All FE Exam Practice Tests
The first step to becoming a licensed engineer is to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Use some of the FE exam questions below to prepare for your exam.
After taking each FE practice exam, make sure to use the answer explanations to learn how to solve each question.
The FE questions in our exams above will work for any FE exam you will be taking (chemical, civil, mechanical, etc…). We pulled the most common questions that are covered on all of the different exams.
FE Exam Format
Go into this important test day knowing exactly what to expect. While the FE exam is different for every student, the basics are the same. It’s a 110 question, multiple-choice exam. Sections are not explicitly labeled but you will be able to tell what section you’re working in by what questions are asked.
Unlike many other computerized exams, the FE is not adaptive. It will not become more difficult with correct answers.
Furthermore, there will be random questions that do not count toward your score but these are not labeled. They are only known by the administrators.
You can expect to spend 6 hours taking this test with only a 25-minute break. Fortunately, they do give you time to figure out complex questions. The average time per question clocks in at 3 minutes so use that to your advantage. You can also split the time however you like between the two sections since they are not timed separately.
Different Types of FE Exams
There are 7 different types of FE exams. The exam you take will depend on which discipline of engineering you would like to be certified for. The 7 different types of FE exams are:
- FE Chemical
- FE Civil
- FE Electrical and Computer
- FE Environmental
- FE Industrial and Systems
- FE Mechanical
- FE Other Disciplines
All of these exams will consist of 110 questions with students having 6 hours to complete the exam. However, the kinds of questions on each exam will be different and specific to the discipline being tested.
You can review the specifics and types of questions that will be asked on the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) website.
Everyone’s FE Exam is 100% Unique
No one is given the same exam, including those who are in the same testing room at the same time. The tests are not just sequenced differently; they are based on entirely different questions. There are thousands of equivalent questions in the database and it randomly chooses one for every individual test. This prevents cheating of any kind.
Alternate Question-Types on the FE Exam
Some exams have upped their game and started to incorporate questions that are not multiple-choice. These questions are designed to test a student’s technical understanding. They are no harder than multiple-choice questions so as long as you are prepared, you won’t have any trouble with them. The number of alternate questions on an exam will vary by student. There is no set number of them.
Let’s take a closer look at how each type of question plays out.
Multiple-Choice Questions
You’ll find two types of multiple-choice questions on the exam. One is the traditional format where there is only one correct answer. Others will have multiple correct answers and you are expected to choose all that apply. There is no martial credit for the latter. If you miss just one correct answer, then you will not score that question.
Point and Click Questions
You are given specific information and then asked a question where you have to find a specific item on an image. Simply click the area to select it.
Drag and Place Questions
Much like point and clock questions, you are given an image and asked to perform a specific task. You will then need to move objects within the image appropriately.
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
These questions are tricky so be sure to ready them carefully. As the name implies, you are given a question with a blank space and you are expected to fill in that space with the correct answer. Be careful when typing numbers because decimal spaces are very important. Also don’t spell out numbers (three); write them in numerical form (3).
Case Study Questions
These can be comprised of all types of questions listed above. The difference is that you are given a case study and then asked questions related to it. These case studies can be comprised of multiple documents. Scroll between them using tabs at the top of the screen.
How FE Scoring Works
Your score is based on the number of correct answers. Incorrect answers do not get deducted so it’s okay to guess if you don’t know the answer. This score is then scaled, based on the predetermined difficulty of the exam. This scaled score represents the tester’s score in comparison to the minimum requirement for that exam. Please note, the NCEES does not publish the passing score.
Students will have to wait 7-10 days to get their results, which are sent via email. These results include information about the licensing board you’re applying to and how to proceed with the application.
If you fail the exam, you’ll be given a report that shows your scores across all topics so you know where you struggled most.
FE Exam Pass Rates
If you are curious about how hard the FE exam is, you can view some pass rates from prior years below.
| Exam | Volume | Pass Rate |
| FE Chemical | 701 | 74% |
| FE Civil | 6049 | 70% |
| FE Electrical and Computer | 1189 | 72% |
| FE Environmental | 780 | 79% |
| FE Industrial and Systems | 254 | 67% |
| FE Mechanical | 3632 | 75% |
| FE Other Disciplines | 910 | 63% |
FE Exam FAQs
Can I retake the FE exam?
Yes. You are allowed to retake the test should you fail but you have to wait at least two months. Furthermore, you can only take the test three times in total during a 12-month period.
Each time you register, you are required to pay the $175 fee so failing can get quite expensive. Plus you might have to pay additional application fees.
How do I practice for the FE exam?
One of the best ways to prepare for the FE exam is by using FE practice exams. Becoming more familiar with the questions you will see on the exam will help you get a better score on the actual exam.
You can utilize the FE exam practice materials listed above to start your studies. Ensure to read answer explanations when completing practice questions – these will help you understand why something was correct or incorrect.
What do I need to bring to my FE exam?
You’ll need your government-issued ID to gain entrance into the testing facility. Student ID cards are not a valid form of identification.
The testing facility will also require your ECEES Appointment Confirmation Letter. They can look this form up during check-in, but having it with you greatly speeds up the process.
You are not allowed to take any books into the exam room. They will provide you with a handbook for use during the test.
What should I expect when taking the FE exam?
Expect to spend six hours in the testing center. That means you’ll need to bring a bottle of water to keep you hydrated. In between testing sections, you’re given 25 minutes to stretch your legs, clear your mind, and have a snack. Bring something light like an apple or banana.
The test is given on computer. It’s fairly straight-forward. No adaptive difficulty at all. Just a linear test that does not change difficulty based on how you are performing.
Final Thoughts
Chances are that you’ll find most of the FE exam to be very straight-forward. You’ve probably faced more difficult tests in college so have some confidence in yourself. As long as you are properly prepared, you’ll do well.
Take a FE practice exam above to start your studies and see how you do.
