.

[@thirdsonconsulting1964]

Hows it braddah Kienen. I was curious to why you needed your PE working for a GC? Does your company do design work that you would need to stamp? I recently graduated in May and went into the civil design route.

[@karlaesmorales6708]

Great Video man, I have recently discovered your channel and I'm really enjoying it. I'm majoring in Mechanical Engineering but I realize that I really want to do Construction Management. Should I continue with my ABET degree in Mechanical Engineering or do you think I can get into the field with a nonABET degree? Either way, thank you so much for your videos!

[@ngkngk875]

Hey I can’t speak for every company but around where I live they would hire you as a field engineer. On the construction management side I also don’t know if they care as much but abet accreditation because it won’t really come into play as much.

[@karlaesmorales6708]

@@ngkngk875 Thank you, I really appreciate it

[@garystith821]

Miss your content, can’t wait for a new upload.

[@KienenKoga]

Coming today!

[@cwong1229]

Congrats Brother Kienen!!! \(>3

[@KienenKoga]

Thats awesome! We needed 3 here in Hawaii. But if you work in contracting they take a harder look at your experience since you likely arent doing strictly civil work the entire time

[@toozzzy396]

Wow 😯

[@sunjaelee1049]

Thanks for updating the video man! I have a question as a person who wants to work at GCs. I have FE and want to work at GC as a construction engineer or manager. What kind of certificates are really helpful to raise my value up? I am also thinking of getting PE and PMP GC etc if it is possible. Could you give me some idea? Thanks!

[@poojith6549]

Hey have you found anything, I've the same question

[@nutchpthn186]

Hi Kienen , Greetings from Thailand. I've been watching your great videos about how excited in your work. Also, Would you mind discuss about Commercial/Contract Engineer? I really doubt about this position. I would be appreciate so much if you see my comment and acknowledge me about this. Thanks for your videos which enjoy me so much :)

[@51MpL3]

What kind of software do I need to learn to be a good project manager

[@IMM424]

Anyone know What’s the difference between construction management vs. construction engineering?

[@1KingFisher]

All of the resident engineers/project managers I work with in both the private and public sector have their PE. I’m not sure how competitive you can be without it.

[@fajarali6481]

which softwares are must for civil engineer or project manager?

[@AhmedIbrahim19908]

Great

[@ryanmiller2639]

Hey boss, I’m a PE now and my probation is about to end. What do you think i should ask for salary wise?

[@anthonylaroche2738]

I’m in civil engineering right now in Louisiana I sent an job application for an intern in Hawaii. How is it there ? Also why they stress us out so bad in school lol

[@gregyjoebatin2558]

I'm from the Philippines, I major in Project Construction Management, and we have a PRC exam to get our License, most countries doesn't. And once we go abroad, we still have to pass state exams. So hassle, but just by watching you Kienen, I'm more fired up to become a Project Engineer and work abroad!

[@joshuaramelb6187]

If you're in construction management, you don't necessarily have to get your PE license. I was a project engineer under a general contractor and all of my colleagues (PEs, PMs, supers) never intended to get licensed; even many design engineers end up never getting their license. However, if you feel like you might switch into design down the road I would encourage getting licensed.

[@gregyjoebatin2558]

@@joshuaramelb6187 oh, thank you for your generous comment. How can I contact you and ask more about it if you may Sir?

[@rafaelestradamoncada4071]

Congrats :)) I also passed !

[@KienenKoga]

Awesome man!

[@masternobody1896]

@@KienenKoga i am getting big brain

[@masternobody1896]

@@KienenKoga lots of knowledget thanks

[@SaRa-ef3mr]

I have question, I am doing master degree construction engineering & management my question is I have project as excavation for building 350x100 ft and 15ft depth what equipment is appropriate if the it’s hard clay with limestone soil ?

[@erikl1462]

Excavators and tri-axle dump trucks should do it. If the material becomes more competent with depth you might need a dozer with ripper to loosen it before your excavator can work efficiently again.

[@dickyudayata1897]

Is it any job vacancy for quality control or site supervisor for me sir? I am dicky from Indonesia. And i am graduated from architecure

[@SaRa-ef3mr]

Wow you are so smart

[@KienenKoga]

Haha thanks!

[@AliAhmed-fl4rm]

I want to buy online practice pe construction examCBT with timer How you can help me?

[@video.daniel]

new videos man?

[@alfredoespinoza427]

Passing the PE civil construction exam replaces GC license?

[@nosajsomar9213]

What did you use to help you prepare for the Construction Depth portion?

[@KienenKoga]

I had a bunch of old notes from a colleague who took a test masters course like 9 years ago lol.

[@TheStevojl3]

Hey Kienen, I'm currently in school majored in Electronics Engineering and Computer Technology and I only have one semester left, but I do want to try my hand in the construction industry. Is it possible for me to land an entry level internship without having to go back to school for Civil Engineering or something of the sort? If possible, what kind of skills can I work on to be given an opportunity?

[@ngkngk875]

Maybe try an entry level outside plant engineer, it’s telecommunications and construction.

[@michaeljaf5734]

Where have you been 😪

[@jaydenwilson8371]

Hey I’m 15 and live in New York a sophomore in high school. Can you explain what I have to do to become a construction engineer. Like I know I have to take my FE exam but what do I do after that

[@jaydenwilson8371]

Ah I don’t got to that school.

[@larrytinnin3357]

Pretty sure I saw you on an engineering tv show looking at the stadium that was being demolished

[@KienenKoga]

Hahaha yup that was me!

[@larrytinnin3357]

@@KienenKoga architect from Philadelphia, one day I will venture to Hawaii

[@StartMotivationalJourney]

what type of calculated could you use in the PE exam?

[@KienenKoga]

non graphing. I used a TI-36X Pro

[@conradoaccardi9325]

Hi kienen, congrats! I am civil/structural engineering student from Argentina and I didn’t know you guys have this system. Over here, you pretty much are a certified and licensed professional when you get your university degree. Can you work on, say, transportation, but still opt to go for the environmental engineering pe for whatever reason? Would anyone care? Also, do you know how the usa views engineers from abroad? I’ve thought about maybe trying to go work there once I get my degree, but knowing this abiut fe and pe exams I feel like maybe no one would take you seriously? Is there any kind of regulation for convalidating degrees? Thanks!

[@KienenKoga]

At least here in Hawaii you need to take the PE in the field you work in, you also need to have a PE licensed in your field sign off that you have the related experience. I wouldnt worry too much about getting an FE or PE to start work initially, its more about opening more opportunities when you progress in your career

[@conradoaccardi9325]

@@KienenKoga Good to know. Thanks again! And enjoy this milestone.

[@shehab3291]

Do you have study link like this but for the FE exam? Thank you

[@KienenKoga]

Unfortunately no, for the FE if you do the practice exam from NCEES it should be fine

[@shehab3291]

@@KienenKoga thank you!

[@moshanelewis7164]

Do you think a civil enjineer can make he's own civil engineering bussines talk about that in your next video please

[@KienenKoga]

Absolutely! Probably would be similar to the career pathways video

[@geezlouis3753]

I got my exam on Saturday, wish me luck :,)

[@KienenKoga]

Best of luck!

[@geezlouis3753]

@@KienenKoga I passed, thanks for the content! Also for anyone reading this. I took the EET coarse which was really long. Prob studied approx 250 hours over 6 months but I left the exam feeling I did really well. Also I didn’t study anything else or do any other practice exams. Everything was just the provided content from EET. Good luck to anyone who takes it in the future, it’s a beast but if you put the time in it’s doable.

[@momentwander]

Is it computer based now or pencil and paper still?

[@KienenKoga]

Now I believe it's computer based. I should make a new video...

[@momentwander]

@@KienenKoga ok sir. Thank you.

[@joelmoreno9396]

Wya dude…