BCoE: Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

Current Students

Spring 2008 Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

FE Exam

Announcement

Applications for Spring 2008 FE Exam

Completed applications and the $25 fee may be submitted Wednesday, Feburary 6 - Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 between 8 a.m. and noon . The deadline is Wednesday, Feburary 20th at noon. Please turn in your applicaton and fee in 160 McCain Hall.

You must register with ELSES by Friday, February 20th. If you will require special accommodation in accordance with the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) you must notify ELSES on or before February 20th.

Your photograph will be taken when you submit your application at no cost to you.

The application form is available here. You should fill in the form on your computer and then print it in black and white. Applications which are handwritten, printed with color, or illegible will not be accepted.

ATTENTION: Please read the FAQ item on calculators. NCEES has issued a new list of calculators that are permitted in the examination room beginning with the Spring 2007 examination cycle.

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam will be given on Saturday, April 12, 2008 for currently enrolled Mississippi State University Bagley College of Engineering undergraduates. The exam location will be announced by the NCEES Exam Proctor at a later date. Note that the process for registering for the exam has changed from the past and you should this entire page carefully.

What has changed in the registration process? The State Board of Licensures has contracted with a testing service, ELSES, to proctor the FE and PE exams. This means that the submission of your FE application and registration for the FE Exam are now two, distinct processes. To take the exam you must successfully complete both processes. Information on why this change has been made can be found below.

All examinees are required to be graduating seniors. This means that to take the exam in the Spring of 2008, you will have to be graduating in May or August of 2008 and your department will have to verify that you are expected to graduate then. Students taking the exam in the Fall must be graduating in December. This requirement is the result of a rule implemented by the State Board of Licensures and neither your department nor the College may make exceptions.

Former students and graduate students must apply to take the exam through the State Board of Licensures. Please see the Board website for application deadlines and application forms. The deadlines for graduate students and former students are different from those for currently enrolled students. (http://www.pepls.state.ms.us)

If you are currently enrolled in the Bagley College as an undergraduate, you may take advantage of a simplified application process. An electronic form based on Adobe Acrobat technology is available for download. In order to complete the form, you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available for free download at http://www.adobe.com. Download and complete the FE application form, then print it, in black and white ONLY, on 8-1/2 X 11 inch white paper. You can type text into the fields on the form so you can complete it on your computer. Sign the form and deliver it to Laura Bryan in room 160 McCain Engineering ONLY between the hours of 8:00 AM and 12:00 noon along with a check or money order for the $25.00 application fee made payable to the State Board of Licensure for PE’s. Do not bring cash. You should also bring your MSU Student ID card when you submit your application. Applications will be accepted beginning February 6, 20008, and will continue until the morning of February 20, 2008. When you submit your application, the College will take your photograph and attach it to your application at no cost to you. This form does not need to be notarized and your photograph must be current. Do not use school pictures, snapshots, or other portraits. Late applications will NOT be accepted.

Your application will be placed on microfiche by the State Board so it must be a clean, clear, copy. Forms that are printed poorly will not be accepted. High school photos, photo proofs, or snapshots are not acceptable for the application form. The College will make a photograph for you at no cost. Hand written forms will not be accepted. Applications without a check or money order will not be accepted. We will not hold aplications until you can pay.

Once you have submitted your FE Exam application to the College, you must then register and pay for the exam itself. This must be done on the NCEES web site and must be completed on or before February 22, 2008. There will be no exceptions to this deadline.

To register for the exam, go to https://commerce.ncees.org/elses/state_info.php?state=Mississippi and read the information on the page. You may then click one of two buttons on the bottom of the page. If you would like to pay the $110.00 exam fee by credit card then click the on-line registration button. If you would like to pay by check or money order, click the Mail-In Registration button for a pdf form that you can fill out and mail in. Note the form must be received by NCEES on or before February 22, 2008. Merely having the form postmarked by the deadline will not allow you take the exam. Regardless of which method you choose to register for the exam, indicate that you wish to take the exam at Mississippi State University.

Should you encounter problems with the registration process please email Robert Green (green@bagley.msstate.edu) with specific details of the problem and the equipment you are using.

Deadlines

Exam date: Saturday, April 12, 2008

Exam location: To Be Announced by the NCEES Proctor

Applications accepted: Between 8:00 a.m. and 12 noon; February 6th - February 20th. Late applications will not be accepted.

Exam Registration received by NCEES: February 22, 2008

Refunds

Refunds will not be given. The Bagley College of Engineering is only collecting the FE Exam Application fee for the State Board of Licensure and once received, your application will be forwarded to the Board. NCEES is collecting the examination fee directly.

Questions and Answers about the FE Exam

What calculator can I use on the exam?

As a result some people across the nation registering to take the exam for the sole purpose of removing exam question information from the test site and then using to either cheat on the exam or sell the information, NCEES has adopted a policy that prohibits certain calculators from being used. Calculators which have the capability of text entry or communication with another device, including the engineer's favorite HP48, are prohibited.

List of Calculators permitted in the Examination Room, Effective as of November 2007:

    Hewlett-Packard-- HP 33s and HP 35s
    Casio-- All FX115 Models
    Texas Instruments-- All TI 30X and TI 36X Models

This list is reviewed and updated by NCEES each year and is made available by November 15. For the latest information and most accurate list, please check the NCEES website.

Why did the FE Exam process change?

In the past, students were allowed to submit their FE Application and Exam fees at the same time however, due to several circumstances beyond the control of the College or the State Board of Licensure, this process had to change. Over the last several years, exam security has become a growing concern. One State Board of Licensure was assessed a fee of several hundred thousand dollars as the result of an exam that was compromised. The Mississippi State Board of Licensure does not have the resources to assume this liability.

Examinations are also very expensive. In the past, the Board of Licensure would essentially "front" the exam money until after the exam was completed and your fees were submitted to the Board for processing. With the recent budget cuts imposed by the State Legislature, the Board is no longer able to pay for the exams in advance.

A solution to both of these problems was found in the Engineering and Land Surveying Examination Services (ELSES). ELSES will collect all examination fees, make all arrangements for the administration of the exam, and will assume all liability associated with the exam. Unfortunately this results in added costs to the examinees but no other solution could be found given the budget cuts.

Why can I not just register with NCEES to take the exam?

Registering to take the exam and applying for the exam are two separate events. They always have been two separate events but they seemed to be one given the process we used. To take the FE Exam you must first apply to the State Board of Registration and be admitted to take the exam. For currently enrolled undergraduate students this process has been delegated to the College of Engineering. Once you are verified as being a graduating senior, you are permitted to take the exam and your FE application and fee will be forwarded to the State Board. You must then register with NCEES to take the exam. This will ensure that an exam is ordered for you, that there is a seat for you at the exam site, and that you will be admitted to take the exam.

I would like to take the exam but I'm not sure if I'm ready for it. What should I do?

Successfully passing the FE Exam requires that you know the fundamentals of engineering and have spent some time reviewing for the course. Typically seniors are ready for the exam but even then they need to have taken certain courses. If you are in doubt about your ability to take and pass the exam, talk to your advisor or department head. They can give you the best guidance.

I've heard the exam is hard and I'd like to take it once just see what it is like. Can I do that?

Why would anyone want to spend their money and an entire Saturday taking this exam? The FE Exam is comprehensive and can be difficult. However, students who have taken the proper courses and adequately reviewed for the exam should not have trouble passing. We require that you not take the exam unless you are a senior and have done some preparation for the exam. The exam is offered on campus each Fall and Spring semester so it is possible for you to take them exam once you are ready and to do well on it.

Do I really need to study for the FE Exam?

Yes! The FE Exam is a comprehensive test of the knowledge you have gained throughout your undergraduate education. The exam is a test of your knowledge of fundamental engineering topics and you are most likely rusty on some them. A structured review prior to the exam will help you recall the information you may not have readily available and to pass the exam the first time you take it. Students who have failed the exam in the past say they believe they would have passed had they reviewed a little. The students who do pass say that the review was a big help in passing.

I was told that everyone fails the exam the first time they take it. Is that true?

No. Students who are prepared for the exam, have done some review of the material on the exam, and who come to the exam rested, do well when they take the exam. Many people pass the exam the first time they take it. You should too.

I don't really need to be a licensed Professional Engineer so should I bother to take the FE Exam?

Yes you should. There is no better time to take the FE Exam than when you are in school. While you may not need to be a registered professional engineer for you first job, many engineers have found themselves changing jobs mid-career and having a PE has been a tremendous help to them. Should you choose to consult or even hold some governmental jobs, being registered is required. Many employers look favorably upon registration even if it is not specifically required.

I am not currently an enrolled undergraduate, Why can’t I take the exam on campus since it’s closer to me than Jackson?

The State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers has delegated the authority to approve applications for currently enrolled undergraduates to a representative of the College. The reason for this is the College can easily verify eligibility requirements for currently enrolled students. If you are not currently enrolled as an undergraduate you must apply through the State Board and get their permission to sit for the exam on campus.

I'm a graduate student, Can I take the exam on campus?

Not currently. Given the recent changes in how the exam is to be administered there is currently not an option for graduate students to take the exam on campus. You may take the exam in Jackson but must apply through the Board of Licensure. This question is under review by the Board and will be updated once a final decision has been reached.

Why is it cheaper to take the exam in Jackson?

It is NOT less expensive to take the exam in Jackson. This is a point of frequent confusion caused by the way the College collects fees. When you take the exam in Jackson you first submit your application with an application fee of $25.00. When you are cited for an exam you must then register with NCEES to take the examination. When you apply on campus you submit only one check which includes the application fee. The fee is then submitted to the Board in Jackson by the College. The application fee covers the processing, microfilming, and storing of your application. The exam fee you pay to NCEES covers the costs of obtaining an exam and having it graded.

I have my Reference Manual. Is that all I need to study?

No. The reference manual provided at the time you apply for the exam is not a study guide. A few years ago there was no limit on the number of reference books you could bring to the exam. What we found was that many examinees brought the wrong books, and/or spent too much time looking up reference information. As a result the reference manual was developed. This manual contains all of the data, formulae, tables, graphs, etc. you will need to answer the exam questions. You need to become familiar with the manual so that you can easily find the information you need when taking the exam.

What should I do to prepare for the FE?

Preparation for the FE is what your undergraduate is all about. You can not learn all you need to know for the exam the week before. Early preparation is essential. Keep in mind the FE exam is testing fundamental knowledge typically expected of all engineers. Detailed study of a particular topic is usually not your best use of time. You may want to obtain a few reference books or study guides to help you prepare. A sample exam can help relieve some anxiety by letting you see what the exam will be like.

Why can't I use my own pencil on the exam?

The NCEES has set a new policy that requires all examinees to use an NCEES supplied mechanical pencil. As merely proctors for this exam, we have no ability to change the policy but must simply abide by it.

How do I contact the Board?

The Mississippi State Board can be contacted by phone at: 601-359-6160. Their mailing address is:

Mississippi State Board of Licensure
for Professional Engineers and Surveyors
Post Office Box 3
Jackson, MS 39205

Why is the test given on Saturday?

The testing dates are set by NCEES and can not be changed by the State Boards. The exam is given nationwide on the same date so going to another state will not get you a more convenient test date.

I do not plan to work in Mississippi so should I wait to take the FE exam when I get a job?

No. You should take the FE Exam as soon as you think you are ready. All 50 states will honor your exam results since it is a national exam. When you are ready to move on to the next step, registration as a Professional Engineer, Mississippi will provide your FE Exam results to the state in which you will be registered.

What are the future exam dates?

The FE Exam is given twice a year. Future dates are:

Year	Spring Dates	Fall Dates
2008	12 April	25 October
2009	25 April	24 October
2010	17 April	30 October

Why do I have to be a graduating senior to take the exam? It seems like in the past all you needed to be was a senior to take the exam.

The State Board of Licensure established this policy after holding discussions with the schools involved. It was agreed that students in their last semester are better prepared to take the FE Exam and have a higher chance of passing it their first time. This is a State Board policy and we do not have the authority to grant waivers.

Do you have other questions? If so then please send them to Robert Green at green@bagley.msstate.edu . Your question and answer may well be added to the above list.

Links of Interest

These links will provide you with additional information of the FE Exam, review books, and the registration process.

To register for the exam with NCEES :https://commerce.ncees.org/elses/state_info.php?state=Mississippi

Mississippi State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors: http://www.pepls.state.ms.us/

National Society of Professional Engineers: www.nspe.org

National Council of Engineering and Surveyor Examiners: http://www.ncees.org/

Kaplan AEC Education: www.kaplanaecengineering.com

National Society of Professional Engineers: http://www.nspe.org

Professional Publications, Inc.: http://www.ppi2pass.com

Mississippi Engineering Society: http://www.msengsoc.org

MSU Bookstore: http://msstate.bkstore.com