Ultimate FE Civil Exam Study Guide

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Civil Exam is a critical step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer. Aspiring civil engineers need to pass this exam to prove their competency and gain entry into the engineering profession.

In this article, we will help you develop a study guide for the FE Civil exam that will streamline your study efforts and increase your chances of passing the exam on the first try. Whether you are a recent graduate or a practicing engineer looking to earn your license, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Exam Overview
• Registration & Eligibility
• Preparing for the FE Exam
• Exam Day Tips
• Results and Scoring

FE Civil Exam Overview

Preparing for the FE Civil Exam can be an overwhelming task, especially for those who are new to the field. There is a lot of information to absorb and you may have limited time to study, which is why it’s a good idea to start off your exam prep by gaining an understanding of the exam before developing a study plan.

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Exam Format & Structure

The FE Civil Exam is a computer-based test administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions and is split into two sessions, each lasting four hours. The morning session covers general engineering topics, while the afternoon session covers more specific civil engineering topics.

Curriculum Topics 

The FE Civil Exam is divided into several curriculum topics, which cover different aspects of civil engineering. Each topic has a unique amount of questions and subtopics to study.

Exam Dates & Deadlines

The FE Exam is not administered on Sundays or major holidays. Besides that, there are no specific exam dates or deadlines for taking the FE Civil Exam. You will be able to choose a date and time that works best for your schedule at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers.

Pass Rates

The pass rates for the FE Civil Exam can vary from year to year, and really depend on how well each year's candidates prepared for the exam. The current pass rate for the FE Civil Exam is 55%. This represents candidates who were first-time exam takers, attended an EAC/ABET-accredited engineering program, and took the FE exam within 12 months of graduation.

Registering for the FE Civil Exam

To register for the FE Civil Exam, you need to create an account on the NCEES website and submit your registration and payment. You'll also need to provide documentation of your eligibility. The fee for the exam varies depending on your location but is typically around $175. Once you've registered and paid, you can schedule your testing appointment through the Pearson VUE website.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to take the FE Civil Exam, most states will want you to be a graduate or senior in an ABET-accredited engineering program or have completed a post-secondary engineering program that has been evaluated and found to be equivalent to an ABET-accredited program. You can check the NCEES website for a list of approved programs.

How to Know You Are Ready To Register

There are two main factors to consider when deciding if you should register for the FE Civil Exam now or later. Have you prepared adequately for the exam and been scoring above 70% on your FE civil practice exams? If so, you are probably ready to register for the exam. 

If you haven’t prepared at all for the exam yet, set a study plan first so you have enough time to cover all the material. You’ll want to take a few practice tests to gauge how well you have learned the material before scheduling your exam date. Remember you can schedule to sit for the exam most days so there is no rush. 

How to Prepare for the FE Civil Exam

Preparing for the FE Civil Exam requires you to acquire knowledge of the exam curriculum, take practice exams and learn strategies to help you increase your chances of success on test day. 

Develop Your Study Plan

Step one of preparing for the FE Civil Exam should be to develop your study plan. It’s recommended that candidates spend 12-14 weeks preparing for the exam so make sure you give yourself enough time to cover each syllabus topic and take a few practice tests to gauge your progress. Each week, candidates should try to commit at least 12 to 14 hours to studying for the FE Civil exam. That's about 3 hours each day for the entire 3-4 months you are preparing.

Incorporate NCEES FE Civil Reference Handbook Into Your Study Plan

NCEES offers all candidates a FE Civil Reference Handbook to use as a free study resource. Carve out a week in your study plan to review this handbook because it contains important information about taking an NCEES Exam.  

Utilize A Study Bundle

FE Civil Exam Prep Bundles are engineered to make sure you have everything you need to pass. You’ll have options to take Live Online courses, OnDemand courses, or study at your own pace with PPI Learning Hub. Look for bundles that contain extras such as diagnostic exams, Qbanks, and access to expert instructors.  

Take Practice Tests

Taking practice exams is a valuable way to prepare for the FE Civil Exam and can help you increase your chances of success on test day. Practice tests will help you get familiar with the format and structure of the actual exam. They will also get a sense of the types of questions you’ll encounter and identify any topic areas for improvement you may need. 

Practice tests can also help you develop test-taking strategies like learning how to eliminate incorrect answers and pacing yourself within the allotted time. 

Practice Time Management

Time management is an important skill to practice for the FE Civil Exam. By practicing these time management strategies you can become more comfortable with the pacing and structure of the FE Civil Exam.

Setting Realistic Goals

Before you begin studying, set attainable goals for what you want to achieve in each study session. This will help you stay focused and motivated and give you an idea of how much you can realistically achieve in one study session.

Use a Timer

Using a timer can help you simulate test conditions and give you a sense of how long it is taking you to complete each question or exam section. 

Prioritize Your Time

Use a diagnostic exam to figure out your strengths and weaknesses and then prioritize your time based on the areas you need the most help with. Finding out this information early on in your study schedule will help you stay on track and avoid wasting time

Test Your Knowledge of Civil Engineering With A Free PE Civil Exam Quiz

Take Breaks

Taking breaks is crucial when developing time management skills because you need to give your brain a chance to rest and recharge. Each person is different so figure out what works best for you and then stick to it.

Learn Your Calculator

You will need to use a calculator when taking the FE Civil Exam so it’s important to be familiar with the basic keys and functions of the approved calculators. 

Calculator Functions for the FE Civil Exam

• Trigonometric functions such as sine, cosine, and tangent
• Exponents and logarithms
• Matrices 
• Unit conversions

Approved Calculator Models for the FE Civil Exam

• Texas Instruments: All TI-30X and TI-36X models (Any Texas Instruments calculator must have “TI-30X” or “TI-36X” in its model name.)
• Casio: All fx-115 and fx-991 models (Any Casio calculator must have “fx-115” or “fx-991” in its model name.)
• Hewlett Packard: The HP 33s and HP 35s models only.

Test Day: Taking The FE Civil Exam

Undoubtedly test day will be a long day for you but we developed an entire NCEES FE Exam test day guide to help you be successful and prepared on exam day. 

Pearson VUE testing centers have strict rules and procedures that you must follow but in general remember to bring your proper identification, an approved calculator, and your appointment confirmation letter just in case. The testing center may also provide you with some materials like tissues and writing materials but it’s best to use a FE Civil Exam test day checklist to make sure you are prepared. 

FE Civil Exam Results and Scoring

To pass the FE Civil Exam, you must achieve a scaled score of at least 70 out of 100. The exam is scored using a process called equating, which ensures that the scores are comparable across different exam administrations.

When To Expect Your Results?

The length of time it will take for you to receive your FE Civil Exam score can vary based on your testing date and location but generally, you can expect to receive your results within 7-10 days of completing the exam. 

You’ll receive an email notification when your results are available in your MyCEES Account. In your account, you’ll receive a pass notification and a breakdown of your performance by topic area. If you do not pass the exam, you’ll receive a diagnostic report that highlights the areas where you need improvement. 

Retaking The FE Civil Exam

If you do not pass the FE Civil Exam, you’ll need to wait at least 16 days before retaking the exam. Take this time to closely review your diagnostic report and potentially give yourself more than 16 days to prepare for your next sitting. 

When retaking the FE Civil exam you may need to pay another exam fee. Some states may offer a waiver or other type of financial assistance so it’s best to check with your state’s policies.   

Ready To Start Preparing For The FE Civil Exam?

Passing the FE Civil Exam requires careful preparation, dedication, and hard work. By starting early, and signing up for a PPI Prep Course you’ll get everything you need to pass your FE Civil Exam.