Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

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Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

• Robert A. Green, PE

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Overview

• Review Materials
• What to expect on the exam
• Strategies for taking the exam
• What if you fail

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How to Prepare for the FE

• Spend some time reviewing for the exam
• Study review books
• Attend review sessions
• Take the exam seriously

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Study Materials

• Sample questions, supplied reference book, and
  other material is available at www.ncees.org
• Most review books have a sample exam with
  solutions

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What to Expecton the FE Exam

• 8 Hours long
• AM and PM Sessions
• Multiple choice format
• Is a test of engineering fundamentals
• Given twice per year

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FE Exam Content
Morning Session 4 Hours, 120 Problems, 120
Points Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics,
Computers, Dynamics, Electrical Circuits,
Engineering Economics, Ethics, Fluid Mechanics,
Material Science/Structure of Matter, Mechanics
of Materials, Statics, Thermodynamics
Afternoon Session 4 Hours, 60 Problems, 120 Points
Chemical
Mechanical
Electrical
Industrial
Civil
General
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Morning Sessions Subjects
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Afternoon Session Subjects

• Discipline Specific
• Chemical
• Civil
• Industrial
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• General

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PM Exam Subjects

• All exams are contained in one exam book so you
  can preview each exam
• Is not necessarily linked to your major
• The General Session will be much like the morning
  session
• Must stay within a specific session once selected

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Strategies for Takingthe FE Exam

• Watch the clock, time limits are strictly
  enforced
• Average of 2 minutes/problem in the AM
• Average of 4 minutes/problem in the PM
• Attack the areas you know best, first
• Save difficult problems for last

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Strategies for Takingthe FE Exam

• Think before you start a problem
• Is there an easy way to work this?
• If you dont know the correct answer, eliminate
  some incorrect answers
• Are of these answers obviously wrong?
• Now, can you work backwards?

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Strategies for Takingthe FE Exam

• Make your best guess (may be your first guess)
  with a ? and come back to it
• Make notes and best guess before moving on to the
  next question
• Answer each question
• There is no penalty for an incorrect answer
• Your score is based on number of correct answers

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Handling Difficult Problems

• If you have no clue at all
• Make your best guess
• Circle the problem number (or identify it some
  other way) to indicate you have no clue
• Come back to these problems only if have more
  time
• Never leave a question unanswered

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Saving Time

• Write the letter of the correct answer in the
  margin on the test booklet
• At the end of the page, transcribe the answers to
  the answer sheet
• Do this one page at a time.
• Do not do this for the entire exam and then
  attempt to transfer the answers

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Units

• In the morning some problems are given in both SI
  and US units
• Work what you are most comfortable with
• Most afternoon exams will be SI only so be
  prepared
• Civil exam uses both sets of units for some topic
  areas

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Terminology

• Not everyone uses the same terminology
• Try to be familiar with other nomenclature
• Focus on the problem do you know it by another
  name?

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Reference Manual

• Be familiar with its organization
• Where are your most frequently used equations?
• What data will you use the most?
• Not necessarily a good idea to study by the
  reference manual

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Work Out Of Sequence

• Problems tend to be grouped in sections
• Work what you know best, first
• Save the most difficult for last
• If you dont know it, guess

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Write Out the Problem

• Work in the test booklet
• Solving problems in your head may not be the
  fastest way
• Make sure you record your answer on the answer
  sheetgraders do not look at your test booklet

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What If You Do Not Pass?

• Take it again
• Exam is offered twice a year
• Review and study for the next time
• No adverse information is placed on your record

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Exam Dates

• October 26, 2002
• October 25, 2003
• October 30, 2004

• April 12, 2003
• April 17, 2004
• April 16, 2005

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Day Before the Exam

• Get materials ready to go
• Get a good nights sleep
• Do not cram the night before or the morning of
  the exam
• Relax, be calm

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On Exam Day

• Arrive about 15 minutes early
• Do bring calculator and spare battery
• Do bring number 2 pencils (mechanical HB works)
• Do dress comfortably (layer)
• Do not bring scratch paper
• Do not bring reference book

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Exam Location

• The FE Exam will be given in Room 001 Swalm
  Engineering (Auditorium)
• There will not be much time for lunch
• May want to bring your lunch
• Bring snacks and drinks

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Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is a Passing Grade?
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Pass Rate for FE Exam

• Must score 70
• Diagnostics are applied
• Unfair problems are eliminated
• Possibility of multiple correct answers
• Score determined after bad problems are
  eliminated

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So, Just How Many People Do Pass?
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National Pass Rates (Oct 99)

• Chemical 89
• Civil 82
• Electrical 78
• Industrial 74
• Mechanical 86
• General 79

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Im not going to work in Mississippi when I
graduate, should I wait to take the exam in
another state?
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No!

• The FE is a national exam and your score can be
  reported to any state in which you wish to become
  registered. Not taking the exam now will only
  make it more difficult for you in the future.

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When Will I Find Out If I Passed?
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It Depends

• All exams are graded by ACT on a first-arrived,
  first-graded basis.
• Results are reported to the State Boards and the
  Boards notifies the examinees
• It could be 6 to 10 weeks
• You will know in time to take the exam again if
  you did not pass

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Who Should Contact If I Have Questions?
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Points of Contact

• Robert A. Green, P.E.
• Undergraduate Coordinator
• Dean of Engineering
• 160 McCain Engineering
• 325-2267
• green_at_engr.msstate.edu

• MS State Board of Registration for Professional
  Engineers and Land Surveyors
• P O Box 3
• Jackson, MS 39205
• 601-359-6160
• www.pepls.state.ms.us

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Keep Up to Date

• Specifics may change regarding the exam location,
  review sessions, and other matters so make a
  habit of checking the web site every day or two.
• www.engr.msstate.edu/fe_exam/fe.asp

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Your Questions?