Mastering the FE Exam On-Screen Calculator
One of the biggest adjustments for FE exam takers is using the on-screen calculator instead of their own handheld calculator. Since personal calculators are not allowed in the testing center, mastering the provided on-screen calculator is essential for your success.
Getting Familiar with the Calculator
The FE exam uses an on-screen scientific calculator that includes all the functions you need: basic arithmetic, trigonometric functions, logarithms, exponentials, square roots, and more. Before exam day, practice using the Pearson VUE practice exam environment, which includes the same calculator you will see on test day.
Key Features of the On-Screen Calculator
The calculator includes these important functions:
- Standard operations: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- Scientific functions: sin, cos, tan and their inverses
- Logarithms: Natural log (ln) and common log (log base 10)
- Exponentials: e^x, 10^x, and y^x for any power
- Memory functions: Store, recall, and clear memory
- Parentheses: For grouping operations in complex calculations
Tips for Efficient Calculator Use
Speed matters on the FE exam. Here are strategies to use the calculator more efficiently:
1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts When Possible
Typing numbers on the keyboard is faster than clicking the on-screen number buttons. Get comfortable with using your keyboard for number entry and the mouse for selecting functions. This hybrid approach saves significant time over 110 questions.
2. Master the Memory Function
When a calculation involves multiple steps, use the memory function to store intermediate results. This prevents you from having to write down and re-enter numbers, which is both slow and error-prone. Store a result with the M+ button, then recall it later with MR.
3. Use Parentheses Liberally
Complex engineering calculations often involve nested operations. Using parentheses ensures the calculator follows the correct order of operations. For example, when calculating a force using F = m * (v2 - v1) / t, enter the parentheses explicitly rather than trying to do the subtraction separately.
4. Double-Check Your Angle Mode
One of the most common calculator errors on the FE exam involves trigonometric functions. Make sure you know whether the problem requires degrees or radians, and verify your calculator is set to the correct mode before calculating. A wrong angle mode will give you a completely wrong answer with no obvious indication that something went wrong.
5. Sanity-Check Your Results
After performing a calculation, take a moment to verify the result makes sense. If you are calculating the stress in a steel beam and get an answer of 0.5 Pa, something is clearly wrong, as steel stress values are typically in the megapascal range. This quick mental check catches many calculator entry errors.
Common Calculator Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to clear the display: Always clear the calculator between problems to avoid carrying over values from a previous calculation.
- Order of operations errors: Do not assume the calculator knows what you mean. Use parentheses to make the order explicit.
- Unit conversion errors: The calculator does not handle unit conversions automatically. Convert your units before entering values.
- Negative number entry: Use the +/- button rather than the subtraction key to enter negative numbers.
- Rounding too early: Keep full precision in intermediate calculations and round only your final answer.
Practice Before the Exam
The best way to get comfortable with the on-screen calculator is to practice with it extensively before exam day. NCEES and Pearson VUE offer practice exams that include the actual calculator interface. Spend at least a few study sessions using only the on-screen calculator to build muscle memory and speed.
Mastering the on-screen calculator is a small investment that pays off significantly on exam day. The time you save by being efficient with the calculator adds up across 110 questions, giving you more time to think through difficult problems.