If you're in a state that doesn't require passing the Structural I exam to sign structural drawings, I would advise you to take the Civil exam. I took and failed the S.E. 1 four times. I took the Civil-Structural exam and passed on my 1st try and I don't think I prepared for the Civil exam with any more effort than I prepared for the Structural exam. The morning Civil portion of the exam is EXPONENTIALLY easier than any Structural exam I took and I felt I had passed after the morning portion. The afternoon Structural exam was more on par difficulty-wise with the S.E.1, but the project management questions in the afternoon structural portion constitute several gimmees that you just don't see too often on the S.E.1. I know its a drag t start over and learn a new field, but I really think your efforts are more likely to pay off taking the Civil exam. The Structual exam passing rate is consistently significantly lower than all of the other disciplines because it is a significantly more difficult exam. In my opinion, candidates that pass the S.E.1 deserve a seal with a higher designation than the other disciplines if the bar is going to be set as high as it is on the Structural exam.