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The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a big hurdle that all aspiring engineers must clear before following their path to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). As a recent college graduate with a degree in electrical engineering, I knew that passing the FE exam was an important step in advancing my engineering career. However, I was quite anxious heading into the months leading up to the test, being familiar with its notoriety and knowing the exam covers such a broad range of engineering topics. In this blog post, I’ll discuss my experience preparing for and taking the FE exam on the first attempt during my senior year of college.
Timing of the FE Exam
I decided to take the FE exam during the fall semester of my senior year. This timing worked well because I had completed almost all of my major-related engineering courses at that point. The FE exam tests your knowledge of core engineering principles from the first three years of an engineering degree, so it’s best to take it as late in your college career as possible.
I also wanted to get the exam done before my final semester when I knew I’d be busy with senior design projects and job applications. Taking the test in junior year is also an option, but you run the risk of forgetting some of the material by graduation. Ultimately, the fall of senior year was the sweet spot for me to take the exam.
My Three-Month FE Exam Study Plan
Once I decided on when I wanted to take on the FE, I needed to develop a proper study plan. The exam covers dozens of subjects, so I knew I couldn’t delay preparing until the last minute and just cram. I committed to studying for the FE exam over a three-month period: August, September, and October. The exam was scheduled for late October, so this gave me enough time to methodically cover each topic without feeling rushed.
I chose to study one subject area per week over the three months. The FE Reference Handbook provided by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) was instrumental in guiding the topics to focus on each week. I made a 12-week calendar and penciled in the subjects I planned to cover each week, such as mathematics, statics, dynamics, fluids, and materials science.
Study Materials
To fully prepare for the breadth of topics covered on the FE exam, I used several study resources:
- NCEES FE Reference Handbook - This is the official reference document provided during the actual exam. Studying it was key to understanding the equations, constants, and formulas needed to solve problems. I read through it multiple times and got very familiar with navigating it.
- NCEES Practice Exam - This full-length practice test from the exam creators was invaluable. It gave me experience applying concepts under timed conditions, and I could review solutions afterward. I took it twice during my prep.
- School of PE Review Course - About two months before the exam, I enrolled in an FE exam prep course online. The structured curriculum and study schedule kept me on track. Access to instructors and practice problems was also hugely helpful.
Starting with Stronger Topics First
I strategically scheduled the review topics in my calendar to begin with the ones I felt most confident about. For me, this included engineering economics, mathematics, and ethics. Beginning with my stronger areas helped build momentum and confidence for tackling trickier topics later on. During the first month, I supplemented my review with practice problems and sample FE exam questions in each corresponding weekly topic.
By September, I was ready to jump into studying subjects I had not taken courses on for over two years, such as dynamics, circuits, and Thermodynamics. To re-learn concepts and formulas in these rustier subjects, I needed to spend more time reviewing my old textbooks and notes. I also watched online video courses for topics like electrical circuits to see the concepts applied visually.
The final month involved intense practice sessions, taking mock FE exams under timed conditions. I attempted to simulate the actual testing environment by using an approved calculator and taking full 6-hour practice exams. Doing this helped me pinpoint any remaining weak areas to brush up on and ensured I had endurance for the real 6-hour test.
Reflecting on the FE Exam Experience
Walking out of the FE exam, I was overwhelmed with relief that the long prep period was over but uneasy about how I performed after answering 110 questions in just 6 hours. Some sections felt straightforward, particularly the math and ethics problems that I studied first. However, questions on Engineering Economics, and Power required me to make some educated guesses after drawing a blank.
Overall, I was confident I put in the work required to pass based on diligently following my 3-month study plan. I could not have absorbed such a vast amount of engineering knowledge in a hurried couple of weeks of cramming. When I received my results several weeks later, I was thrilled and relieved to see I passed the FE exam on my first try!
Key Takeaways from my FE Exam Journey
Preparing for and passing the FE exam was a major milestone in my engineering education and career. Here are some key lessons I learned along the way:
- Start preparing at least 3 months in advance and establish a study schedule. You’ll retain material better with an organized plan versus cramming.
- Use the FE Reference Handbook to guide which topics to focus on each week. Check them off as you review.
- Begin reviewing the subjects you feel most confident about to build momentum. Save the tougher topics for when you have more preparation under your belt.
- Solve practice exam questions for each topic, even ones you know well. This helps you apply concepts and gets you comfortable answering questions under time constraints.
- Take full-length practice tests in one sitting to simulate exam conditions. Use an approved calculator and timer to make it feel authentic.
- Trust in your preparation come test day. You’ve put in the hours studying and have earned the right to be confident!
Conclusion
Earning my passing score on the FE exam was a testament to the methodical preparation and perseverance which I had developed and adhered to. I’m proud that I took ownership over my study plan and saw it through. Passing this challenging exam was a huge confidence boost as I moved forward in my engineering career. The FE exam will always stand out as a pivotal learning experience in my development as an engineer.
I passed my exam with School of PE—and you can too! They have helped tens of thousands of engineers earn licensure and advance their careers, and are ready to help you next! Check out their course options today!
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