FE Exam

So you want to pursue a professional license in engineering. The professional license is awarded after passing the fundamentals of engineering exam commonly referred to as FE exam (but you already know that if you are here). The exam is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).  However, their are some requirements that should be met in order for you to register for an FE exam which vary from one state to the other. Therefore, the first step for an applicant is to apply to the state licensing board which will determine whether you have met all the requirements to register for the FE exam. After you have been declared eligible, the second step is to register for the exam.  The exam is not easy but is not that difficult if the correct strategy of preparation and tackling each question is adhered to. This article will guide you on the various tips of passing the FE exam which many people have found useful in both preparation for the exam.

The exam is a pen and paper exam which is administered in two sessions and on the same day.  There is definitely a huge strategy that you should use with this one day set up.  It is all about what you already know.  Get that out of the way first, and save the exam you are weakest at for the afternoon.

Obviously this has been developed by engineers. Therefore, the first step should be reviewing all necessary materials from previous classes and training. You will need to know and recall this information easily. The net thing you should do is take a different approach to the exam that is totally different from the old “college” way. Studying the week before this exam will not help you much in this case. You should take a planned out methodical approach if you want to successfully pass this exam. Additionally, the step that is missed by most is the most obvious, to go through the reference book for the exam found on the NCEES website.

The exam is better taken immediately after completing school; otherwise, it will be prudent for you to take a review course before taking the exam. The absolute best secret is locating other people who have signed up for the exam and form study groups where you will be meeting for group discussions. Comparing notes and working through sample problems will definitely get you the best prepared for the exam. Try to work out a schedule that would be best for everyone to meet together and continue to dive into your reference material.

We all don’t live in a perfect world.  While it would be best to meet with others sometimes this is just not physically possible.  Also, it is best to take this as soon as you meet the requirements, but that is not possible for some people as well.  Not everyone will take the same path, but you can reach your goals.  It may take more time and effort but you can do this and it is very achievable.

The first item you will need to tackle is your reference material.  This can make all the difference in reaching your goals.  All of that studying can be a waste of time if you are not using the collect referencing materials. The highly recommended referencing material is found in the on many different websites. There are even websites that will provide you with some free sample questions, but only a limited amount.

The next step is familiarizing yourself with the tools that you will be using during the examination. Failing to prepare is preparing for failure.  Before the exam make sure you get a good sleep for two days, this will give you a sober mind. Never never cram on the eve of the exam (but you won’t need to because you will be ready).

The exam date has arrived and you have being handed the paper, what do you do? The first thing is to remember to relax.  If you are stressed out you won’t remember anything.  Take a deep breath and complete one question at a time.  The exam is multi choice, and, therefore, with the hard work you have put in you won’t have to resort to some intelligent guessing. Just remember study and study hard and the FE exam will be a walk in the park.

Taking the Fundamentals of Engineering exam is the first step a young engineer must take in order to become a licensed professional. Earning professional licensure is imperative for a young engineer to advance his or her career as well as to ensure the safety of the public. The professional licensure process is slightly different in each state, but all processes follow the same general timeline. This timeline includes passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited college or university, working under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer for a specified period of time, and finally passing the Principles and Practices of Engineering exam.

Although the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, commonly abbreviated as FE, is only the first step toward licensure, passing the exam can also provide other opportunities for young engineers, including career advancement and better pay. The Fundamentals of Engineering exam is just what its name suggests – an evaluation of a young engineer’s grasp of the subjects crucial to the practice of engineering. Successful completion of the fe exam demonstrates understanding and ability to prospective employers and higher education administrators.

The exam is broken into two distinct sessions, the morning session and the afternoon section. During the morning session, test-takers are tested on the basic subjects learned when pursuing a theoretical engineering degree. These subjects include mathematics, probability and statistics, chemistry, computers, ethics, engineering economics, mechanics, strength of materials, material properties, fluid mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and thermodynamics. For the afternoon session, fe exam test-takers can elect to take another basic test similar to that taken in the morning, or a test suited to their engineering specialty. Specialties include civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, environmental, and industrial engineering.

In order to succeed, potential test takers should first take a diagnostic exam to assess their strengths and weaknesses among the subjects on the exam. After this initial assessment, individuals should focus the bulk of their study time on those areas in which they performed poorly on the diagnostic exam. Many study aids are available from a variety of sources, including the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The NCEES administers the exam and provides a reference book for use on exam day. This handbook is available for download prior to exam day on the NCEES website. The handbook includes relevant equations for each of the subjects tested, including those for each discipline of engineering. Familiarity with the sections of this book prior to exam day is a key to success.

While preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam is a long process, it is a worthwhile pursuit that ultimately prepares young engineers for a promising and successful career.