Frequently Asked Questions

PEwise is an online PE exam preparation platform that offers affordable, visual learning through short, focused video lessons, practice exams, and live Q&A sessions. We currently offer courses for PE Civil: Geotechnical (26 modules, 345 lessons), PE Civil: Water Resources & Environmental (35 modules, 580 lessons), PE Civil: Construction (38 modules, 566 lessons), PE Civil: Structural (38 modules, 730 lessons).

PEwise currently offers 4 PE exam prep courses. PE Civil: Geotechnical — 26 modules with 345 video lessons, 3 full-length practice exams (59 + 80 + 80 questions), and 50 quiz questions. PE Civil: Water Resources & Environmental — 35 modules with 580 video lessons, 2 full-length practice exams (80 + 80 questions), and 127 quiz questions. PE Civil: Construction — 38 modules with 566 video lessons, 2 full-length practice exams (80 + 80 questions), and 124 quiz questions. PE Civil: Structural — 38 modules with 730 video lessons and 178 worked examples, 2 full-length practice exams (80 + 80 questions), and 160 quiz questions. All courses include 3 months of access, the weekly PE Power Hour live Q&A, and a pass guarantee.

Unlike traditional providers that rely on text-heavy materials and charge $500–$2,000, PEwise offers short, focused video lessons, time-efficient content, and an affordable price point. We prioritize visual learning, which improves retention substantially compared to passive reading. Plus, we offer live Q&A sessions and a pass guarantee.

Each course includes NCEES-aligned modules covering all exam topics, video lessons, practice problems after each topic, NCEES-style practice exams, live Q&A sessions with Mahdi Bahrampouri, Ph.D., progress tracking dashboard, direct instructor support, and a pass guarantee. Specific module and lesson counts vary by course.

Most PE prep providers sell hours of recorded classroom lectures — a camera on a tripod pointed at a whiteboard. PEwise lessons are built differently: each one is a short, focused video covering a single concept, with visual diagrams that show how it works and how it's tested. Visual learning improves retention substantially compared to passive reading, and the focused format means no sitting through hour-long lectures to find the 10 minutes you actually need.

Absolutely. Our content is carefully designed to align with current NCEES PE exam specifications for each discipline. We regularly update our materials to reflect the latest standards, exam format, and topic weightings.

PEwise courses are $149 for 3 months of full access, including all modules, lessons, practice exams, and live Q&A sessions. Compared to traditional PE prep courses that charge $500-$2,000, PEwise offers exceptional value.

Quality PE exam prep typically ranges from $149-$2,000. PEwise costs $149 for 3 months of comprehensive preparation. Given that PE licensure increases average salary by $42,000+/year, spending $149-500 on effective prep is a high-ROI investment with 700%+ return in the first year alone.

Yes! While School of PE (from $1,395), EET (from $950), and Testmasters (from $1,499) offer quality content, PEwise provides comparable coverage at a fraction of the cost. Our visual approach improves retention, our compact format saves time, and students report high satisfaction. Eligible students who satisfy the published Pass Guarantee requirements can request one additional three-month access period after an unsuccessful attempt.

Currently, we offer a single payment of $149 per course for 3 months of access. Given the affordable price point, we don't currently offer payment plans, but this may change based on student feedback.

Yes! If you're studying with classmates or coworkers, you can get a group discount. Sign up a group of 3 or more people — for any PEwise course — and everyone gets $50 off ($99 instead of $149). Everyone studies at their own pace and enrolls separately. Sign up your group at pewise.com/group and we'll email everyone their discount.

Yes! We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied with your purchase within the first 14 days and have completed less than 25% of the course content, you can request a full refund. Additionally, if you complete the course but don't pass your PE exam, you can retake the entire course completely free under our Pass Guarantee.

Yes! Every course carries our Pass Guarantee: eligible students who satisfy the published requirements can request one additional three-month access period free of charge after an unsuccessful exam attempt. The guarantee is not a refund and does not guarantee a passing result — see the refund policy page for the full terms.

Most engineers need 200-300 hours of total preparation. PEwise's compact video content plus practice problems allows efficient studying. We recommend: 12 weeks at 2-3 hours/day, or 8 weeks at 4-5 hours/day. Our time-efficient approach saves you weeks compared to traditional 60+ hour courses.

Absolutely! PEwise is specifically designed for busy working engineers. Our short, focused video lessons fit into your schedule — watch during lunch breaks, commutes, or evenings. The compact format means less total time commitment than traditional 60+ hour courses.

PEwise provides comprehensive preparation including video lessons, practice problems, and practice exams. You'll also want: the NCEES reference manual (provided during exam), an approved calculator (TI-36X Pro recommended), and optionally additional practice problems from NCEES or textbooks for extra reinforcement.

Your $149 purchase includes 3 months of full access to all course materials, including future updates. If you need more time, access can be extended. If you don't pass your exam, you'll get another 3 months free under our pass guarantee.

Yes! PEwise is fully responsive and works on desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. Watch lessons anywhere, anytime. Your progress syncs across all devices.

No downloads required! PEwise is a web-based platform. Simply log in through your browser to access all lessons, practice problems, and practice exams.

Yes! Every course includes 2 completely free modules — no credit card required. On Geotechnical and Structural these are the opening two modules; on Water Resources & Environmental and Construction one of the two is a later module, and the course page names exactly which ones are unlocked. Either way you get full access to those modules to experience our video lessons and teaching style before committing to the full course.

We host live Q&A sessions where you can ask questions directly to Mahdi Bahrampouri, Ph.D., the engineer who built the courses, and get personalized help with challenging concepts, problems, or exam strategies. Sessions are recorded so you can watch later if you can't attend live.

Yes! In addition to live Q&A sessions, you can email support@pewise.com with questions. We typically respond within 24 hours during business days.

PE exam requirements vary by state but generally include: 4 years of progressive engineering experience, passing the FE exam (some states waive this), ABET-accredited engineering degree (or equivalent), and 3-5 professional references. Check your specific state board requirements as they can vary significantly.

Yes! International engineers can pursue PE licensure. Your degree will need NCEES credential evaluation ($400). If deemed equivalent, you follow the standard path: 4 years experience + FE exam (sometimes waived) + PE exam. Some states are more welcoming than others (California, Texas, Illinois are good options).

School of PE (from $1,395) offers comprehensive live lectures over 60+ hours. PEwise ($149) provides comprehensive coverage through short, focused video lessons. Choose School of PE if you prefer live lecture format and have time for lengthy sessions. Choose PEwise if you want visual learning, time efficiency, and affordability.

For engineers who prefer self-paced visual learning over live lectures, PEwise is an excellent alternative. At $149 vs $1,395+, PEwise offers: roughly 9x lower cost, a visual teaching approach proven to improve retention, time-efficient compact format, and a pass guarantee. Best for busy engineers who want affordable, effective prep.

Many first-time test-takers don't pass — it's common! If you don't pass: (1) Get your NCEES diagnostic report immediately, (2) Identify weak areas, (3) Use PEwise's targeted lessons to focus on gaps, (4) Take advantage of our pass guarantee for free course access, (5) Retake after 3-4 months. Second-attempt pass rates with strategic preparation are 75%+.

Yes! If you're preparing for multiple PE disciplines, you can enroll in any of our Geotechnical, Water Resources & Environmental, Construction, and Structural courses. Each course is purchased separately with its own 3-month access period.

We're here to help! Email us at support@pewise.com, DM us on Instagram @_PEwise_, or ask during our live Q&A sessions. Your success is our mission.