Contributed by Angelina V. Stasulis, PE, SE
Updated April 2024
This article is based on the presentation given by Jason J. Gamble of NCEES at the NCSEA Summit in November 2022.
The format of NCEES' Professional Principles and Practice of Engineering: Structural exam, colloquially known as the "SE Exam", has changed. The last offering of the current 16-hr, pencil-and-paper format was October 2023.
Why did the Test Change (again)?
NCEES is governed by its 69 engineering and surveying licensure member boards from all 50 states, Washington DC, and all US territories, including Georgia's PELS Board. These boards voted to transition all professional exams (engineering and surveying from paper-and-pencil to computer-based-testing (CBT) over a decade ago for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to:
- Increased Exam Security
- Improved Exam Measurement
- Faster Results Release
The PE Structural exam was saved for last due to its being the only exam with a constructed response (essay) section in addition to multiple choice format questions.
What's Changed?
The exam has been reformatted to fit the computer-based offering system, which has different limitations than traditional pencil-and-paper. These changes center around two primary differences:
- The pencil-and-paper exam had two separate components (vertical and lateral), totaling 16 hours of exam time. The computer-based test has four sections (vertical-breadth, vertical-depth, lateral-breadth, and lateral-depth), totaling 21 hours of exam time. Components for the paper-and-pencil exams can be taken and acceptable results achieved at different times. Sections for the computer based exam can be taken and acceptable results achieved at different times.
- References for the pencil-and-paper exam were supplied by the candidate, and no limit was placed on the amount of references a candidate could transport in/out of the exam facility. References for the computer-based test are delivered along with the exam, and include fully searchable electronic versions of all required codes and design standards as well as a NCEES-generated reference manual. Candidates are not permitted to bring any of their own reference materials to the test.
Candidates must achieve acceptable results on ALL sections in order to pass the computer-based PE: Structural exam.
Additional differences are summarized in the table below:
|
|
Pencil-and-Paper |
CBT |
Commentary |
|
Format |
(2) Components: Vertical - 8hr Lateral - 8hr |
(4) Sections: Vertical Breadth - 5.5hr Vertical Depth - 5hr Lateral Breadth - 5.5hr Lateral Depth - 5hr |
Breaking the exam into smaller sections enables candidates to focus on less material at a time. This is particularly advantageous for candidates who do not pass both breadth and depth sections at the same time. Instead of re-taking an entire vertical or lateral component, candidates can pass the breadth and depth sections independently from one another. |
|
Exam Time |
16hr |
21hr |
See below |
|
Breadth Questions Amount and Type |
40 Multiple Choice |
55 Multiple Choice 45 operational + 10 pretest |
A certain number of questions is required to meet exam reliability standards. Additional questions were required to be added to the multiple choice sections to qualify them as independent sections. |
|
Depth Questions Amount Type |
4 (Buildings) or 3 (Bridge) constructed response |
(5)-12 question "scenarios" |
In lieu of constructed response, computer-based testing uses "alternative item types" (AITs) for the depth sections. AITs include: multiple-select, fill in the blank, drag-and-drop, and point-and-click. |
|
Scoring |
Every question counts toward a candidate’s result |
Pre-test (non-scored) questions are part of exam and do not count toward a candidate’s result |
It's common practice to include pre-test questions in high-stakes credentialing computer-based testing for a variety of exam development and evaluation purposes. NCEES has decided to do this to evaluate test questions prior to their use as operational questions, to obtain statistics, screen for fairness and general performance, and to bolster the item bank with questions that performed well in a real testing environment. |
|
Reference Material |
Candidates can bring in an unlimited amount of their own reference materials. |
Candidates are provided with fully searchable and electronic versions of all required codes and standards and a NCEES-generated reference manual.
The reference manual will be available to candidates upon creation of their “MyNCEES” account. Candidates may register up to a year prior to their examination. Registration refers to paying and declaring intent to sit for an exam, which is separate from selecting and scheduling a test date at a Pearson Professional Center.. |
|
|
Cost Per Component |
$500 (Whole Exam = 2 components x $500 = $1000) |
$350 (Whole Exam = 4 sections x $350 = $1400) |
Each computer based section of the exam costs NCEES approximately $465 to develop and administer, more than the candidate pays. This cost is subsidized by NCEES' other examinations. |
|
When do you take the test? |
Specific dates 2x (April and October) each year |
Candidates choose their test date.
Breadth sections will be offered year-round. Candidates can take up to 3x in a 12-mo period, but no more than once every three months.
Depth sections will be offered during two windows each year. Candidates can choose their dates within the window.
|
This process offers candidates more flexibility in scheduling their exam around their professional and personal lives. |
|
Where do you take the test? |
One of 18 regional test sites |
Any Pearson Professional Center in the US (353 total) |
CBT enables candidates more access to test sites |
|
What happens if you fail? |
You retake the entire component (vertical or lateral) |
You only have to retake the section you failed (ex: vertical-depth) |
This helps candidates focus their time and eliminates the need to repeat the exam in areas they have already proven competence in. |
Where to Learn More
NCEES podcast: https://ncees.org/podcast-jason-gamble/
NCEES YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/nceesmedia
NCEES Website: NCEES.org/CBT
A Note About the Transition
Candidates who have achieved acceptable results on one, but not both, components of the PE: Structural exam when CBT begins will only need to take the sections of the computer-based component in which they have not gotten acceptable results.
Example:
Candidate takes the 16-hr exam in October 2023, but only received acceptable results on the Vertical component. This candidate would need to take and achieve acceptable results on the Lateral-Depth and Lateral-Breadth sections via CBT in order to pass the PE: Structural exam.
