Preparing for the FE Civil Practice Exam: What You Need to Know

The FE civil practice exam conducted by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is the first step to becoming a licenced professional engineer. 

Those aspiring to become Professional Engineer (PE) must clear the FE civil practice exam. There are different types of FE exams including, civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical etc.

Engineering students who are about to complete their undergraduate degree or recent graduates can appear for the exam. The exam covers mostly the topics of the general course of the undergraduate degree. 

In this blog post, we will discuss the essentials for preparing for the FE civil practice exam and all you need to know about it before appearing in the exam. So let’s break down the process into small steps and strategies to help you ace the exam. 

Understanding The FE Civil Practice Exam

FE Civil Practice Exam is a standardized exam designed to assess the knowledge and skills of engineering graduates in the field of civil engineering. It is a computer-based exam and includes 110 multiple choice questions the appointment time is 6 hours.

It starts with a nondisclosure agreement of two minutes, followed by a tutorial that lasts for 8 minutes. After that, the FE Civil exam questions span five hours and twenty minutes. There’s also a twenty-five-minute break in between the sessions. 

The first step towards becoming a professional Engineer is to pass the FE civil practice exam. The second is the Principles of Practice Engineering (PE) exam. Preparing for the FE Civil exam will help you in your PE exam prep study course as well.

After successfully passing both exams, you are eligible to begin working towards your PE licensure, involving approximately four years of supervised experience under a Professional Engineer.

The exam covers a wide range of areas including, civil engineering principles, mathematics, engineering sciences etc. These subject areas encompass the fundamental knowledge and skills required to be a licenced engineer and practice effectively in the field. 

Key Steps in Preparing For The FE Civil Practice Exam

To prepare for the FE civil practice exam you need to get acquainted with the exam process, practice questions and know your strengths to increase the chances of clearing the exam. 

Here are some key steps you need to focus on:

Know The Exam

Getting to know the pattern and syllabus of the test is the most crucial step to getting started with your preparation, so make sure you gather all the important information regarding the exam. 

Prepare A Study Plan

Preparing a plan beforehand will help you organize your study better and you will be able to complete the curriculum of the exam efficiently. At least 12-14 weeks are ideal to complete the whole preparation so make sure you divide your plan accordingly to cover each topic given in the syllabus. 

Utilize The NCEES Reference handbook 

Keep the NCEES reference handbook within reach at all times. Officially published by NCEES, it covers all the major topics of the engineering field you'll need in your preparation so make sure to make good use of it. 

Manage your Time

Time management plays a crucial role while preparing for the exam. You can use strategies like setting the timer, dividing tasks into small portions and practising mindfulness to better manage your time. 

Practice tests

Practising tests will get you familiar with the exam format and the actual process of the test. It will also help you increase your speed and eliminate options.

Stay Consistent

Keeping in touch with the preparation is the most important thing to do. You have to stay consistent with your studies and practice daily to get acquainted with the exam. 

Keep Practicing

Last but not the least! Practice a lot. The only way to familiarise yourself with the exam is to practice daily. So take past exam questions and review your performance over time. The more familiar you are with the exam, the more confident you will feel.

Important Topics and Concepts To Focus On

Familiarize yourself with the topics asked in the FE civil exam. You must do practice problems given on the official website of the NCEES FE civil exam topic list. Following are some of the topics you do not want to miss practising.

Mathematics and Statistics

• Know how to use algebra: Solving equations, inequalities, and systems of equations.

• Pythagoras theorem

• Calculus: Differentiation, integration, and applications in engineering.

• Probability and Statistics: Basic concepts, probability distributions, and statistical analysis.

• Mean, median, mode and standard deviation

 

Engineering Sciences

• Mechanics: Statics, dynamics, and mechanics of materials.

• Materials Science: Properties of materials, behaviour under different conditions.

• Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, energy transfer, and heat transfer.

• Electrical Circuits: Basic circuit elements, Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws.

 

Civil Engineering Principles

 

• Structural Analysis: Analysis of determinate and indeterminate structures, bending moments, and shear forces.

• Geotechnical Engineering: Soil mechanics, soil properties, foundation design.

• Transportation Engineering: Highway design, traffic flow, transportation planning.

• Water Resources: Hydrology, hydraulics, open-channel flow, stormwater management.

• Environmental Engineering: Water and wastewater treatment, air pollution, environmental regulations.

 

Ethics and Professional Practice

 

• Professional Ethics: Ethical considerations in engineering practice, codes of conduct.

• Professional Responsibility: Legal responsibilities, safety considerations, environmental sustainability.

• Know about the obligations to the client and the public as a professional.

• Know the steps to engineering licensure in the US.

 

Conclusion

The FE civil practice examis a vital step in the process of becoming a licensed professional engineer. It is important to acknowledge your potential and refine your knowledge and skills over time. In the Civil Engineering Academy, we will help you get exam-ready with the best resources and study material to help you ace the exam in one go. Remember, everyone has their preferred learning style and pace, and to master the FE civil exam consistency and dedication are the keys. As long as you stick to your method and put in the time, you'll surely clear the Civil FE exam.