PE Civil Geotechnical Exam Prep Course
Build a focused study plan for the PE Civil: Geotechnical exam with video lessons, worked problems, realistic practice exams, and weekly live support.
Course content built by Mahdi Bahrampouri, Ph.D. — Geotechnical Earthquake Engineer and Co-Founder of PEwise. His research specialty includes liquefaction, seismic slope stability, and dynamic foundation analysis.
Why it works
Visual Learning
Short, focused video lessons across 345 published topics, designed to make complex concepts easier to understand.
Exam-Like Practice
Three active practice exams — a 59-question focused review and two 80-question simulations — with timed review tools and detailed solutions.
View Geotechnical practice examsWeekly PE Power Hour
We solve one question live every week — Thursdays, 6 PM PT. Ask your questions directly to the creator of PEwise.
View course content(26 modules · 345 topics)
Introduction
Soil Particle Analysis & Fine-Grained Classification
Learn particle size analysis, gradation curves, Atterberg limits, and complete USCS classification for fine-grained soils (clay, silt, and organic soils).
Advanced Soil Classification: Coarse-Grained, AASHTO & RQD
Master coarse-grained soil classification (USCS), AASHTO highway classification system, and Rock Quality Designation (RQD) for rock mass assessment.
Phase Relationships in Soil
Laboratory and Field Compaction
Liquefaction Analysis and Seismic Fundamentals
Slope Stability Analysis
Ground Improvement and Geosynthetic Applications
Groundwater Flow and Seepage
Master groundwater flow principles, Darcy's Law, flow nets, seepage analysis, and dewatering methods.
Lateral Earth Pressure Fundamentals
Advanced Retaining Wall Analysis and Design
Earth Retention—Anchored Walls
Shallow Foundations: An Introduction to Bearing Capacity
Soil Deformation and Settlement Due to Consolidation Part 1
Soil Deformation and Settlement Due to Consolidation Part 2
Settlement Due to Compression
Deep Foundations (drilled shafts, driven piles, micropiles, etc.)
Introduction to In-Situ Testing
Learn about subsurface exploration and various in-situ testing methods used in geotechnical engineering.
Boring Methods & Sampling Techniques
Master geotechnical boring objectives, auger methods, wash boring, rock coring, and various sampling techniques.
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
Comprehensive coverage of SPT fundamentals, procedures, corrections, and interpretation of N-values.
Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)
Learn CPT procedures, equipment components, piezocone penetrometers, and soil classification interpretation.
Specialized In-Situ Tests
Explore dilatometer testing (DMT), pressuremeter testing (PMT), vane shear tests, and soil sensitivity.
Geophysical Testing Methods
Overview of geophysical methods including seismic, electrical, gravity, magnetic, and borehole techniques.
Problematic Soil and Rock I
Collapsible, expansive and shrinking, organic and peat, and dispersive soils — how each is identified, tested directly, and rated for severity.
Earthwork Construction and Layout
OSHA Excavation Safety (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P)
What Our PE Exam Students Say
Best experience with PEwise. Managed to pass my Geotech PE exam. Their exam simulator is a gem.— Verified PEwise student · via Trustpilot
Weekly PE Power Hour
Live Thursdays at 6 PM PT — free.
What Each Feature Means for You
| Feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Short, single-concept lessons | Study in the gaps of a full-time job — every video covers exactly one idea, so nothing demands an open evening. |
| Blueprint-mapped curriculum | Every module maps to an official NCEES knowledge area for this exam — no filler, no gaps you have to discover on exam day. |
| CBT-style practice exams | Practice in a timed environment with searchable references and question flagging, so the real testing format holds no surprises. |
| Weekly PE Power Hour | A live problem-solving session (Thursdays, 6 PM PT) where you can put your questions directly to the course creator. |
| 90 days of access | Long enough for a full prep cycle without paying for a year you will not use; extensions are available if life intervenes. |
| Free preview | The first 2 modules are free — judge the teaching style with the real course, not a marketing sample. |
Who This Course Is For
Civil engineers registered for the PE Civil: Geotechnical exam who want soil mechanics, foundations, retaining structures, and slope stability taught visually and mapped to the exam blueprint.
An honest note on fit: PEwise is self-paced. If you know you need scheduled, mandatory-attendance live lectures to stay on track, a live-cohort course may serve you better. If you want efficient, rewatchable lessons that fit around work, this format was built for you.
What Your Geotechnical Enrollment Includes
- 26 modules with 345 published lesson topics
- 26 module quizzes (50 questions) with explained answers
- 3 full-length NCEES-style practice exams (59 + 80 + 80 questions) with step-by-step solutions
- CBT-style exam simulator with searchable references and a built-in calculator
- Weekly PE Power Hour live session (Thursdays, 6 PM PT)
- 90 days of access, extendable if you need more time
- First 2 modules free before you enroll
- Pass Guarantee eligibility, subject to the published policy
Exam blueprint coverage
How this blueprint map is built
Each module is mapped against the official NCEES PE Civil specification for this exam, knowledge area by knowledge area, using the published spec PDF — and re-verified when NCEES issues a new specification. The map below shows which modules serve each specification topic.
The NCEES PE Civil specifications overlap across disciplines; modules such as soil mechanics and hydraulics are included because they map to this exam's official knowledge areas.
NCEES exam blueprint coverage
How each NCEES PE Civil topic area maps to PEwise course modules and practice-exam questions.
| # | NCEES topic area | Questions | PEwise coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Site Characterization | 8–12 |
|
| 2 | Soil Mechanics, Laboratory Testing, and Analysis | 8–12 |
|
| 3 | Construction Observation, Monitoring, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Safety | 6–9 |
Geotechnical instrumentation and erosion-protection sub-topics are covered through dedicated practice-exam questions with worked solutions and OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 / FHWA reference citations. |
| 4 | Earthquake Engineering and Dynamic Loads | 5–8 |
|
| 5 | Earth Structures, Ground Improvement, and Pavement | 9–14 |
|
| 6 | Groundwater and Seepage | 4–6 |
|
| 7 | Problematic Soil and Rock Conditions | 4–6 |
Karst, frost susceptibility, corrosive and sulfate soils, and rock-slope sub-topics are covered through practice-exam questions with worked solutions and FHWA reference citations. |
| 8 | Retaining Structures (ASD or LRFD) | 10–15 |
|
| 9 | Shallow Foundations (ASD or LRFD) | 6–9 |
|
| 10 | Deep Foundations (ASD or LRFD) | 10–15 |
|
Each practice-exam question includes a worked solution and a reference citation to the NCEES exam-day design standards, so you can practice by NCEES blueprint and target specific topic areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Your Geotechnical PE Exam Prep
Get 90 days of access to video lessons, realistic practice exams, and the weekly PE Power Hour. Current enrollment price: $149.