Architectural Engineering PE Exam

The Architectural Engineering PE Exam is tailored specifically for engineers whose primary business focus is building design, commissioning, project management, or other construction-related engineering.

The Architectural Engineering PE Exam tests proficiency in:

  • Building Systems Integration
  • Electrical Systems
  • Mechanical Systems
  • Structural Systems
  • Project Management and Construction Administration

Exam Structure

The exam consists of 80 questions – 40 in the morning and 40 in the afternoon. You will have four hours in each session with a one hour lunch break.

Take the time during the lunch break to review what you can remember from the morning, including the format of the test, content being covered, and your general, overall “feeling” for how you performed in the first half. You can then make adjustments to your game plan, review material that appears to be dominating the exam, and give yourself time to relax. It’s also a good time to eat something.

Building Systems Integration

Approximately 15% of the exam, and topics include:

  • Building vibration, noise, lighting, and climate control
  • Analysis of building construction
  • Energy efficiency
  • Applicable standards and codes
  • Americans with disabilities (ADA) requirements
Electrical Systems

Approximately 27.5% of the exam, and topics include:

  • Electrical systems, short circuit, and grounding analysis
  • Power distribution
  • Voltage drop and lighting calculations
  • Fire alarm
  • Applicable standards and codes
Mechanical Systems

Approximately 27.5% of the exam, and topics include:

  • HVAC

Heat gain and loss calculations
HVAC system analysis and selection
Energy calculations
Fan and pump laws
Indoor air quality
Psychrometrics
Equipment selection

  • Plumbing

Domestic water systems
Sanitary waste and vent systems
Stormwater systems
Fire protection, sprinkler, and standpipe systems

Structural Systems

Approximately 20% of the exam, and topics include:

  • Types of construction
  • Structural components
  • Loads – gravity, lateral, temperature, settlement, construction
  • Analysis of frames, structures, stability, and deflection
  • Foundations
Project Management and Construction Administration

Approximately 10% of the exam, and topics include:

  • Requests for information, change orders, architectural supplemental instructions, etc.
  • Submittal and alternate process
  • Design and construction scheduling
  • Construction administration
  • Contracts

Pass Rates

The Pass Rates for the Architectural Engineering PE Exam are listed here. These pass rates can increase with proper preparation and the use of relevant “test-day” reference materials.

Study Guide

To help increase the Pass Rate, we created a comprehensive Architectural Engineering PE Exam Study Guide that is available to help engineers taking this exam. The Study Guide includes sample questions with solutions, commentary on the various topics, a test-day resource list, recommendations for study, a list of formulas, and a list of useful websites.


Architectural Engineering PE Exam

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