FE Reference Handbook

How to Get Your Free PDF Copy of the FE Reference Handbook

September 24, 2024 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I uncover a critical resource for aspiring engineers: The FE Reference Handbook, and dive into the essential steps to obtain your own free PDF copy of this indispensable tool, crucial for mastering the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

When you’re taking the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, or FE for short, you’ll get access to a free, searchable, PDF document that you can reference throughout the exam. This nearly 500-page book is known as the FE Reference Handbook. The FE Reference Handbook is your go-to resource during the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, a crucial step for obtaining your engineering license in the US. It’s an invaluable tool packed with formulas, equations, charts, and data relevant to various engineering disciplines.

What is the FE Reference Handbook?

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) publishes this official handbook.
It’s the only reference material you can use during the computer-based FE exam.
You won’t bring a physical copy; a PDF version is provided within the exam software.
The content varies based on your chosen engineering discipline (e.g., civil, mechanical, electrical).

Here are the steps to get your free PDF copy of the FE Reference Handbook directly through NCEES:

5 Tips & Tricks to Pass the FE Exam in 2 Months

April 19, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I talk with Alejandro Patino, EIT, Senior Engineer at Colliers Engineering & Design, who gives us five specific tips on how he prepared, studied, and passed the FE exam with two months of focused study time.

Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Alejandro:

Talk to us about your first tip which is about creating an exam schedule?
What process did you use to prepare for the FE exam?
What advice can you share with the listeners when doing practice problems?
How did you time yourself during the exam and why do you think this was the reason you failed the exam the first time?
What final tip would you like to share with the listeners?

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

FE Exam Prep: Ethics

January 11, 2022 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I solve an ethics question similar to one you might encounter during the FE Exam in the FE and Professional Practice category.

Question:

Why may it be difficult to apply codes of ethics to real-world situations?

(A) The codes are too idealized for real-world situations.
(B) Since few people follow such codes, doing so would put one at a great disadvantage.
(C) Corporations are profit oriented, and frown upon anything that may affect their bottom line.
(D) Sections of the code are vague or conflict with other sections.

Solution:

[Read more…] about FE Exam Prep: Ethics

Definite Integral: Calculus Example (Problem and Answer)

July 27, 2021 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this Pass the FE Exam article (and video above), I solve a problem in which I define a definite integral. You may need to answer questions like this on your FE Exam (calculus section), so practice is always recommended.

This sample problem has been provided to us by PrepFE. PrepFE is one of the most effective FE exam self-study prep services out there and happens to be one of the most affordable too. It is an app that gives you access to countless sample FE problems to bolster your self-study efforts.

You can visit PrepFE here and use the discount code in the description of this video here to receive 10% off and get some great FE practice problems.

Question:

Evaluate the following expression:

Solution:

Water Resources Problem & Solution: Calculating the Amount of Runoff

July 13, 2021 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this Pass the FE Exam article (and video above), I take you step by step through a type of problem you’ll likely have to solve during the FE Exam as part of the hydrology/water resources section by calculating the amount of runoff from a commercial site.

You can visit PrepFE here and use the discount code in the description of this video here to receive 10% off and get some great FE practice problems.

Question:

A 20-acre suburban commercial lot has stores and parking lots. The corresponding NRCS curve number is 97. What is most nearly the amount of runoff created after a 2.75″ rain event over the course of 24 hours?

Solution:

FE Practice Problem: Consolidation of Clay

June 15, 2021 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I solve a consolidation of clay practice problem that you will encounter during the FE exam. This example is of a geotechnical investigation at a proposed road construction site that contains a subsurface clay soil layer and looks at the consolidation of that layer.

You can visit PrepFE here and use the discount code in the description of this video here to receive 10% off and get some great FE practice problems.

The Question Is:

A geotechnical investigation at a proposed road construction site spotted a 7 ft thick weak clay layer, 10 feet below the ground surface. On top of the weak clay layer, there is 10 feet of fill material. A sample was obtained from the drilling investigation and was subsequently sent to a lab for testing. The lab results for the weak clay layer and the fill material layer can be seen below. Assume building a road on top of the soil profile will increase vertical stress by 100 psf at the midpoint of the weak clay layer and the clay layer is a normally consolidated clay. What is most nearly the primary consolidation of the weak clay layer?

Here is the Solution:

Moment of Inertia Question and Solution (FE Exam)

May 4, 2021 by Anthony Fasano, P.E. Leave a Comment

In this article (and video above), I provide a refresher on how to answer a moment of inertia problem as part of your FE Exam preparation.

You can visit PrepFE here and use the discount code in the description of this video here to receive 10% off and get some great FE practice problems.

Following Is the Sample Problem:

What is most nearly the area moment of inertia about the x-axis of the composite shape shown below?

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