The FE Electrical and Computer Exam
The FE Electrical and Computer exam is one of seven discipline-specific FE exams offered by NCEES. It is designed for graduates of electrical or computer engineering programs and covers a wide range of topics from circuit analysis to digital systems. Passing this exam is a critical step toward earning your EIT (Engineer in Training) certification and eventually pursuing a PE license.
Exam Format and Logistics
The exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions administered over 5 hours and 20 minutes at a Pearson VUE testing center. The exam is computer-based, and you have access to the NCEES FE Reference Handbook as a searchable PDF on screen during the test. No personal references, calculators, or notes are allowed. A built-in calculator is provided within the exam software.
Content Areas and Weightings
The FE Electrical and Computer exam covers 16 content areas:
- Mathematics (11-17%) - Calculus, linear algebra, complex numbers, differential equations
- Probability and Statistics (4-6%) - Distributions, statistical analysis
- Ethics and Professional Practice (3-5%) - Codes of conduct, professional responsibility
- Engineering Economics (3-5%) - Present worth, annual cost, rate of return
- Properties of Electrical Materials (3-5%) - Conductivity, semiconductors, dielectric properties
- Circuit Analysis (9-14%) - DC and AC circuits, network theorems, transient analysis
- Linear Systems (5-8%) - Transfer functions, frequency response, stability
- Signal Processing (5-8%) - Sampling, filtering, Fourier analysis
- Electronics (7-11%) - Diodes, transistors, op-amps, amplifier circuits
- Power Systems (7-11%) - Three-phase systems, transformers, power factor
- Electromagnetics (5-8%) - Maxwell's equations, transmission lines, wave propagation
- Control Systems (5-8%) - Feedback systems, root locus, Bode plots
- Communications (5-8%) - Modulation, noise, information theory
- Computer Networks (3-5%) - OSI model, protocols, network architecture
- Digital Systems (7-11%) - Logic gates, flip-flops, state machines, microprocessors
- Computer Systems (3-5%) - Architecture, memory, operating systems
Study Strategy for Electrical Engineers
Focus your preparation on the highest-weighted content areas first. Circuit analysis and mathematics together can account for up to 31% of the exam. Build a strong foundation in these areas before moving to specialized topics like communications or computer networks.
Use the NCEES FE Reference Handbook extensively during your study sessions. Practice finding formulas quickly, as exam time pressure means you cannot spend minutes searching for a single equation. Familiarity with the handbook layout is just as important as knowing the material.
Common Challenges
Many test-takers find electromagnetics and signal processing to be the most difficult sections. These topics require strong mathematical foundations and the ability to work with complex numbers, vector calculus, and transforms. If these areas are weak points, allocate extra study time and work through as many practice problems as possible.
Power systems questions can also be tricky if you have not taken a dedicated power course. Focus on three-phase circuit analysis, per-unit calculations, and transformer equivalent circuits.
Recommended Study Timeline
Plan for 8 to 12 weeks of dedicated study. Spend the first four weeks reviewing core topics (math, circuits, electronics), the next four weeks on specialized areas (power, controls, communications), and the final weeks taking full-length practice exams and reviewing weak areas. Study at least 10 to 15 hours per week for best results.