Virginia Professional Engineer Principles
and Practice Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
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1. Which organization is primarily responsible for developing and
administering the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE)
examination used for licensure in Virginia and other U.S. jurisdictions?
A. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
B. National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
(NCEES)
C. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
D. American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
B
The PE exam is developed and administered by NCEES, which
standardizes engineering licensure examinations across U.S. state
boards to ensure consistent competency evaluation for professional
engineers.
2. What is the primary purpose of the PE examination in the engineering
licensure process?
A. To certify entry-level engineering graduates
, B. To assess advanced application of engineering knowledge for
independent practice
C. To evaluate undergraduate coursework in engineering fundamentals
D. To replace the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
B
The PE exam is designed to evaluate a candidate’s ability to apply
engineering principles in real-world professional practice, ensuring
readiness for independent engineering licensure.
3. Which of the following is typically required before a candidate is
eligible to sit for the PE exam in Virginia?
A. Completion of a master’s degree only
B. Passing the PE exam before any work experience
C. Passing the FE exam and obtaining relevant engineering experience
D. Registration with ABET as a professional engineer
C
Most candidates must pass the FE exam and complete several years
of qualifying engineering experience before becoming eligible for the
PE exam.
4. How is the PE exam generally classified in terms of testing format in
modern administration?
A. Oral examination
B. Computer-based testing (CBT) for most disciplines
C. Essay-based examination
D. Laboratory performance assessment
B
The PE exam is primarily delivered through computer-based testing
at secure testing centers, replacing older paper-based formats in
most disciplines.
,5. What is the standard duration of most PE examinations (excluding
special structural formats)?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 12 hours
C
Most PE exams last approximately 8 hours of testing time, typically
divided into two sessions with a scheduled break.
6. Approximately how many questions are included in most PE exam
disciplines?
A. 30–40 questions
B. 50–60 questions
C. 80–100 questions
D. 120–150 questions
C
Most PE exams contain around 80 questions, although the range may
vary slightly depending on the discipline and format.
7. Which of the following best describes the PE exam question types?
A. Only long-form essays
B. Only calculation-based problems with no multiple choice
C. Primarily multiple-choice with some alternative item types
D. True/false only
C
The exam primarily uses multiple-choice questions but may also
include alternative item types such as drag-and-drop or point-and-
click formats.
8. What resource is provided during the PE exam for reference use?
A. Printed textbooks
, B. Candidate’s personal notes
C. NCEES electronic reference handbook
D. Internet search access
C
Candidates are provided with an on-screen NCEES handbook
containing formulas and reference material, and no external
resources are allowed.
9. What is the scoring outcome format of the PE exam?
A. Percentage score out of 100
B. Letter grade (A–F)
C. Pass or fail only
D. Scaled numerical score with ranking
C
The PE exam is reported as pass or fail, without disclosure of
numerical scores to candidates.
10. Which statement best describes the relationship between the FE
and PE exams?
A. They are interchangeable licensing exams
B. The PE exam is taken before the FE exam
C. The FE exam is typically completed before the PE exam
D. Both exams are optional for licensure
C
The FE exam is generally taken first as an entry-level assessment,
while the PE exam is taken later after gaining experience.
11. What is the typical testing window structure of the PE exam day?
A. One continuous 8-hour session
B. Two 4-hour sessions separated by a break
C. Four 2-hour sessions
D. Morning essay and afternoon interview
and Practice Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which organization is primarily responsible for developing and
administering the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE)
examination used for licensure in Virginia and other U.S. jurisdictions?
A. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
B. National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
(NCEES)
C. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
D. American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
B
The PE exam is developed and administered by NCEES, which
standardizes engineering licensure examinations across U.S. state
boards to ensure consistent competency evaluation for professional
engineers.
2. What is the primary purpose of the PE examination in the engineering
licensure process?
A. To certify entry-level engineering graduates
, B. To assess advanced application of engineering knowledge for
independent practice
C. To evaluate undergraduate coursework in engineering fundamentals
D. To replace the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
B
The PE exam is designed to evaluate a candidate’s ability to apply
engineering principles in real-world professional practice, ensuring
readiness for independent engineering licensure.
3. Which of the following is typically required before a candidate is
eligible to sit for the PE exam in Virginia?
A. Completion of a master’s degree only
B. Passing the PE exam before any work experience
C. Passing the FE exam and obtaining relevant engineering experience
D. Registration with ABET as a professional engineer
C
Most candidates must pass the FE exam and complete several years
of qualifying engineering experience before becoming eligible for the
PE exam.
4. How is the PE exam generally classified in terms of testing format in
modern administration?
A. Oral examination
B. Computer-based testing (CBT) for most disciplines
C. Essay-based examination
D. Laboratory performance assessment
B
The PE exam is primarily delivered through computer-based testing
at secure testing centers, replacing older paper-based formats in
most disciplines.
,5. What is the standard duration of most PE examinations (excluding
special structural formats)?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 12 hours
C
Most PE exams last approximately 8 hours of testing time, typically
divided into two sessions with a scheduled break.
6. Approximately how many questions are included in most PE exam
disciplines?
A. 30–40 questions
B. 50–60 questions
C. 80–100 questions
D. 120–150 questions
C
Most PE exams contain around 80 questions, although the range may
vary slightly depending on the discipline and format.
7. Which of the following best describes the PE exam question types?
A. Only long-form essays
B. Only calculation-based problems with no multiple choice
C. Primarily multiple-choice with some alternative item types
D. True/false only
C
The exam primarily uses multiple-choice questions but may also
include alternative item types such as drag-and-drop or point-and-
click formats.
8. What resource is provided during the PE exam for reference use?
A. Printed textbooks
, B. Candidate’s personal notes
C. NCEES electronic reference handbook
D. Internet search access
C
Candidates are provided with an on-screen NCEES handbook
containing formulas and reference material, and no external
resources are allowed.
9. What is the scoring outcome format of the PE exam?
A. Percentage score out of 100
B. Letter grade (A–F)
C. Pass or fail only
D. Scaled numerical score with ranking
C
The PE exam is reported as pass or fail, without disclosure of
numerical scores to candidates.
10. Which statement best describes the relationship between the FE
and PE exams?
A. They are interchangeable licensing exams
B. The PE exam is taken before the FE exam
C. The FE exam is typically completed before the PE exam
D. Both exams are optional for licensure
C
The FE exam is generally taken first as an entry-level assessment,
while the PE exam is taken later after gaining experience.
11. What is the typical testing window structure of the PE exam day?
A. One continuous 8-hour session
B. Two 4-hour sessions separated by a break
C. Four 2-hour sessions
D. Morning essay and afternoon interview
