Conquer the Civil PE Exam with These Strategies!

In this article (and video above), I talk with Zachary Lenz, PE, a transportation engineer at Burns & McDonnell, who recently conquered the revamped, tougher Civil PE exam and shares how the right approach can make all the difference.

Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Zachary:

• Can you start by sharing your overall approach to studying for the civil PE exam?
• What was the most challenging part of the new civil PE exam, and how did you overcome it?
• How did Burns and McDonald support you in preparing for the PE exam?
• How did your practical experience as a transportation engineer help you prepare for the PE exam?
• Can you explain the CBT format and how it affects exam preparation?
• What study materials or resources were most helpful during your preparation?
• What final piece of advice would you give to engineers preparing for the PE exam?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode:

• The revamped PE exam is more tailored to specific disciplines, like transportation, so the best approach focuses on both broad principles and detailed applications within transportation. Creating a weekly study plan with clear goals helps candidates stay on track and accountable.
• The focused scope of the new PE exam makes it more challenging and mentally demanding, especially with discipline-specific questions. To manage the intensity, candidates benefit from fully using breaks for rest and refreshment, which helps maintain focus throughout the long test day.
• Burns and McDonald provides support throughout exam preparation, from offering study materials and resources to sharing insights from colleagues who have already taken the exam. This practical support plays a significant role in improving exam readiness.
• Practical experience is invaluable in helping candidates understand the intent behind exam questions. Working in a specific field, like transportation, builds familiarity with relevant codes and standards, offering a strong advantage when answering targeted questions on the exam.
• The computer-based testing (CBT) format requires familiarity with navigating limited resources efficiently, rather than relying on numerous physical books. This format makes it essential for candidates to know key reference materials thoroughly and practice locating information quickly.
• Relying on key textbooks that cover most of the exam material, NCEES practice exams, and video explainers provide a solid foundation and reinforces understanding of challenging topics.
• Creating a structured study plan is crucial, as it keeps candidates accountable and on track. Practicing under timed conditions in the final weeks also builds confidence, familiarity with the format, and the ability to manage the exam under pressure.

About Zachary Lenz, PE

Zac Lenz is a dedicated transportation engineer at Burns & McDonnell, where he has made significant contributions to traffic modeling and highway design since joining the firm in 2020, shortly after graduating from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. During his tenure, Zac has played a key role in designing and improving transportation infrastructure, working on a variety of projects that require innovative solutions for complex traffic systems.

His experience in traffic engineering includes developing comprehensive models that help optimize traffic flow, enhance safety, and improve road networks’ efficiency. Zac’s responsibilities also extend to highway design, where he collaborates with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver sustainable and cost-effective solutions that align with regulatory requirements and community needs.

Zac achieved a major professional milestone by passing the PE Exam on July 24th, 2024, a testament to his technical knowledge and commitment to advancing in his field. His passion for transportation engineering, coupled with his growing experience at Burns & McDonnell, positions him as a rising leader within the industry, always seeking innovative ways to improve transportation systems and make travel safer and more efficient for the public.

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Principles of Highway Engineering and Traffic Analysis

Sources:

Burns and McDonnell
NCEES
Connect with Zachary Lenz, PE, on LinkedIn

This Episode Is Brought to You by Burns & McDonnell

At Burns & McDonnell, our engineers, construction and craft professionals, architects, planners, technologists, and scientists do more than plan, design, and construct. With a mission unchanged since 1898 — make our clients successful — our more than 13,500 professionals partner with you on the toughest challenges, constantly working to make the world an amazing place. Each professional brings an ownership mentality to projects at our 100% employee-owned firm, which has safety performance among the top 5% of AEC firms. That means we think like owners, working through each challenge until it’s resolved, meeting or exceeding our client’s goals. Find out more about Burns & McDonnell here: burnsmcd.com/careers

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