PE Agricultural and Biological Engineering Exam Practice Test

Requirements vary by state licensing board, but typically you must have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and accrued a minimum of four years of acceptable, progressive engineering work experience under the supervision of a licensed PE. You should verify specific requirements with your state board well in advance of applying.

The exam is open-book. You may bring any printed materials (bound books, loose notes, practice exams) into the testing center. However, all materials are subject to inspection. The NCEES PE Agricultural and Biological Engineering Reference Handbook is provided as a searchable PDF during the computer-based test and is the primary resource. Familiarity with its content and organization is crucial.

The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 9.5 hours. It is divided into a morning breadth session and an afternoon depth session, where you choose one of several module topics. The passing score is not a fixed percentage but is determined through a psychometric process (scaling). Aim for a high level of competency rather than a specific number of correct answers.

The exam's breadth section covers core fundamentals applicable to all sub-disciplines. The afternoon depth session allows you to select a module that best aligns with your expertise (e.g., Soil and Water Resources, Power and Machinery, Structures and Environment, or Food and Bioprocess Engineering). This structure ensures the exam tests both general competency and specialized knowledge.

Most successful candidates dedicate 200-300 hours of study over 3-6 months. The key is consistent, scheduled study sessions focused on active problem-solving, not just passive reading. Creating a personalized study plan based on a diagnostic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses is highly recommended.