FE Exam

FE Exam Break Strategy: How to Pace Yourself and Finish Strong

March 22, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I talk about why understanding how to pace yourself during the exam, especially during the FE exam break, is essential to finishing strong. With these expert FE exam tips, you’ll learn how to make the most of your time and avoid common mistakes that can hurt your score. From strategic breaks to effective time management, I’ll cover everything you need to know to succeed.

There are two sections for the FE Exam. The morning section and the afternoon section. Think of it as two separate exams. There will be 51-59 questions in the first half and the remaining total in the second half (for a total of 110 problems).

You can skip, mark, and change answers in the first half all you like BEFORE the break, i.e. if you skip all the way through, then go back and do the skipped problems, you can do that. The moment you click “end exam” at the bottom, to take your break, it will ask you to confirm if you are completely done with the section. If you confirm, the exam will be submitted and you can get up and leave the room. When you come back, the second half will automatically be loaded and ready to start. You will not be able to go back to the first half and any blanks/flags/guesses you left there are submitted and permanent for that attempt.

During Your Exam, You Will Be Allowed Two Types of Breaks: Scheduled & Unscheduled.

When you have your FE Exam scheduled break, you get 25 minutes of freedom to do whatever you want to do. Take advantage of these 25 minutes, Look over material, eat something good, relax, and breathe. Returning to the testing center with time left on your 25 minute break doesn’t do anything for you other than let you begin the second half of the exam a little bit earlier.

You do not get to add any unused time from your scheduled break to your overall testing time which is 5 hours and 20 minutes. Once your scheduled 25 minute break clock expires, the exam clock recommences.

FE Exam Ethics: What It Is & How to Pass

March 8, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I talk about what the FE exam ethics cover, and discuss the three major sections in the Model Rules, that you might get tested on.

The FE Exam Ethics is a test that is designed to assess the ethical understanding of candidates who are seeking to become licensed engineers. This exam is typically taken by individuals who have completed their engineering education and are looking to enter the professional engineering field. The FE Exam Ethics is an important step in the process of becoming a licensed engineer and is intended to ensure that engineers have the knowledge and understanding necessary to act ethically in the professional engineering field.

The vision of NCEES is to provide leadership in the professional licensure of engineers and surveyors through excellence in uniform laws, licensing standards, and professional ethics in order to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public and to shape the future of professional licensure.

Just like how there are ethical guidelines used by practitioners of medicine, science, finance, real estate, and law, an engineering professional is expected to obey these “ethical codes” in their respective practices.

Modern codes for the practice of engineering place paramount priority on obligations to the public. There are several codes of ethics for engineers. I will briefly summarize the code of ethics provided by the NCEES – Model Rules, Section 240.15 Rules of Professional Conduct. The code is provided on pages. 4-5 in FE Handbook 10.1. You can also access the code by using the following link:

https://ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/Model_Rules_2021_web-1.pdf#page=16

Summary of the NCEES Code of Ethics

Civil Engineering Disciplines: Civil Transportation

February 22, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), which is the fourth video in a five-part series about the five different civil engineering disciplines you can choose from, we will discuss the roles, responsibilities, and credentials needed to become a civil transportation engineer, typically referred to as transportation engineer, to give you a better idea of what to expect both in your studies, and FE exams.

Before we get started, I just want to mention, especially for those of you who already took your FE exam, or are getting close to taking the exam, and are thinking of taking the Civil PE Exam next, that we did a complete series on our Pass the PE Exam YouTube channel about each of the five different PE Civil depth exams in detail, explaining the topics covered on each of the exams and what the pass rates are for each topic to help you in your decision. You can check it out on our Pass the PE exam YouTube Playlist here called Civil Engineering Disciplines – How They Show Up in the PE Exams.

What is Transportation Engineering?

Transportation engineering is the application of modern technology and scientific principles to the design, development and maintenance of transportation systems. The field of transportation engineering utilizes the latest developments in transportation and uses them to create the most efficient and effective systems possible for various locales. Transportation engineering applies to major terminals as well as the networks that connect them. Any product or system that moves people and goods from one place to another falls under the scope of transportation engineering.

Those working in the field of transportation engineering research, assess, design and develop new solutions for projects that include:

Highways and roads
Traffic control systems
Public transit systems
Railroads and depots
Seaports
Waterways
Airports
Bridges, and
Pavements

How can one Become a Civil Transportation Engineer?

Qualifications to become a civil transportation engineer include a bachelor’s degree in engineering for an entry-level position. Master’s degrees and Ph.D. programs are also available, which may provide an opportunity for deeper technical knowledge and career advancement. These programs offer specialty classes including urban development, municipal infrastructure, and pavement design. Most states and all public transportation positions require licensing which entails completion of a two-part test which you are eligible to take after graduating from an accredited program. Some employers also provide additional entry-level training. You are not eligible to obtain full professional licensure until you acquire several years of industry experience. Environmental certifications may also be required as well as advanced skills using AutoCAD and other computer design programs.

What does the work environment for transportation engineers look like?

Transportation engineers typically spend a significant portion of their days in an office environment. They might work on a computer evaluating data, preparing reports and generating diagrams. These engineers also work closely with other engineers as well as management and stakeholders to ensure the project’s progress aligns with established goals. They may attend meetings and give presentations. In some cases, transportation engineers travel outside the office to assess traffic conditions or observe the progress on construction sites.

Abilities

Here are some of the abilities that might be helpful to have when considering a career in transportation engineering:

People in this career often have talent in:

Deductive Reasoning – Using rules to solve problems.
Inductive Reasoning – Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Mathematical Reasoning – Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Written Expression – Communicating by writing.
Problem Sensitivity – Noticing when problems happen.
Written Comprehension – Reading and understanding what is written.
Oral Expression – Communicating by speaking.
Information Ordering – Ordering or arranging things.
Oral Comprehension – Listening and understanding what people say.
Visualization – Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Category Flexibility – Grouping things in different ways.
Fluency of Ideas – Coming up with lots of ideas.
Near Vision – Seeing details up close.
Speech Clarity – Speaking clearly.
Speech Recognition – Recognizing spoken words.
Number Facility – Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.

This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI

PPI has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new opportunities. Check out PPI’s wide range of prep options, including Live Online courses, OnDemand courses, and digital study tools to help prepare you to pass your licensing exam here.

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.

Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

EIT and FE Exam – What’s the Difference?

February 8, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I explain the difference between the EIT and FE exam, and give you the steps to register both for the EIT and FE Exam.

The FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam and EIT (Engineer in Training) certification are steps towards becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). Passing the FE exam makes an individual an EIT, which is a mark of distinction for engineers. The EIT is more of an apprenticeship than an exam, as there is no formal training program and experience must be accumulated under a PE in a company of choice. The EIT is followed by the Principles and Practices (PP) exam and then the PE exam to become a fully qualified PE. The FE exam and EIT certification can be used interchangeably, although the EIT title represents passing the FE exam.

5 Reasons Why You Should Take the FE Exam Early in Your Career

January 25, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I discuss 5 reasons why taking and passing the FE Exam early in your career is the most important thing you can do as an engineer.

Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should Take the FE Exam Early in Your Career:

1. Your Odds of Passing the FE Exam Increase Greatly

The FE exam is highly technical and it makes more sense to take the exam while you are an undergraduate because all of the concepts on the FE exam are still fresh in your mind. The longer you take to sign up for the FE exam, the lower the odds that you will pass because you will no longer have these technical concepts fresh in your mind and you will gain many more responsibilities (work, family, etc.) the longer you are out of school.

2. Build Credibility

Engineering is an industry where credentials matter. Being able to call yourself an EIT is highly valuable because of what it says to your employer or prospective employers. It tells everyone that you are motivated and that you want to be a professional engineer.

3. Create Career Advancement Opportunities

You may get many more career advancement opportunities when you have the FE or PE license. Having the PE license unlocks many new pathways for you in your career development and your financial earnings.

4. Not Knowing Where You Are Heading in Your Career

You may start your career on a path that does not require a PE license, but you do not know where you will be in the future. Get the FE now while you are young and you can do it.

5. There Is No Downside to Taking the FE Exam

There is zero downside to taking the exam early in your career. If you do not pass the FE exam, then take it again until you pass.

This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI

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.

I’ll see you next week.

Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

Civil Engineering Disciplines: Civil Structural

January 11, 2023 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), which is the third video in a 5 part series about the 5 different civil engineering disciplines you can choose from, we discuss the roles, responsibilities, and credentials needed to become a civil structural engineer to give you a better idea what to expect both in your studies, and FE exams. In the previous videos we discussed the Geotechnical, as well as Civil Engineering Disciplines, which you can find on our YouTube playlist called Civil Engineering Disciplines.

For those of you who already took their FE exams, or are getting close to taking the exam, and are thinking of taking the Civil PE Exam next, we did a complete series on our Pass the PE Exam YouTube about each of the 5 different PE Civil depth exams in detail, explaining the topics covered on each of the exams and what the pass rates are for each topic to help you in your decision. You can check it out on our Pass the PE exam YouTube Playlist called Civil Engineering Disciplines – How They Show Up in the PE Exams.

What is Civil Structural Engineering?

Civil Engineering Disciplines: Construction (Explained in under 10 minutes)

December 28, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

There are so many students who don’t always know what civil engineering discipline to choose when applying for college, and then, when it comes time to take their FE Exams, they battle even more as they might have chosen a discipline that does not fit their interests or personality. Therefore, we thought it would be helpful to start a series on each of these 5 civil engineering disciplines to give you a better idea what to expect both in your studies, and FE exams.

In the previous article we discussed the Geotechnical Engineering Discipline, which you can find on our playlist called Civil Engineering Disciplines, and in this article, we discuss the roles, responsibilities, and credentials needed to become a civil construction engineer, which might also be referred to as a construction engineer.

For those of you who already took their FE exams, or are getting close to taking the exam, and are thinking of taking the Civil PE Exam next, we did a complete series on our Pass the PE Exam YouTube about each of the 5 different PE Civil depth exams in detail, explaining the topics covered on each of the exams and what the pass rates are for each topic. You can check them out on our Pass the PE exam YouTube Playlist called Civil Engineering Disciplines – How They Show Up in the PE Exams.

What is Civil Construction?

Civil construction is the creation of infrastructure involving anything to do with water, earth, or transport. It is a branch of Civil Engineering involved with the maintenance, design, and construction of environments such as roads, railways, buildings, water reservoirs, subdivisions, airports, bridges, sewer systems, tunnels, and dams.
The civil construction industry consists of the individuals and companies involved in the planning, creation, and designing of our infrastructure. Civil construction truly shapes the world around us, and with the new technology that is increasing productivity, civil construction projects can now be done with a quicker schedule.
Everything from massive bridges for transportation to walkway construction and wastewater treatment centers to dams, the civil field encompasses some of the most essential building projects that are completed in our world each year. The sector truly helps humans get where they want to be in addition to what they need.
Civil projects are usually classified under the umbrella of civil engineering instead of being considered a branch of construction. This is because of the need for extensive planning and coordination between a variety of engineers and design specialists before any construction can begin. Civil construction companies do more than build structures. They also manage natural and existing environments like water reservoirs, hillsides, and mountain ridges, in addition to other areas that interface with human-made infrastructure.
Contractors bidding on civil projects need to know about grading, erosion control, access rights, public impact, legal regulations, and much more so they can understand what’s involved in any given request. If a civil construction company can’t handle every step themselves, they have to be able to subcontract the additional steps properly.

There are many tasks performed in the industry including the planning, creation, and maintenance of public infrastructure. Anything that will make the lives of people easier.

Common Work Includes:

Adhering to the guidelines created by the government, local bodies and clients when planning, creating and maintaining infrastructure,
Tendering the contracts and hiring contractors,
Creating cost estimates and budgets,
Creating infrastructure design plans and having these approved by governing bodies and local authorities,
Studying, evaluating and investigating the land and building sites suitable for the possible creation of infrastructure
Liaising with governments, clients and other professionals
Supervising and monitoring the construction of the infrastructure to ensure it matches the plan

The Type of Projects You Might Work On

Civil construction often involves structures like city halls or public libraries, but can also take design and construction to another level.

Some of the larger projects handled by the civil sector include:

Earthwork projects like capping landfills, reshaping flood-prone areas and building new levees,
Bridges, from basic roadway crossings to massive bridges,
Canals and river stabilization or widening projects, for both shipping and recreational goals,
Wastewater treatment plants, holding tanks, settlement ponds, and other essential processing structures,
Railroads, including tracks for light rail, high speed, and streetcar systems growing in popularity,
Airports, ports, and other major transportation hubs,
Dams and corresponding reservoir tanks or lakes, including systems designed for power generation,
Roadways, ranging from simple-level residential streets to complex overpasses and tunnels,

Credentials That Can Assist You in Becoming a Construction Engineer

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, civil engineering technology, or similar.
State-approved license.
At least 2 years experience as a construction engineer in the relevant field of specialization.
Advanced proficiency in construction management software, such as BuildSmart and Smartsheet.
In-depth knowledge of construction industry regulations.
Exceptional leadership, project management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Great mathematical, organizational, and time-management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders.
Availability to visit the construction site outside of business hours, when relevant.

There you have it, if you like what you heard here, and can see yourself working in this specific field, then this discipline might be the right one for you.

This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI

I’ll see you next week.

Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

How You Can Utilize the TTTT Framework to Be Successful in Your FE Exam

December 14, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I talk to Nabeal (Newton) W. Khatib, M.S., E.I. about how you can utilize the TTTT (4T) framework to be successful in your FE exam and other career efforts as an engineer.

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Nabeal:

Why did you decide to take the FE exam? Is it a requirement for your job?
When would be a good time to take the FE exam?
When studying for the exam, how did you manage your study time, and how long did you study for the exam?
What tips can you give our listeners out there who are in the process of studying for their FE exams, or planning on starting to study for them soon?
What would you tell our listeners, based on your career experience as a professional engineer, about whether or not to take the time to pursue their P.E. licenses?

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed in This Episode:

The FE exam is a requirement for the University of Colorado for undergraduates and graduate students. When Nabeal started his journey, he wanted to be on top of these exams and was determined to pass them the first time.
Taking the FE exam later on in your career could be challenging. The best time to take the FE exam is when you are an undergrad and still in college. If you don’t have a chance to take it while you’re finishing your undergraduate program, take it before you leave school. Most of the topics are what you learned in the undergrad stage and what you are still familiar with. It could be complicated to remember how to design or solve specific things later in your career.
Give yourself at least two or three months to prepare because it’s not the only activity you’ll be doing daily. Study for a few hours daily, but focus on it.
Regarding the TTTT framework, the first T stands for Terms. Familiarize yourself with the terminology, terms, and concepts. The second T is Template. Build a template that includes exercises, practices, and prompts. The third T is Time. Manage your time effectively. And the fourth T is Trust. Trust yourself and trust in the process you’ve created.
We are humans and need certain things to fulfill our desires and attain goals. Time management is crucial to achieving all the things we want and living our lives at the same time.
These three points are important for writing your FE Exam.
1. Familiarize yourself with the handbook.
2. Plan a good time frame so you don’t stress yourself.
3. Time management — you have approximately three minutes to answer each question on the exam.
Familiarize yourself with the available tools, which in this case is the handbook. You can find a free copy of it at https://ncees.org
To understand how crucial a P.E. license is, there are five important points to take into consideration:
1. Prestige.
2. Career development.
3. Authority.
4. Career Flexibility.
5. Money.

About Nabeal (Newton) W. Khatib, M.S., E.I.

Nabeal (Newton) W. Khatib, M.S., E.I. graduated from the University of Colorado with degrees in Civil and Structural Engineering. He is an affiliate professor at Metropolitan State University, Colorado, and teaches courses in analytical mechanics and engineering at the University of Colorado-Denver. An experienced engineer with a strong background in math, Newton is a firm believer in inspiring students to overcome their learning challenges, and he makes the learning process fun and smooth. In his free time, Mr. Khatib enjoys hiking, playing sports, walking, and exploring wonderful places in the U.S. and outside the U.S. with his beautiful wife, Manal, and precious daughter, Tala. Nabeal holds motivational speeches for young students and engineers in local high schools, colleges, and other seminars/webinars. Mr. Khatib is the founder and CEO of a tutoring company entitled “Legendfortutoring, LLC.” He shares his expertise on how to overcome the stress associated with taking the FE and the new CBT P.E, and has created several practice exams for them.

Sources:

University of Colorado
NCEES

This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI

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 the best success that you can’t get anywhere else. Believe me, you won’t want to miss a single video.

I’ll see you next week.

Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

Five Steps to Getting Your Engineering License

November 30, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I provide you with 5 easy steps that you can use to start the process of getting your engineering license.

Here Are Five Steps to Getting Your Engineering License

Civil Engineering Disciplines: Geotechnical (Explained in Under 5 Minutes)

November 16, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

There are so many students who don’t always know what civil engineering discipline to choose when applying for college, and then, when it becomes time to take their FE Exams, they battle even more as they might have chosen a discipline that does not fit their interests or personality. Therefore, we thought it would be helpful to start a series on each of the 5 civil engineering disciplines to give you a better idea what to expect both in your studies, and FE exams. We will discuss the roles and responsibilities of each one of these disciplines and the skills needed for each discipline, to help you in your decision making process, and in this article (and video above), we will take a look at The Geotechnical Engineering Discipline.

What Do Geotechnical Engineers Do?

Geotechnical engineering is a branch of civil engineering; however, it involves using scientific methods and principles to collect and interpret the physical properties of the ground. Geotechnical engineers are involved in all stages of the design of structures, from concept to construction. Their work is essential in the design and planning process as they assess the integrity of soil, clay, silt, sand, and rock, prior to construction commencing. They start by undertaking a desk (or in office) study, assessing maps, and contacting local authorities. This is followed by a ground (or field) investigation based on the findings of the desk study and involves trial pitting and sampling to uncover any potential issues.