Yes, its coming.  The PE is going to eventually go to a computer based exam when the NCEES organization works out all the bugs.  

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I wanted to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of a computer based exam because this is what our future will be.  

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Before I dive into that though, let's look at what exactly the NCEES guys have said about the exam going to a computer based option:

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More...

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We will continue to diligently work our way toward development of computer-based PE exams. Many tasks need to be accomplished before we are ready, especially deciding how to handle supplied reference manuals electronically. I am excited by the potential for computer-based PE exams to be better at testing experience versus strictly academic knowledge through the design of more-innovative test items. We also will conduct a survey to assess interest in a separate exam to test knowledge of professional practice topics.

Michael Conzett
NCEES President

So there you have it.  They are actively working on making the PE exam a computer-based exam.  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?  What do you think?  I'll do my best to outline the advantages and disadvantages of this and then I'll share my own opinion on the matter.  Let's dive into it:

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Advantages​

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Yes, there are some adantages to taking a computer based test.  Here are my top answers:

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1)  Computer exams are more efficient than paper based exams.  Why is this the case?  You have an easier time updating the exam, getting scores, making problems, distribution, etc.  I'd say this is more of a win for the NCEES organization but it is more efficient.

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2)  Flexible Scheduling - you could theoretically be able to take the exam at different times of the day.  No more starting early in the morning.  Just taking it when you want!  That sounds nice.

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3)  Year round testing - yes, now that it is computer based you could offer the test at any time of the year.  Gone are the twice a year standards.  No more crunching 3 months before.  Just study when you want and take it when you want.  Done.

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4)  Individual Testing Environment - you should finally have your own little testing spot.  No more sharing a long table with someone or hearing your neighbor snarf down that candy bar in the middle of working your foundation settlement problem.  You'll also miss out on seeing your old college acquaintances that you haven't seen in 3 or 4 years.  Just you the test and the cubical you'll be in.  

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​5)  Faster Scoring - yes, this is probably one of the biggest benefits of a computer exam.  You should be able to get the scores quickly.  Will this happen with the PE?  Who knows.  They way that it is scored, and averaged, and looked at, and scrutinized with how everyone did on problems, could throw a proverbial wrench into this faster scoring gig, but theoretically you should get your scores much faster and that is a bonus.

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6)  Easier Accessibility - ​you should be able to walk into ANY testing center and take this.  No need to going into massive convention centers or halls.  Just walk in to any testing center, probably a university or school, and take it.  

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7)  Faster Global Reach - the PE is accessible outside the US and they are working on making that even easier, but with a computer based exam you could do it much, much faster.  Now everyone that meets the credentials could have those PE initials after their  name.  ​

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8)  Consistency and Security - yes, the computer exam should be more secure, and by secure, I mean less cheating in any way.  Not that I thought that was a huge problem before, but I guess your security would be improved.​

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Disadvantages​

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Ok, that was a lot of advantages, but I know of a few disadvantages as well.  Here's my list:

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1)  You Can't Write Stuff Down on Your Screen -  And by this, I mean let's say you skip an answer - usually you put a check or some reminder on your score sheet to come back to it.  People like that.  I image that they'd still give you some paper or something, but I imagine that if they let you skip problems that you'd miss more.​

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2)  Difficult to Navigate Back -  This one has come up because this is what people have complained about with existing computer based exams and I could see this happening with the PE.  You want to go back and work a previous problem, but whoops, you can't do that, or it's difficult to do.  Screwed.

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3)  Computer Glitches - we all know that computers aren't perfect.  What if you were taking the test and in the middle of it, it all it shuts down.  Whoops.  There goes your exam!  Now, you'll just have to retake it...sorry.  That would really, really suck.​

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4)  Errors in the Content/Problems -  so let's say that you are chugging along in the exam.  You hit "next problem" and then you start working that one only to notice that some dimension arrow isn't there or is cut off, or doesn't show.  Now what?  Is this just a gimme problem?  Do I put an answer on and then just hope they give it to me?  I could see errors in the content as being a problem.  Someone would have to really beta test the crap out of the exams to make sure they are well put together and not missing anything.  ​

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5)  Staring at a Computer Screen - yes, some people hate starting at a computer screen for hours taking a brain crunching exam.  They prefer the pencil and paper.  You can feel it, you can thumb throw it, you can mark stuff up, etc.  There's a lot to be said here about this.  You've already got a study induced headache from studying for 3 to 4 months and now you have to stare at a screen for hours.  This just upped the crapiness factor on taking this exam.​

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Conclusion​

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That was a lot of advantages and disadvantages.  While I know that I listed more advantages I don't know if I completely agree with going computer based even though that's really where we are headed.  My own opinion would be that we keep the paper based exam.  I enjoy writing things down.  I also think that by going computer based you end up "dumbing down" the exam so that it is shorter.  Look at the FE.  It use to be a 8 hour exam and now it's just 5 hours and 25 minutes.  I imaging that something similar would happen to the PE as well and the civil engineer inside me doesn't like that.  

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Needless to say, these changes are probably a couple years out, but they are coming so we can all look forward to that.  In the end, the material should be about the same.  There are only so many engineering topics you can ask and test on and we will be there to help.  So go get those exams under your belt.  

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Good luck with your career and with studying!

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Isaac​

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