Every ambitious civil engineer in the United States understands the value of a Professional Engineer’s license. This is why they start working for the FE exam prep as early as possible. However, even though many engineers study for the test with utter dedication, not every one of them passes the exam. And it proves that the FE Civil exam is not a piece of cake.
If you want to clear this hurdle and move on to the PE Civil exam, first accept that the FE exam is not like any other test. This test is different, the scoring is different, and hence, the preparation for it should be different too.
The FE Civil exam requires that you research the test inside out. Learn everything there is to know about the exam and its preparation so that you leave no stone unturned in trying to pass the test.
Here, we will discuss some vital elements of the FE Civil exam that will help you determine how hard the test is so that you can plan your preparation accordingly.
What to know about the FE Civil Exam?
The FE Civil exam is a 110 questions long test that you have to complete within 5 hours 20 minutes. The total assigned time is 6 hours but this includes a break, tutorial time, and a nondisclosure agreement as well. A lot of these questions will be multiple choice questions. .
The exam is divided into 2 sections of around 50-60 problems each. After you complete the first section, there will be a break for 25 minutes before you can continue with the second half of the exam. It is ideal, if you get done with as many questions as you can in the first session as the after-break session is reduced to an hour and 20 minutes which is not enough to complete the remaining 50-55 questions.
Therefore, distribute the time between the two sessions carefully in a way that you can comfortably complete the exam.
The FE Reference Handbook:
The time you have to solve each question is nearly 3 minutes. You cannot afford to waste a lot of time on a single problem. This is where the FE Reference Handbook comes into play. Familiarize yourself with this NCEES-approved Handbook before the test along with the FE exam prep study guide as it can prove as a vital reference when you are in the exam hall.
Along with this, make sure you get the latest approved calculator too. If you know how to quickly solve equations in your calculator, you are going to save quite a lot of time. And this is important because you would want to have some time in the end for revisions.
The Scoring Process for the FE Civil Exam:
Another factor that makes the FE Civil exam rather tough is the scoring process. NCEES doesn’t use the usual pass marks system. Instead, they follow a standard scale and psychometric analysis. This means that there cannot be a fixed passing number. If you want to be on the safe side, try completing a minimum of 55 to 60 questions.
As far as the pass rates are concerned, for each engineering discipline, the value is different. For your FE Civil exam, as of July 2021, the pass rate is 70%. The quality of candidates taking the test also affects the pass rate, so it can change. The pass rates are changed twice a year, from January to June and July to December.
How to Prepare for the FE Civil Exam?
As far as the preparation for the FE Civil exam is concerned, allow us to take you through some basic tips that you must follow.
- Start Studying in Advance
Make sure you register for the exam early so that you have enough time for preparation. After you register for the FE Civil exam, start by studying right away. The earlier you begin, the better as you will have more time for revision and identifying your weak zones to work on. If you have around 7 to 8 months to study for the exam, you can easily complete a review course, and work on other additional study materials.
- Solve Practice Papers
The extra time you have in hand by preparing in advance can be utilized to solve practice papers. These are crucial as they help you in more ways than one. You can learn how to manage your time easily, plus you can find out the challenges you could face in the exam hall. Most importantly, if you have solved around 4 or 5 practice papers before the test, your confidence will be high.
- Take a FE Review Course
Another great way to effectively prepare for the FE exam is by enrolling in a FE review course. By doing so, you can gather valuable insights from industry experts. You will also get useful resources that will boost your preparation. Before registering for the course, always be sure that you can trust the course provider you have chosen.
- Don’t Forget the Reference Handbook
As discussed above, the FE Reference Handbook plays an important part in your exam preparation. So, download the latest version of the Handbook from the NCEES website and study it properly before the exam. If you are well-versed with the FE Reference Handbook, your job in the exam hall will become relatively easier.
- Keep Your Mind Fresh Before The Exam
All the preparation you could do must be completed 2 days before the exam. You must let your brain rest and refresh for the exam day. Therefore, take time out to do things that make you feel relaxed the day instead of buried in books and study materials. Listen to soft music, hang out with your family and friends, etc. This will ensure that you are physically and mentally ready for the exam.
Conclusion:
Yes, the FE Civil exam is hard. But if you prepare yourself for it accordingly, you can pass the exam and keep your dream of being a PE license holder alive. In case you are looking for a FE review course to join or NCEES-approved practice papers to solve, visit Civil Engineering Academy. You can find everything you need here to prepare for the FE Civil exam.
