Is the FE Exam HARDER than the PE Exam?

In this article (and video above), I discuss a hot topic in the engineering world: Is the Civil FE exam actually HARDER than the PE?  

From exam formats and technical content to unique challenges and prep strategies, I’ll share everything you need to know to help you figure out where the real difficulty lies. Whether you’re a student preparing for the FE or a seasoned pro gearing up for the PE, this episode is packed with insights for you.

The FE exam—also known as the Fundamentals of Engineering—is often viewed as the first big step in your professional journey. It’s broad, highly theoretical, and covers a massive range—calculus, statics, ethics, fluid mechanics—you name it. It’s like compressing all your undergrad engineering courses into a single test. No wonder it feels overwhelming.

But here’s the twist—some engineers say it’s easier because it’s more about memorization than real-world application.

Now enter the PE exam, the Principles and Practice of Engineering. It’s focused, in-depth, and hands-on. This one demands you apply what you’ve learned on the job to real engineering problems. Think: complex calculations, design scenarios, and discipline-specific questions.

Sounds tougher, right? Well, not always.

Many engineers actually find the PE more manageable because of their experience. Years of working in the field help you approach the exam with real-world context.

So, which is harder? It depends—on you.

LETS DO A FORMAT & STRUCTURE COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO:

The FE Exam has:

• 110 multiple-choice questions
• is 6 hours long
• covers broad, general topics
• has a higher national pass rates
  

And the PE Exam is:

• Discipline-specific (like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical)
• an 8-hours exam
• has Multiple-choice and alternative item types
• Sometimes includes scenario-based problems
• and has a lower pass rates

But passing rates don’t tell the whole story. Sure, the PE exam has lower pass rates, but remember—by the time you sit for it, you’re typically more experienced, more focused, and better prepared.

Many engineers who’ve taken both exams say the PE felt tougher—not necessarily because of the material, but because of the pressure. You’re further along in your career. Stakes are higher. And let’s face it—you’re probably juggling work, life, and studying all at once.

Others recall the FE being more stressful—especially for recent graduates—because of how overwhelming the sheer volume of topics can be. It’s a mental marathon.

At the end of the day, your experience, your study habits, and preparation strategy will determine which exam gives you more of a challenge.

So, how can you prepare for either exam with confidence?

• Understand the exam format and specification
• Use official practice exams to get familiar with timing
• Focus your study plan based on strengths and weaknesses
• Start early and study consistently
• Join study groups and lean on trusted resources
• Don’t go it alone—get expert help when needed

In conclusion, the FE and PE exams present unique challenges, and which one is tougher can vary depending on the individual engineer’s strengths, weaknesses, and circumstances. The difficulty of each exam can be influenced by a range of factors, from the exam format to the engineer’s level of experience.

I hope you found this week’s FE Exam article helpful. In upcoming articles, I will answer more FE Exam questions and run through more practice problems. We publish videos bi-weekly on our Pass the FE Exam YouTube Channel.  Be sure to visit our page here and click the subscribe button as you’ll get expert tips and tricks – to ensure your best success – that you can’t get anywhere else. Believe me, you won’t want to miss a single video.

Lastly, I encourage you to ask questions in the comments of the videos or here on this page, and I’ll read and respond to them in future videos. So, if there’s a specific topic you want me to cover or answer, we have you covered.

I’ll see you next week… on Pass the FE Exam

Anthony Fasano, P.E., AEC PM, F. ASCE