Professional Engineering Exam Review

Reviewing for
FE (Fundamentals of Engineering)
PE (Principals and Practice)
Exams

Jeffrey J. Burchill, P.E.

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 Terms and Organizations
• EIT – Engineer in Training
• FE – Fundamentals of Engineering
• PE – Professional Engineer
• P&P – Principles and Practice
NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying)*
- Creates exam content
OP (Office of the Professionals for New York State)*
- Jurisdiction and Licensing of Professional Engineers
NSPE (National Society of Professional Engineers)*
- Voice and advocate of Licensed Professional Engineers
PPI (Professional Publications Inc.)*
- Review materials
* Contact information provided at end.

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Application to New York State
Forms
- Form 1 : Registration (All)
- Form 2 : Certification of Professional Education (All)
- Form 3 & 4 if needed for experience (FE)
- Form 3 ,4, 4A : Report of Professional Experience (PE)
Deadlines
- Must be postmarked by November 1st for April exams
- Must be postmarked by May 1st for October exams
Fees to New York State
- $75 (FE)
- $345 (PE)
Additional fee to test administrator (Castle)
Information and forms available on NYS OP website

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Calculators
What is the calculator policy? What calculators may I bring
to the exam?
Only models of calculators approved by NCEES are permitted in the exam
room. No other models of calculators or variations of the models listed below
are permitted in the exam room. The following are the only calculators that
will be permitted in the exam room for the 2007 exam administrations.
Hewlett Packard – HP 33S
Casio – FX 115MS or FX 115MSPlus (may have SR designation)
Texas Instruments – TI 30X IIS
Texas Instruments – TI 36X SOLAR

Each year, NCEES will review and revise the approved calculator list and
then announce the updated list by November 15.

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“The Pencil”
“Only NCEES-supplied marking and erasing instruments are permitted for use in the
examination room. Mechanical pencils will be provided. Each pencil has an eraser and is
preloaded with three pieces of 0.7-mm HB lead. This is the only writing instrument
allowed. Candidates may NOT bring lead or erasers. If necessary, proctors will issue
additional pencils to examinees during the exam.” - NCEES

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Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam
Exam tests knowledge of subject matter covered in
EAC/ABET accredited baccalaureate engineering
curriculum.

Exam specifications on NCEES website:

- Morning 4hrs.
 Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry, Economics, etc.
- Afternoon 4hrs.
 Choice of General or Discipline specific exam
- 180 multiple choice questions
 120 questions in the morning
 60 questions in the afternoon
- Closed book, only NCEES reference book is allowed.

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Choice: General vs. Discipline Specific
FE Exam Choices:
- Other/General Engineering exam: Similar subject matter
as morning exam, problems are more in-depth

- Discipline specific exam: review discipline subject matter

 Civil
 Chemical
 Mechanical
 Electrical
 Environmental
 Industrial

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General vs. Discipline Specific (Afternoon)
Personal choice:
- If you are recently out of school, general exam
may be easier
- If you have been working, discipline specific exam
may be easier

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 Recommended Study Materials - FE

+
NCEES Reference Manual
FE Review manual download .PDF or paper

General Engineering (Afternoon) Discipline - Specific (Afternoon)

+ OR

Discipline-Specific NCEES Sample questions &

Review Manual solutions (discipline-specific)
NCEES Sample questions & solutions
Civil, Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical,
Electrical, Industrial
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Principals and Practice (PE) Exam
The Principles and Practice exams test academic
knowledge and knowledge gained in engineering
practice.
Exam specifications on NCEES website
- Morning exam 4hrs
 Breadth
- Afternoon exam 4hrs
 Depth: Subject choice for Civil, Mechanical, Electrical
disciplines
- 80-100 questions multiple choice
- Open book, check with local jurisdiction if in doubt
about what reference material is allowed

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 PE Exam Overview
• Knowledge of codes/design standards is needed.
- Check exam specifications for codes/design standards
- Check NCEES website for correct versions

• Not all questions require calculations.

- Example: Why is A better than B ?

• Unnecessary information may be included

in the questions.

• Engineering judgment is needed.

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 Recommended Study Materials - PE

Reference Manual Practice Problems Sample Exam NCEES Sample

questions & solutions
Select appropriate discipline: Civil, Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial

Select appropriate Codes and Standards needed: Refer to NCEES website for details

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 Exam Study Strategies
Follow the review course schedule
- Review before class, this can help to get more from the session.

Work as many problems as possible

- “Work” the problem, don’t just read it.

Study as many subject areas as possible from the exam

specifications, this will increase chances for success.

Use calculator of choice when working problems

- There will not be time on the exam to become familiar with a calculator.

Take a timed practice exam

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 Study Strategies (Reference Material)
Use NCEES reference manual when working problems
- This is the only reference allowed in the exam, become familiar with it.
- A “fresh” copy will be provided at the exam.

FE Reference Handbook

Use reference materials when working problems

- Organize and work with your references, codes and design standards
- Have a good index to quickly look up subjects in your reference books

+
Reference materials - reference
Applicable codes and standards
manual, text books, worked problems, etc.

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Exam Strategies
Read the problem carefully, what is being asked?
Time:
- FE exam
 2 minutes/problem (morning)
 4 minutes/problem (afternoon)
- PE exam
 6 minutes/problem

Watch your time

- If the problem seems to be taking too much time, you may be
reading too deep into it or taking the wrong approach.
There is no penalty for guessing
- If you cannot get a correct answer, guess, circle the question
and return to it if time permits.
Watch units and conversions
- All answers may seem reasonable.
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 Scoring and Pass Rates
• NCEES committee determines score to be minimally
competent
• No set number to Pass or Fail the exam
• 12 weeks to get results from New York State
• PASS or FAIL grade is issued
- In the event of a FAIL grade a diagnostic report will be issued

Exam Pass Rates

FE Exam (April 2007) PE Exam (April 2007)
Examination First-time Repeat Examination First-time takers Repeat takers
Module takers takers
PE Chemical 81% 27%
Chemical 85% 46%
PE Civil 67% 34%
Civil 76% 36%
PE Electrical and Computer 66% 27%
Electrical 69% 19% PE Environmental 73% 35%
Environmental 81% 35% PE Mechanical 64% 30%
Industrial 61% 26% PE Naval Architecture/Marine 89% 100%
Mechanical 80% 33% PE Structural I 38% 25%
General 77% 29% PE Structural II 51% 37%

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Summary
• Paperwork and Deadlines for New York State
• Determine what to study:
- FE exam, general or discipline specific?
- PE exam, depth within discipline?
• Acquire study materials
• Follow review course schedule
• Study as many subject areas as possible
• Use reference materials when studying
• Take a timed practice exam

STUDY and you will be successful!

Questions?
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Resources and Information
SUNY- ESF
http://www.esf.edu/outreach/pd/2007/pe/

National Council of Examiners of Engineering and Surveying

www.ncees.org

New York State Office of the Professionals

http://www.op.nysed.gov/pe.htm

Professional Publications Inc. (Review materials for exams)

http://ppi2pass.com/ppi/PPIShop

National Society of Professional Engineers

http://www.nspe.org

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