Take the FE Exam When You Are Still in School

Even if you have no current aspirations of getting your Professional Engineer license, it is in your best interest to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam if you are in the engineering field.

The earliest you can take the exam is when you’re in school. A student enrolled as a senior in an ABET-accredited engineering curriculum may take the last FE examination offered prior to graduation.

If you are a current engineering student, one piece of advice: Take the FE exam while you’re in school. The longer you wait the harder it becomes.

Here’s why:

Material is fresher in your mind.

It’s easier to remember how to calculate that differential equation from sophomore year when you’re a senior than it is when you’ve been out of school for 4 years. More time removed from the material is more time to forget…assuming you were paying attention in the first place.

It’s Easier to get into Academic Mode.

Let’s be honest, when you’re working the 9 to 5, are you really going to want to whip out the FE Exam prep material and do potential energy problems? You’re an engineering student. All nighters with coffee sitting in the library studying is in your blood. You’re used to grinding out problems. Plus your school may offer review classes you can attend (and maybe they’ll have free pizza too).

Life will get in the way later.

Another reason to take the FE exam while you are in school is that you’re not in the “real world” yet. You probably don’t have a family or a significant other yet. You’re not locked into your career and swamped with completing engineering CAD work or figuring out what project charge account to use. Take the FE exam now while all you have to do is worry about is which party to hit after midterms. You don’t have to continue with the engineering licensure process.

If you look at the steps to becoming a Professional Engineer, passing the FE exam is only the first stepping stone. Just because you complete the FE exam, doesn’t mean you have to complete the licensure process. Your score is good for [LOOK UP] and you can do what is right for you later in your career. At least you have the options.

At the end of the day, the FE exam will never be easier than now. Get it out of the way.

No related posts.