FE Civil Review Manual

Available in Print or eTextbook

Michael R. Lindeburg, PE’s FE Civil Review offers complete coverage of the NCEES Civil FE exam knowledge areas and the relevant elements—equations, figures, and tables—from the NCEES FE Reference Handbook. With concise explanations of thousands of equations, and hundreds of figures and tables, the FE Civil Review manual contains everything you need to successfully prepare for the FE Civil exam.

The FE Civil Review book organizes the Handbook elements logically, grouping related concepts that the Handbook has in disparate locations. All Handbook elements are featured in blue boxes for easy identification, familiarizing you with the only reference you will have on exam day. Equations, and their associated variations and values, are clearly presented. Descriptions are succinct and supported by exam-like example problems, with step-by-step solutions to reinforce the theory and application of fundamental concepts. Thousands of terms are indexed to facilitate cross-referencing. 

Book Features Include:

  • Complete coverage of all exam knowledge areas
  • Equations, figures, and tables of the NCEES FE Reference Handbook in blue boxes to familiarize you with the only reference you’ll have on exam day
  • Concise explanations supported by exam-like example problems, with step-by-step solutions to reinforce the theory and application of fundamental concepts

  • A robust index with thousands of terms to facilitate referencing

Civil Engineering Topics Covered:

  • Computational Tools
  • Construction
  • Dynamics
  • Engineering Economics
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Ethics and Professional Practice
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Hydraulics and Hydrologic Systems
  • Materials
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Statics
  • Structural Analysis
  • Structural Design
  • Surveying
  • Transportation Engineering
*eTextbook access benefits include:

  • One year of access
  • Ability to download the entire eTextbook to multiple devices, so you can study even without internet access
  • An auto sync feature across all your devices for a seamless experience on or offline
  • Unique study tools such as highlighting in six different colors to tailor your study experience
  • Features like read aloud for complete hands-free review

Sample PDFs

FE Civil Review
$149.00
PUB YEAR
2017
PAGE COUNT
732
FORMAT
Paperback and eTextbook
PRINT ISBN
9781591265290
PID# 580688

FAQs

The FE exam fee is $175. Some licensing boards also require you to file a separate application and pay an application fee to sit for your exam. Reasonable accommodations are available for examinees who meet certain eligibility criteria and accurately document their requests.

Bring proper identification (a government-issued ID, military ID, or passport) with you on exam day. The NCEES also recommends bringing a copy of your appointment confirmation letter to speed up the check-in process. You can take one NCEES-approved calculator, eyeglasses, a sweater or jacket, and anything else on the Comfort Aid List into the exam room as well.

You can take the FE exam once per three-month testing window and a maximum of three times per year.
The FE exam is offered year-round in four testing windows: January–March, April–June, July–September, and October–December.

Yes. The FE exam consists of 110 computer-based, multiple-choice questions.

The average pass rate for first-time FE examinees is 68.3% across all disciplines. The FE Environmental exam has the highest first-time pass rate at 76%, while FE Other Disciplines has the lowest at 60%.
We use a process called continuous improvement to ensure our materials are always up-to-date with the latest exam specifications and handbook references. We are constantly reviewing and our revising our materials, and when a new handbook or new specifications come out, we specifically revise content related to that update. 
Our exam practice questions are exam-like, which means they reference the appropriate NCEES Handbook, they are a similar length to the real exam, and they use multiple-choice questions like the exam. Some questions may be a little easier or a little harder than the actual exam, but they are all designed to bring you success on exam day.

There are a few ways to begin your FE prep depending on time available, content knowledge, and more—but these six steps will put you on a path for success no matter where you stand.

  1. Get the NCEES FE Reference Handbook, and use it alongside your FE Review Manual.
  2. Determine which knowledge areas you need more help with through your FE Review Manual’s diagnostic exams.
  3. Make a schedule before beginning to ensure you can cover all of the exam topics.
  4. Work through every exam subject—skipping your weaker subjects won’t prepare you for success.
  5. Be thorough. Don’t skip over any problems, solutions, or necessary reference materials.
  6. Complete as many practice problems as possible. Fast recall will be critical on the FE exam and developing an instinct for how problems look will help you succeed.

The current FE exam pass rates as of January 2022 are:

  • FE Chemical: 73%
  • FE Civil: 62%
  • FE Electrical and Computer: 73%
  • FE Environmental: 70%
  • FE Industrial: 62%
  • FE Mechanical: 71%
  • FE Other Disciplines: 65%
The FE exam includes 110 questions. The exam appointment time is 6 hours and includes:
  • Nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes)
  • Tutorial (8 minutes)
  • Exam (5 hours and 20 minutes)
  • Scheduled break (25 minutes)
The FE exam is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This national nonprofit organization requires all potential examinees to read the NCEES Examinee Guide before registering for the exam. As of January 2016, FE exams are administered year-round.

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!"