School of PE Blog

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a challenging yet rewarding exam that requires diligent preparation. An important part of that preparation is repeatedly simulating the actual exam day experience through practice tests. A simulation of the test-taking environment helps you become comfortable with the format, pacing, and pressure before tackling the real thing. Here in this blog are some tips to make your FE exam practice feel like the real deal.

Choose Practice Problems Strategically

When selecting practice problems, target those similar in format and difficulty level to actual exam questions. To do so, utilize prep books, sample tests, and the multitude of online resources specifically tailored for the FE exam. Avoid practice questions that are overly simplistic or diverge too far from what you will encounter on test day. Stick to material representative of the rigor and style you will face.

Strict Time Sections

With 110 questions over a 6-hour time period, it may seem you have ample time to ponder each problem. However, this confidence can be deceiving; you must balance speed and accuracy strategically.

In an ideal world, every question would receive equal, methodical attention. Yet some problems will click immediately, while others necessitate more thought; rather than sticking doggedly to one pace, embrace the ebb and flow. Move briskly through questions you comprehend readily, banking time for those requiring careful analysis.

To maximize efficiency, first skim through the entire exam to identify low-hanging fruit. Answer these simpler questions first to build momentum and take advantage of peak mental freshness to tackle the remaining problems. Mark unfamiliar problems to revisit later with full concentration. This triage technique prevents getting bogged down early on unnecessarily.

With preparation, you will learn your strengths and weaknesses. Drill frequently on weak areas until your proficiency improves, develop an instinct through practice for when to pause on a problem versus power through it, and preserve time for review at the end to catch any careless errors.

The FE exam rewards both speed and discernment. Don’t treat every question equally, but rather allocate time proportional to difficulty. Adaptability and time management are essential complements to engineering know-how. With the right balanced strategy, you will demonstrate your technical competence efficiently.

Limit Resources

On exam day, you’ll only have access to limited supplies like a calculator, scratch paper, and the reference handbook. When practicing, only allow yourself these same resources. Don't rely on more outside aids than the test environment provides. This builds skills in quickly locating needed formulas and data.

Take Strategic Breaks

The FE exam has scheduled breaks between segments when you can stand up, have a snack, or use the restroom. Build similar brief pauses into practice tests to mimic the rhythm you'll experience on exam day. The short rests will help you stay focused without getting burned out.

Create Test Day Conditions

Finding or creating a quiet, distraction-free area to study and take your practice tests is important. This could be a desk in your bedroom, a study room at the library, or even just a clear table in your kitchen. The space should allow you to focus without disruptions from noises, other people, TVs/music, etc. Mimicking test day conditions where you'll be in a controlled environment focused on the exam.

Use Proper Test Tools

Invest in the approved calculator you’ll use on the FE to start practicing with it. Utilize scratch paper so you can simulate testing conditions where everything must fit within the space provided. Using the right tools regularly will ensure they feel natural on exam day.

Practice Stamina

It is a long, mentally draining exam day. Don't just drill practice problems for short intervals. Do full-length practice tests lasting 6 hours or more to simulate the required stamina and focus needed to persist through the FE marathon. Mimic exam day conditions down to the hour.

Arrive Prepared

Before practice tests, get plenty of rest, eat a healthy, filling meal, gather snacks, and hydrate thoroughly. Arrive early to your practice space so you can be seated, organized, calculator-ready, and mind-focused when you simulate the start time. This will help you be ready to hit the ground running on the actual test day.

Keep Track of Errors

Keeping diligent track of errors made during practice exams is arguably the most vital test prep technique. By logging each mistake and cross-referencing the topic, you can extract data-driven insights to guide efficient strengthening of weaknesses.

After every practice test, catalog wrong answers in a notebook or spreadsheet. Note the conceptual framework and skills required, not just the surface question. Seeing you missed questions about centrifugal pumps indicates a fluid dynamics knowledge gap. Miss multiple integral calculus problems? That points to a broader pre-calc deficiency.

Patterns will emerge, illuminating needs for review. Perhaps you consistently make algebra mistakes under time pressure. Or you struggle with interpreting geological maps. Use the quantified trouble areas to direct further practice. Revisit textbooks, notes, videos, and other resources to shore up those vulnerabilities.

This focused remediation helps boost competency efficiently. Additional practice questions on identified weak spots will sharpen skills through repetition. By fixating practice only on known flaws instead of reinforcing existing strengths, you maximize improvement per study hour.

As the exam nears, your error log highlights priorities for final review. In the last week, rework missed problem types intensely. Verify these former pitfalls have been conquered. This ensures critical knowledge gaps are sealed before test day.

Approaching prep as an iterative process of identifying and correcting errors builds exam readiness methodically. You are empowered by data, not guessing randomly where more work is required. Measure, analyze, and conquer deficiencies - this scientific method will best calibrate your preparation to ace the real test.

Conclusion

By repeatedly utilizing these tips to mimic real FE exam conditions during practice, you'll build comfort, endurance, and confidence for the big day. On test day, the experience will feel familiar, and you’ll be thoroughly prepared to demonstrate your engineering competence successfully. With strategic practice, you’ll be ready to pass this significant professional milestone.

Working through practice problems allows a student to prepare for the different types of questions on their exam, determine strengths and weaknesses, and develop their general test-taking skills. School of PE’s Question Bank is a great resource if you are looking to simulate your FE exam. We even offer monthly packages!