How to Use the NCEES Reference Handbook Effectively
The NCEES Reference Handbook is the single most important resource available to you during the FE exam. Unlike many standardized tests, the FE exam provides you with a comprehensive reference containing hundreds of formulas, tables, charts, and constants. The key to success is not memorizing everything in the handbook but knowing how to find what you need quickly.
What the Reference Handbook Contains
The handbook is organized into major engineering topic areas and includes:
- Mathematical formulas (algebra, calculus, differential equations, statistics)
- Engineering science formulas (statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials)
- Discipline-specific content (structures, geotechnical, hydraulics, etc.)
- Physical constants and conversion factors
- Material properties tables
- Statistical tables (normal distribution, t-distribution)
- Economics formulas and factor tables
- Ethical codes and standards references
Strategy 1: Study with the Handbook Open
From day one of your study plan, have the reference handbook open while you study. Every time you need a formula, practice looking it up in the handbook rather than in your textbook. This builds familiarity with the handbook's organization and teaches you where specific content is located.
Strategy 2: Create a Personal Index
While you cannot bring notes into the exam, creating a personal index during your study sessions helps you memorize the handbook's layout. Write down which page numbers correspond to which topics. After weeks of referencing this index, you will naturally remember where things are without needing the index itself.
Strategy 3: Use the Search Function Wisely
The digital version of the handbook during the exam has a search function. Learn what terms work best for finding specific content. For example, searching for "Mohr's circle" will take you directly to the stress transformation section. Practice using different search terms during your study sessions to find the fastest path to the content you need.
Strategy 4: Know What Is NOT in the Handbook
Some fundamental concepts and simple relationships are not included in the handbook because they are considered basic knowledge. These include:
- Basic unit conversions (though many are provided)
- Fundamental definitions (what stress and strain are)
- Basic problem-solving approaches and methodologies
- How to set up free body diagrams
- Interpretation of results
You need to know these concepts from your own studying. The handbook provides formulas, but you must understand when and how to apply them.
Strategy 5: Practice Timed Lookups
During practice exams, track how long it takes you to find a formula in the handbook. Your goal should be to locate any commonly used formula within 15 to 30 seconds. If it is taking you longer than a minute to find something, you need more practice navigating that section of the handbook.
Common Handbook Navigation Mistakes
- Searching too broadly: Searching for "force" will return too many results. Use specific terms like "centripetal force" or "drag force" instead.
- Not knowing the handbook's terminology: The handbook may use different variable names or terminology than your textbook. Familiarize yourself with the handbook's notation.
- Spending too long searching: If you cannot find a formula within 60 seconds, move on. Use your engineering judgment to set up the problem another way, or flag the question and come back later.
- Ignoring tables and charts: Some problems are best solved using the tables and charts in the handbook rather than formulas. Know where the useful tables are located.
Making the Handbook Work for You
Think of the reference handbook as a tool that extends your memory. You do not need to memorize hundreds of formulas because the handbook has them for you. Instead, invest your study time in understanding concepts, recognizing which formula applies to which problem type, and building speed in locating content within the handbook.
Students who treat the handbook as a study companion from day one consistently outperform those who only look at it for the first time during the exam. Make it your most-used study resource.