PE Exam Day Survival Guide: What to Bring, Expect, and Do

Taking the PE exam represents a pivotal moment in your engineering career, but exam day anxiety can undermine months of preparation. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to approach your PE exam day with confidence, from essential items to bring to mental preparation strategies.

What to Bring to the PE Exam

Required Items You Must Have

Valid Photo Identification
You need a physical, unexpired photo ID issued by a government entity in the country where you are testing, an international travel passport from your country of citizenship, or a U.S. military ID. Digital copies or expired IDs will not be accepted under any circumstances.

NCEES-Approved Calculator
The following calculator models are the only ones acceptable for use during the 2025 exams: Casio: All fx-115 and fx-991 models (Any Casio calculator must have "fx-115" or "fx-991" in its model name.) Additional approved models include all TI-30X and TI-36X series from Texas Instruments, and HP 33s and HP 35s models from Hewlett Packard. Solar-powered calculators are highly recommended to avoid battery failure during the exam.

Appointment Confirmation Letter
Print your confirmation letter from NCEES and bring it to the testing center. While some centers may not specifically request it, having this documentation ensures smooth check-in.

Permitted Personal Items

Comfort Items
Items listed in the Pearson VUE Comfort Aid List, such as earplugs and tissues are allowed. You can also bring:

• Soft foam earplugs (no electronic noise-canceling devices)
• Tissues
• Cough drops or throat lozenges
• Eye drops
• Small snacks and water (stored in locker during exam)

Medical Aids
Medical aids, such as braces, hearing aids, and eye drops are permitted with proper documentation if needed.

Items Strictly Prohibited

Understanding what you cannot bring prevents unnecessary stress at check-in:

• Cell phones and smart devices
• Fitness trackers or smartwatches
• Wallets and purses (except to store in locker)
• Food and beverages in testing room
• Reference materials or notes
• Writing materials (provided at testing center)

What to Expect on PE Exam Day

Timing and Duration

The PE exam lasts a total of nine hours, structured as follows:

• A two-minute nondisclosure agreement will be presented at the commencement of the PE exam
• An eight-minute tutorial explaining the PE exam patterns, guidelines, and rules
• 8 hours of actual testing time for 80 questions
• A fifty-minute long scheduled break that you can take in between the two PE exam portions

This means you will have roughly six minutes to answer each PE exam question when factoring in review time and potential technical issues.

Testing Center Procedures

Check-in Process
The NCEES recommends you arrive at the Pearson VUE test center 30 minutes before your scheduled test time for several important reasons:

• Identity verification and documentation review
• Biometric data collection (palm vein scan and photograph)
• Locker assignment for personal items
• Final security screening

During the Exam
The computer-based testing environment provides several advantages:

• The current version of the appropriate NCEES reference handbook will be supplied onscreen as a searchable PDF
• Digital tools for flagging questions and tracking progress
• Immediate question navigation capabilities
• Split-screen functionality for referencing materials while solving problems

Results Timeline

You will not receive your exam results the day of the PE exam. Typically, examinees can expect to receive the results of their licensing boards about 8-10 weeks after taking the PE exam for year-round exams, while single-day exams may take slightly longer due to standard setting procedures.

Pre-Exam Day Preparation Strategy

The Week Before Your Exam

Take a Preparation Break
I can't stress enough how important it is to take a day or two break leading up to sitting for the exam. Professional engineers consistently recommend avoiding last-minute cramming, which can increase anxiety without providing meaningful knowledge gains.

Organize Your Materials
Have these items organized and ready to go the night before the exam. Create a checklist including:

• Photo ID (check expiration date)
• NCEES-approved calculator with fresh batteries
• Appointment confirmation letter
• Comfortable clothing for test day
• Snacks and water for break time

The Night Before

Prioritize Rest and Nutrition
A light, healthy meal and a good night's rest the night before the exam is pretty straightforward and will go a long way in getting you through the test day marathon. Avoid alcohol, excessive caffeine, or unfamiliar foods that might cause digestive issues.

Mental Preparation
Review your time management strategy one final time, but avoid studying new material. Instead, focus on relaxation techniques and positive visualization of successfully completing the exam.

Day-of-Exam Success Strategies

Morning Routine

Arrive Early but Not Too Early
Plan to arrive 45-60 minutes before your scheduled time. This provides buffer for unexpected delays while avoiding excessive waiting that can increase nervousness.

Fuel Your Brain
Eat a substantial breakfast with complex carbohydrates and protein. Avoid excessive caffeine, which can lead to jitters or the need for frequent bathroom breaks.

During the Exam

Strategic Time Management
With 80 questions in 8 hours, allocate approximately 6 minutes per question. However, implement a triaging strategy:

• Spend 2-3 minutes on straightforward questions
• Allow 8-10 minutes for complex calculations
• Flag difficult questions for review during remaining time

Maximize Your Break
Use the 50-minute break effectively:

• Eat your prepared snacks and hydrate
• Take a short walk to re-energize
• Avoid discussing exam content with others
• Practice relaxation breathing techniques

Navigate the Digital Interface
Familiarize yourself with the computer-based testing tools:

• Use the flag feature for questions requiring review
• Practice efficient searching in the electronic reference handbook
• Take advantage of the split-screen capability for complex problems

Mental Performance Optimization

Managing Exam Anxiety

Breathing Techniques
When feeling overwhelmed, use the 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system and reduces stress hormones.

Positive Self-Talk
Replace negative thoughts like "I don't know this" with constructive alternatives: "I can work through this systematically" or "I've prepared well for this challenge."

Question Recovery Strategy
If you encounter a particularly difficult question:

• Read it twice carefully
• Identify what's being asked specifically
• List known information and required unknowns
• Consider multiple solution approaches
• Flag and move on if stuck after 10 minutes

Maintaining Focus Through 8 Hours

Energy Management

• Bring glucose-rich snacks for sustained mental energy
• Stay hydrated but avoid excessive water intake
• Use the break for light physical movement
• Practice good posture to maintain alertness

Concentration Techniques

• Cover distracting elements on screen when focusing on calculations
• Use scratch paper efficiently for organizing complex problems
• Take 30-second mental breaks every hour by looking away from screen

Technology and Tools Optimization

Maximizing Calculator Efficiency

Pre-Exam Familiarity
You should get one of these things early and start using it as you start solving tons of PE problems. Spend several weeks using only your exam calculator during practice sessions to build muscle memory.

Advanced Functions
Learn time-saving features of your approved calculator:

• Memory functions for storing frequently used values
• Statistical calculations for data analysis problems
• Unit conversion capabilities where available
• Complex number operations for electrical engineering problems

Electronic Reference Navigation

The searchable PDF reference handbook requires specific skills:

• Practice Boolean search techniques using keywords
• Learn the document structure and major section locations
• Bookmark frequently referenced tables and formulas
• Use Ctrl+F efficiently with synonyms and alternate terms

Special Considerations for Different Exam Types

Year-Round vs. Single-Day Exams

Year-Round Exams (CBT)
Most PE disciplines now offer year-round testing with these advantages:

• No two candidates get the same questions due to LOFT algorithm
• Flexible scheduling around work and personal commitments
• Faster results (7-10 business days)

Single-Day Exams
Some PE exams are computer-based and administered only one day a year. They all have 85 questions and last 9.5 hours for disciplines with smaller candidate populations.

Geotechnical PE Exam Specifics

For geotechnical engineers, PEwise offers specialized preparation that aligns with visual learning principles. Our animated video lessons help you understand complex soil mechanics concepts that traditional textbooks struggle to convey effectively. With 60% better retention rates through visual learning methods, PEwise provides the geotechnical-focused preparation you need at an ultra-affordable $149 for 3-month access.

Post-Exam Protocols

Immediate Aftermath

After submitting your exam:

• Avoid second-guessing your performance
• Don't discuss specific questions with others (violates non-disclosure agreement)
• Plan a relaxing activity to decompress
• Trust in your preparation and effort

While Waiting for Results

Results are typically available within 7–10 business days for most computer-based exams. Use this time productively:

• Begin considering professional development goals
• Network with other professional engineers
• Research continuing education requirements in your state
• Avoid dwelling on exam performance

Final Success Strategies

The Night Before Checklist

• Photo ID checked for expiration
• Calculator batteries tested/solar function verified
• Appointment confirmation printed
• Comfortable clothes selected
• Nutritious breakfast planned
• Transportation route confirmed with extra time buffer
• Relaxation techniques practiced

Day-of Success Mindset

Remember that passing the PE exam isn't about perfection—it's about demonstrating minimum competency. You don't need to answer every question correctly. Focus on maximizing your performance on the questions within your expertise while making educated guesses on challenging topics.

The PE exam represents the culmination of your academic preparation and professional development. With proper planning, strategic preparation, and confident execution, you can successfully navigate this important milestone in your engineering career.

For engineers seeking comprehensive preparation specifically designed around visual learning principles, PEwise offers animated lessons, expert support, and a pass guarantee that gives you confidence going into exam day. Our research-backed approach helps you retain information more effectively while preparing for the exact format and difficulty level of the current PE exam.

References

• NCEES. (2025). Exams | NCEES
• PPI Kaplan. PE Exam Day Guide: What to Bring & What to Expect
• StudyForFE. (2025). What to Expect on the PE Exam Day
• School of PE. Top Tips to Prepare for and Pass the PE Exam