The FE Exam: When to Take It and How to Prepare

FE Exam

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam is the first step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). While not every engineering career requires a PE license, many industries: especially civil, power, utilities, transportation, consulting, and government, either require it or view it as a major advantage. Even if you're unsure whether you'll pursue your PE, passing the FE early keeps that door open and is much easier than trying to relearn everything years after graduation.

For most students, the best time to take the FE Exam is during your senior year or shortly after graduation. The material is still fresh from your coursework, and you'll likely spend far less time studying than if you wait several years into your career.

Before spending hundreds of dollars on a review course, take the official NCEES Practice Exam under realistic testing conditions. It's the best way to gauge where you stand. If you score around 50% or higher, you may only need to review your weak areas before scheduling the exam. If you score below 50%, it's probably worth investing in a structured review course to help fill in the gaps and keep your studying focused.

There are also excellent free resources available online. For FE Electrical, I recommend Zach Stone and Wasim Asghar. For FE Mechanical, Jeff Hanson is an outstanding free resource. For FE Civil, Mark Mattson has excellent review videos that many students have used successfully. Start with these free resources, identify your weak areas, and only invest in a paid course if you truly need the additional structure.

One final piece of advice: don't let fear stop you from taking the exam. Plenty of students convince themselves they're "not ready" and end up putting it off for years. Set a study schedule, take the practice exam, make a plan, and go for it. Your future self will thank you.

Recommended Resources

General Study Resources (All Disciplines)

• FE Reference Handbook
• My Favorite Approved Calculator For the FE Exam: Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro Engineering/Scientific Calculator

FE Electrical

• Study Guide for Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Electrical & Computer CBT Exam: Practice over 700 solved problems with detailed solutions based on NCEES® FE Reference Handbook Version 10.0.1

FE Mechanical

• PPI FE Mechanical Review Manual From the Trusted Expertise of Michael R Lindeburg PE

FE Civil

• PPI FE Civil Review From the Trusted Expertise of Michael R. Lindeburg

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