The Fundametals of Engineering Exam
This is primarily for those seniors intending to sit for the April 25, 2009 FE Exam, but may be useful to any students intending to take the exam at any point in the future.
Short answer: Of course; no question about it. Concisely put, it is strongly in your best interest to take the exam and to do so this year.
Here are some reasons: professional licensure will enhance your future career progress. FE status is considered to be a strong plus by employers even now as you graduate and seek your first job. The exam covers recent academic material that is still fresh (yes, fresh) in your mind, making the chances of your passing the exam now extremely high. Also, if you file for the exam while a student, Messiah will reimburse one half of the fee.
Therefore, taking the exam now will complete an effort that would otherwise be attempted during a later and more crowded, future phase in your life. So, each of you is strongly encouraged to begin early and take the necessary steps toward sitting for the April 25, 2009 FE exam.
Here are the key deadline dates to remember for the spring 2009 exam:
December 1, 2008 - Postmark deadline for filing the Scheduling Form PA11 (exam application).
December 15, 2008 - Filing of the Report on Student Status by the College.
April 25, 2009 - Sit for the exam.
May 16, 2009 or later - At your request, Messiah College submits directly to Engineering Examination Services a final transcript showing your earned degree.
Messiah engineering students of at least junior standing are eligible to sit for the exam by virtue of their ABET accredited program. (There are other eligibility criteria based on experience rather than education which do not apply at Messiah). The Scheduling Form (D/L: Dec 1, 2008) is the student’s exam application. The Report of Student Status Form (D/L: Dec 15, 2008) is the College authenticating the student. The Final Transcript is the College authenticating the student as a graduate. The transcript request may be given to the Registrar after passing the test and prior to graduation for submittal afterward. (Note that after passing the exam, FE status requires the fact of graduation.)
There are some Internet home pages you will want to access, some forms you must download, fill out and file. Next, there is a money order or certified check ($175 for Pennsylvania) you will need to buy and enclose with your application. Finally, place the money order receipt in Jean McCauslin’s mail box (along with your student number) for Messiah’s half reimbursement.
For preparation, there are two principal resources, both of which are in the Engineering Resource room on 2nd floor of FREY.
The most important resource for the a.m. part is the Fundamentals of Engineering Supplied-Reference Handbook which is given to each student at the exam. Multiple copies of this manual are available for an individual's use in the Resource room. Please return it promptly when finished. The goal here is to learn where everything is in the book. Searching blindly through this reference for formulas during the examination is to be avoided. (Also see the advice of a recent examinees on this subject below.)
Next are the sample test books in the same place. At some point, taking a timed self exam (or part thereof) will be very helpful. You will be deciding between the discipline specific and general alternative PM tests and can make that decision on Exam day after seeing the alternative exams in front of you.
- Plan on some degree of preparatory self testing. Read through all the email comments provided by past exam takers to PPI.
- My (Bob Clancy's) advice is to choose the Discipline Specific (DS) rather than the General exam. (Others believe otherwise; see opinions from students on the above website.) You will be able to browse the alternative p.m. exams before you have to choose one.
- In the Engineering Reference Room there is a shelf with some dozen preparation books including:
- A General exam prep book (the only book containing a sample a.m. test)
- Discipline Specific (DS) books for Mechanical and Electrical (Computer students take the Electrical p.m. exam).
- NCEES FE Supplied - Reference Handbook. You will be receiving a fresh copy of this (ie, no personal annotations) at the exam.
- Do the following two things: Rest well the night before and use the bathroom at the site before you get seated. This eight hours of testing will be physically grueling.
- Bring the following: A watch, a familiar calculator (check web pages for the long list of unauthorized calculators) with backup calculator batteries. A seat cushion and your own 0.7 mm medium lead pencil. Also, a sack lunch, bottled water and ear plugs (no, we’re not your mom but we do care about you).
- http://www.pcshq.com/ - (Applicant Information> Pennsylvania> Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)> First time candidate registration> Scheduling Form> Report of Student Status and, >a Final Transcript as a record of graduation.)
- http://www.dos.state.pa.us/eng - Pennsylvania State Board, Tel: 717-783-7049
- http://www.ncees.org - (Exams> Fundamentals (FE/FS)) The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Tel: 877-ENG-EXAM; 615-880-4226. In addition, information is presented on exam content, national pass rates and scoring information.
- http://www.ppi2pass.com - This resource describes review materials for sale. (Note that some review materials are available free in the Engineering Reference Room.)
- http://www.Messiah.edu/Registrar - Use this site to request either a Report on Student Status
(Messiah’s term: ) or proof of Graduation (i.e., a final transcript). Both these submissions are furnished directly to NCEES generally without a fee
