How long is the FE exam?
The FE exam appointment lasts 6 hours. That covers a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, 5 hours and 20 minutes of exam time for 110 questions and a scheduled 25-minute break at about the halfway point. That works out to just under 3 minutes per question. The exam is computer-based and offered year-round at Pearson test centers.
The 5 hours and 20 minutes are one pool of time for both halves. After about half of the questions, you review and submit them, and then you can take the 25-minute break. Once you submit the first half you cannot go back to it, and break time you do not use is not added to your exam time. On average you have about 2.9 minutes per question, so aim to submit the first half after roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes.
There are seven FE exams: Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Environmental, Industrial and Systems, Mechanical, and Other Disciplines. Besides classic multiple choice, the exam has alternative item types such as questions with more than one correct answer. Some questions are unscored pretest items placed at random, and you cannot tell which ones they are. The exam fee is $225, paid to NCEES.
You do not bring your own books. NCEES gives you the electronic FE Reference Handbook on screen, and you can download a free copy through your MyNCEES account to practice with the same document. You may bring one NCEES-approved calculator. Results are pass or fail, usually within 7 to 10 business days, and NCEES does not publish the passing score. If you fail, you get a diagnostic report that shows how you did on each major topic.
| Part | Time | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Nondisclosure agreement | 2 min | - |
| Tutorial | 8 min | - |
| Exam, first half | from the 5 h 20 min pool | about 55 |
| Scheduled break | 25 min | - |
| Exam, second half | rest of the 5 h 20 min | about 55 |
| Total appointment | 6 h | 110 |
- 1Download the FE Reference Handbook from MyNCEES and use only that handbook when you practice.
- 2Take one full timed practice exam: about 55 questions, a 25-minute break, then the rest.
- 3Pace at about 2.9 minutes per question and check that you submit the first half near 2 hours and 40 minutes.
- 4Flag long problems, move on and come back to them before you submit each half.
- 5Practice with the exact calculator model you will bring on exam day.
- 6Review your misses by topic from the exam specification for your discipline and drill the weakest topics first.