The Fundamentals of Engineering exam, abbreviated the FE civil exam, is one of two examinations (the other being the PE exam) that all civil engineers must pass for gaining the license. In simpler words, it is a requirement for every candidate to become a licensed engineer in the United States. And if you are planning to take this exam in the near future, the tips below can certainly help!
- What Kind Of Learner Are You
Understanding the type of learner you are can play a critical role in your overall preparation and performance on your FE exam. While many like studying individually and applying their concepts, some prefer preparing in groups. This is why it is pivotal that you understand your learning style and then take advantage of its many benefits while reducing its weaknesses.
And if you fall into the category of someone who favors preparing in a collaborative environment, you are covered. By simply enrolling in one of our review courses, you can do a world of good for your preparation. With online materials, you get the chance to easily connect with peers or mentors. This approach empowers you to get your doubts cleared there and then.
While it is an individual’s choice whether you intend to go on your own or consider an online course, the fact that the latter option provides support, lectures, practice problems, and so on, is worth talking about. But ultimately, understanding your own learning style is the key to preparation.
- Know What’s On The Test
Memorizing everything about the exam is not feasible for anyone. The safest bet to know what’s on the test is to spend time diligently reviewing previous exams. This is to ensure that you get a fair knowledge about what types of problems might be included in yours, and accordingly, you can make a note of them.
If you are a repeat taker or have practiced exams before, reviewing your past exams lets you know what types of problems are included in each exam category. For instance, let’s say multiple-choice questions never appeared in your exam previously. The approach should be to focus less on such questions and concentrate on other sections.
So, by now, you have probably gotten the idea of what we are stressing about! We are trying to say that knowing what isn’t in the test is as important as knowing what is.
- Time Management Is Crucial
It goes without saying that many candidates endure time management issues because they are not sure how long a task should take. If you can anticipate how long a task takes, it gives you the privilege to allocate your time wisely to other ones.
While it is easier said than done to know how long a task will take, it is something that comes naturally with experience and practice. This is applicable to the FE exam as well.
Delving a bit deeper, it is to your knowledge that there are fundamentally two categories for managing your time efficiently. The first is how you are managing your day to make time to prepare for this exam. If you follow our advice, it is pivotal to study for at least two hours a day on a regular basis. This time should be amplified on weekends if you wish to clear this exam on your first attempt. Additionally, it is a practice that you must embrace consistently for 3 to 4 months to nail this exam.
The second category of time management is how well you oversee your time when resolving questions on exam day. If you are unable to find a solution to an existing problem in the estimated time and continue to lag, it is a real problem. And the only solution to overcome this hurdle is by taking several practice exams before your real exam. This tests your skills, and you get an idea of how well you have performed.
Additionally, there are some tips we would like to share with you that can help you in your “time management” endeavors. Firstly, make sure to show up on time on the day of the exam. Secondly, the safest bet is to read the different parts of the questions meticulously before answering. If you don’t have the answer to the question, rather than making an assumption, it is better to skip it for the moment. You can always return to it later, after you have answered other questions.
- Employ The FE Reference Handbook
For preparing for the FE exam, it is always recommended to take the help of the FE reference handbook. To your knowledge, it is published by NCEES and entails all major topics of engineering mechanics in the form of statics, dynamics, fluids, thermal systems, and structures.
To get a copy of it, and that too without shelling out anything extra from your pocket, all you need to do is login to your NCEES account and begin practicing problems. It is vital to get familiar with this book and also prefer to use its PDF version to learn how to use the search function. Knowing and understanding this resource can amplify your chances of passing this exam.
- Use NCEES For Practice Problems
If you aim to improve your chances of clearing this examination, it makes sense to seek the help of NCEES, which offers many practice problems to its aspiring engineers. While these sample questions won’t replicate the questions that you will actually get on exam day, they are worth the gamble you would like to take.
And apart from offering you practice exams, NCEES also bestows a comprehensive guide on its long list of aspirants. It essentially entails all 12 sections that you will see in the exam.
Final Words
If you wish to ace this exam, the above-mentioned tips can surely help you. And by connecting with the Civil Engineering Academy, you get the chance to solve many FE civil practice exam problems that aim to prepare you for the big day.
