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The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a pivotal milestone for any engineer or engineering student's career. Passing this exam is the first step to earning the Professional Engineer (PE) license, and it opens doors to enhanced career opportunities and higher earning potential. With so much riding on this one test, it's crucial to go into it fully prepared through diligent studying and review.
The week leading up to the FE exam is an anxious but exciting time. Ideally, you will have already put in months of hard work studying, and you can consider these final days as your last chance to brush up on concepts, work on your test-taking strategies, and get yourself into the right mindset. Structuring this critical week properly can give you the edge you need to pass. In this blog post, I'll share my tips on how to make the most of the week before the FE exam.
FE Exam Week Survival Guide
Get Organized
In the week before the FE exam, your study habits don’t need to kick into overdrive. In most cases, cramming everything in at the last-minute leads to stress and confusion. That's why staying organized is so important.
Make a study calendar that maps out which topics you'll review each day. Block out specific chunks of time for studying, breaks, meals, exercise, etc. Having a plan prevents you from wasting time figuring out what to do next. It also holds you accountable to ensure you don’t procrastinate.
Stock up on snacks, frozen meals, and anything else that will minimize chores and errands in your final week. Get all your FE exam supplies together in one place - calculator, pencils, passport, snacks, etc. Gather up all your FE study materials and notes and organize them by topic. The more structured you are, the easier it'll be to maximize your remaining prep time.
Review Key Topics
In your first pass through the FE exam content, you likely focused on understanding the main concepts and formulas. Now is the time to consolidate that knowledge. Go through each topic again with an eye for the types of problems and situations that are most likely to show up on the actual exam.
Make flashcards of must-know equations and definitions that you have struggled with. Work through practice problems without references to simulate exam conditions. Identify the topics you're shakiest on and spend extra time rehearsing those. The goal is to reinforce the key principles and relationships, so they become second nature.
Practice Memorizing Formulas
You won't get every formula memorized, but there are certain foundational ones you absolutely should know by heart. These include equations for dynamics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and mathematics. Committing them to memory will save you precious minutes flipping through your reference manual on test day.
Make flashcards for the essential formulas and drill yourself on them throughout the week. Come up with mnemonic devices and other tricks to aid recall. Recite the formulas aloud regularly to strengthen the pathways in your brain. By exam day, you want these critical equations to roll off your tongue on command.
Take Practice Exams
Full-length practice exams are your best gauge of FE exam readiness. Try to take at least two to three practice tests under simulated conditions during your final week of preparation. Grade yourself honestly to reveal lingering weak areas. Review the problems you got wrong in-depth to understand where your knowledge is lacking.
Taking practice exams also familiarizes you with the exam format, timing, and question styles. Build your test-taking endurance so you're prepared to power through the grueling 5-hour and 30-minute exam. Having exposure to the real thing boosts confidence on exam day when those first questions pop up on the screen.
Simulate Test Conditions
To get the most accurate results from practice tests, you need to recreate exam conditions as closely as possible. Take the practice test in a quiet room free of distractions. Time yourself rigorously, and don't go over the allotted time limit. Avoid referencing notes or textbooks except for the reference manual. Program your calculator fully before starting. Sitting at a desk or table for the length of the exam gets you used to the physical demands.
Mimicking the real testing environment prevents nasty surprises about the pace, pressure, or computer interface. It also engrains the mindset and stamina required on exam day. Think of each practice test as a dress rehearsal to get your mental game sharper.
Brush Up on Mathematics
Rusty math skills are one of the biggest pitfalls for FE exam takers. Math topics like algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus form the bedrock principles for solving engineering problems. Don't let careless mathematical mistakes trip you up.
Use your practice exams to identify where your math foundations need strengthening. Target those areas for extra review. Work through math problems without relying on calculators to sharpen your skills. Brush up on techniques for rearranging equations, handling exponents and radicals, graphing functions, and solving integrals. The faster you can handle the math portion, the more time you'll have for the complex engineering questions.
Review Weak Topics
After taking practice exams, analyze your wrong answers to reveal weak spots in your knowledge. Were there particular subjects or problem types that you consistently struggled with? Go back and thoroughly review those shaky topics.
Study the theory and work out plenty of practice problems to build mastery. Check textbook examples and YouTube videos to clarify concepts you're foggy on. Strengthening your weak areas can earn you more points on test day. Don't ignore identified deficiencies and hope they won't be on the exam. Shore up those gaps now before it's too late.
Learn Testing Strategies
Cracking the FE exam takes more than just content knowledge. You also need test-taking strategies tailored to this exam's unique format and constraints.
For multiple-choice questions, learn techniques like elimination and educated guessing. Brush up on strategies for solving word problems efficiently. Master time management strategies to pace yourself properly over the 5-hour and 30-minute endurance test.
On test day, you'll also need to navigate the computer interface confidently while managing anxiety. Getting familiar with the exam's logistics and psychological demands ensures they don't trip you up.
Maintain Physical and Mental Health
Don't neglect your physical and mental well-being amidst the exam stress. Lack of sleep, exercise, healthy food, and relaxation can nuke your focus, retention, and stamina. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself that crucial week:
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule, turning in early if needed. Being well-rested boosts productivity.
- Eat healthy brain foods like berries, nuts, whole grains, and fatty fish. Stay hydrated and limit caffeine.
- Exercise daily to reduce anxiety, elevate mood, and boost thinking. Aim for 30-60 minutes a day.
- Give your brain breaks by listening to music, going outside, or talking to friends. Don't burn yourself out.
- Reduce social media and TV to limit distractions and mental clutter.
- Turn to relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing to calm nerves.
- Get pep talks from loved ones to stay motivated.
- Trust your preparation. Having confidence in yourself will help you succeed.
Staying balanced physically and emotionally keeps you firing on all cylinders for the final exam push. Don't neglect self-care in pursuit of perfection.
Conclusion
Preparing for the FE exam is a months-long endeavor. However, how you spend the final week before the test can make or break your chances of success. Follow these tips to make sure you cross the finish line strongly:
Get hyper-organized to maximize study time. Drill essential formulas until they're second nature. Take mock exams under real conditions. Review deficient areas. Maintain fitness and reduce stress. With smart, focused preparation, you'll walk into that test center ready to conquer the FE exam.
One of the best ways to gain confidence for your FE exam is to take an exam review course. School of PE’s comprehensive courses combine structured lectures with exclusive study materials to bring you the best chance of success on your exam. Register for a course today!
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