The big day is here. You’ve spent the last 3-6 months working hard preparing for this day. The day of your NCEES Civil PE exam… dun dun dunnnn.
But, before you freak out, read through this article, prepare to sit for 8 hours, and be ready to ace this test!
The Day Before
A successful exam day actually starts the day before the test. Take the day before your test easy. Do something fun or relaxing to make sure you feel refreshed and ready for exam day.
Do not study or cram the day before. Get some exercise, hang out with friends, make a nice dinner, and get to bed early the night before. Getting good sleep is a must for a successful exam day!
You also need to pack accordingly for exam day. Here is the list of permitted items you can bring to the testing room (and you should have ready the night before):
-
- Government issued ID (or International travel passport in roman characters from your country of citizenship or U.S. military ID)
- Calculator (without the cover) that complies with NCEES Calculator Policy:
- Casio: All fx-115 and fx-991 models (Any Casio calculator must have “fx-115” or “fx-991” in its model name)
- Hewlett Packard: Only the HP 33s and HP 35s models
- Texas Instruments: All TI-30X and TI-36X models (Any Texas Instruments calculator must have “TI-30X” or “TI-36X” in its model name)
- Bring an extra calculator/ batteries in case your calculator dies during the test!
- Printed exam appointment confirmation email and details.
- Eyeglasses (without the case)
- Light sweater or jacket (nylon and polyester materials are not allowed)
- Items included in the Pearson VUE testing facility Comfort Aid List:
- earplugs, noise canceling headphones, and tissues (do not need pre-approval by the testing facility)
- braces (e.g., neck, back, ankle), hearing aids, eye drops, and mobility devices (will be visually inspected every time upon entering the test room)
- Any other items will have to be requested as a testing accommodation during your exam registration process.
Other items that are allowed in the testing facility, but you must leave them in your test center locker include:
- cell phones, handheld computers/ personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other electronic devices, fitness trackers, pagers, watches…
- Turn off all electronic devices before storing them in the locker.
- wallets, purses, hats and other head coverings (unless they qualify as religious apparel), bags, coats…
- books, notes, pens, pencils, erasers…
- food and beverages
The Exam
The exam has two 4-hour sessions, with a 50 minute scheduled break after the first 4-hour session. I know, it’s going to be a long day😭.
The exam clock does not stop for any breaks you take during the 4-hour exam sessions, so you want to practice your food, water, and caffeine intakes during your practice exams exactly as you will during the actual exam.
Just like in any sport, practice like you play! – eat the same foods (and caffeinated drinks) in the same quantities during your practice exams as you will during the real thing.
Brain Power
Taking an 8 hour exam is like a marathon for your brain (🤯) so you need to fuel it properly. Here are some tips from your fellow CEA gym rat to get the maximum brain power during your exam 💪:
- Eat a big, protein packed breakfast to make sure you won’t get hungry during the exam.
- Examples: greek yogurt, granola, and fruit; eggs, breakfast meats and toast/ potatoes; oatmeal, protein powder, nut butter, and fruit…
- Drink some caffeine but not too much before your exam – you don’t want to be anxious or too hyped up before starting your exam and crash in the afternoon.
- Bring a fun caffeinated beverage to keep in your testing center locker and have it during your break for the afternoon portion.
- Drink enough water in the morning to stay hydrated during the test (but not too much so you don’t have to take a break in the middle of your exams!)
- Pack a big lunch for your scheduled break and drink enough water during your break. Do not bring a hot lunch, there probably is not a microwave in the testing facility.
- Examples: a sandwich, a salad, fruit, nuts or trail mix, protein bar, hummus and carrots/ celery, greek yogurt…
- Some of the best foods to eat for brain power include:
- Carbohydrates: berries and oranges
- Protein and fats: eggs, nuts, avocado, olive oil
- Micronutrients: leafy greens
- Caffeine: coffee and green tea
The Morning of Exam Day
So now your breakfast is planned, lunch and all other must bring items are ready to go, and you’ve had a great night of sleep. Let’s talk about the morning of your exam day.
Get to the testing facility at least 30 minutes before the start of your exam to ensure you have enough time to check in for your exam. You should go to your testing facility at least once before your exam day to plan your travel time.
Once you are in the testing facility, you will get checked in for your test. The room may feel tense if there are other test takers – but just know that you are all in the same boat and do your best not to stress! You have worked so hard for this moment- remain calm and stay confident😌
Once you get checked in for your test, you will receive a locker to put all the items not allowed in the testing room. The testing facility will also take your picture before the test and this photo will be used when you receive your final exam scores (so make it a pretty one 😉).
Then you will be called into the testing room, asked for your ID, get a reusable booklet and a pen to solve the problems, and get inspected for any prohibited items or markings. Then you will enter the testing room, the proctor will sign you into a computer, you will read a few intro statements for the test (how to use all the buttons and resources of the testing platform), and start your exam!
Headphones
The testing room will give you a set of over-the-head noise canceling headphones – I highly recommend using these because the proctors come in and out of the testing room frequently and may whisper to other test takers throughout your exam, which can be super distracting. If you don’t feel comfortable in over-the-head noise canceling headphones, bring your own headphones or earplugs to shut out excess noise.
Break Time!
Once you finish the first 4-hour section, raise your hand and the proctor will sign out of your computer so you can take your 50 minute break. If you finish the morning section early, the rest of the time you didn’t use will be added to your afternoon 4-hour section.
I highly recommend practicing to finish the first 4-hour section with 30 minutes – 1 hour left to add to your second 4-hour section – the afternoon section is usually harder.
Once you finish the morning section, you can’t revisit those questions during the second section so double check your answers if you have time!
I also highly recommend you take the entire 50-minute scheduled break – give your brain a nice long break! You may leave the testing facility during this time. Eat your lunch, hydrate, have some caffeine, and take a nice walk if you can, or even meditate to clear your mind before the second section.
You must keep track of the 50-minute break and make your way back to the testing room about 10 minutes before your second section starts. The proctors will check your ID again and visually check your person for any unallowed items before you enter the testing room again. The proctor will log into your computer again and your second 4-hour section will start.
Exam Done!
Once you have finished your second 4-hour section, double check your answers if you have time, and raise your hand to let the proctor know that you have finished the exam. The proctor will come and log you out of the computer, take the booklet and pen, and you will leave the testing room.
Grab any items from your testing locker and return the locker key and check out at the front desk of the testing facility. And congrats you just took the PE test!! Treat yourself and give your brain a break the rest of the day ☺️.
Author: Taylor Austin
Bio:
Taylor Austin is an Environmental Engineer at WSP in San Diego California. Her career interests include all things water resources: engineering hydrology for flood and erosion protection, drinking water treatment, and wastewater recycling (new California laws will soon allow direct wastewater to drinking water treatment!). She also participates in American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE) meetings and events in San Diego.
She has recently passed the PE Civil Water Resources Exam in March 2024 and is now focusing on her PE application and the two California-specific tests. She graduated in 2022 with her B.S. in Environmental Engineering and 2023 with her M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, both from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo.
Outside of civil/environmental engineering, she enjoys exploring new hikes in Southern California, lazy beach days, and is a major gym rat!
To connect with her, please message her on LinkedIn.