BC PPE Cheat Sheet
study what matters
Exam - Syllabus & Scope
A. Professionalism (10%)
- E (chapter 1 + pg. 38-40) + L (pg.16-19) + CoE.
- engineering/geoscience, professional status,
regulations, bylaws, code of ethics.
- Quebec bridge disaster, Practice of
Engineering/Geoscience, Employer’s interest,
Duty to Public
C. Professional Practice (27%)
- E (chapters 5, 7, 8, 13-15, + pg. 90, 93, 97-104,
142, 220, 315-318, 238) + L (chapter 16) + Act,
Regulations, and Bylaws.
- discrimination, sexual harassment, dummy
runs, per diem, liability insurance, commercial general
liability, limitation period, subrogation, risk
management, due, diligence, ISO 9000, ISO 14001,
whistle blowing, peak oil, climate change.
- charter of rights & freedoms, liability for
software issues, software testing, consulting activities
and insurance requirements, business structures,
Canadian Environmental Law, duty to report, climate
change implications.
F. Professional Law (8%)
- E (chapter 18 + pg. 31-34, 52, 63-68, 86-88,
262, 307-10, 427-8) + L (pg​. 14, 16, 18, 19-20, 40) +
Act, Regulations, and Bylaws + CoE
- fiduciary duty, joint firm, licensee, member of
the public, incompetence, board of examiners, conflicts
of interest
- Association (council, powers, appeal board),
Regulations & Bylaws (creating, modifying, approving),
Applying for a Licence, 5 experience criteria,
professional titles, technical societies.
B. Ethics (20%)
- E (chapter 9-10 + pg. 52-53, 219-229) + CoE.
- ethics, duty to profession, plagiarism, negligence,
conflict of interest.
- CoE (Rules of Conduct), Ethical problems (examples
& strategy), 4 Key Ethical Theories, Principles of Justice,
common ethical issues, 4 unethical industries
E. Law for Professional Practice (23%)
- E (chapter 7 + pg. 69-70) + L (chapters 1, 6-13, 18, 20-23,
26-27 + pg​. 4-6, 161, 165-168, 174-175, 255, 268-274, 281-282) ​ + IP
Guides.
- alternate dispute resolution, constitution, common vs. civil law,
torts, contracts, consideration, mistake, duress, misrepresentation,
frustration, estoppel, design-build, limitation period, vicarious liability,
holdback, environmental audit, nuisance, PIPEDA & PIPA.
- 6 types of intellectual property, statute law, international law,
elements of an enforceable contract, amendment of contracts, breach
of contract, damages, breaches, bidding & tendering process, project
delivery methods, duty of care, requirements for tort, construction
liens, union relationships, occupational health & safety, environmental
assessment process.
G. Regulation & Discipline Processes (11%)
- E (chapter 2 + pg. 41, 50-52, 63-69, 98-99, 102-4, 419-421,
426, 66-69, 50-1, ) + L (pg​. 11)
- discipline vs. enforcement, discipline committee,
professional misconduct, negligence, practice review,
Permit to Practice (or Certification of Authorization), professional seal.
- disciplinary process, 6 causes for disciplinary action,
disciplinary penalties, Code of Ethics breach, mobility agreements (in
Canada & international), Continuing professional development
requirements, use of seal.
 BC PPE Cheat Sheet - pg. 2
Exam - Specifics

Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Strategy Exam Writing & Passing

● Mark questions that you’re not sure about and ● 47 topics on 8 categories that cover Law, Ethics
come back later and Professional Practice.
● Practice pacing yourself with sample exams ● Passing Mark:
● Think of the answer before you look at the 4 ○ Part A: (MCQs) 65/100
options ○ Part B: (Essay) 6/10
● Can’t decide between two options? Try vividly ● 110 MCQs (10 random questions are not counted)
imagining both and select the one that feels most ● 2.5 hour exam part A = 1.4 minutes per MCQ
correct/appropriate. ● computer based exam

Essay Strategy
● You pick between 2-3 questions. Select the one
that is easiest for you to write
about.
● Follow the double pyramid format:
○ Introduction (explain your
main points, usually 3 of
them)
○ Body (1 paragraph for
each point)
○ Conclusion (1 paragraph;
no new concepts; highlight main points)
● Before you start writing, make bullet notes for each
argument and supporting fact/detail.
● The computer based exam doesn’t have a
spell/grammar check so practice with sample
essay questions beforehand.
● Acknowledge both sides of the argument even if
you don’t agree with them.
What to Bring
● 1 piece of photo ID
● Member # or admission ticket
Preparation
1. Purchase current ​law​ & ​ethics​ textbooks and print
off all other syllabus materials.
2. Start my ​BC PPE Total Prep online course​ to:
a. Download study checklist & syllabus
reading sections
b. Build your knowledge with flashcards
c. Get educated - watch 7 presentations on all
47 syllabus topics
d. Exam Simulation - Practice hundreds of
sample questions and several essay
questions too
e. Repeat b-d until your exam.
f. Write your exam.
g. Wait 3-4 weeks for your results.

Note 1: Section D. Communication is worth only 1% so it has been omitted to save space.
​ Note 2: L = 3rd Edition Law text; E = 5th edition Ethics text; CoE = code of ethics.
Note 3: by using the Index in both textbooks you should find most definitions/concepts for
further reading
Legend

= most important reads; = most important definitions; ​= concepts to understand (also read cases)

Print this out & hang it on your wall​ ​(but don’t take it with you to the exam )

For the ​most comprehensive BC PPE study course​ that

gives you: sample exams (with full solutions); video lessons,
flashcard access and lots of essay practice, visit
www.practiceppeexams.ca/bc-ppe-course