If you aim to become a licensed engineer in the United States, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam is a must. In fact, any aspiring engineer will need to crack this exam to prove their competency and gain entry into the engineering profession.
Through this article, the ultimate aim is to help you develop a study guide for the FE civil exam that will streamline your study efforts and amplify your chances of passing the exam on the first try. Irrespective of whether you are a recent graduate or a practicing engineer scouring to earn your license, this guide is purposefully designed with the intent of equipping you with the requisite knowledge and tools required to succeed.
First of All, Let’s Talk About The Overview of The FE Civil Exam
Preparing for the FE Civil Exam might seem like a daunting task for some, especially those who are new to the field. There is a plethora of information to garner, and you may have limited time to study. This is why it is recommended to embark on exam prep by gaining an understanding of the exam before developing a study plan.
What’s The Exam Format And Structure?
When it comes to shedding light on the FE Civil Exam, it is fundamentally a computer-based test administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). There will be 110 questions that you will need to resolve, which are split into two sessions, each lasting four hours. Delving a bit deeper, the morning session covers general engineering topics, while the afternoon session will have more specific civil engineering topics.
Exam Dates And Deadlines
This piece of information is critical for you, especially if you are preparing for it: the FE Exam is not administered on Sundays or major holidays. Additionally, there are no specific dates or deadlines to take this exam. You are able to choose the date and time that will match your schedule at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers.
Pass Rates
If you are infatuated with knowing about the pass rates, you are covered. It is imperative to highlight here that it can vary from year to year. Simply put, it depends on how well each year’s candidates prepare for the exam.
Let’s have a quick look at the figures: the current pass rate for the FE Civil Exam stands at 55%.
How Do I Register For The FE Civil Exam?
To register for the FE Civil Exam, you need to first create an account on the NCEES website and submit your registration and payment. Plus, you will also be required to submit documentation of your eligibility. Once you have registered and paid, you are allowed to schedule your testing appointment through the Pearson VUE website.
What’s The Mantra For Clearing The FE Civil Exam?
If you wish to pass this exam in the first attempt, you need to acquire knowledge of the exam curriculum, take practice exams, and learn strategies. All these hacks can amplify your chances of success on test day.
Additionally, embracing the following tips can surely help:
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Develop Your Study Plan
The foremost step in preparation is to develop your study plan. Our experts piece of advice for candidates is to spend 12–14 weeks preparing for this exam. This will ensure that you will have enough time to cover each syllabus topic and take a few practice tests.
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Make Use of The NCEES Reference Handbook
It is to your knowledge that NCEES offers all candidates a free FE Civil Reference Handbook. It makes sense to reap the perks of this resource, as it contains vital information about taking the NCEES examination.
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Enroll In A Review Course
If someone around you has cleared the FE exam in the past, it is vital to seek their guidance. And when you ask them about their mantra of succeeding, they are likely to extol the virtues of enrolling in a review course. This stands to reason: by embracing this strategy, you are under the direct supervision of a team of experts in the field. You will have enough material with you to pass this exam. Additionally, should you have any queries or problems during preparation, you can always seek the assistance of professionals. What’s more, you will have plenty of papers to practice on.
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Take Practice Tests
Taking practice tests can add an extra oomph to the success rate on exam day. Practice tests are purposefully designed with the intent of familiarizing candidates with the format and structure of the actual exam. They will also get a sense of the types of questions they can expect on exam day. Additionally, it helps to gauge any areas of improvement you may need.
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Practice Time Management
It goes without saying that time management is a pivotal skill to practice for the FE Civil Exam. By practicing the hack of time management, it is a strategy to better prepare yourself for the big day and to get more comfortable with the pacing and structure of the FE Civil Exam.
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Set Realistic Goals
Before you embark on studying, it is indispensable to set attainable goals you intend to accomplish in each study session. This will help you stay focused and motivated and provide you with a fair idea of how much you can realistically achieve in one study plan.
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Take Breaks
Continuously studying is certainly not advisable. That means after every two hours, you can take short breaks to ease your mind. While taking breaks after every two hours is not a rule of thumb as every person is different, figure out what works best for you and then simply adhere to it.
Get Connected With The Civil Engineering Academy
As stated before, the indispensability of enrolling in a review course cannot be simply overlooked. You can use the services of the Civil Engineering Academy. You can also connect with the label for the PE Exam Prep. Visit their website to learn more about them.