If you’re getting ready to tackle the SE exam, I’m guessing you already have an idea of what to expect. A 16-hour, 2-part beast that covers everything from vertical forces to lateral forces, and will take way more than cramming from a few textbooks. That’s where prep courses come in—and why you want the best SE prep course for your circumstances. The right exam prep can transform study sessions from overwhelming to manageable and give you what you need to face your exam day feeling ready.
I’ve spent countless hours testing a variety of prep tests, including SE exam prep. I’ve dug through course material, checked out live classes and on-demand options, and even put practice problems to the test.
However you’re trying to fit prep into your life, there’s an SE exam review course here that will work for you.
| SE Exam Prep Course Comparison | ||
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Best SE Prep Courses at a Glance
- Best Overall: School of PE
- Best for Self-Paced Learning: PPI
- Best for Lateral Forces: Advanced Engineering Institute
- Best Established Program: SEAOI
School of PE: Best Overall Prep Course
There is no questioning School of PE’s reputation, but they also stand out because of their flexibility. You’ve got live online or on-demand classes, with the option to mix both if you so choose.
I’ve tested both formats, and the flexibility impressed me. During one session, the instructor walked through a wind load calculation I’d been struggling with. He broke it down step-by-step, using ASCE7. And when life happened, and I missed a scheduled session to research for this School of PE review, it was just a matter of watching the recording later. No penalties, no problems! And whatever format you choose, you get the same study materials.
Their course structure just works, whether you need a refresher for the SE or prep for your PE Civil exam date. You get a block of refresher classes plus dedicated workshop sessions with practice problems that mirror the actual exam. The instructors are knowledgeable and ready to help where needed, and they have a Pass Guarantee.
Key Features
- Course Format: Live online, on-demand (4, 6, or 12 months), and hybrid
- NCEES-Aligned Curriculum: Covers all exam specifications for Vertical and Lateral Forces
- Video Lectures: Self-paced recorded lectures
- Study Hub: Mobile-friendly platform accessible on any device
- Pass Guarantee: Free repeat if you don’t pass your exam
- Instructor Support: Direct access via Instructor Connect
- Discussion Forum: Connect with classmates and instructors
- Financing: Payment plans available
Save Up to $300 on School of PE PE Courses
Save Up to $300 on School of PE FE Courses
Pros
- Proven track record with 94% pass rate across FE and PE programs
- Instructor-prepared notes (95% of past students rate these essential)
- Multiple formats to fit any learning style or schedule
- Pass guarantee adds a level of insurance
- Full coverage of both Vertical and Lateral Forces
Cons
- Higher price when compared to some of their competitors
- No Pass Guarantee for monthly subscriptions
Bottom Line
School of PE earns the best overall spot because of its proven methodology and instructor-prepared notes. The live online option, which pairs the on-demand videos, gives you structure plus flexibility. It’s definitely pricier than budget options, but you’re paying for a proven system with a Pass Guarantee as a safety net. Just keep in mind that the monthly subscriptions don’t include the guarantee and the personalized planning, meaning the full course might make more sense for some.
School of PE
PPI: Best for Self-Paced Learners
PPI brings more than 50 years of exam-prep experience to its SE exam course, making it perfect for engineers who need to study on their own schedule. The on-demand course bundle offers 3-month, 6-month, or 1-year access periods with roughly hours of recorded lectures, problem-solving demonstrations, and exam strategy sessions.
When I tested PPI’s platform, it was the Learning Hub organization that stood out the most. I could filter practice problems by topic, for example, maybe I just wanted the concrete design questions, and work through them. Or whatever I needed, when I needed it. Better yet, you can find great examples in their demonstrations that provide thorough walkthroughs and can save you a ton of time.
The course covers all NCEES PE Structural exam topics, including Vertical Forces and Lateral Forces. Course materials include reference materials, homework assignments, and detailed class notes. If you want live instruction, PPI offers live online course bundles with scheduled sessions, office hours, and immediate on-demand access. I joined an office-hours session about a diaphragm design problem and watched the instructor screen-share and walk through a similar problem. Pretty impressive. And their live online courses come with a pass guarantee—if you fail, you get access to the on-demand course for free.
Key Features
- Course Format: On-demand and live online options available
- Comprehensive Coverage: 70 hours of recorded lectures and demonstrations
- Practice Materials: Extensive problem-solving books and practice exams
- Professional Instruction: Licensed engineers with real-world structural experience
- Learning Hub: Organized learning with online books, activities, and practice questions
- Pass Guarantee: Only available for live online
- Flexible Access: 3-month, 6-month, or 1-year durations
Sale – PPI2Pass PE Live Online Course Bundle Now $2,595
PPI2Pass FE On-Demand Course Bundle Starts at $395 – Promo
Pros
- Over 50 years of proven exam prep expertise
- Self-paced with multiple duration options
- About 70 hours of recorded content
- Learning Hub provides an organized study structure
- Pass guarantee on live online courses
Cons
- Pass guarantee only applies to live online, not on-demand
- Less personalized interaction in the on-demand format
- Some students find the volume of material overwhelming
Bottom Line
PPI’s strength lies in its ability to help self-motivated engineers manage their own schedules. You can choose an access duration that suits your timeline. Their 70ish hours of content are thorough—more than enough to cover what you need to know for the exam. If you go for on demand, that means you’re mostly independent, though you do have access to the forum. If you’re a disciplined self-learner who wants to proceed at your own pace, PPI is your best bet.
PPI2Pass
Advanced Engineering Institute: Best for Lateral Forces
Advanced Engineering Institute (AEI) has built something of a cult following among structural engineers, especially for lateral forces prep. Lateral is much harder, with a pass rate as low as 15-20% for first-timers. Ouch. But AEI brings specialized expertise that’s hard to beat.
I sat through several live webinars and was totally impressed by the quality of instruction. The instructor not only explained why certain provisions exist, but he also showed real-world applications. And when I emailed a question at 11 PM one night, I got a detailed response—with a sketch!–by 9 AM.
The live course is 72 hours of instruction over 12 weeks, mixing Sunday and weekday sessions, but they do have an On-Demand option that includes ~120 hours of recorded webinars. You’ll work through fundamentals, CBT MCQ workshops, and dedicated
problem-solving classes. The mini exams after each topic are great for pointing out what you’re struggling with, meaning you have a chance to improve before test day. And if you don’t pass, they offer a free repeat.
Key Features
- Course Format: Live webinars and on-demand recordings
- Practice Materials: Extensive problem sets across homework, workshops, and mini‑exams.
- Live Webinars: ~72 hours of content over a 12-week period
- On-Demand: ~120 hours of recorded webinars accessible for about eight months
- Free Repeat Policy: Retake the course for free if you don’t pass
- Responsive Support: Email questions are typically answered within 24 hours
- Detailed Handouts: Summary sheets, fundamentals, and solutions included
- Simulation Exams: Full-length practice tests with solutions discussions
Pros
- Instructors known for clear, thorough explanations
- Options for both live and on-demand
- Strong focus on high-seismic steel and concrete design
- Free repeat policy
Cons
- No integrated hub or adaptive learning
- The time commitment may be hard for many
- Materials are locked to a single computer and can’t be shared across devices.
Bottom Line
AEI’s reputation on different engineering education forums is completely legit. Their instructors teach you how to understand, not how to pass the exam. If you know you’ll struggle with Lateral Forces, AEI dominates here, providing everything you need to approach the exam with confidence. And their mini exams will help you identify any weak spots early.
Advanced Engineering Institute
SEAOI: Best Established Program
The Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) SE Exam Refresher Course is the longest-running SE prep course in the country. It was founded in the mid-60s and is a proven course taught by highly experienced instructors.
Their courses run from September to March with twice-weekly classes—Mondays and Thursday evenings, central time. You get 48 sessions covering seven content areas, including steel, concrete, bridge, masonry, wood, design loads (seismic/wind/snow), and geotechnical, with over 80 hours of video lessons and access to recordings for two years. Everything is done via live Zoom.
I reached out to several engineers who took SEAOI, and every one of them praised the quality of their instructors, mentioning things like how available they are and their willingness to answer questions in class or via email. All of this made a huge difference when it came to understanding concepts.
SEAOI focuses on the Building Depth track and emphasizes problem-solving with lots of opportunity for discussion. And you get to keep access to all recorded sessions and course material for two full years. If you don’t need to review the entire course, the individual sections can be purchased as standalones.
Key Features
- Course Format: Live online via Zoom + recordings
- Structured Schedule: 48 sessions from September to March
- Comprehensive Coverage: 7 content areas (steel, concrete, bridge, masonry, wood, loads, geotech)
- 80+ Hours of Instruction: Twice-weekly classes on Mondays and Thursdays
- Two-Year Access: All materials and recordings available for two years
- Individual Sections Available: Only purchase the topics you need
- CE Credits: Continuing education credits available for licensed engineers
Pros
- 20 hours of dedicated instructor office hours
- Industry expert instructors from AISC, CRSI, and major firms
- Individual sections available for purchase
- CE credits
Cons
- Fixed twice-weekly schedule
- No pass guarantee
- No refunds once the course starts
- Limited bridge depth coverage
Bottom Line
SEAOI brings a ton of credibility, as the longest-running SE prep course in the country. Some aspects are hard to beat, like the 2-year access and the ability to purchase individual sections instead of the entire course. But the downsides can’t be ignored. The September to March timeframe could be a long haul, not to mention the lack of guarantee or refunds. If you’re okay with that, want a time-tested program that comes with top-tier instruction, and can commit to their schedule, then SEAOI will deliver.
SEAOI
Varsity Tutors: Worth Mentioning
It’s not a traditional prep course, but Varsity Tutors is worth mentioning for anyone who needs personalized, one-on-one support. You can select between tutors who specialize in structural engineering and can provide customized support when it’s convenient to you. No rigid schedules here!
I lined up a tutor to test them out. My tutor figured out I was struggling with orthotropic bridge desk analysis. Well, of course I was, I’m not an engineer. 😁 But I’ve tested so many different types of courses, I’m a bit of an expert in many fields. Anyway, we spent an hour diving into it until it clicked. So that kind of targeted approach could be a great idea for specific issues you might need help with.
There is a catch, though. Quality varies by tutor—sometimes a lot—and per-hour costs add up quickly. Personally, I would never recommend this option as your sole prep, because I don’t think it would be comprehensive enough. However, if you need a supplement to one of the full courses I’ve mentioned above, go for it. Just be mindful when choosing a tutor.
Ranking Methodology
Each course is thoroughly evaluated on the following criteria, based on user data and my own hands-on approach. I verified any claims, cross-referenced courses against NCEES specs, and compared content across platforms.
| Ranking Methodology | ||
| Category | Weight | Evaluation Criteria |
| Pass Rates & Results | 30% | Reported pass rates, student success stories, and guarantee policies |
| Course Content & Quality | 25% | Comprehensiveness, NCEES alignment, and instructor expertise |
| Study Materials | 20% | Practice problems, reference materials, and the quality of notes |
| Flexiblity & Formats | 15% | On-demand vs live options, schedule variety, and access duration |
| Student Support | 10% | Instructor availability, forums, office hours, and responsiveness |
Course Comparisons: Head-to-Head
School of PE vs PPI
🆚 Pick School of PE if you want the highest quality instruction and support. Their proven methodology for engineering exam prep (94% pass rate for FE & PE) and instructor-prepared notes will be gold on exam day. Best for engineers who want a proven system with a strong safety net.
🆚 Pick PPI if you’re self-motivated and prefer working independently. The hours of comprehensive content and organized Learning Hub are perfect for engineers who learn best through self-study without needing regular instructor interaction.
School of PE vs Advanced Engineering Institute
🆚 Pick School of PE if you want comprehensive coverage of both vertical and lateral components with multiple learning formats. The Study Hub and mobile access give you convenience that AEI can’t match.
🆚 Pick AEI if lateral forces are your biggest concern—and you can commit to their schedule. They have instructors who are unmatched when it comes to specialized instruction for seismic design, and their materials are yours for a lifetime.
PPI vs SEAOI
🆚 Pick PPI if you’re studying solo and want comprehensive, self-paced content. The 70ish hours of lectures thoroughly cover every possible topic, and it’s perfect for anyone who learns best by working through the material independently.
🆚 Pick SEAOI if you want a proven, structured program with consistent classes twice a week. It’s the longest-running course in the country, with instructors who are industry experts, and two-year access to their materials.
| SE Exam Prep Course Comparison | ||
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Final Verdict
After all my testing, School of PE is my best overall choice because their proven methodology, instructor-prepared notes, and flexible learning formats work for most engineers. Further, their pass guarantee can provide some real peace of mind. That said, PPI2Pass does edge ahead for anyone who is a self-paced learner with the discipline to stay on track while studying solo.
FAQs
Most engineers need about 3-6 months of dedicated study time, depending on their background and how much time they can commit every week.
It’s challenging! It’s a 16-hour test split across vertical and lateral components, and each has depth and breadth sections. But the right course can improve your chances.
National pass rates vary by component, usually between 40 and 60%, but engineers who use exam prep courses typically see better results.
Plan for 200-300 hours of study time spread across several months. That includes watching lectures, working through practice problems, and taking simulation exams.
The SE exam is generally considered the hardest because of its length, the depth of content, and the specialized knowledge required for both vertical and lateral structural design.
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