The Fundametals of Engineering Exam

This is primarily for those Seniors and Juniors intending to sit for the April 14, 2012 or October 27, 2012 Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE Exam), but may be useful to any students intending to take the exam at any point in the future.

Should I take the FE exam?

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 busier, 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 14, 2012 or October 27, 2012 FE exam.

Key Exam Dates

Here are the key deadline dates to remember for the April 14, 2012 exam:

December 1, 2011 - Arrival deadline at The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for filing the Scheduling Form PA11 (exam application).

December 1, 2011 - Filing of the Report on Student Status by the College (Sent directly by the Registar).

April 14, 2012 - Sit for the exam.

Graduation 2012 or later - At your request, Messiah College submits directly to Engineering Examination Services a final transcript showing your earned degree.

Here are the key deadline dates to remember for the October 27, 2012 exam:

July 1, 2012 - Arrival deadline at The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for filing the Scheduling Form PA11 (exam application).

July 1, 2012 - Filing of the Report on Student Status by the College (Sent directly by the Registar).

October 27, 2012 - Sit for the exam.

Graduation 2012 or later - At your request, Messiah College submits directly to Engineering Examination Services a final transcript showing your earned degree.

Eligibility and Registration Deadlines

Graduation, 2012 or later: At your request, Messiah's Registar submits directly to Engineering Examination Services a Terminal Transcript showing your earned degree. Messiah engineering students of at least junior standing are eligible to sit for the exam because the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700.(There are other eligibility criteria based on experience rather than education, which do not apply at Messiah). The Scheduling Form (Arrival deadline: Dec 1, 2011 or July 1, 2012) is the student’s exam application. The Report of Student Status Form (Deadline: Dec 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012) is the College authentication that you (the student) are in the BSE degreed program that is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.

New this year - On or about September 7, 2012 and February 6, 2013 (These two dates must be confirmed): Now, students must also register for the FE Exam using the NCEES Examinee Management System. Once approved for the exam, examinees will be required to log in to the NCEES Web site (see website info below), obtain a unique ID number, and register for the exam. Examinees will select their exam and their p.m. module on registration.

The FE p.m. exam book will be split into seven individual books. Examinees taking this exam will have to choose their p.m. module when registering with NCEES. On exam day, FE examinees will receive only the one p.m. module they registered for.
Other/General p.m. module:  The Other/General p.m. module of the FE exam has been renamed Other Disciplines. The specification has not changed. The module has been renamed to more accurately describe the examinees the module is intended for.

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.

Preparation Advice

For preparation, there are two principal resources, both of which are in Frey 252, the Engineering Resource room.

The most important resource 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 long wall third shelf.  Please return it promptly when finished.  The goal here is to learn where everything is in the book.  Searching anew through this reference for formulas during the examination is to be avoided. (Also see the advice of 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.  Note: the material below and attached includes advice from recent FE examinees plus the comments of Bob Clancy.

1. Plan on some degree of preparatory self testing with resources at the following links: Comments provided by past exam takers to PPI and Review Courses and Associated Products .
2. In the Engineering Reference Room (Frey 252) there is a shelf with some dozen preparation books including:
1. An "Other Disciplines" prep book (the only book containing a sample a.m. test)
2. Study books for Environmental, Mechanical and Electrical (Computer students take the Electrical p.m. exam).
3. NCEES FE Supplied - Reference Handbook.  You will be receiving a fresh copy of this (ie, no personal annotations) at the exam.
3. 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.
4. Bring the following: A watch, a familiar calculator (check web pages for the short list of authorized calculators) with backup calculator batteries. Also a seat cushion and your own 0.7 mm medium lead pencil.  Finally, a sack lunch, bottled water and ear plugs.

Internet Resources

• http://www.pcshq.com/ - (Applicant Information> Pennsylvania> Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)> First time candidate registration> Scheduling Form> Report of Student Status and, >a Terminal 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: 800-250-3196; 864-654-6824. 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, Frey 252.)
• http://www.messiah.edu/registrar - Use this site to request either a Report on Student Status or proof of Graduation (i.e., a terminal transcript). Both these submissions are furnished directly to NCEES generally without a fee.
• http://www.messiah.edu/departments/engineering/resources/fe_exam.html - This is a local copy of the emailed advice to new examinees from test veterans.