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Suggested Study Plan for the HVAC and Refrigeration PE Exam
- By Blake
- On
One of the most important keys to your success on the PE Exam is having the right study plan. It will serve as your road map as you traverse the landscape of subject matter and material you must cover to be prepared for the exam.
I have outlined below my suggested study plan for you. Follow this plan and cover these subjects and you WILL be prepared and you WILL be successful.
This study plan is based off the NCEES test specifications and is the study plan my course is based on. Using this plan and my course will guarantee your success on the PE exam.
You’ll want to allot 4 months for your studying. The schedule indicated below is based on a 4-month window.
- 2 hours daily weekdays – 10 Hours/Week
- 5 hours per day on weekends – 10 Hours/Week
- 20 Hours/Week
- 10 Weeks to achieve 200 Hours – 2 ½ months prep time
- 1 hour daily weekdays – 5 Hours/Week
- 3 hours per day on weekends – 6 Hours/Week
- 11 Hours/Week
- 18 Weeks to achieve 200 Hours – 4 ½ months prep time
- 1 hour daily weekdays – 5 Hours/Week
- 5 hours per day on weekends – 10 Hours/Week
- 15 Hours/Week
- 13 Weeks to achieve 200 Hours – 3 ½ months prep time
Plus 1 week buffer in the beginning and 1 week buffer right before the test.
The buffer weeks are not off weeks, but extra time to allow for life getting in the way because it will happen. Right before the test, you’ll need some days to wind down and take your mind off the test and prepare for test day. This time is a catch-all for whatever issues may arise during the course of your studying.
If you’re taking the sping (April) exam, I suggest you start studying no later than January 1st. Make it your New Year’s resolution to begin the process of studying to obtain your PE license. That’s a great New Year’s resolution!
If you’re taking the fall exam (October) I suggest you start studying no later than the 5th of July (right after the 4th of July holiday). This will give you the same 4 month window as above which will put you in the best position for success.
Keep in mind that this are the dates for you to begin STUDYING. The deadlines for prerequisite activities such as applications and experience records are before these dates and should already be complete before you begin studying!
The study plan is given below. Here is a handy PDF copy.
I have indicated the subjects that will be on the test as well as how long I suggest you study for each topic.
Fluid Mechanics
Psychrometrics (e.g., sea level, 5,000-ft elevation)
- Heating/cooling processes
- Humidification/dehumidification processes
Heat transfer
Thermodynamics
- Cycles
- Properties
- Compression processes
Energy/Mass Balances
Units and Conversions
Engineering economics analysis
Electrical Concepts
Supportive knowledge
- Codes and standards
- Air quality and ventilation (e.g., filtration, dilution)
- Vibration control (e.g., transmission effect, isolation)
- Acoustics (e.g., sound control, absorption, attenuators, noise-level criteria)
Equipment and components 18 questions
- Cooling towers and fluid coolers
- Boilers and furnaces (e.g., efficiencies, fuel types, combustion)
- Heat exchangers (e.g., shell and tube, plate and frame)
- Condensers/evaporators (e.g., chillers, variable refrigerant flow, heat pumps)
- Pumps/compressors/fans (e.g., laws, efficiency, selection)
- Cooling/heating coils
- Control systems components (e.g., valves, dampers)
- Refrigerants (e.g., properties, types) 9. Refrigeration components (e.g., expansion valves, accumulators)
- Air moving equipment (AHUs fans, air terminal units)
Heating/Cooling Loads 8 questions
Systems and components 18 questions
- Air distribution (e.g., air handlers, duct design, system type, terminal devices)
- Fluid distribution/piping (e.g., hydronic, oil, fuel gas, compressed air, steam, system type)
- Refrigeration (e.g., food storage, cooling and freezing)
- Energy recovery (e.g., enthalpy wheels, heat pipes, run- around systems)
- Basic control concepts (e.g., economizer, temperature reset)
This study plan covers all the bases. Using this process will ensure that you are totally prepared for the exam and that you will be successful. Good luck and get started!
2 responses to “Suggested Study Plan for the HVAC and Refrigeration PE Exam”
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Thanks,
This is very helpful.
Thank you Sweta! Glad you found it useful. Best of luck to you as you study!