Engineering Professional Examination (EPE)

Sample Engineering practice questions

Try these 12 questions from different topics. Open "Show answer" to check yourself and read the explanation.

1. Question 1 · Ethics, Competence & Public Safety

   An engineer discovers that a proposed design creates an unacceptable public-safety risk. What should they do?

   1. A.Approve it to avoid delay
   2. B.Delete the calculation
   3. C.Document and escalate the risk and withhold approval until it is adequately controlled
   4. D.Discuss it only after construction fails
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Document and escalate the risk and withhold approval until it is adequately controlled

   The Engineering Council code places public safety, integrity and competent practice at the centre of professional duty.

2. Question 2 · Risk & Project Controls

   What is the primary purpose of an engineering risk assessment?

   1. A.Guarantee that no uncertainty exists
   2. B.Replace competent design review
   3. C.Record only incidents that already caused injury
   4. D.Identify hazards, evaluate risk and select effective controls before harm occurs
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Identify hazards, evaluate risk and select effective controls before harm occurs

   Risk assessment supports preventive decisions by linking hazards, consequences, likelihood and controls.

3. Question 3 · Professional Review & Quality

   A calculation affecting structural safety was prepared by a junior engineer. What is the appropriate quality-control action?

   1. A.Have it independently checked by a competent person before approval
   2. B.Approve it based on file name
   3. C.Remove the assumptions from the record
   4. D.Ask the client to accept all technical risk
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Have it independently checked by a competent person before approval

   Competent verification provides a barrier against calculation, assumption and transcription errors.

4. Question 4 · Engineering Regulation in Ghana

   The statutory body that regulates engineering practice and registers engineers in Ghana is the:

   1. A.Engineering Council, established under Act 819 (2011)
   2. B.Ghana Institution of Engineering acting under the Companies Act
   3. C.Ghana Standards Authority
   4. D.Ministry of Works and Housing
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Engineering Council, established under Act 819 (2011)

   GhIE is the professional learned society; the Engineering Council is the regulator.

5. Question 5 · Occupational Health & Safety

   In the hierarchy of controls, the most effective measure is:

   1. A.Personal protective equipment for every worker
   2. B.Administrative controls such as signs
   3. C.Training only
   4. D.Elimination of the hazard
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Elimination of the hazard

   Order: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE.

6. Question 6 · Professional Scenarios

   A client asks you to reduce the reinforcement in a slab below code minimum to save money. You should:

   1. A.Agree, because the client is paying for the work
   2. B.Refuse and explain the safety requirement
   3. C.Agree but keep it secret
   4. D.Leave the project without explanation
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Refuse and explain the safety requirement

   Codes set minimum safety standards.

7. Question 7 · Engineering Project Management

   The critical path in a project network is the:

   1. A.Longest path, setting the minimum duration
   2. B.Shortest path through the network of activities
   3. C.Path with the most activities
   4. D.Path with the most resources
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Longest path, setting the minimum duration

   Delays on critical activities delay the whole project.

8. Question 8 · Engineering Economics

   The net present value of a project is:

   1. A.The total of all undiscounted cash inflows
   2. B.Discounted inflows minus discounted outflows
   3. C.Profit after tax in year one
   4. D.The payback period
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Discounted inflows minus discounted outflows

   A positive NPV adds value at the chosen discount rate.

9. Question 9 · Contracts & Procurement

   FIDIC contracts are widely used for:

   1. A.Employment contracts for engineering staff
   2. B.International construction projects
   3. C.Land sales
   4. D.Insurance policies
   Show answer

   Answer: B. International construction projects

   The Red Book is for construction designed by the employer.

10. Question 10 · Environment & Sustainability

    An environmental impact assessment is carried out:

    1. A.After the project is completed and fully operating
    2. B.Only for projects in cities
    3. C.Only if the community complains
    4. D.Before approval, to predict and manage impacts
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Before approval, to predict and manage impacts

    Ghana's EPA issues environmental permits after assessment.

11. Question 11 · Engineering Law & Communication

    To succeed in a negligence claim against an engineer, the claimant must show a duty of care, breach of that duty and:

    1. A.That the engineer was paid for the work
    2. B.A written contract
    3. C.Damage caused by the breach
    4. D.That the engineer is registered
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Damage caused by the breach

    All three elements must be proved.

12. Question 12 · Asset Management & Maintenance

    Preventive maintenance is carried out:

    1. A.Only after equipment has completely broken down
    2. B.Never on critical equipment
    3. C.At planned intervals to reduce the chance of failure
    4. D.Only by the manufacturer
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At planned intervals to reduce the chance of failure

    Corrective maintenance follows failure.