Advice for those studying for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

Even if you have been out of school for a few years, don’t be nervous.  The exam has actually gotten more user-friendly in 2014.  NCEES has shortened it to 6 hours and is administering it on computer.  Also, it is focused more on your discipline, without the general section that the previous version required.

1)      Download the specifications from ncees.org/exams/fe-exam.  These guidelines tell you which topics you will see and what portion of the test they will comprise.

2)      Prioritize topics based on your weakest to strongest.  For example, I never took Materials but my graduate work was in Chemistry, so materials was in my top 3 and chemistry rated much lower.  This rating system will tell you where you should start studying first. If math is high on the list, then begin with a calculus book because other engineering subjects require a working knowledge.

3)      Know your schedule.  How much time do you have before the exam?  Divide up your days and assign subjects in order.  The time you allocate to each should be proportional to its fraction of the test.  Meaning, although ethics are important to have, they are not featured in many problems, and so don’t deserve as much study time. Don’t forget to give yourself time off at least once a week!  You’ll do better if you’re more relaxed.  How long do you actually need?  After studying for 14 months, I was going cross-eyed, and had actually forgotten many details from my first topic (Thermodynamics) by the day of the test.  For me, a 90-day regimen would have been more appropriate.  You may need more or less time depending on how much you still remember.

4)      Work problems, work problems, work problems.  This advice was repeated on every message board and book I saw, and really was the most helpful.  I found problems in my old textbooks, the 2014 Kaplan FE Environmental Engineering review manual, khanacademy.org, Introduction to Environmental Engineering by Davis and Cornwell, and on college sites where professors were kind enough to post old problems.  Note which equations and conversions come up the most frequently and be comfortable with them.  This will save you crucial seconds during the exam.  However, don’t worry about “trick questions.”  The problems are designed to see if you have a general understanding, not to trip you up.

5)      Master your tools.  Use only the calculators allowed in the testing room during your practice.  Read the manual to see what functions they have.  (You don’t want to waste time multiplying matrices by hand.)  Get to know the Supplied-Reference Handbook, because sometimes formulas you need are listed under a different discipline.  Consider your mind the most important tool, and pay attention to which breakfast keeps it sharpest.  Personally, I’m fueled by peanut butter and banana bagels.

I hope this helps you pass, and let me know if you find other techniques that aid you.