Professional Examinations in

Engineering
Dr Sam Man Keong (岑文强)
CEng, FIET, MICE, MIMMM, FBEng, CEnv,
FSPE, PEng(UK), CMath, CSci, CQP
Email: sammk@singnet.com.sg ;
HP: 96740515

Professional Exams in Engineering 1

 About the Speaker
- Dr Sam Man Keong (岑文强)
• Singapore : SP/NUS/NTU.
• Australia :
MelbU/RMIT/CQU.
• Chartered Engineer
(UK/Ireland/Australia)
• Chartered Builder (UK)
• Chartered Mathematician
(UK)
• Chartered Scientist (UK)
• Chartered
Environmentalist (UK).
• A life-long learner.

Professional Exams in Engineering 2

 Great
Wall of
China –
October
2007

Professional Exams in Engineering 3

 Highlights
• Introduction.
• Professional Exams in Engineering in UK.
• Professional Exams in Engineering in
USA.
• Professional Exams in Engineering in
Singapore.
• Professional Exams in Engineering in
Malaysia.
Professional Exams in Engineering 4
 Highlights
• Professional Exams in Engineering in
Other Countries.
• Recent Trends in Engineering &
Technology Profession.
• Questions & Answers.

Professional Exams in Engineering 5

 Introduction
• Objective : To provide an opportunity for
those who ‘lack’ the normal academic
qualifications to achieve professional status or
used as a “top-up” for unrecognized
engineering degrees for membership or
registration purposes.
• Normally in TWO main parts : “Graduate
Exam” + “Professional Review”.

Professional Exams in Engineering 6

Professional Exams in Engineering
in UK.
• The Society of Engineers – Graduateship
Examinations
– Part 1 (General Engineering)
– Part 2 (Design)
– Part 3 (Management)
• Chartered Engineering Institutions : ICE;
IEE (now : IET); IMechE.

Professional Exams in Engineering 7

Professional Exams in Engineering
in UK – The SOE/SPE
• Before 1998 : Part I
(General Engineering);
Part II (Design); Part 3
(Management).
• After 1998 : Certificate
of Engineering (
ASE); Diploma of
Engineering ( MSE);
Honours Diploma of
Engineering ( FSE).
Professional Exams in Engineering 8
Professional Exams in Engineering
in UK – The SOE/SPE
• The Society of Professional
Engineers was founded on the 27
October 1969 by a number of
Corporate Members of the
Society of Engineers which is the
third oldest Engineering Body in
the United Kingdom being
established in 1854.
• PEng : authorised by the
Secretary of State of the
Department of Trade &
Industry.
• Website:
www.professionalengineers-
uk.org

Professional Exams in Engineering 9

 Pathways to Professional Engineer in UK [PEng(UK)]

SOE Part 1* ASE

Recognized
Diploma in
SOE Part 2* AMSE
Engineering
or its
equivalent SOE Part 3* MSE, PEng(UK)
[Now : MSPE,
PEng(UK)]

* Now phased out;  SIET

Professional Examinations (2010)

Professional Exams in Engineering 10

 Professional Examinations in UK–
Chartered Engineering Institutions
• ICE (1818): [website: www.ice.org.uk ]
– The examinations for corporate membership
were first introduced in 1897 and Section C was
added in 1919.
– In 1945, the Associate Membership Examination
was completely revised and Section C was
replaced by a Professional Interview; this was
renamed the Professional Examination in 1977.

Professional Exams in Engineering 11

 Professional Examinations in UK–
Chartered Engineering Institutions
• To reduce the multiplicity of professional engineering
examinations (ICE, IEE, IMechE….), the
Engineering Institutions Joint Part 1 Examination
was set up and this was used by ten institutions as
part of their professional examinations.
• In 1965 the Council of the Institution (ICE) resolved
to adopt the Examination (Parts 1 and 2) of the
Council of Engineering Institutions (CEI) and to
discontinue the Institution (ICE) Examination.

Professional Exams in Engineering 12

 Professional Examinations in UK–
Chartered Engineering Institutions
• The CEI held their:
– Part 1 Examination for the first time in October 1967 and
– Part 2 Examination in April 1968 : 6 written papers; 3
attempts.
• This examination was taken over by the Engineering
Council (EC) in 1984.
• Major Changes to EC Examination over the past
20 years :
– EC Part 2 (1985) : EC 2A (5 Technical Subjects ) + EC 2B
(The Engineer in Society) + EC 2C (Technical Report).
– Now : EC Certificate ; EC Graduate Diploma; EC
Postgraduate Diploma

Professional Exams in Engineering 13

 From CEI Exam to EC Exam

Website : www.engc.org.uk

Professional Exams in Engineering 14

Pathways to Professional Registration [CEng]
via the EC Examinations

GCE(A) or its EC Certificate Engineering

equivalent Exam Technician
(EngTech)

Recognized EC Graduate Incorporated

Diploma or its Diploma Exam Engineer (IEng)
equivalent

Recognized First EC Chartered

Degree or its Postgraduate Engineer
equivalent Diploma Exam (CEng)

Professional Exams in Engineering 15

Pathways to become Chartered Engineer [CEng]– ICE
& IStructE

EC Examinations An Accredited Degree in

Engineering, .e.g.MEng;
BEng(Hons) + MSc(Eng)

Relevant Experience in Engineering

Initial Professional
IStructE- Chartered
Development (IPD)
Membership Examination

Chartered Professional
Review (CPR)

CEng, MIStructE CEng, MICE

Professional Exams in Engineering 16

 Becoming a Professional Engineer in
USA – Four Distinct Steps
• 1. Education
– Generally, no college degree is required to be eligible to
take the FE/EIT Exam.
• 2. Fundamentals of Engineering/Engineer-In-
Training Examination (FE/EIT)
• 3. Experience
– Typically, four years of acceptable experience is required
before one can take the PE Exam.
• 4. Professional Engineer Examination (PE Exam)

Professional Exams in Engineering 17

 Pathways to become a PE in USA

Working adults in Final Year Students of BS

Engineering in Technology/Engineering

NCEES – FE/EIT Exam

Experience

NCEES - PE Exam

Professional Engineer (PE)

Professional Exams in Engineering 18

 Professional Exams in Engineering in
USA – Examination Development
• Initially, the states wrote their own
examinations, but beginning in 1966, the
NCEES took over the task for some states.
• Now the NCEES exams are used by all states.
• NCEES = National Council of Examiners for
Engineering and Surveying [website:
www.ncees.org ]

Professional Exams in Engineering 19

 Professional Exams in Engineering in
USA – Examination Objectives
• Fundamentals of Engineering/Engineer-In-
Training Examination (FE/EIT)
– The FE/EIT Exam determines if a candidate meets the
minimum requirements for professional engineer
registration established by state law.
• Professional Engineer Examination (PE Exam)
– The PE Exam determines if a candidate is qualified to
design in his (her) major field.
– The PE exam is an open-book exam.

Professional Exams in Engineering 20

Professional Exams in Engineering in
USA – Examination Structure
• Fundamentals of Engineering/Engineer-
In-Training Examination (FE/EIT)
– Eight-hour, multiple-choice examination
– Morning (4-hour): 120 questions
– Afternoon (4-hour): 60 questions

Professional Exams in Engineering 21

 Professional Exams in Engineering in
USA – Examination Structure
• Professional Engineer Examination
– Principles and Practice of Engineering or PE
Exam
– The exam is organized into breadth and depth
sections.
• Morning breadth exam : 4 hours; 40 multiple-choice
questions.
• Afternoon depth exam : 4 hours; is actually five exams
(Civil) – you can choose the depth exam you wish to
take.

Professional Exams in Engineering 22

Source : USA-ASEE – Prism, November 2010

Professional Exams in Engineering 23

 Professional Exams in Engineering in
Singapore.
• SIET Professional Examinations. [website:
www.siet.org.sg ]
• Professional Engineers Board (PEB)
Singapore – Professional Engineers
Registration Examination. [website:
www.peb.gov.sg ]

Professional Exams in Engineering 24

About SIET
• Singapore Institute of
Engineering Technologists
(SIET).
• Established in 1980 as a
‘Professional Body’ to cater
for the interest of
‘Polytechnic and ITE’
graduates in Engineering
& Technology.
• Website : www.siet.org.uk

Professional Exams in Engineering 25

SIET Professional Examinations
• SIET Professional Examinations are
conducted at three levels:
– Level 1 - Associate Membership
(AMSIET)[≈ ITE – Higher Nitec standard]
– Level 2 - Membership (MSIET)[≈ Poly
Diploma standard]
– Level 3 - Fellowship (FSIET)[≈ Final Year of
an accredited First Degree standard]

Professional Exams in Engineering 26

 SIET Professional Examinations

ITE – Nitec or SIET – AM Exam AMSIET, CertEA

its equivalent [8 subjects]

ITE – Higher SIET – M Exam MSIET, CertET

Nitec or its
[8 subjects]
equivalent

Polytechnic SIET – F Exam FSIET, CertTS

Diploma or its
[6 subjects]
equivalent

MSPE,
PEng(UK)
Professional Exams in Engineering 27
 Website :
http://www.peb.gov.sg/peb/html/index.html

The Professional Engineers Board Singapore (PEB) is a

statutory board in the Ministry of National Development.
PEB was established since 1971 under the Professional
Engineers Act.

Professional Exams in Engineering 28

 Professional Exams in Engineering in
Singapore - PEB
• In addition to ‘Qualification’ and
‘Experience’ requirements, applicants must sit
and pass two examinations:
– Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FEE)
– Practice of Professional Examination (PE Exam)
• Qualification : Professional Engineers
(Approved Qualifications) Notification - 2009

Professional Exams in Engineering 29

Pathways to become Professional
Engineer in Singapore

Approved Qualifications, PEB – PE Exam

e.g. BEng from NUS/NTU . Summary of
Postgraduate
Professional Experience

PEB – FE Exam . Report on

Postgraduate
Engineering Experience
. Professional
Experience Interview (PI)

Professional
Engineer (PE)
Professional Exams in Engineering 30
Source : Extract from PEActs Notification of Approved Qualifications -2009

Professional Exams in Engineering 31

Source : Extract from PEActs Notification of Approved Qualifications -2009

Professional Exams in Engineering 32

Source : Extract from PEActs Notification of Approved Qualifications -2009

Professional Exams in Engineering 33

 Professional Exams in Engineering in
Singapore - PEB
• Experience : Not less than FOUR years of
practical experience after obtaining the
approved qualifications.
• FEE:
– Part 1 : 3 hours; 40 Multiple Choice Questions.
– Part 2 : Civil (Answer 5 out of 9 questions);
Electrical and Mechanical (Answer 5 out of 7
questions)

Professional Exams in Engineering 34

Professional Exams in Engineering 35
Professional Exams in Engineering 36
Professional Exams in Engineering 37
Professional Exams in Engineering in
Singapore - PEB
• PE Exam
– Summary of Postgraduate Professional
Experience
– Report on Postgraduate Engineering Experience :
2,000 – 4,000 words.
– Professional Interview (PI):
• 10-minute presentation of one or more of his projects
highlighted in his report.
• About 45 minutes : to determine the various
competence elements.

Professional Exams in Engineering 38

Professional Exams in Engineering 39
Professional Exams in Engineering 40
Professional Exams in Engineering 41
 Professional Exams in Engineering in
Malaysia.
• IEM : Institution of Engineers, Malaysia.
[website : www.iem.org.my ]
• BEM : Board of Engineers Malaysia. [website
: www.bem.org.my ]
• IEM/BEM Graduate Examination
• BEM : Professional Assessment
Examination (PAE)

Professional Exams in Engineering 42

 Pathways to become a PE in Malaysia

Working adults in IEM/BEM –

Engineering with at least 2 Graduate
STPM/GCE(A) passes in
Mathematics and/or
Examination
Science subjects

An Approved Qualification, BEM – Graduate Engineer

e.g. BE from University of
Malaya

Report on Training & Experience

BEM - PAE Professional Engineer

(PE)
Professional Exams in Engineering 43
Professional Exams in Engineering 44
Professional Exams in Engineering in Malaysia
– IEM/BEM Graduate Examination (2011)
• Part 1 – 8 Subjects (6 Compulsory + 2
Options).
• Part 2
– 4 main disciplines : Civil; Electrical; Mechanical;
Chemical.
– 8 Subjects (6 Compulsory + 2 Options)
• Part 3
– Candidate’s Report
– Assessor’s Report

Professional Exams in Engineering 45

IEM/BEM Graduate Examination (2011)
Professional Exams in Engineering 46
IEM/BEM Graduate Examination (2011)

Professional Exams in Engineering 47

IEM/BEM Graduate Examination (2011)

Professional Exams in Engineering 48

Professional Exams in Engineering in Malaysia
– BEM Professional Assessment Examination
• Documents for Professional Assessment
Examination (PAE)
– Report : Training and Experience ; 1500 – 2000
words.
– Drawings and Calculations (Civil) : Drainage,
Irrigation and Flood Mitigation; Hydrology and
other areas in water resources; Geotechnical, Soil
& Rock Mechanics; Public Health and
Environmental; Permanent Way; Roads, Highways
and Transportation; Town Planning.

Professional Exams in Engineering 49

Professional Exams in Engineering in Malaysia
– BEM Professional Assessment Examination
• Professional Interview (PI)
• Easy Writing :
– To test the candidate’s ability to marshal his knowledge and
thoughts and express them in words in a clear and concise
manner.
– two essays ; 1 ½ hours per essay.
– One from Section A : an essay related to the candidate’s
training and experience as stated in his report
– One from Section B : on the code of ethics from two
alternative questions selected by the examiners.

Professional Exams in Engineering 50

 Professional Exams in Engineering in
Other Countries.
• Institution of Engineers, India. [Established :
1920; Royal Charter : 1935][website :
www.ieindia.org ]
– AMIE Sections ‘A’ and ‘B’.
• Institution of Civil Engineers, India.
[website : www.ice.net.in ]
– Technician Membership Examination.
– Associate Membership Examination.

Professional Exams in Engineering 51

 Professional Exams in Engineering in
Other Countries.
• Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka.
[Established : 1906][website : www.iesl.lk ]
– Part I Examination.
– Part II Examination.
• Institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri
Lanka. [Established : 1977][website:
www.iie.lk ]
– Part I
– Part II

Professional Exams in Engineering 52

Professional Exams in Engineering 53
 Recent Trends in Engineering &
Technology Profession.
• Mobility of Engineers & Technologists
• International Engineering Alliance (IEA)
[website: www.washingtonaccord.org ]
– Agreements covering tertiary qualifications in
engineering
– Agreements covering competence standards for
practising engineers

Professional Exams in Engineering 54

 IEA - Agreements covering tertiary
qualifications in engineering
• The Washington Accord signed in 1989 was the first - it
recognises substantial equivalence in the accreditation of
qualifications in professional engineering, normally of four
years duration.
• The Sydney Accord commenced in 2001 and recognises
substantial equivalence in the accreditation of qualifications in
engineering technology, normally of three years duration.
• The Dublin Accord is an agreement for substantial equivalence
in the accreditation of tertiary qualifications in technician
engineering, normally of two years duration. It commenced in
2002.

Professional Exams in Engineering 55

 IEA - Agreements covering competence
standards for practising engineers
• The oldest such agreement is the APEC Engineer agreement
which commenced in 1999. This has Government support in
the participating APEC economies.
• The Engineers Mobility Forum agreement commenced in 2001.
It operates the same competence standard as the APEC
Engineer agreement but any country/economy may join.
• The Engineering Technologist Mobility Forum agreement was
signed by participating economies/countries in 2003. The
parties to the Agreement have agreed to commence
establishing a mutual recognition scheme for engineering
technologists.

Professional Exams in Engineering 56

IEA - Agreements covering competence
standards for practising engineers
• Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation : APEC
Engineer
• Engineers Mobility Forum : International
Professional Engineer (IntPE)
• Engineering Technologist Mobility Forum :
International Engineering Technologist
(IntET)

Professional Exams in Engineering 57

Questions & Answers

Thank You

自强不息, 力求上进

Professional Exams in Engineering 58

 "Our greatest glory
is not in never
falling, but in
rising every
time we fall."

Professional Exams in Engineering 59

 “The Key to happiness
is having dreams.
The key to success
is making dreams
come true.”

Professional Exams in Engineering 60

"Happiness is not having what you want.
It's wanting what you have."

Professional Exams in Engineering 61

 Have a nice day!

Professional Exams in Engineering 62