About the NCEES FE Exam

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam is a critical first step toward becoming a Professional Engineer (PE). Administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), this comprehensive, computer-based test evaluates your understanding of core engineering principles across various disciplines, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. Passing the FE exam earns you the designation of Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Engineering Intern (EI)–a key milestone on your journey to licensure. 

Most candidates take the FE exam in their final year of an accredited undergraduate engineering program or shortly after graduation to leverage their recent coursework. We strongly recommend taking the exam as soon as you’re eligible, as early completion helps you stay on track with the required work experience needed to sit for the PE exam. 

To register, you’ll need to create a MyNCEES account and review the NCEES Examinee Guide. Taking this exam is an essential step toward securing your future as a licensed professional engineer. 

How important is the FE exam?

The FE exam is a critical milestone for aspiring engineers, offering significant advantages regardless of your career path. After graduation, you may consider options like internships, postgraduate education, or entering the workforce. Regardless of your decision, passing the FE exam demonstrates your comprehensive engineering knowledge, dedication to the profession, and commitment to advancing in your field–all of which set you apart from other candidates in competitive job or academic markets.

Even if you’re uncertain about pursuing your PE license in the future, taking the FE exam keeps that option open. Many past examinees have expressed gratitude for completing the FE exam early, even when their career plans were unclear. By taking the exam as soon as possible, you position yourself for greater career flexibility and opportunities down the line.

In short, the FE exam is an investment in your engineering future. It’s a valuable credential that benefits your career, showcases your skills to potential employers or graduate schools, and ensures you’re prepared for the next steps toward professional licensure.

Thinking about taking the FE exam? Download the Preparing for the FE Exam eBook. 

Is the FE exam hard?

Many test takers wonder: how hard is the FE exam? While the answer is subjective, many students find it more challenging than anticipated. Some students report feeling they didn’t have enough time, potentially due to a lack of preparedness. Fortunately, by understanding key topics and preparing thoroughly, you can avoid struggling on exam day. Here’s what to keep in mind as you prepare:

• Thorough Preparation is Key: Success on the FE exam requires a solid review of all relevant topics. Utilizing comprehensive FE exam prep materials will ensure you’re ready to tackle even the most challenging questions. 
• Logical Distractors: The exam often includes answer choices that reflect common mistakes. For instance, if you forget to convert a pipe diameter from millimeters to meters, an answer that’s off by a factor of 1000 may appear as a tempting but incorrect option.
• Idealized Scenarios: Many questions focus on ideal or simplified cases, explicitly stating conditions like “Assume an ideal gas,” “Disregard the effects of air frictions,” or “The steam expansion is isentropic.” This removes the need for practical assumptions, ensuring the focus is on theoretical problem-solving.
• No Experiential Knowledge Needed: The exam doesn’t rely on real-world experience or assumptions. If a value like motor efficiency is required, it will be provided in the question statement, ensuring all candidates have the same starting point. 

FE exam topics and key areas of focus

The FE exam covers a wide range of engineering disciplines and principles. To help you prepare effectively, here’s an overview of the major topics you’ll encounter, along with insights into their importance:

• Topic I - Mathematics: Covers fundamental concepts such as algebra, calculus, and differential equations essential for solving engineering problems.
• Topic II - Probability and Statistics: Focuses on data analysis, probability distributions, and statistics inference used in engineering applications.
• Topic III - Fluid Mechanics: Examines the behavior of fluids in motion or at rest, critical for understanding hydraulics and environmental systems.
• Topic IV - Hydraulics and Hydrologic Systems: Includes topics like pipe flow, open channel flow, and watershed management for designing water systems.
• Topic V - Environmental Engineering: Covers environmental sustainability, water treatment, and pollution control in engineering projects.
• Topic VI - Geotechnical Engineering: Focuses on soil mechanics, foundation design, and earth structures.
• Topic VII - Statics: Examines forces of equilibrium, an essential foundation for understanding structural and mechanical systems.
• Topic VIII - Dynamics: Covers motion and forces, including kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies.
• Topic IX - Mechanics of Materials: Explores stress, strain, and deformation in materials under various loading conditions. 
• Topic X - Materials: Includes properties, testing, and selection of construction and manufacturing materials. 
• Topic XI - Structural Design: Focuses on designing safe and efficient structures, including beams, columns, and frames. 
• Topic XII - Transportation and Surveying: Examines transportation systems, geometric design, and land surveying techniques.
• Topic XIII - Construction: Covers construction management, project scheduling, and cost estimation for engineering projects.
• Topic XIV - Computational Tools: Explores the use of software and programming in engineering analysis and problem-solving.
• Topic XV - Engineering Economics: Includes cost analysis, financial decision-making, and economic feasibility of engineering projects.
• Topic XVI - Ethics and Professional Practice: Focuses on professional responsibility, ethics, and legal aspects of engineering. 

FE exam format and structure

The FE exam is a discipline-specific test consisting of two sessions with approximately 55 questions each, totaling 110 questions. When preparing for the FE exam, it’s important to account for the scheduled six hours of exam time, which includes more than just the test itself. Here’s how the time is allocated:

• Nondisclosure Agreement and Tutorial: 8 minutes
• Exam Time: 5 hours and 20 minutes
• Scheduled Break: 25 minutes
• Post-Exam Survey: A brief questionnaire

The FE exam is administered on 24-inch computer screens, providing ample space to display the exam questions and the NCEES Reference Handbook side-by-side. This setup ensures that candidates can effectively navigate between questions and reference materials during the test. 

What is a good score on the FE exam?

A “good score” on the FE exam is one that meets or exceeds the passing threshold. The FE passing scores are based on the total number of questions answered correctly, without penalizing incorrect answers. To ensure fairness, scores are scaled after slight adjustments to raw results, accounting for variations in difficulty across different exam administrations.

While the exact passing score is not publicly disclosed, it is generally understood that answering approximately 50% of the questions correctly is sufficient to pass. This benchmark may vary slightly depending on the overall difficulty of the specific exam you take. 

Achieving a good score on the FE exam requires thorough preparation and a solid understanding of the topics outlined in the NCEES exam specifications. Focused study and practice with relevant materials will help you feel confident on exam day and increase your chances of success.

Current FE exam pass rates

The FE exam pass rates reflect how candidates perform across different engineering disciplines. As of 2024, here are the latest pass rates for first-time test-takers:

• FE Chemical: 73%
• FE Civil: 65%
• FE Electrical and Computer: 69%
• FE Environmental: 74%
• FE Industrial and Systems: 78%
• FE Mechanical: 72%
• FE Other Disciplines: 63%

These pass rates highlight the relative difficulty of each discipline, helping candidates gauge how well they might perform and prepare effectively for the FE exam. 

What reference material can I bring to the FE exam?

The FE exam is classified as a “limited-reference exam,” meaning you cannot bring any personal reference materials to the testing center. Instead, the NCEES provides a searchable, electronic version of the NCEES Reference Handbook for use during the exam. This handbook contains all the formulas, tables, and key information needed to solve exam questions.

To prepare effectively, familiarize yourself with the NCEES Reference Handbook before test day. Practicing with this resource during your FE exam test prep will help you quickly locate and apply the information during the exam, saving valuable time. 

By understanding and utilizing the NCEES-provided materials, you can focus on mastering the content and confidently tackle the exam without worrying about additional resources. 

Does the NCEES Handbook contain everything you need for the FE exam?

The NCEES Handbook is a vital resource for the FE exam, but it serves different purposes during the exam and while preparing for it. Here’s a breakdown:

During the Exam

• The NCEES Handbook provides all the reference material needed to solve exam questions.
• Questions are designed to align with the content in the Handbook. For example, if the Handbook only covers rectangular concrete columns, you won’t encounter questions about round columns. Similarly, if it includes the Rankine earth pressure theory, you won’t need to know the Coulomb earth pressure theory.
• By taking your preparation seriously, you can trust the Handbook to focus your efforts on what’s relevant for the exam. 

Preparing for the Exam

• The NCEES Handbook is not intended to be a study guide.
• It lacks background information, explanations, and detailed applications for many exam topics.
• Certain subtopics, such as contract law listed in the FE exam specifications, are not included in the Handbook. 
• To fully prepare, you’ll need additional resources or FE exam review courses to cover the necessary material and concepts.

In conclusion, the NCEES Handbook is an essential tool for the FE exam itself, but it must be supplemented with comprehensive preparation materials to ensure success. 

What is the requirement for looking up values in tables during the FE exam?

When solving questions on the FE exam, you must use the values provided in the NCEES Handbook for any lookups, including tables and reference materials. Here’s how it works:

• If a question requires a specific value, it must be sourced directly from the NCEES Handbook. For instance, while you might know the modulus of elasticity for steel is approximately 29 x 10⁶ psi for soft steel and 30 x 10⁶ psi for hard steel, the official Handbook value is listed as "29 Mpsi." This is the value you must use.
• In most cases, the exam question will provide all relevant values needed to solve it or explicitly direct you to reference the Handbook. This ensures consistency and avoids issues arising from ambiguous data. 
• Questions that test your ability to read a table or figure will make that purpose clear, but for general calculations, rely solely on the official values and methods outlined in the Handbook.

By following this approach, you can confidently navigate the exam without concern for discrepancies in reference values, as the NCEES Handbook is your definitive resource.

What calculators are allowed during the FE exam?

The NCEES has strict guidelines regarding calculator use during the FE exam to maintain the security and integrity of the test. Calculators with communication or text-editing capabilities are prohibited. This means popular models like the HP 48GX are prohibited, even if they’re your favorite.

To ensure a smooth testing experience, you must use one of the NCEES-approved calculators. It’s highly recommended to start using an approved model early in your FE exam preparation to familiarize yourself with its functions and features before test day. 

What units are used on the FE exam?

The FE exam primarily uses the SI (International System of Units), even for U.S.-based disciplines like the FE Civil exam. This aligns with global engineering standards and may differ from typical U.S. engineering practices. Here’s what to expect regarding units:

• SI Units dominate most of the exam, so it’s essential to become familiar with this system during your preparation if you aren’t already.
• U.S. Customary Units are primarily used in code-based structural engineering topics but are less common elsewhere on the exam.
• The NCEES Handbook presents dimensionally consistent equations, making it easier to apply SI units without confusion.
• For pound-based data provided in tables, some equations may require the inclusion of the gravitational constant to ensure dimensional consistency.

To excel on the FE exam, focus on mastering calculations and conversions in SI units, as they will form most of your problem-solving scenarios. Familiarity with the NCEES Reference Handbook will also help you navigate unit-specific questions efficiently. 

When will I know if I passed the FE exam?

You’ll receive an email notification from NCEES within 7-10 days after your exam, informing you that your results are ready to view in your MyNCEES account. This email will also include instructions for taking the next steps with your state licensing board if you pass. 

What happens if I don’t pass the FE exam?

If you don’t pass the FE exam, here’s what you can expect:

• Receive a Diagnostic Report: NCEES will provide you with a detailed diagnostic report that breaks down your performance by knowledge area. This report shows the percentage of questions you answered correctly in each section, helping you pinpoint topics that need more focus.
• Retake the Exam: NCEES allows you to retake the FE exam up to three times within 12 months, with only one attempt permitted per testing window. A testing window is defined as one of the four three-month periods during the year (e.g., January-March, April-June).
• Check State-Specific Policies: Some state licensing boards may have additional restrictions on how often you can retake the exam. Before scheduling a retake, confirm your state’s policies through your state licensing board or MyNCEES account. 

How to reschedule or cancel your FE exam

If you need to reschedule or cancel your FE exam appointment, you can do so easily through your MyNCEES account. Keep the following points in mind:

• Rescheduling or Cancelling: Log in to your MyNCEES account to make changes to your exam appointment.
• Refund Eligibility: Depending on how far in advance you make the change, you may qualify for a partial refund. Specific refund policies are outlined by NCEES, so check their guidelines to understand your options.

Planning and keeping track of important deadlines will ensure a smooth process if your schedule changes. Always review the official NCEES policies to avoid unexpected fees or forfeitures.

Ready to ace the FE exam?

Preparing for the FE exam can feel overwhelming, but the right tools and resources can set you on the path to success. Start your journey with the PPI Learning Hub, which offers four tailored review options to match your skill level and preparation needs. Additionally, you can explore even more detailed answers to key FE exam FAQs.

For an even more comprehensive approach, consider enrolling in a PPI prep course. These courses provide: 

• Expert instruction to focus on your unique areas of improvement.
• A structured study plan to keep you organized and on track.
• The confidence to face exam day fully prepared.

Don’t wait to take the first step toward achieving your goals. With the right preparation strategy, you’ll be ready to tackle the FE exam and move closer to earning your professional engineer license.