How to Avoid the Perfectionism Trap and Pass Your PE Exam

In this article (and video above), I share actionable tips to avoid the perfectionism trap and explain how doing so can improve your chances of passing the PE exam. As engineers, we’re trained to aim for perfection—whether it’s in solving problems, designing structures, or excelling in school exams. However, when it comes to the PE exam, striving for perfection can actually work against you.

Why Perfectionism Can Be a Problem on the PE Exam

When you sit down for the PE exam, it’s natural to want to ace every question. However, this mindset can quickly lead to time mismanagement. Dwelling too long on challenging problems—what I call “time wasters”—can prevent you from addressing questions that you’re better equipped to answer.

Here’s the reality: You don’t need to get every question right to pass. Success on the PE exam is about strategic problem-solving, not perfection. The key is knowing when to move on and come back to challenging questions later.

A Proven Three-Step Process for Exam Success

To help you avoid the perfectionism trap, I recommend a simple, three-step strategy for tackling the PE exam. Think of it as the Green, Orange, Red Approach or Easy, Medium, Hard process:

1. Green Stage: Tackle the Easy Problems

• Start by quickly identifying the easiest problems—the ones you’re 99.9% confident you can solve.
• These are the questions you can answer with minimal effort and time.
• Completing these first builds momentum and ensures you’re maximizing your score early on.

2. Orange Stage: Work Through Medium-Difficulty Problems

• On your second pass, focus on questions that require a bit more thought but are still within your wheelhouse.
• These problems might take slightly longer, but they’re worth your time and effort.
• By addressing these next, you maintain a steady pace while avoiding the stress of harder problems.

3. Red Stage: Confront the Hard Problems

• Finally, turn to the most challenging questions—the ones you initially skipped.
• Be mindful of the remaining time and prioritize making educated guesses if necessary.
• Consistently choosing the same answer for guesses (e.g., always guessing “C”) can slightly increase your odds of getting some points.

Why This Approach Works

This process ensures you spend your limited time wisely, focusing on questions that will earn you the most points. By avoiding the trap of spending too much time on “time wasters,” you reduce the risk of running out of time for questions you could have answered correctly.

Key Takeaways

• Avoid the perfectionism trap: You don’t need to answer every question correctly to pass the PE exam.
• Use the Green, Orange, Red strategy: Address easy problems first, medium-difficulty problems next, and hard problems last.
• Stay aware of time: Keep an eye on the clock, especially during the red stage, to ensure you finish the exam and make educated guesses when needed.

Final Words of Advice

The PE exam isn’t just a test of knowledge; it’s also a test of strategy and time management. By following this three-step process, you’ll stay calm, confident, and focused during the exam. Remember, perfection isn’t the goal—passing is. With a smart approach and steady preparation, you’re well on your way to achieving your PE license.

This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI

PPI has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new opportunities. Check out PPI’s wide range of prep options, including Live Online courses, OnDemand courses, and digital study tools to help prepare you to pass your licensing exam here.

I hope you found this article helpful. In upcoming articles, I will solve some more PE exam practice problems and answer other questions from our subscribers. Pass the PE Exam videos will publish weekly, so be sure to click the subscribe button so you don’t miss something that could make a substantial difference in your exam result.

Lastly, I encourage you to ask questions in the comments of this video or on this page, and I’ll read and respond to them in future videos. So, if there’s a specific topic you want me to cover or answer, we have you covered.

I’ll see you next week… on Pass the PE Exam

Anthony Fasano, P.E., AEC PM, F. ASCE
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success