School of PE Blog

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is notorious for its difficulty, with an average year-round passing rate of about 60% as of July 2023. Obtaining an Engineering in Training (EIT) certification proves to be a major challenge and roadblock for many students and engineers, even having graduated from an accredited program and university. The reasons behind the nearly half fail rate for FE examinees are often misunderstood or oversimplified; in this blog, we will take a deeper look at the true underlying causes and provide advice to help future test takers succeed.

At first glance, it seems obvious that inadequate technical knowledge or preparation is the root cause for the strict passing rate, however, rarely is there ever a sole or even primary reason for failure. Not every engineer has the same background, nor the same circumstances in their lives, and it would be ignorant to paint with a broad brush as to why every examinee who missed the mark failed. A multitude of factors can contribute to not succeeding in their efforts: time management, resource allocation, improper preparation, and overstressing can all affect an examinee’s success.

Often, first-time takers of the FE underestimate what actually taking the exam is like, as a result, they are ill-prepared for what is in store for them. The FE covers a broad range of fundamentals from the first two years of an engineer’s schooling. For most students, who have completed their studies in earnest, they possess the knowledge of engineering fundamentals required to pass; granted, if proper review of technical weaknesses is undertaken. Attempting to pass such a critical examination just by memorizing equations and study guide answers without any effort to grasp the concepts truly is certainly misguided. This can quickly be remedied, to do so, diligently study any encountered problem areas and thoroughly practice analytical problem-solving techniques, with that, success is far closer to grasping than before.

Another enormous obstacle for many examinees of all experience levels is the psychological game and pressure of high-stakes standardized tests. Because the FE exam is composed of 110 difficult multiple-choice questions, test takers require strong mental stamina to maintain focus and complete the exam within the allotted 6 grueling hours. Sitting for 6 hours straight induces mental fatigue and strains concentration, all exasperating probably already high-test anxiety. Self-doubt and negative thoughts may intrude, and can severely impact reasoning skills needed for complex analytical questions. The best practice to overcome the overwhelming feeling of the clock is to build resilience through simulated practice exams; and set aside a day to become immersed in the exam environment. Preparation under as close to the real deal as possible will reduce stress and boost confidence in one’s preparation, which are critically important for success.

Poor time management is an incredibly common pitfall many engineers make during the exam, and getting derailed by difficult or unfamiliar problems. To complete all 110 questions within the time limit, the FE requires test takers to solve each problem at a brisk and steady pace, averaging just 3 minutes per question. Lingering too long on any single problem consumes valuable time that should be spent on easier questions. Test takers should restrain the urge to perfectly solve everything, and instead skip and mark problems causing delay. Here is where practice exams and study guides help in time allocation; identify areas that require more attention and which topics can be tackled quickly. Developing quick estimating skills and intuition for when to cut losses and move on will greatly improve efficiency. Pacing and time management under pressure must be practiced.

Strong fundamental problem-solving skills go hand in hand with time management; the FE tests a wide variety of engineering concepts and analytical frameworks, and test takers are expected to not only solve these problems but also carry this knowledge into the workforce. Yet, there are many students and engineers who rely too heavily on memorized procedures versus true first-principles understanding. For complex problems, knowing the underlying physical relationships, principles, and functional dependencies is far more valuable than following rote steps. Test takers need to sharpen skills for breaking down and simplifying problems using basic conceptual knowledge, in order to not become over-reliant on memorization, it is recommended to take multiple practice exams to solidify the concepts on the FE. Learning to qualitatively estimate solutions and check answers also avoids getting stuck in calculation steps.

Beyond academic and technical skills, general test-taking strategies make a big impact. Error avoidance should be prioritized over speed while still maintaining pace. Double-checking units, signs, and calculations will minimize costly mistakes. Also, FE problems are designed with tricky nuances, so reading questions and answers very carefully is essential. Actively annotating and taking notes directly on the test booklet can help improve focus. And for computer-based exams, flagging questions to come back to saves time. Practicing these test-taking habits will pay off tremendously.

Lastly, treating the FE as a one-time high-stakes event induces greater pressure than necessary. Failing once or even twice is normal and should be viewed as part of the multi-step learning process. Having an incremental growth mindset is far more productive than an all-or-nothing mentality. Test takers who view preparation as a long-term endeavor spanning months will experience less stress while systematically building knowledge and skills. With steady improvement over time and perseverance, passing the FE is an achievable milestone, not an insurmountable barrier.

A mix of technical and psychological factors underpin the common struggles to pass this challenging exam. While a minimum level of academic preparation is mandatory, developing persistence, problem-solving efficiency, time management, and stress management may be just as important. By understanding the true root causes behind FE exam difficulties, future test takers can shift their approach and set themselves up for success. The FE may carry the notoriety of being an insurmountable challenge, but that is further from the truth for all engineers on the journey to becoming a licensed professional engineer. With the right strategic approach, passing is within reach.