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FAQs

The passing score varies, but we recommend aiming for at least 70% on exam day.

Based on PPI’s experience as exam prep providers, we have found that students typically need to score about 50-60% correct on exam day in order to pass. However, we highly encourage students to aim for at least 70% correct to maintain a comfortable passing buffer. 

All of PPI’s online products encourage you to aim for a 70% pass rate to keep you on track during your studies and best prepare you for exam day. We offer quizzes in which you can compare how you are doing against the 70% rate.

The FE CBT exam is closed-book aside from the NCEES FE Reference Handbook which is provided to you on-screen during the exam. You cannot bring any outside resources into the exam. Because of this, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the NCEES handbook before exam day. 

PPI’s Learning Hub allows you to upload your own copy of the NCEES Handbook PDF when you take quizzes and practice exams on the left of the screen to mimic what it will look like on exam day.

The exam is made up of multiple choice questions, as well as AIT’s, or alternative item types. AIT’s can include but are not limited to: multiple correct, point and click, drag and drop, and fill in the blank.

The FE Civil exam covers the following topics:

Mathematics and Statistics
Ethics and Professional Practice
Engineering Economics
Statics
Dynamics
Mechanics of Materials
Materials
Fluid Mechanics
Surveying
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
Structural Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Transportation Engineering
Construction Engineering

Each topic has a range for the number of questions it will have on the exam. Therefore, it is highly recommended to tailor your studies to the weight of each topic. PPI’s study plans in the PPI Learning Hub do this for you automatically. We schedule out your studies to spend more time on topics that are more heavily covered on the exam.

When you click on a topic in the study plan that you wish to review within the PPI Learning Hub, you are brought to that chapter in the review manual and practice problems web book so that you can tailor your review easily to the topics you need more information or practice on. Additionally, in the quiz generator you can filter on which topics you want to receive questions about.

For more information on specifications for the exams that went into effect July 1, 2020, please view this PDF on the NCEES website.
The NCEES FE Exam is a 6-hour-long, computer-based exam given over two consecutive sessions separated by a break. There are 110 questions total, split evenly between the two sessions. Questions will be multiple choice or AITs (Alternative Item Types). Questions with the same exam-specified knowledge area may not be grouped together, but no knowledge area will span both sessions.  

You will have to register to take the exam beforehand on the NCEES website at NCEES.org. NCEES partners with Pearson VUE to administer their exams at their test centers. You may have to travel a long distance away from where you live to arrive at the closest one to you. In that case, it is recommended you get a hotel nearby. It is also highly recommended that you visit the testing center before exam day to ensure that day goes smoothly.

The exam includes a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, a 25-minute break between the two sessions, and a brief survey at the conclusion of the exam. You will have 5 hours and 20 minutes to actually answer the questions, working out to approximately 3 minutes per question. You may work through the problems in any sequence, and may return to questions within the same session. Once the session is submitted, you will not be able to return to those questions.

PPI’s FE Learning Hub is designed to mimic the exam-day experience and prepare you for the computer-based test format, so we recommend utilizing that resource before your exam day.

For more information about what to expect, see this article from our Resource Center.

What Our Customers Say

Sharker
"Good material and review, especially if you have been out of college for some time and forgot most of the subjects. This course covers the whole exam very well."
FE Customer
“The instructor was so helpful and professional, not to mention very patient with us all. I cannot thank the folks at PPI enough! They have been very helpful throughout the entire process, even before the course began. Thank you!"
Kevin
“After researching several study courses, I decided to enroll in the PPI review course for the FE. I chose it primarily for the schedule. It was flexible enough to allow me to study AND still have time for my wife and two young kids...not to mention working full time. I took the FE immediately following the course and PASSED!”
FE Customer
“I consider this an investment in my future, and I feel it has made a difference in my ability to pass the exam. If you take the time to do the homework, look at the course material, and ask questions during the class, the expense is worth it. I am confident it gave me a leg up towards passing the exam!"
DD
"As an engineer who has been out of school for awhile, this review course gave me direction and assistance in my studying. I would recommend it to anyone who needs to remember how to study again. The expectation of having to complete the assignments and quizzes got me back in the rhythm of studying, which was fantastic."
Roger
"Amazing instructor! Patient, knowledgeable, professional. My instructor not only provided us with the technical knowledge, but he also gave us test taking tips, told us the latest updates on how the test will be structured, and gave us a lot of encouragement. Solid study schedule. Really helpful lecture slides. Excellent review course!"
FE Customer
“The Live Course, with instructor and student interaction, makes it easier to be attentive to getting the homework done and working through the entire review. I cannot imagine attempting the exam with any less of a review/preparation than this course.
Peter
"As an engineer with a 30-year hiatus between undergraduate degree and taking the exam, I found the course to be a great review and overview of all the necessary engineering concepts and an excellent preparation for the FE Exam.”
Stan
"This course was well worth it. Be prepared to work hard and do your homework! The instructor was passionate about delivering quality course material and exam tips. Well worth the time and money!"
FE Mechanical Customer
"The lessons we went through in class were representative of what was on the FE exam. If anything, some of the sample problems in the lessons were a bit more involved than what was on the actual exam. This better prepared me to solve the problems."
Anthony
"I enjoyed the class and lectures and found them to be very informative and helpful in reviewing everything I learned in college. I am sure the other students in the class are well prepared as well after completing the online review course."
Joshua
"This course did a very good job helping me prepare for the FE exam. You are provided with all the tools necessary to pass the exam, and the instructor is very knowledgeable about the material, as well as exam-taking strategies."
Adrian
"This review course helped me prepare for (and pass) the FE in ways that I would not have been able to do by studying on my own. The online lectures, taught by a knowledgeable instructor, coupled with homework and quizzes, cover all subjects seen on the exam. I would recommend this course to anyone who is serious about passing the FE. In fact, I plan on taking the PE Online Review Course."
Mike
"The FE review course was very helpful, and the instructor did a great job explaining the course material. I would highly recommend taking this course for anyone who will be taking the FE exam."
Scott
"The material provided with this course was very helpful and a great way to practice for the exam. Tough homework problems drill the concepts and how to use equations. I passed the test the first time after being out of school for 4 years."
Kersen
"This course was extremely helpful to prepare for the FE exam and was a great refresher after graduating 10+ years ago. The combination of the reading materials, homework, quizzes, flashcards, handouts, office hours, and a very knowledgeable instructor really prepared me to know what to expect for the exam. I highly recommend this course."
FE Electrical Customer
“I passed right after taking this course! The course is set up to make you accountable for the homework and quizzes, and gives you the structure you need. Thanks PPI!"
Joey
"This course helped me tremendously! It’s hard for me to make and follow my own study schedule. The structure of the class was what I needed, and it was very beneficial to me. If you’ve been out of school for a few years, this is the course to take.”
Will
"The review course does an excellent job of providing many different problems for you to solve. Here's the catch: you still need to put in the effort and solve the problems. I don't normally like online format courses, but this one was better than most. The instructors are super responsive."
Phillip
"If you have been out of school for a couple of years, this course is extremely beneficial. It contains a comprehensive review of my undergraduate coursework, combined with suggested study schedules, that helped me tremendously. I utilized the quiz generator and practice exams extensively and have no doubt that they were instrumental to my preparation. I took the FE exam a month after the course and passed!"