The Civil Engineering FE Exam: A Guide to Success

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The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam is the first step to becoming a registered Professional Engineer (PE). It consists of 110 multiple-choice questions split between 2 sections, and examinees are given 6 hours to complete it. The test is designed for engineering graduates or undergraduate students close to completing a degree from an EAC/EBAT-accredited program. 

Raul Padilla started working as a Design Engineer at Barghausen in April 2024 in our Roseville, CA office. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.A. in Civil Engineering in June 2024, and recently passed the Civil Engineering FE Exam! 

To prepare for the FE Exam, Raul used an online study guide called PrepFE. The resource provides practice questions based on various categories and topics related to the exam. The questions are laid out in the same format as the actual FE Exam, which familiarized him with the format and timing of the test. When he completed studying, he took the NCEES Practice Exam which equipped him with the FE Handbook. 

He attempted the FE Exam twice during his time in school. His first attempt was taken without studying, simply to gain familiarity with the format. For his second attempt, he dedicated three weeks of focused preparation but still did not pass. On his third try, with only a few days of studying, he successfully passed.  

The greatest challenge he faced was rebuilding the confidence to retake it after starting his career, knowing he no longer had the same free time for preparation. He overcame this hurdle through support in the office, where colleagues frequently shared their goals of passing the PE Exam. The conversations and motivation inspired him to give the FE Exam another shot.

Balancing work, particularly after long hours in front of a screen, made studying challenging. To stay focused, he prioritized his exam preparation, setting aside all other commitments to dedicate his full attention to studying. He remains especially grateful for his partner's support during that time, as she took care of meals and other responsibilities, enabling him to focus completely on his studies.

He described passing the FE Exam as an exciting milestone that boosted his motivation and made the goal of passing the PE Exam feel more attainable. His advice for tackling the FE is to avoid overthinking—if a problem seems too difficult, it's often a matter of overcomplicating it. The questions are designed to provide all the necessary information, so focusing on a thorough understanding of the reference manual is key. Some problems are straightforward calculations, but a critical tip is to stay vigilant with unit conversions. The exam frequently includes incorrect units as a way to catch test-takers off guard. Double-checking units proved to be one of his most effective strategies.

He had set a goal to pass the FE Exam by the end of 2025, but he achieved it before the year even began. This early success was a positive surprise, giving him a confidence boost. However, he knows this is just the beginning of a long journey toward becoming a licensed PE. 

Learn more about the FE Exam here: FE EXAM | NCEES

Preparation Course: PrepFE

Ready to take the PE Exam? Here is some advice from our civil engineers who have passed it: PE Exam Tips