PE Naval Architecture & Marine Exam Study Guide (2026)
Everything the PE Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering tests, topic by topic: what each section covers, the facts that come up most, and how to study it. Pair it with the free 15-question practice test.
The exam at a glance
| Questions | 85 questions: multiple choice plus alternative item types (such as multiple correct, point-and-click, drag-and-drop and fill-in-the-blank) |
|---|---|
| Time | 9.5-hour appointment: 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, 8-minute tutorial, 8.5 hours of exam time and a 50-minute scheduled break |
| Passing score | Pass or fail on a scaled score; NCEES does not publish the cut score. First-time pass rate 63% (46 examinees) in the NCEES table updated January 2026 |
| Format | Closed book with an electronic reference: NCEES supplies a searchable PE reference handbook and the listed design standards on screen. Questions use both SI and US Customary units. The real exam includes non-multiple-choice item types; this prep uses 4-option single-best-answer practice items |
| Certifying body | National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), with each state licensing board approving candidates |
| Test provider | Computer-based at Pearson VUE test centers on one fixed day per year; the next test date NCEES lists is September 29, 2027 |
Mind map: the whole exam on one screen
Read the complete PE Naval Architecture & Marine study notes for “Hydrostatics, Stability and Weights”
Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 18 minutes of reading: Curves of form and integration · Intact stability · Inclining experiment and free surface · Damage, dynamic stability and weights, a worked exam example, the traps examiners use and a one-minute recap. Create a free account to read it and see how premium notes work before you decide.
1. Hydrostatics, Stability and Weights
NCEES area 1, the largest at 10 to 15 of 85 questions: curves of form and integration methods, inclining and sallying, intact stability, damage stability, dynamic stability (porpoising, chine walking, parametric roll) and weight estimates and control.
Key facts
- KM = KB + BM, with BM = I ÷ ∇ (I is the waterplane's transverse second moment of area). GM = KM − KG.
- Inclining experiment: GM = w × d ÷ (Δ × tan θ), with tan θ from pendulum deflection ÷ pendulum length. Correct to lightship by removing the test weights and free surface.
- Free surface: virtual rise of G = Σ(i × ρtank) ÷ (∇ × ρsea), with i = l × b³ ÷ 12 for a rectangular tank. Breadth is cubed, so longitudinal subdivision cuts it sharply.
- Simpson's first rule: area = (h ÷ 3)(y0 + 4y1 + 2y2 + 4y3 + ... + yn), with an even number of intervals.
- Righting arm at small angles: GZ ≈ GM sin θ. At large angles use cross curves: GZ = KN − KG sin θ.
- Damage stability: added weight vs lost buoyancy methods give the same final waterline and righting moment, but different GM values.
- Parametric roll is most likely when the wave encounter period is about half the natural roll period, in head or following seas.
- Tonnes per cm immersion: TPC = Awp × ρ ÷ 100 (Awp in m², ρ in t/m³). Moment to change trim 1 cm: MCTC = Δ × GML ÷ (100 × L).
Flashcards
Exam tip: Write KB, BM, KG and the free surface correction as separate lines every time. Most stability errors come from skipping the free surface or using the wrong density, not from the formula.
2. Hydrodynamics and Ocean Engineering
NCEES areas 2 and 3: resistance and propulsion, propulsors and foils with cavitation, maneuvering, seakeeping and model testing (6 to 9 questions), plus wind, waves, currents and mooring (4 to 6 questions).
Key facts
- Froude number Fn = V ÷ √(gL). Models run at equal Fn, so model speed = ship speed ÷ √(scale ratio).
- Total resistance = frictional (ITTC-1957 line: CF = 0.075 ÷ (log10 Rn − 2)²) + residuary; only residuary scales by Froude.
- Effective power PE = RT × V. Propulsive coefficient = PE ÷ PD, combining hull, open-water and relative rotative efficiencies.
- Shallow water raises resistance and squat; squat grows roughly with speed squared and with block coefficient.
- Cavitation number σ = (p − pv) ÷ (½ρV²); cavitation starts when local pressure falls to vapor pressure.
- Deep-water waves: L = gT² ÷ 2π and celerity c = gT ÷ 2π. Deep water means depth greater than about half the wavelength.
- Response amplitude operator (RAO) = response amplitude ÷ wave amplitude, per frequency; combine with a wave spectrum to get motion statistics.
- Catenary mooring: the line's weight provides restoring force; horizontal tension is constant along an unloaded line.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Model-test questions almost always hinge on what scales with Froude and what doesn't. Scale residuary resistance only, and recompute friction at full-scale Reynolds number.
3. Structural Design, Materials and Corrosion
NCEES area 4, structural design (7 to 11 questions: loads, primary, secondary and tertiary structure, fatigue, FEA, vibration, material selection), plus area 12, materials, corrosion, welds and connections (4 to 6 questions).
Key facts
- Hull girder stress σ = M ÷ Z. Hogging puts the deck in tension and the bottom in compression; sagging reverses it.
- Secondary stiffeners are checked as beams with effective plate flange; section modulus scales with spacing × pressure × span².
- Fatigue cracks start at stress concentrations: weld toes, bracket ends, cutouts and hard spots.
- Aluminum-to-steel joints use explosion-bonded transition strips or insulated bolted joints; direct fusion welding forms brittle intermetallics.
- 5xxx aluminum (5083, 5086) is the marine plate alloy; welding reduces strength in the heat-affected zone, so welded properties govern design.
- Galvanic corrosion: the less noble metal corrodes. Small anode area next to a large cathode area corrodes fastest.
- Cathodic protection: sacrificial anodes (zinc, aluminum alloy, magnesium) or impressed current with reference electrodes and a controller.
- Weld symbols: the arrow side is below the reference line, the other side above; fillet size is the leg length.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Before calculating, decide whether the member is primary, secondary or tertiary structure. The loads and the check (girder bending, beam bending or local buckling) follow from that.
Test yourself on these topics
Take the free 15-question PE Naval Architecture & Marine test, then save your results to unlock your Readiness Score and the mistakes bank.
4. General Arrangements and Hull Outfitting
NCEES area 5, general arrangements (5 to 8 questions: compartments, access and egress, removal routes, hazardous zones, accommodations, watertight and fire boundaries), plus area 11, hull outfitting (4 to 6 questions: deck machinery, cargo handling, anchoring, mooring and fittings).
Key facts
- SOLAS collision bulkhead (cargo ships): at least 0.05L or 10 m aft of the forward perpendicular, whichever is less, and not more than 0.08L or 0.05L + 3 m, whichever is greater.
- Watertight bulkheads extend to the bulkhead deck; penetrations must keep watertight integrity, and doors in them need remote and local control as required.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Arrangement questions are about rules of thumb and SOLAS fractions. Keep a short table of the fractions (0.05L, 0.08L, 10 m, 3 m) next to the reference handbook search terms.
5. Propulsion and Power Generation
NCEES area 6, 6 to 9 questions: diesel plants, fuels and lubrication, the drive train (propellers, gearing, shafting, bearings), drive train vibration and propulsion architecture and efficiencies.
Key facts
- Shaft power P = 2πNT (N in rev/s, T in N·m). Brake power, shaft power and delivered power fall in that order through gearbox and shaft losses.
- Apparent slip = (pitch speed − ship speed) ÷ pitch speed. Real slip uses speed of advance, Va = Vs(1 − w).
Flashcards
Exam tip: Keep rev/min and rev/s apart. Using rpm in P = 2πNT gives an answer 60 times too large, and the wrong option will be there waiting.
6. Piping and Auxiliary Systems
NCEES areas 7 and 8: piping system design (5 to 8 questions: components, limits such as velocity and cavitation, layout, pipe flow and pressure drop) and auxiliary equipment (5 to 8 questions: heat exchangers, HVAC and refrigeration, fire protection, hydraulics).
Key facts
- Pump shaft power = ρgQH ÷ η. Hydraulic power alone understates what the driver must supply.
- Darcy-Weisbach: head loss hf = f (L ÷ D)(V² ÷ 2g); minor losses add K × V² ÷ 2g per fitting.
Flashcards
Exam tip: For piping questions, sketch the system and mark every elevation, fitting and velocity first. The Bernoulli line almost writes itself once the sketch is right.
7. Electrical Systems
NCEES area 9, 5 to 8 questions: component selection (generators, transformers, motors, batteries, fuel cells, switchgear, cables), design considerations such as load, redundancy, power factor and emergency power, calculations (load analysis, cable sizing, voltage drop) and electric propulsion.
Key facts
- Three-phase power P = √3 × VL × IL × cos φ. Apparent power S = √3 × VL × IL.
- Three-phase voltage drop ≈ √3 × I × (R cos φ + X sin φ); single-phase uses 2 × I × (R cos φ + X sin φ).
Flashcards
Exam tip: Check every electrical answer for single-phase vs three-phase. The factor of 2 or √3 is where most marks are lost.
8. Environmental Compliance and Rules
NCEES areas 10 and 13: combustion emissions and environmental protection (4 to 6 questions: scrubbers, incinerators, oily water, sewage, garbage, ballast water) and statutory requirements, international regulations and third-party standards (5 to 8 questions: USCG, IMO, OSHA, EPA, class).
Key facts
- MARPOL Annex I: machinery space discharges at 15 ppm or less, en route, with a 15 ppm alarm and automatic stop; prohibited in the Antarctic area.
- MARPOL Annex VI: fuel sulfur 0.50% m/m globally (2020) and 0.10% m/m in SOx ECAs (2015); NOx Tier III in NOx ECAs for engines on ships built from the ECA's start date.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Rules questions reward knowing which document governs, then the number. Learn the MARPOL annex map and the CFR titles before memorizing limits.
How to pass
- Hydrostatics and stability is the biggest area at 10 to 15 questions. Be fast with GM, free surface, inclining and damage stability before anything else.
- The exam mixes SI and US Customary units. Write units on every line; long tons, ft³/LT and kN·m errors cost more marks than wrong formulas.
- Learn the layout of the NCEES reference handbook before exam day. It is searchable, but searching for every formula wastes the time you need for 85 questions.
- There is only one test date a year and seats are limited, so get board approval early and reserve your Pearson VUE seat as soon as you can.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I study for the PE Naval Architecture & Marine exam?
Most working candidates need 4 to 8 weeks at 45 to 60 minutes a day. Book your exam once your Readiness Score has stayed at 80 or higher for about a week.
Can I take the PE Naval Architecture & Marine exam online?
Yes. ABYC certification exams are taken with a proctor: online through a remote proctoring service, or for some certifications at the end of an ABYC class. Format: closed book with an electronic reference: ncees supplies a searchable pe reference handbook and the listed design standards on screen. questions use both si and us customary units. the real exam includes non-multiple-choice item types; this prep uses 4-option single-best-answer practice items. Ask the ABYC Education Department which reference materials are allowed.
What score do I need to pass the PE Naval Architecture & Marine exam?
Pass or fail on a scaled score; NCEES does not publish the cut score. First-time pass rate 63% (46 examinees) in the NCEES table updated January 2026. The exam has 85 questions: multiple choice plus alternative item types (such as multiple correct, point-and-click, drag-and-drop and fill-in-the-blank) and a time limit of 9.5-hour appointment: 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, 8-minute tutorial, 8.5 hours of exam time and a 50-minute scheduled break.
What are the most tested topics?
The outline covers hydrostatics, stability and weights, hydrodynamics and ocean engineering, structural design, materials and corrosion, general arrangements and hull outfitting, propulsion and power generation, piping and auxiliary systems, electrical systems, environmental compliance and rules. Use the free practice test to see which ones you need most.
The premium PE Naval Architecture & Marine study path
Premium PE Naval Architecture & Marine prep is studied one topic at a time. Each step starts with that topic's key notes and flashcard deck, then its own question sets of 25, so you master one topic before you move to the next. When every topic is strong, the 6 full mock exams show you're ready.
Your step-by-step study path
- 1Hydrostatics, Stability and Weights8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Notes free with an account
- 2Hydrodynamics and Ocean Engineering8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 3Structural Design, Materials and Corrosion8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 4General Arrangements and Hull Outfitting8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 5Propulsion and Power Generation7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 6Piping and Auxiliary Systems7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 7Electrical Systems7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 8Environmental Compliance and Rules7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- Final step: 6 full mock exams85 questions each, timed like test day. Pass them, then book your exam.Premium
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- One ABYC exam of your choice: any of the 10 certifications, from Marine Electrical to USCG Regulations
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
- 5 bonuses: numbers and formulas sheet, standards map, study planner and more
- Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back
Renews once a year until you cancel. We email you before each renewal. Cancel any time from your account; you keep access until the end of the year you've paid for.
Summarized from ABYC's official candidate information and the rules cited, checked November 2026. Confirm current requirements with National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), with each state licensing board approving candidates.