PE exam topics
The engineering itself — the high-yield topics, broken down by where they show up on the exam and where people lose points, with the key relations in plain terms. Organized by exam, the way you'll study. (Looking for guidance on the exam, the license, or how to prepare? That's in Resources.)
HVAC & Refrigeration
Machine Design & Materials
Thermal & Fluid Systems
Water Resources & Environmental
- Manning's equation
- Critical depth & hydraulic jumps
- Culverts: inlet vs outlet control
- Rational method vs curve number
- Detention ponds & routing
- Hazen-Williams, networks & pumps
- Well drawdown: Thiem & Cooper-Jacob
- BOD & activated sludge
- CT, sedimentation & filtration
- Mass loading & the 8.34 factor
- Earthwork: borrow pits, swell & shrink
- Lateral earth pressure & trench safety
Transportation
All exams
Practice these topics — don't just read them.
Reading a topic is the start; the points come from working problems on it. CastorPrep's practice is tagged to every one of these topics, and your exam's first chapter is free with an account.
Start with a free chapter