School of PE Blog

Welcome back to the second part of our two-part blog series on tackling difficult questions on the FE exam! In our previous blog, we explored strategies for flagging questions, breaking down multi-step problems, and leveraging your strengths. We'll discuss the importance of practicing multi-step problems, reviewing all knowledge domains, mastering appropriate calculator skills, and applying time management strategies. By following these guidelines, you'll be well-prepared to tackle difficult questions on the FE exam with confidence.

A primary source of challenging questions on the FE exam are multi-step quantitative problems that combine several engineering principles across topics. These problems begin with a descriptive scenario and require logical progression through multiple calculation steps to arrive at the desired solution. Students often struggle to piece together the steps required and lose precious time attempting to solve these problems.

Practicing multi-step problems in your FE exam prep is a great way to hone this skill. Get exposure working through quantitative problems with multiple phases of analysis. For example, calculate deflection in a beam by first solving shear and moment diagrams from loading before using singularity functions. Or determine the output voltage of a series RLC circuit by individually addressing the voltage drops across all resistive, inductive, and capacitive elements.

When practicing multi-part problems, do not jump straight into the calculations. First, assess the scenario presented and think critically about the engineering fundamentals at play. Determine the key principles that will drive each analysis step. Sketch concepts visually to clarify understanding before quantifying relationships. Outline the progression of your work so you can methodically connect the phases.

Checking your work frequently via hand calculations, diagrams, unit analysis, etc., is also vital. For multi-step problems, small mistakes compound quickly if not caught. After solving main components like finding currents or material properties, pause and confirm if the values make sense before continuing on. Develop strong habits of intermediate checks as you work on practice problems.

With improved experience dissecting and logically solving multi-part problems, geometric thinking skills in assessing complex scenarios will sharpen. Practice enough sample FE exam problems and multi-step questions, which will seem routine on test day. Break problems down into fundamental steps and validate your work along the way to master multi-step problem-solving.

Since the FE exam is so broad in scope, it is important to review all the core knowledge domains and avoid a narrow focus on a few favorite subjects. Many students gravitate to topics they find easier and have gotten more exposure to in their engineering coursework. However, questions on the exam are balanced across disciplines, so weaker areas cannot be neglected.

Set your study schedule to ensure you refresh yourself at least briefly on all the topics covered. Use the official NCEES exam specifications as your blueprint for the knowledge areas tested. Ensure you understand the core principles for each domain. The FE Reference Handbook and other concise review manuals are great resources for relearning fundamental concepts. Flash cards can also help ingrain must-know equations and definitions.

Solving practice problems in unfamiliar subject areas is also key. Search for sets of questions specifically targeting your weaker disciplines. Mastering Engineering, NCEES practice exams, and review manuals tailor problem sets across all exam domains. Hands-on exposure will vastly improve comfort level applying fundamental concepts.

Don’t let pride steer you away from revisiting beginner topics you may not have mastered initially. It takes courage to confront weaknesses, but addressing all knowledge domains is necessary for FE exam success. Refresh fundamentals in your challenging areas, solve focused practice problems, and test your competency to avoid difficult surprises on exam day.

Calculators are a crucial tool for solving quantitative FE exam problems quickly and efficiently. However, a lack of familiarity with calculator functions can lead to fumbling and wasted time during the exam. Make sure to master any permitted calculator model you plan to use. For the FE Civil exam, this includes the Casio FX-115 and FX-991 MS models.

Learn to quickly access the key buttons and menu options needed for exam calculations. Useful functions include trigonometric, exponents and roots, matrices, solving equations, unit conversions, general math, etc. Configure your calculator settings to operate in degree mode rather than radian for most engineering calculations. Create shortcut buttons for common constants like π, g, conversion factors, etc. to save keystrokes.

Also, practice executing multi-step calculations on your calculator to avoid rounding errors. Learn to store intermediate values in variables for easy recall later in a problem’s progression. Utilizing built-in math functionality tailors your calculator to tackle FE exam questions with speed and precision.

When solving practice problems during FE exam prep, strictly adhere to only using approved calculators. This simulates exam conditions and exposes any capability gaps to work on. Master your calculator skills through drills and repetitive use so it becomes second nature on test day. Fluent, nimble calculation ability can greatly ease solving difficult quantitative problems under time pressure.

With 110 questions to solve in just 5 hours and 20 minutes, the FE exam keeps up a demanding pace, requiring strict time budgeting. Failing to manage your time across questions and knowledge domains can leave you scrambling as the clock counts down. Have a game plan for efficiently allocating time and recognizing when you must move on from difficult problems.

First, using your permitted scribble sheets or notebook, map out target times to reach for each portion of the exam based on the number of questions in that section. This helps guide the pace needed question-by-question to stay on track. Second, when starting a question, set a mental timer for 1-3 minutes, depending on its point value. If no clear path to the solution presents itself at that time, flag the question and move on. Later in the exam period, you can revisit these flagged questions with a fresh perspective.

Be alert to the sinking feeling that comes from getting stuck in a rut on a hard question. Pushing yourself too long on a single problem that is not progressing eats away valuable time that could be spent on other questions. Have the discipline to skip ahead and come back. Lastly, with about 10-15 minutes left, stop beginning any new questions. Use this time to review your work, finish up questions you’re close on, and make educated guesses on those still unanswered.

Proper time management ensures you maximize your score potential by attempting every question possible. Have a game plan, know when to temporarily skip ones wasting your time, and budget appropriately across all exam sections. Efficient use of your time helps relieve the pressure of solving difficult questions.

Navigating difficult questions that present roadblocks on the FE exam can rattle examinees’ confidence if not prepared. Have a plan to break down apparently difficult problems into manageable fundamentals and to skip past those wasting mental cycles. Leverage your strengths and problem-solving creativity to uncover alternate solution paths. Maintain positivity, never doubt your knowledge, and trust your abilities developed through diligent study. With the right problem-solving mindset and strategies, challenging questions can be overcome for FE exam success.

Ready to conquer those tricky FE questions and pass your exam? Register now for one of School of PE's comprehensive exam review courses and don't let difficult questions hold you back! Take the first step towards your engineering career goals today!