Preparing for and taking the FE exam can be challenging, and you may have many questions and concerns going into the FE exam. Often students are short of confidence, and it seems as if there is never a good time to take the exam. In this blog, you can find some tips and tricks that will boost your confidence and help you ace the FE exam.
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1.
Purchase the NCEES FE
Reference Handbook
The NCEES FE Handbook is the only reference material you can use during the FE exam. So, familiarize yourself with the formulas, graphs, charts, etc., in the NCEES FE Reference Handbook, so you can quickly refer to them during the exam. You can download the free copy of the NCEES FE Reference Handbook in PDF format by registering or logging into the MyNCEES website.
2.
Know Your Weak and Strong
Subjects
Each of us possesses different strengths and weaknesses. For instance, some candidates may excel in mathematics yet struggle in engineering economics. Thus, it is crucial to analyze, determine your areas of strengths and weaknesses, and devote more time and effort to your weaker subject areas to master them. You can increase your chances of passing the FE exam by paying enough attention to your weaknesses.
3.
Leave for Last Subjects You
Didn't Learn in School
The FE exam may include questions
based on one or two concepts not covered in your undergraduate engineering
program. You could self-study these topics and teach yourselves how to tackle
them on the exam. However, you will have to spend more time and effort studying
those topics rather than prepping for familiar subjects.
We are not suggesting you skip these subjects; instead, prioritize learning the topics you have higher chances of answering correctly.
4.
Practice, Practice,
Practice - is Your Success Mantra
Completing the FE exam in the
allotted time is no cakewalk. It takes a lot of effort to know the solution
methods and essential equations to pass the FE exam. While prepping for the FE
exam, consider solving practice questions to improve your knowledge. Solving
many practice problems will help you enhance your problem-solving and
time-management skills.
Do not skip out on practice exams. Aiming to solve many time-based practice tests can bolster your memory and help you solve the questions within the time limit.
5.
Re-attempt Every Problem
You Get Wrong
If you fail to solve a practice question, do not just skim over the solution and move on to the next question. Instead, examine the answer and understand the solution method. Now, try to solve the problem again, but without looking at the solution. This process will help you figure out exactly what to do if you encounter a similar question on the FE exam.
6.
Sign Up for a FE Exam
Review Course
You could very well self-study for the FE exam using the resources you possess and resources available on the internet. These methods may work, but you are risking knowledge gaps and potentially your chances of passing the exam. Self-studying is not everyone's cup of tea; some students require expert guidance. Consider signing up for a FE review course on popular platforms like School of PE to improve your chances of passing the FE exam. Their review courses are well-structured, and you can repeat the lectures for free if you fail the FE exam after enrolling in their program.
7.
Grasp the Advanced Features
of Your Calculator
Knowing how to work around your
calculator is crucial to FE exam success, so get hold of an NCEES-approved
calculator. Familiarize yourself with the calculator's functions and learn to
use more advanced calculator features such as integration, derivatives, etc.
In the FE exam, you will get 5 hours and 20 minutes to solve 110 questions, implying you have a little less than 3 minutes per question. So, taking advantage of your calculator's advanced features can save a lot of time and help you complete the exam on time.
Concluding Thoughts
Passing the FE exam is the first step in the process of securing the PE license. Taking the FE exam early in your career, say soon after graduation, is a wise decision, as you may have a better chance of passing the exam. We hope the tips given in this article can help you realize your dream of passing the FE exam.
Good luck with the exam!