Blog Posts

The New FE Reference Handbook 10.0.1 | Everything You Need To Know

December 8, 2020 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

FE Reference Handbook 10.0.1– In this post, I am going to discuss the latest version of the FE Reference Handbook 10.0.1, the only reference material that can be used during the FE exam, and WHY is it so important for you to familiarize yourself with it prior to the exam.

Before I do that, let me remind you that the FE EXAM or Fundamentals of Engineering is the first step to getting your Professional Engineering license. Through the videos on our YouTube channel, you will learn not only how to properly prepare for the exam, but how to ensure you PASS THE FE EXAM!

Firstly, please note that Version 10.0.1 of the FE Reference Handbook applies to FE exams starting from July 1, 2020 on. Before you begin the actual FE Exam on exam day, you will be provided with an electronic version of the FE Reference Handbook. I strongly recommend that before you start preparing for the FE exam. You either purchase a hard copy of it or download a free electronic version so that you can become intimately familiar with every aspect of this book. Essentially you should live with, eat with and sleep with this book until exam day! I am kidding, of course, but hopefully you get the point.

WARNING >> You will not be permitted to bring your personal copy of the FE Reference Handbook into the exam room. However, as I mentioned, the computer-based exam (also known as the CBT) will provide a PDF version of the Handbook for your use during the exam. This PDF version will be very similar, if not identical, to the printed version. [Read more…] about The New FE Reference Handbook 10.0.1 | Everything You Need To Know

How COVID Changed the PE Exam Schedule

December 3, 2020 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

PE Exam Schedule — In this post – I’m going to detail how COVID is affecting the PE exam schedule and discuss what changes are expected to the PE exams and the exam-taking process.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected just about every single aspect of society including the PE exam, specifically the cycle of civil engineering exams for professional licensure has changed, leaving many would-be test-takers with questions.

Just recently on November 24th, NCEES posted an update on its website, both a general update and an update for the PE civil exam. You can find it here, but here they are for your information: [Read more…] about How COVID Changed the PE Exam Schedule

FE Exam Registration – How to Get Started (and a COVID Update)

December 2, 2020 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

FE Exam Registration — In this post, I am going to explain how to register for the FE exam and give you an update on how COVID is affecting the FE Exam.

Firstly let me quickly remind you that the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is designed for recent engineering graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree from an EAC or ABET-accredited program. It is a computer-based exam administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers.

The FE exam includes 110-questions and the exam appointment time is six hours long with about five hours and twenty minutes of that time being actual exam time.

So, how does FE Exam registration work?

How to Study for the PE Exam When You’ve Lost Motivation

November 25, 2020 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

How to Study for the PE Exam — In this post, I’m going to answer a question that I’ve received from many engineers, which is, “How do I study for the PE exam if I’m tired or just not motivated to study right now?”

So let’s assume you have to take the PE exam, but you have an engineering job or you have a family or other personal responsibilities. You’re tired and not really motivated. You need to figure out how to study for the PE exam in your current mindset. Here are three actions that you can take to stay motivated.

#1) Write an Email to Your Boss

Does It Matter Which State You Take the FE Exam?

November 24, 2020 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

Where to Take the FE Exam — In this post I am going to answer the following question, “Do I need to take the FE Exam in the state where you plan to pursue my PE License?”

The answer to this question is NO, but it comes with a few warnings…

The EIT certification is the same throughout the United State, so you can go ahead and take the FE exam wherever it is convenient for you. The FE is a national exam administered by NCEES so the test will be the same wherever you take the FE exam. And unlike the PE exam, state boards don’t mandate where you physically take the exam, as long as NCEES certifies you passed. If you’ll be working in Texas you’ll probably want to apply to be certified as an EIT by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers once you have passed the FE exam, but this specific process is one you should confirm depending on the State you will be working in.

Now, here are a few other recommendations to note if you plan to take the FE exam, based on my own experience, as well as talking to hundreds of engineers that have become licensed. [Read more…] about Does It Matter Which State You Take the FE Exam?

PE Exam Study Tips to Help You Pass the PE Exam

November 23, 2020 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

PE Exam Study Tips — In this post I am going to answer questions related to how long it will take to study for the PE exam, and also give some tips for studying productively.

However, before I get into the PE exam study tips, firstly, if you aren’t too familiar with the PE Exam, let me start by telling you what the PE Exam is. The Principles and Practice of Engineering exam is the examination required for one to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the United States. It is the second exam required, coming after the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and is created and scored by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). As a general rule, a professional engineer who has an approved four-year engineering degree, four years of qualifying engineering experience, and who successfully completes the eight-hour Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination can take the PE exam. That being said, you should confirm these items with your local state education board as some states do vary on these experience and timeline requirements.

Alright now, let’s dive into some PE exam study tips by answering some questions I’ve received related to studying and preparing for the PE exam.

#1) How many months of studying will it take you to be prepared for the exam?

Five Reasons to Take and Pass the FE Exam

November 23, 2020 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

PASS THE FE EXAM — In this post, I’d like to discuss five specific benefits of why ALL engineers should take and pass the FE Exam. However, before I do that, let me start by telling you what exactly the FE Exam is. The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is designed for recent engineering graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree. The degree must be from an EAC/ABET (Engineering Accreditation Commission or Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited program. The FE exam is a computer-based exam administered year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers.

The FE exam includes 110-questions, and the exam appointment time is six hours long with about five hours and twenty minutes of that time being actual exam time. You can register for the exam through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) website at NCEES.org.

So, why is it important to take this exam?

Firstly, the FE exam is the first step to getting your professional engineering license, and there are so many benefits to that including accelerating your career path, promotions, salary increases, more exciting job opportunities and projects to work on and more. However, let me stay focused here on the benefits of actually taking and passing the FE exam. Here are five reasons to take and pass the FE exam.