i thought the EIT, taken for me in 2003, was way harder than the PE (taken in 2008). i didn't study for either and was a shitty student on the whole, but a good test taker. PE test was so easy that i finished the first half an hour early and the second half 90 minutes early.
having a PE means nothing from what i've seen in my day to day job. i supervise a handful of folks in my office and PE, MS, PhD, etc --- none of those matter.