Engineers make bank, to the tune of nearly $120,000 every year (according to the BLS). But before you’re eligible to earn that sum, chances are, you’ll have to take—and pass—the FE and PE exams.
FE and PE exam prep courses are practically a necessity to earn a passing score, and PPI2Pass Review offers some of the most popular and effective options for achieving that goal. But they’re also notoriously pricey.
So the question is: is PPI’s price worth the payoff for aspiring engineers?
I took advantage of the study materials myself, not to pass an exam, but to get a grasp as to whether they’re a good fit for future game changers. If you’re considering investing in a PPI prep course for exam day, here’s everything you need to know.
Is PPI2Pass Right for You?
- If you want a structured, comprehensive prep experience with live classes, instructor support, and thousands of practice questions, then PPI2Pass is a strong choice.
- If you’re someone who benefits from accountability, scheduled sessions, and detailed performance tracking, then PPI’s Live Online or On-Demand bundles will suit you best.
- If you’re on a budget and prefer to study independently, then PPI’s Self-Study Learning Hub may not give you enough structure for success.
- If you learn best through guided explanations and real-time Q&A, then PPI’s live courses are well worth the cost.
- If you don’t need extra bells and whistles and just want core content, then a cheaper alternative might fit better than PPI’s premium price tag.
PPI2Pass Overview
PPI is associated with Kaplan. Chances are, that name alone should ring a bell for you, but if it doesn’t… Kaplan is basically the poster child of education companies, covering everything from exam prep to continuing education. Whether you want to learn a new skill or bag a professional certification, chances are, Kaplan has a course for that.
PPI2Pass is the branch for people like you: aspiring engineers, architects, surveyors, and even interior designers. Many of their packages include live online courses, ideal if textbooks and video lessons alone just don’t cut it for you. Further, they offer unique tools like AI tutors alongside test prep institutions like passing guarantees, personalized support from instructors, and even homework assignments for extra practice.
*Note: For the sake of specificity, this review covers PPI’s Civil sections of the FE and PE exams. However, the numbers and figures used are reflective of most of their FE and PE courses, regardless of discipline. For your discipline, check the PPI2Pass website for more details.
Pros
- Long History of Proven Success: The benefits of partnering with a company like Kaplan are simple: they’ve been there, done that. This might inspire more confidence (and less stress) in your studies.
- Experienced Instructors: All of the instructors are either FE or PE licensed, with some boasting teaching records of longer than a decade.
- High-Quality Materials: With Kaplan and PPI’s stellar reputation comes excellent materials, with practice questions similar to the difficulty and format of those on the actual exams.
- Live Online Classes: Live lectures on given dates and times not only provide more structure and accountability to your studies, but also give you the opportunity to interact with your instructor and peers.
- Extensive Support: Personalized 1:1 support, forums, and office hours make it easy to get quick, accurate feedback from experts, as well as further connect with classmates.
Cons
- High Price Tag: PPI’s courses cost a pretty penny, particularly when compared to more budget-friendly picks like, for example, PrepFE.
- Too Much for Some: Some of the packages are likely more robust than what the average student would need to successfully pass their exams.
PPI2Pass Review
PPI2Pass Course Package Options
Note: For comparison’s sake, I used PPI’s FE exam packages. However, the table represents PE packages as well, though PE pricing is higher and there are fewer practice questions.
| FE Exam | Self-Study Learning Hub | OnDemand Bundle | Live Online Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,700+ Practice Questions |  | | |
| AI Tutor | | | |
| Two Practice Exams | | | |
| Digital Review Manual | | | |
| Diagnostic Testing | | | |
| ~700 Digital Flashcards | | | |
| Personalized Study Plan | | | |
| Recorded Lectures | | | |
| Slide Downloads | | | |
| Homework | | | |
| Calculator Lessons | | | |
| Testing Tips | | | |
| Live Virtual Lectures | | | |
| Instructor Access + Office Hours | | | |
| Pass Guarantee | | | |
| Live Course Calendar | | | |
| Student Forums | | | |
| Price Range(From Monthly to One Year) | $149-$849 | $395-$1,995 | $1,795 |
| Learn More | GET STARTED | GET STARTED | GET STARTED |
PPI2Pass Course Details
PPI’s Layout and Content
Let’s start with the basics: what does using PPI2Pass feel like?
As far as navigation and layout are concerned, I found PPI simple, uncomplicated, and easy to understand. Even if it wasn’t immediately obvious where I could find, for example, a specific lesson, the design was intuitive enough that it only took a few clicks to get there. Plus, moving on to the actual content, I loved the visual aspects. Being able to see an “at a glance” knowledge breakdown after my assessments, as well as an evaluation of my performance across the entire question bank, made me feel more in charge of my learning. Easily identifying my weak areas made it so much easier to focus on what actually mattered, rather than wasting time reinforcing subjects I’d already mastered.
And 2,700+ practice questions means I never ran out. They’re a good mix of easier and more difficult, though more tend to lean on the tricky side. Surprisingly, though, my favorite aspect was the flashcards. You can click commands like “again” to flip it back over, “good” to move to the next, or “know it!” to see it less often. Eventually, “difficult” pops up, which lets you mark the trickiest ones to come back to later.
“Tbh I loved their prep stuff. I didn’t sign up for the live class: I did whatever the tier was that gave access to the practice quizzes, recorded lectures, practice exams, and all that. It was absolutely perfect for me! I primarily learn by doing, so being able to go through a topic, with as many problems as it took, and all the solutions available was my bread and butter.”
Reddit Review
Live Online Lectures and On-Demand Lessons
As for the video lectures, I appreciated that the instructors spoke in a casual, personable manner, and their voices were easy to listen to. I do feel like the videos weren’t as strong visually, purely because they didn’t incorporate a ton of imagery or visual aids, which is something I really look for in videos. Further, the slides felt a little cluttered with the high word count. To their credit, however, the font was a large enough size that even with the large amount of text, I could still clearly see and understand the main points.
Turning to the live lectures, the live Q&A was particularly helpful for some of the trickier engineering topics, especially for someone like me with a finance background. I do think if you’re newer to the topics, PPI is a safe choice, so long as you commit to attending the live classes. Further, the instructors were very patient and really worked with me and my fellow students to ensure we understood the topic before moving on.
Support and Community
One of the strongest selling points for PPI2Pass for FE and PE exam preppers is their strong sense of community, delivered through features like discussion forums, live online office hours, and the ability to message your instructors if you ever have questions. I personally enjoyed feeling a little less isolated throughout the entire process, knowing that whether I had a question on the content or just needed to feel some sense of connection in the study trenches, I could get that help.
In particular, the discussion forums were relatively active. I’ve used other courses with forums that are just dead, with no one starting or contributing to any threads. This was not the case with PPI, with new questions and answers every day. And PPI’s instructors continued to deliver; they were quick to respond to my messages (typically within just a few hours if I messaged early on a weekday) and always seemed pleasant and willing to help out.
Value and Packages
Obviously, PPI is considered highly among all manner of course reviewers. However, I do think the value varies quite a bit from package to package. For most students, I don’t think the Self-Study PPI Learning Hub is enough for students to pass, whether you’re considering the FE or PE exam. Obviously, if you’re a naturally talented learner and test-taker, it might be enough, but realistically, that isn’t the case for most of us. Further, the live course is wildly valuable, but it comes at a price that a lot of students may find insurmountable.
Personally, I think the On-Demand Bundle is the sweet spot, balancing price and value that makes sense for the largest number of students. As for the specific timeframe you pick among monthly, 4-month, 6-month, and yearly subscription options, it depends on your study speed, but the 6-month is probably a safe bet for most students.
“I was the exact same amount of time away from school and just passed the electrical test on my first try using PPI. I did the live course because it had the pass guarantee and helped keep me accountable. Sometimes the course didn’t help at all, other times, like for circuits, it was honestly game-changing.”
Reddit Review
Comparing PPI2Pass to Competitors
See how PPI2Pass compares to other top PE and FE providers below or in this review of the best PE exam prep courses.
PPI2Pass vs. School of PE
When I tested PPI2Pass and the School of PE side by side, the biggest difference I noticed was depth vs. structure. PPI2Pass is incredibly comprehensive—2,700+ practice questions, an AI tutor, digital flashcards, live classes, and layered support systems. It feels like enrolling in a full exam-prep ecosystem, especially if you choose one of the live or on-demand bundles. For students who want to be walked through every topic with personalized support and instructor interaction, it’s hard to beat the sheer amount of resources PPI throws at you.
School of PE felt leaner, but also more structured and intentional. Its live classes are well-paced, the practice problems are exam-quality, and its pricing is often more approachable for the average student. I appreciated the way they broke down complex concepts into digestible segments, making it easier to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t have PPI’s AI tutor or as many bells and whistles, but sometimes that’s a good thing—especially if you’re the type to get distracted by too many study features. It’s a little less flexible overall, but the streamlined approach works for a lot of learners.
👉 Choose PPI2Pass for extensive resources, personalized support, and live class depth.
👉 Choose School of PE for a structured, focused study plan at a more accessible price.
PPI2Pass vs. Civil Engineering Academy
Both PPI2Pass and Civil Engineering Academy (CEA) offer strong FE and PE prep options, but their approaches couldn’t be more different. PPI leans into a high-touch, high-content model, with structured study plans, AI tools, 2,700+ questions, flashcards, live office hours, and pass guarantees at the top tier. It’s a serious investment of both time and money, but it’s also one of the most comprehensive programs I’ve tried. If you thrive with guided study and lots of support, PPI’s layered structure makes it hard to fall behind—assuming you can commit to it.
Civil Engineering Academy takes a more budget-friendly, self-paced route. I liked their concise video lessons and clear explanations, and their material is genuinely solid for the price. But compared to PPI, the platform feels much simpler. There are fewer built-in accountability systems, no live classes, and the question volume isn’t in the same league. For confident self-studiers, that may be totally fine, but I found it easier to lose momentum without scheduled sessions or progress tracking tools. It’s a great supplement or entry-level option, but not as robust if you need more structured prep.
👉 Choose PPI2Pass for full-scale support, large question banks, and guided structure.
👉 Choose Civil Engineering Academy for straightforward, affordable self-paced prep.
Bottom Line
PPI2Pass is pricey, but the results may be worth your while if your testing skills strengthen with in-depth materials, deep dive lectures, and superior support options. So, whether you’re pursuing FE exam prep or PE prep to help you achieve your licensing goals, PPI has the course materials to help you feel confident enough to get there. However, the price won’t be as feasible for students who don’t need PPI’s level of depth and support.
So, is PPI right for you? It truly depends on your needs and goals. Click below to learn more and make that final decision.
FAQs
For many students, yes. Its combination of live instruction, AI tools, flashcards, and 2,700+ practice questions provides a depth few competitors match—especially if you need structure and accountability.
Most students benefit from 4–6 months of consistent study time, which aligns with PPI’s subscription options. The question bank is large enough to support long-term prep without running out of material.
Yes. The Live Online Bundle includes a pass guarantee if you meet the course requirements. Other packages provide robust content but don’t include this guarantee.
For most students, the On-Demand Bundle strikes the best balance between price and support. It includes recorded lectures, flashcards, homework, and instructor access without the cost of the live course.
It can be for confident, independent learners—but many students will need more structure and support than the Self-Study Learning Hub provides, especially for challenging PE sections.
