FE exam

FE Civil Exam Study Plan

A 12-week study plan for the FE Civil exam built from the NCEES specification: 110 questions, 6 hours, 14 topic areas with question counts and a suggested split of study hours.

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exams · Last reviewed

This plan is built from the NCEES specification for the FE Civil CBT exam. It gives the exam format, the topic areas with the number of questions NCEES assigns to each, a suggested split of 90 study hours, and a 12-week schedule. Exam formats and specifications are revised from time to time, so confirm everything on ncees.org before you register.

The exam at a glance

ItemDetail (from the NCEES specification)
ExamFE Civil CBT exam
Questions110
Time6 hours, which includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break
FormatComputer-based test, closed book with an electronic reference
UnitsBoth the International System of Units (SI) and the US Customary System (USCS)
Specification effectiveJuly 2020
Exam fee$225 (payable to NCEES, per the NCEES FE exam page)

With 110 questions in 6 hours, the average is about 3.3 minutes per question, counting the tutorial and break time, so the time available per question is slightly less. Plan your pacing from that.

Topic areas and suggested study hours

The question ranges are copied from the NCEES specification. The share and the hours are this site's suggestion: each topic's share is the midpoint of its question range as a part of all midpoints, and the hours split 90 total hours in that proportion. They are a starting point. Move hours to the topics where your diagnostic score is lowest.

Topic areaQuestionsShareSuggested hours
Mathematics and Statistics8–128%7 h
Ethics and Professional Practice4–64%4 h
Engineering Economics5–85%5 h
Statics8–128%7 h
Dynamics4–64%4 h
Mechanics of Materials7–117%6 h
Materials5–85%5 h
Fluid Mechanics6–96%5 h
Surveying6–96%5 h
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering10–1510%9 h
Structural Engineering10–1510%9 h
Geotechnical Engineering10–1510%9 h
Transportation Engineering9–149%8 h
Construction Engineering8–128%7 h

12-week schedule

  1. Week 1: read the NCEES specification and look at the reference handbook layout. Take a timed diagnostic from the practice exam and record your score for each topic area.
  2. Weeks 2 and 3: the heaviest topic areas first, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering and Structural Engineering. Work problems by hand, then check the answers and the method.
  3. Weeks 4 and 5: Geotechnical Engineering and Transportation Engineering.
  4. Weeks 6 to 8: the remaining areas (Mathematics and Statistics; Statics; Construction Engineering; Mechanics of Materials; Fluid Mechanics; Surveying; and the rest). Lighter areas get a shorter pass.
  5. Week 9: a full-length timed practice set under exam conditions, with the reference material only.
  6. Week 10: review every missed question. For each, record whether the miss was a concept error, a calculation error or a handbook-lookup error. Do a second timed set.
  7. Week 11: close the gaps from the review. Do not start new material.
  8. Week 12: a light review, and the logistics: your appointment, identification, the testing-center rules and the route there.

How to use the practice questions

  • Attempt each question before you read the answer.
  • Time yourself at about 3.3 minutes per question or less on the timed sets.
  • Practice finding formulas in the electronic reference quickly. Lookup speed is part of the exam.
  • Keep an error log with three columns: concept, calculation and lookup.
  • The practice exams on this site are original study material. They are not NCEES questions and passing is not guaranteed.

Before you register

  • Eligibility, experience requirements and application steps are set by your state or territory licensing board. NCEES lists the boards on its website.
  • Open the NCEES specification linked below and check its effective date against the date you plan to test.
  • Check the NCEES site for the current FE exam fee and registration steps.

Related tools and labs

Calculators, labs and simulators are part of the All-Access Pass.

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Questions

How many questions are on the FE Civil exam?

The NCEES specification states 110 questions in 6 hours, and the time includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break.

What topics does the FE Civil exam cover?

14 topic areas: Mathematics and Statistics; Ethics and Professional Practice; Engineering Economics; Statics; Dynamics; Mechanics of Materials; Materials; Fluid Mechanics; Surveying; Water Resources and Environmental Engineering; Structural Engineering; Geotechnical Engineering; Transportation Engineering; Construction Engineering. The question range for each is in the table on this page.

How long should I study for the FE Civil exam?

NCEES does not publish a study schedule. This plan assumes about 90 hours over 12 weeks, split by topic weight. Adjust the total and the split to your background and the diagnostic result.

Are the practice questions the same as the real exam?

No. The practice exams on this site are original study material written for exam preparation. They are not NCEES questions, and passing is not guaranteed.

Sources

Educational material. Examples use simplified, hypothetical inputs and are not a design, a construction document or professional engineering advice. Confirm requirements with the codes and standards adopted where the work is built and with a licensed engineer.

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