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The guide defines a four-hour open-book exam with 130 questions across 14 sections, including 120 scored and 10 trial items, so your plan matches the real test.
CEM test day is a four-hour open-book session with 130 questions across 14 subject sections. The study guide notes that 120 questions are scored and 10 are trial items, so every question deserves attention. You must bring a hand calculator, and computers, tablets, and phones are not allowed. If you test by remote proctoring, AEE allows printed, bound notes and reference textbooks only. A clean binder and a calm pace make the clock feel manageable.
Built from the CEM study guide
We map your prep to the official Body of Knowledge and its weightings so you focus on what the exam actually measures.
Four hours, 130 questions
We turn the full exam length into checkpoints so you practice real timing and avoid getting stuck on any one item.
Binder rules made clear
AEE allows printed, bound references and specific tools only, so we help you organize a compliant binder and kit.
All 14 sections mapped
From energy policies and rates to HVAC, controls, storage, and M&V, we keep every section on your radar.
AEE ties question counts to the Body of Knowledge percentages, so you can prioritize the highest weight topics first.
Once you practice four hours of timed work, the CEM starts to feel steady instead of overwhelming.
Build your binder, confirm allowed resources, and lock in pacing before the clock starts.
You will know the 14 sections, the open-book rules, and how to move through 130 questions with confidence.
The guide spells out format, sections, and open-book rules so you can prepare with precision.
The CEM Body of Knowledge and Study Guide lays out the structure in plain terms: a four-hour, open-book exam built from 14 subject sections. The outline is not optional, it is the blueprint. AEE also says the number of questions aligns with the Body of Knowledge percentages, which means the weights in the outline are the best study priorities you have.
The study guide notes the exam includes 130 questions, with 120 scored and 10 trial items placed randomly. Because the trial items are not identified, you should answer every question. This is where pacing matters: four hours sounds long, but it goes fast when you are moving through 130 items and checking references.
The 14 sections span the core of energy management, including policies and standards, rates and supply options, audits and instrumentation, economics, electrical systems, lighting, HVAC and envelope, controls and automation, storage, boilers, renewables, industrial systems, operations and commissioning, and performance contracting with measurement and verification. Treat each section as a checklist and tie it to real projects and calculations you already know.
Open book does not mean open internet. The guide requires a hand calculator and bans computers, tablets, and phones during the test. For remote proctoring, AEE rules allow only printed, bound notes or PDFs and reference textbooks, plus approved tools like a calculator, ruler, book tabs, and protractor. Build your binder early so you can locate key references quickly.
Use the official guide to set scope, then build a study system that matches the real exam conditions.
Lock in four hours and 130 questions
Start with the CEM study guide and note the essentials: open book, four hours, 130 questions, and 14 sections. Knowing the structure up front makes every study session more targeted.
Turn the outline into a checklist
List all 14 sections and their weights, then assign study blocks to each. This keeps you from over-studying one area and missing another that carries real exam weight.
Binder plus approved tools only
AEE allows printed, bound references and specific tools such as a hand calculator, ruler, book tabs, and protractor. Assemble a compliant binder and test your lookup speed before exam day.
Train for 130 questions
Run timed sets that mirror the four-hour window. Use checkpoints to keep moving and practice quick reference lookups so the full exam feels controlled.
Everything is tied to the official Body of Knowledge and the open-book exam rules.
Know the exam in minutes
A concise brief covering four hours, 130 questions, 14 sections, and the 120 scored plus 10 trial item structure.
All 14 sections covered
A checklist for each CEM section so you can track progress and prioritize by the published weightings.
Binder rules made practical
Guidance for printed, bound references and allowed tools so your materials match AEE rules.
Time blocks that mirror the test
A pacing worksheet that turns four hours into checkpoints and keeps you moving through all 130 questions.
Last-week verification list
A short checklist to confirm scheduling, remote or in-person format, and your calculator and binder setup.
It is built from the same sources AEE uses to design the exam.
We start with the official CEM Body of Knowledge and Study Guide, then translate the format and weights into a practical plan. That keeps your prep aligned with what the exam is designed to test.
Fourteen sections can be a lot to juggle. We map each section to study blocks and real energy management tasks so nothing important is overlooked.
Open book only helps when your references are organized. We focus on binder structure and allowed tools so you can retrieve information quickly without breaking the rules.
Knowing you have 130 questions in four hours changes how you practice. We train steady pacing and smart time checks so you finish with confidence.
“The CEM outline finally made the exam feel manageable. Once I mapped the 14 sections, built a clean binder, and practiced pacing for 130 questions, the four-hour window felt like a long work session instead of a surprise.”
The CEM study guide states the exam is four hours long and includes 130 questions. It also explains that 120 questions are scored and 10 are trial items placed randomly, so every question should be answered. Use those numbers to build a pacing plan and timed practice sessions.
Yes. The study guide describes the CEM exam as open book. AEE's remote proctoring rules specify that printed, bound notes or PDFs and reference textbooks are allowed, and they list approved tools such as a hand calculator, ruler, book tabs, and a protractor. Digital devices are not allowed for reference during the exam.
The Body of Knowledge is divided into 14 sections, including policies and standards, rates and tariffs, audits and instrumentation, economics, electrical systems, lighting, HVAC and envelope, controls and automation, storage, boilers, renewables, industrial systems, operations and commissioning, and performance contracting with measurement and verification. AEE notes that question counts align with the published section weights.
Yes. AEE states that you may schedule the exam as part of an in-person training program or as a remote proctored exam. If you choose remote proctoring, review the open-book rules and make sure your printed references are bound and ready.
Yes. The CEM study guide says you must bring a hand calculator and that computers, tablets, and cell phones are not allowed during the exam. AEE's remote proctoring rules list calculators among the allowed tools, so plan to use a dedicated hand calculator you are comfortable with.
Share your exam date and format, and we will map the 14 sections into a focused plan you can follow.
Clear steps, no pressure, just a workable plan.
CEM (Certified Energy Manager)|ProctorU|AEE Energy Certifications
Last updated: February 2, 2026