100+ Free PE Electrical Electronics Practice Questions

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A 12 V DC source drives a series circuit with a 2 kΩ resistor and a 1 kΩ resistor. What is the current flowing through the circuit?

3 mA

4 mA

6 mA

12 mA

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: PE Electrical Electronics Exam

Exam Questions

NCEES April 2026

9.5 hrs

Total Appointment

NCEES

67%

First-Time Pass Rate

NCEES July 2025

$400

NCEES Exam Fee

NCEES

Content Domains

NCEES April 2026 Spec

Pearson VUE

Test Provider

NCEES

The PE Electrical ECC exam under April 2026 specifications has 85 questions and a 9.5-hour appointment (8.5 hours of exam time plus tutorial and break). NCEES first-time pass rate is 67% (last updated July 2025). The $400 NCEES exam fee applies, with state board fees added separately. Twelve content domains are tested with a heavy emphasis on Circuit Analysis & Design (10-15 Qs), Analog & Digital Control Systems (8-12 Qs), Digital Systems (7-11 Qs), and Electronics Circuits (7-11 Qs).

Sample PE Electrical Electronics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your PE Electrical Electronics exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 12 V DC source drives a series circuit with a 2 kΩ resistor and a 1 kΩ resistor. What is the current flowing through the circuit?

A.3 mA

B.4 mA

C.6 mA

D.12 mA

Explanation: Series resistors add: R_total = 2 kΩ + 1 kΩ = 3 kΩ. By Ohm's law, I = V/R = 12 V / 3 kΩ = 4 mA.

2Two capacitors of 4 µF and 12 µF are connected in series. What is the equivalent capacitance?

A.3 µF

B.4 µF

C.8 µF

D.16 µF

Explanation: For series capacitors: 1/C_eq = 1/4 + 1/12 = 3/12 + 1/12 = 4/12, so C_eq = 12/4 = 3 µF. Series capacitors combine like parallel resistors.

3A sinusoidal voltage v(t) = 170·cos(377t) V is applied to a circuit. What are the RMS voltage and frequency?

A.170 V, 377 Hz

B.120 V, 60 Hz

C.120 V, 377 Hz

D.170 V, 60 Hz

Explanation: RMS = V_peak / √2 = 170 / 1.414 ≈ 120 V. Angular frequency ω = 377 rad/s, so f = ω/(2π) = 377/(6.283) = 60 Hz. This is a standard US line voltage.

4A series RL circuit has R = 30 Ω and X_L = 40 Ω. What is the impedance magnitude and phase angle?

A.50 Ω at 53.1°

B.70 Ω at 0°

C.10 Ω at 53.1°

D.50 Ω at 36.9°

Explanation: |Z| = √(R² + X_L²) = √(900 + 1600) = √2500 = 50 Ω. Phase angle θ = arctan(X_L/R) = arctan(40/30) = 53.13°. The current lags voltage in an RL circuit.

5An RC circuit with R = 10 kΩ and C = 100 nF is initially uncharged and then connected to a 10 V DC source through a switch. What is the time constant τ?

A.0.1 ms

B.1 ms

C.10 ms

D.100 ms

Explanation: τ = RC = (10 × 10³)(100 × 10⁻⁹) = 10⁶ × 10⁻⁹ = 10⁻³ s = 1 ms. After 5τ ≈ 5 ms, the capacitor is essentially fully charged (>99%).

6Using nodal analysis on a single node with 5 mA injected, a 1 kΩ resistor to ground, and a 2 kΩ resistor to a 10 V source, what is the node voltage?

A.3.33 V

B.5.00 V

C.6.67 V

D.8.00 V

Explanation: KCL at node: 5 mA = V/1 kΩ + (V − 10)/2 kΩ. Multiply by 2 kΩ: 10 = 2V + V − 10, so 3V = 20, V = 6.67 V. Always set up KCL with currents leaving the node.

7A Thevenin equivalent has V_TH = 12 V and R_TH = 4 Ω. What load resistance maximizes power transfer, and what is the maximum load power?

A.R_L = 4 Ω, P_max = 9 W

B.R_L = 4 Ω, P_max = 18 W

C.R_L = 8 Ω, P_max = 9 W

D.R_L = 2 Ω, P_max = 12 W

Explanation: Maximum power transfer requires R_L = R_TH = 4 Ω. Then P_max = V_TH²/(4·R_TH) = 144/16 = 9 W. Half the source power is delivered to the load and half is dissipated in R_TH.

8An AC source delivers 240 V (RMS) to a load drawing 10 A (RMS) at a power factor of 0.8 lagging. What is the real power consumed?

A.1920 W

B.2400 W

C.1500 W

D.3000 W

Explanation: Real power P = V·I·cos(θ) = 240 × 10 × 0.8 = 1920 W. Apparent power S = V·I = 2400 VA, and reactive power Q = V·I·sin(θ) = 1440 VAR.

9A 12 V lead-acid battery has a rated capacity of 100 Ah at the C/20 rate. If discharged at 20 A continuously, approximately what runtime should be expected (Peukert exponent k = 1.2)?

A.3.3 hours

B.5.0 hours

C.8.0 hours

D.10.0 hours

Explanation: Peukert: t = C·(C/(I·H))^(k−1)/I where H is rated discharge time (20 h) and I is actual current. t = 20·(100/(20·20))^0.2 ≈ 20·(0.25)^0.2 ≈ 20·0.758/(20/20) actual delivered ≈ 3.3 h. Higher current sharply reduces effective capacity in lead-acid cells.

10A series RLC circuit has L = 100 mH and C = 10 µF. What is the resonant frequency?

A.159 Hz

B.1591 Hz

C.100 Hz

D.10 kHz

Explanation: f₀ = 1/(2π√(LC)) = 1/(2π·√(100×10⁻³ × 10×10⁻⁶)) = 1/(2π·√(10⁻⁶)) = 1/(2π·10⁻³) ≈ 159 Hz. At resonance the circuit appears purely resistive.

About the PE Electrical Electronics Exam

The NCEES PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications (ECC) exam is an 85-question computer-based exam covering circuit analysis, measurement and instrumentation, safety and reliability, signal processing, digital systems, electromagnetics and fiber optics, electronic components and circuits, analog and digital control systems, communication techniques, noise and interference, and communications systems. New specifications take effect April 2026. The exam is closed book with electronic reference and uses both SI and US Customary units.

Questions

85 scored questions

Time Limit

8.5 hours (9.5-hour appointment)

Passing Score

Cut score set by NCEES (scaled scoring; not a fixed percentage)

Exam Fee

$400 (NCEES (Pearson VUE))

PE Electrical Electronics Exam Content Outline

10-15 Qs

Circuit Analysis and Design

Passive and active components, DC/AC circuits, transient analysis, battery characteristics and applications

5-8 Qs

Measurement and Instrumentation

Transducers, operational amplifiers, measurement system analysis and design

5-8 Qs

Safety and Reliability

Failure limits and circuit protection, electromagnetic field exposure, safety/protection, MTBF and tolerances

5-8 Qs

Signal Processing

Sampling theory, transforms, ADC/DAC conversion, filtering, signal processing system analysis and design

7-11 Qs

Digital Systems

Combinational/sequential logic, logic devices, programmable logic devices (microcontrollers, embedded systems, PLCs)

5-8 Qs

Electromagnetics and Fiber Optics

EM properties, waves and propagation, EMC (shielding/grounding/filtering), transmission lines/waveguides, antennas, optical fibers

6-9 Qs

Electronic Components

Diodes, transistors and other solid-state devices, power supplies and converters, power amplifiers

7-11 Qs

Electronics Circuits

Device models, networks and filters, nonlinear applications, frequency response, transient analysis, heat dissipation

8-12 Qs

Analog and Digital Control Systems

Block diagrams/signal flow, characteristic equations, frequency/time response, stability (Bode, root locus, transport delay), digital control

4-6 Qs

Communication Techniques

Analog modulation (AM, FM, PM), digital modulation (ASK, PSK, QAM)

4-6 Qs

Noise and Interference

SNR, quantization noise, noise figure, noise temperature, interference, coding/error detection/correction

4-6 Qs

Communications Systems

Wired/wireless communications, multiple access (TDMA, CSMA/CD, WDM), traffic capacity analysis

How to Pass the PE Electrical Electronics Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Cut score set by NCEES (scaled scoring; not a fixed percentage)
Exam length: 85 questions
Time limit: 8.5 hours (9.5-hour appointment)
Exam fee: $400

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PE Electrical Electronics Study Tips from Top Performers

1Download the April 2026 NCEES PE ECC exam specifications PDF and use the 12 domains as your master study outline

2Master the NCEES PE Electrical and Computer Reference Handbook — practice navigating it as a searchable PDF before exam day

3Allocate ~6 minutes per question on average; flag and skip difficult problems to return after the easy ones are banked

4Drill control systems heavily — Bode plots, root locus, Routh-Hurwitz, phase margin, and Nyquist account for 8-12 of 85 questions

5Be fluent with op-amp gain formulas (inverting, non-inverting, instrumentation) for measurement and instrumentation problems

6Memorize Carson's rule (FM bandwidth), Friis link budget, and Shannon capacity — frequent communication system problem starters

7Practice converting between dB, dBm, and linear units quickly — most communications and noise problems require it

8Review IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) and 802.11 (Wi-Fi) signaling, MAC, and topology fundamentals — high-yield for the communications systems domain

9Learn ESD (IEC 61000-4-2), EMI shielding theory, and grounding fundamentals for safety/reliability questions

10Take at least one full-length 85-question timed simulation to lock in pacing under realistic conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PE Electrical ECC exam pass rate?

According to NCEES (last updated July 2025), the first-time taker pass rate for the PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications exam is approximately 67% (165 examinees), with repeat takers passing at approximately 35% (23 examinees). Pass rates are based on the cohort taking the exam in the most recent reporting window.

What changed for the April 2026 PE ECC exam?

Effective with the April 2026 administration, the exam uses revised content specifications and contains 85 questions (an increase from prior 80-question administrations). The 9.5-hour appointment time includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break (8.5 hours of exam time). Twelve content domains are tested. Practice using NCEES practice exam product 502 keyed to the new specs is recommended.

How much does the PE Electrical ECC exam cost?

The NCEES exam fee is $400, paid directly to NCEES at registration. Some state boards charge an additional application or licensure processing fee, which varies by jurisdiction. Retake attempts are also $400 each, plus any board-specific fees. NCEES allows up to three attempts in any 12-month period.

What references can I use during the PE ECC exam?

The exam is closed book with an electronic reference handbook (NCEES PE Electrical and Computer Reference Handbook) provided as a searchable PDF during the exam. You cannot bring personal materials. Familiarity with the electronic handbook layout is essential — practicing with the free PDF version before exam day saves valuable time during the test.

How is the PE ECC exam scored and when do results arrive?

NCEES uses a scaled scoring system; there is no fixed percentage passing score. The cut score is determined through psychometric analysis to ensure consistency across exam administrations. Computer-based exam results are typically available 7-10 days after testing through your MyNCEES account, with notification sent based on your licensing board's workflow.

Which PE Electrical track should I take if I work in electronics or controls?

If your day-to-day work involves analog/digital electronics design, embedded systems, control systems, signal processing, or communications, the PE Electrical and Computer: Electronics, Controls, and Communications (ECC) exam is the right match. The Power exam targets utility/industrial power; the Computer Engineering exam targets digital design and computer architecture. Choose the track that matches your engineering experience.