Choosing the Right FE Exam Discipline
NCEES offers the FE exam in seven different disciplines, and choosing the right one can significantly impact your chances of passing. Each discipline covers different topics at different depths, so the best choice depends on your educational background, work experience, and career goals.
The Seven FE Exam Disciplines
1. FE Civil
The FE Civil exam is the most popular discipline, taken by civil engineering graduates and professionals. It covers structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, transportation, water resources and environmental engineering, construction, surveying, and hydraulics. If you have a civil engineering degree, this is the natural choice. The exam places heavy emphasis on structural analysis and geotechnical concepts.
2. FE Mechanical
The FE Mechanical exam covers thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, mechanical design, stress analysis, dynamics and vibrations, and material science. Mechanical engineering graduates should typically take this exam. The thermodynamics and fluid mechanics sections are particularly heavily weighted.
3. FE Electrical and Computer
This exam covers circuit analysis, electronics, signal processing, power systems, electromagnetics, computer networks, digital systems, and software development. It is designed for electrical engineering and computer engineering graduates. The circuit analysis and power systems sections make up a large portion of the exam.
4. FE Chemical
The FE Chemical exam covers chemistry, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, chemical reaction engineering, process control, and process safety. Chemical engineering graduates should take this exam. The thermodynamics and reaction engineering sections are heavily emphasized.
5. FE Environmental
This discipline covers water and wastewater treatment, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, hydrology, ecology, and environmental regulations. Environmental engineering graduates and professionals working in the environmental field typically choose this exam.
6. FE Industrial and Systems
The FE Industrial and Systems exam covers probability and statistics, engineering economics, production systems, facilities and logistics, quality, work design, and operations research. Industrial engineering graduates should take this exam. It is notably heavy on statistics and operations research.
7. FE Other Disciplines
The FE Other Disciplines exam is designed for engineering graduates whose discipline does not have its own specific exam, such as agricultural, biomedical, or aerospace engineering. It covers a broad range of topics at a more general level, including mathematics, statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, and materials science. Because it covers topics broadly rather than deeply, some people consider it less difficult, though it requires knowledge across more subject areas.
How to Decide
Consider these factors when choosing your discipline:
- Your degree: In most cases, take the exam that matches your engineering degree. The material will align most closely with your coursework.
- Time since graduation: If you graduated many years ago, the Other Disciplines exam might be a good choice because it covers topics at a more general level.
- Your current work: If you work in a different area than your degree, consider whether your current work experience would help more with a different discipline exam.
- PE license goals: In most states, the FE exam discipline does not need to match the PE exam discipline you plan to take later. However, check your state board's requirements.
- Pass rates: While pass rates vary by discipline, do not choose a discipline solely based on pass rates. Choose the one that best matches your knowledge base.
Can You Take a Different Discipline Than Your Degree?
Yes. NCEES does not restrict which discipline you can take based on your degree. A mechanical engineering graduate could take the FE Civil exam if they wanted to. However, this is generally not recommended unless you have significant knowledge or work experience in that other discipline.
Pass Rates by Discipline
Pass rates for first-time test takers typically range from 60 to 80 percent across all disciplines. Repeat test takers have significantly lower pass rates (30 to 50 percent), which underscores the importance of thorough preparation on your first attempt. The specific pass rates vary from year to year, so focus on preparation quality rather than pass rate statistics.
Choose the discipline that best matches your strongest knowledge base, prepare thoroughly with that exam's specific specifications, and you will give yourself the best chance of passing.