One of the hurdles to passing engineering exams like the FE<\/a> and the PE<\/a> exam is that the NCEES doesn\u2019t give an exact number needed to pass. Not knowing what you\u2019re aiming for makes the FE exam more difficult, as do the topics that the FE exam covers. Because of this, it\u2019s important to know as much as possible about the test.<\/p> Below, I\u2019ve outlined different factors contributing to the FE exam\u2019s difficulty, focusing on various disciplines, preparation strategies, and resources.<\/p> Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> The FE exam, administered by NCEES, covers all of the fundamental engineering topics. It is a computer-based test (CBT) offered in seven disciplines, including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical\/computer engineering. The exam is usually taken directly after the final year of an engineering degree.<\/p> “The FE is really easy right out of school. That’s by far the best time to take it vs years later like I did. Knock it out now when the amount of prep you’ll need to do is minimal.”<\/em><\/p>u\/Emfuser<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> The FE Civil exam is one of the most popular FE exams<\/a> due to the high number of civil engineering graduates. (Over 114,000<\/a> bachelor\u2019s degrees in engineering were awarded to students in 2020 alone, a chunk of those being civil.)<\/p> It covers a wide range of topics, including mathematics, probability and statistics, fluid mechanics, and structural analysis. Other disciplines have their own specific content areas, but all FE exams assess the candidate\u2019s understanding of fundamental engineering principles.<\/p> This engineering exam consists of 110 questions, including multiple-choice, point-and-click, drag-and-drop, and fill-in-the-blank questions. The exam duration is six hours, which includes a tutorial, a break, and a survey. Here’s the schedule:<\/p> There’s also a note on the NCEES website about “reasonable accommodations<\/a>.”<\/p> The difficulty of the FE exam varies depending on who’s taking it, their educational background, and their test-taking skills. However, the trend I’m seeing *a lot* is that former students strongly recommend the reference book, regardless of skill level. It includes all the engineering concepts that test takers need to have a solid understanding of for the FE test. <\/p> “I took the civil FE and it wasn\u2019t too hard. Like others have said, get acquainted with the reference book you\u2019ll have during the test. It\u2019s a searchable PDF, so it\u2019s pretty easy to find equations. Questions were along the lines of quiz or test questions in school, not real-world scope type problems. There were a couple of problems that I had no idea about, but if you can read context clues and make the units work with the values given, you should be fine. I did practice problems from this book for a week or two and passed first try.”<\/em><\/p>u\/ShesPinkyImTheBrain<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> The subjects covered in the FE exam require a serious and thorough review strategy. Here are some non-headache-inducing tips to help you manage:<\/p> \u201cI can\u2019t stress enough how important time management is; I gave myself 60% of the time for the second section, and I used every bit of it. And the test was most definitely not plug-and-chug for me, mainly conceptual problems that required a deep understanding of the topic and still had to be worked out. I went in feeling overprepared, but came out feeling underprepared.\u201d<\/em><\/p>u\/FunDIE_Fungi<\/a>.<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> As the comment above states, you have to get a good grasp of how you’re using your time. Here are some strategies to help you handle time pressure before\/on your test date:<\/p> \u201cThe new computer-based exam pulls questions from a ‘practice bank,\u2019 so I\u2019m hearing stories that the exam was easy, medium, or very hard. It all depends on the type of problems it pulls. There\u2019s no telling; sometimes it\u2019s just the luck of the draw. The old pencil and paper exam was at least engineered\u2014designed by humans.\u201d<\/em><\/p>u\/wendylivingston<\/em><\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> If the exam questions are truly “luck of the draw”, you’ll need a deep understanding of fundamental principles to guide you through them. Here\u2019s how you can achieve this:<\/p> On the fence about whether you should take the FE exam? If you’re wrapping up an engineering degree program or recently graduated, you’re in a great spot to start. Think about this:<\/p>
What is the FE Exam?<\/h2>
FE Civil Exam and Other Disciplines<\/h2>
Exam Format & Content<\/h3>
FE Exam Difficulty<\/h3>
Range of Topics (and FE Exam Preparation Tips)<\/h3>
Time Pressure<\/h3>
Depth of Knowledge<\/h3>
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<\/figure> Is the FE Exam Right for You? \ud83c\udf93\ud83e\udde0\ud83d\udcdd<\/h2>
2025 FE Exam Information<\/h2>