In this article (and video above), I guide you on how to master FE Exam conceptual engineering challenges through reading. Reading is a powerful tool that can help you understand and retain information better.
The FE Exam is increasingly focused on conceptual engineering rather than specific formulas. This shift requires mastering fundamental engineering processes alongside problem-solving skills. Preparing for conceptual questions can be challenging, as it involves understanding which areas of conceptual engineering are tested, how they’re evaluated, and how to adequately prepare for them.
Engaging in independent practice questions, reflecting on areas of difficulty, analyzing approaches, and exploring alternative scenarios enhances your understanding of conceptual engineering. However, traditional practice problems may not fully prepare you for conceptual inquiries that assess your comprehension of engineering principles and application of formulas. This is why developing strong conceptual engineering skills is so important to your FE Exam preparation.
To complement practice questions, repeatedly contemplate conceptual engineering from various perspectives and apply it to straightforward problems. This process of reading, practicing, and applying is essential for developing a comprehensive understanding.
Here Are Some Strategies to Enhance Your Reading Abilities for FE Exam Conceptual Engineering:
1: Identify the purpose. Before you start reading any material, it’s crucial to understand what you’re aiming to learn from it. Are you tackling a textbook chapter, a set of practice problems, or diving into a reference guide? Knowing this will help you focus your attention on the most relevant information.
2: Preview the material. Take a quick skim through the headings, subheadings, figures, and tables. This will give you a bird’s eye view of the content and help you identify key terms that you’ll encounter later on.
3: Activate prior knowledge. Before delving into new information, take a moment to think about what you already know about the topic. This will create connections between old and new knowledge, making it easier to grasp conceptual engineering.
Strategies to Use While You’re Actively Reading:
1: Focus on key terms and definitions. Pay close attention to boldfaced words, italicized terms, and definitions provided in the text. These often hold crucial information that you’ll need to understand the material.
2: Read actively. Don’t just passively absorb information. Ask yourself questions like ‘What’s the main point of this paragraph?’ or ‘How does this connect to what I already know?’ This active engagement improves comprehension.
3: Annotate the material. Whether it’s underlining key points, taking notes in the margins, or creating a mind map, find a method that helps you organize your thoughts and retain information better.
4: Vary your reading speed. Read slowly for complex or unfamiliar conceptual engineering topics, and skim for quick reviews.
5: Visualize. Create mental images of the conceptual engineering you’re reading about. This can help you remember the information better.
After You’ve Finished Reading, It’s Essential to Follow Up With Some Post-reading Strategies:
1: Summarize the main points. Take a moment to jot down the key ideas in your own words. This reinforces your understanding and highlights areas where you might need further clarification.
2: Paraphrase the information. Try explaining the conceptual engineering you’ve learned in your own words, either verbally or in writing. This helps solidify your grasp on the material and identifies areas of confusion.
3: Practice. Regularly apply the conceptual engineering you learned to practice problems. This will help you solidify your understanding and identify areas where you need further practice.
Remember, improving your reading skills takes practice and consistency. By implementing these strategies into your study routine, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle FE Exam conceptual engineering like a pro.
This Episode Is Brought to You By: School of PE
School of PE has been a leading provider of exam prep courses since 2004, helping thousands of professionals achieve licensure and certification in engineering, surveying, and project management. Taught by industry experts, their courses align with the NCEES CBT format and consistently deliver pass rates above the national average. School of PE is recognized as a top-rated provider, and they are committed to student success through expert instruction and high-quality materials. Visit http://www.schoolofpe.com/ for more details and to see how they can best help you achieve your professional goals. Specialties: FE Exam Review, PE Exam Review, Surveying, and PMP
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
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