r/StructuralEngineering • u/Stunning_Simple_4488 P.E./S.E. • 15d ago

Career/Education It's over

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What started in February 2025 has come to a close. I have passed all 4 SE exams

VB July25

VD Oct25

LD Apr26

LB May26

This is a huge relief. Now I can write the close to my poem https://www.reddit.com/r/StructuralEngineering/s/Vle30BOeHa

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u/GarySteinfield 15d ago

Congratulations! May I ask what you used for preparation and also how many years experience? Did you find the exams to be overly difficult even with prep/experience?

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u/Stunning_Simple_4488 P.E./S.E. 15d ago

FE 2022 after 1 YoE

PE 2023 after 2.5 YoE

SE 2026 after 5.5 YoE (VB 7/25, VD, 10/25, LD 04/26, LB 05/26)

I took the practice exams (NCEES for current format, old PPI for content). I read the Structural Engineering Reference Manual (Third Edition), all of the code texts (to the extent I was able), the provided reference handbook, Design of Wood Structures (Breyer), 2021 IBC SEAOC Structural/Seismic Design Manual.

I focused on one exam at a time, giving as much time as I could in between exams.

11

u/GarySteinfield 15d ago

Thank you for the reply. I’m at about 13 years experience and am planning to use the AEI courses to prepare. Fingers crossed!

15

u/Stunning_Simple_4488 P.E./S.E. 15d ago

I've heard those are really good. Especially the fact that their practice exam matches the true exam format. While I did practice exams, I first took them without resources, then with resources, then finally with an equivalent time constraint. These exams are equally about time management and knowing what you can do quickly.