FE Exam Passing Score Explained (NCEES Guide)

The NCEES® FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam is a test of nerves. The NCEES® has so many regulations and rules to be followed that most people get stressed out. It is the first challenging step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer. Still, with the calculated FE exam preparation and the right strategies, you can pass this test without facing any hurdles. All you need to do is familiarize yourself with everything there is to know about the FE exam.

The NCEES® scoring criteria are entirely different from the typical criteria students are used to seeing. The fundamental of the engineering exam is different for each examinee, and the scoring is done through a standard scale, which removes all bias.

The minimum ability score is the base level passing score that the NCEES® has decided ahead of time for each exam period, and these numbers change per test intake. It is imperative to know what the test scores mean to ace this test to the best of your ability.

This article will discuss the scoring process that NCEES® uses, the FE exam passing score, results, and the diagnostic report. Moreover, we will also share some FE exam tips to help you achieve better results.

FE Exam Passing Score Key Takeaway

• The FE exam doesn’t have a fixed passing score; instead, it uses a scaled, psychometric system that measures your competency against a set standard. Understanding how scoring works, interpreting your diagnostic report, and focusing your preparation on weak areas are essential to improving your chances of passing. With consistent study strategies and the right resources, you can clear the FE exam and move closer to earning your PE license.

• Between January 2023 and July 2025, FE exam pass rates improved across almost all disciplines. FE Electrical and Computer rose from 64% to 71%, showing one of the strongest gains. FE Civil increased significantly from 55% to 68%, reflecting a notable improvement in candidate performance. FE Mechanical and FE Environmental also climbed from 65% to 73%, making them the disciplines with the highest pass rates in 2025. FE Chemical went up slightly, from 69% to 70%, while FE Industrial and Systems improved from 51% to 66%, a major jump. FE Other Disciplines saw a modest rise from 55% to 65%.

NCEES® FE Exam Scoring Process for 2025

Although we have already discussed the NCEES® scoring process in the intro of this blog, what we haven’t discussed yet are the intricacies.

So, here’s what we’re going to take a look at now:

1. What does the NCEES® measure?
2. Psychometric statistical methods
3. The pass rates
4. The NCEES® FE exam results
5. The diagnostic report
6. The FE exam passing score
7. So many numbers, what to do?

If you’re floating around the internet trying to find answers to these questions, keep reading…

1. What does the NCEES® measure?

The first thing to understand is that the NCEES® grades only those answers that are the correct ones – wrong or empty answers are not considered. After that, the score is converted to a scaled score, which accounts for slight changes in difficulty between multiple exam versions.

This scaled score represents an examinee’s ability level and is compared to the exam’s minimal ability level. This means that grading is based on psychometric statistical methods determined by subject-matter specialists. So, there is no fixed percentile or score for passing the FE exam.

The NCEES® FE exam scores both new and repeat exam takers the same way. This gives an added advantage to repeat applicants. The chance of bias is absent due to the rigorous standardization that the NCEES® has enforced. These standards are set by experts in all the specific engineering principles.

The minimum ability level of the test takers is what is measured in the NCEES® FE exam. Each specific engineering discipline has its own scoring and percentiles, as both have different requirements. The FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam scoring considers test scores as a raw number. The raw score is then converted into a scaled score through the standard procedures.

NCEES® has published brief information about how your FE exam is measured on its Exams Scores Page.

If you’re seeking a comprehensive resource for your FE Electrical exam preparation, check out our FE Electrical Exam Prep course.

Our proven, on-demand content and live training have successfully helped thousands of students pass their FE exam.

2. Psychometric Statistical Methods

The FE exam is based on the following four types of questions that you must prepare for:

• Aptitude Test Questions: These are the questions that are designed to evaluate your mental abilities in a limited amount of time.
• Quantitative Reasoning Questions: These types of questions will test both your mathematical and data manipulation skills.
• Mechanical & Logical Reasoning Questions: These include pattern recognition questions that will assess your grasp of the mechanical concepts related to electrical circuits, gears, levers, etc.
• Inductive Reasoning Questions: These are the best-choice questions (BCQs), meaning that you have to pick the most appropriate option out of all the correct ones.

3. The Pass Rates

As NCEES® does not have a fixed scoring method, the FE exam pass rates are constantly changing. The fluctuation in the pass rates happens twice a year, from January to June and then from July to December. This represents the people who first took the exam within the period of 12 months after graduation from an ABET or an accredited engineering school. Non-engineering graduates are not counted in these rates.

The pass rates are different for each discipline, and these are updated for each year. This is why the FE exam passing score is constantly fluctuating each year.

FE Exam Pass Rate July 2025

The FE exam pass rates for the year 2025 are mentioned below:

FE Environmental and FE Mechanical have the highest clearing rate of 73%, followed by FE Electrical and Computer. One thing to keep in mind is that the pass rate might be high for one discipline, but it doesn’t make that discipline easy to clear.

Similarly, it doesn’t make the rest impossible to clear either. The quality of test-takers is also an essential factor that contributes to the FE pass rates. If you have a specific discipline in your mind and want to approach it, go for it. The aforementioned pass rates are all subjective to the complexity of the last exam.

4. The NCEES® FE Exam Results

It is imperative to understand the FE scoring methods to interpret your test result. The result is either a pass or a fail, and there is no gray area. The NCEES® does not disclose the score you achieved on the test. However, the details of the test are mentioned in the report.

The State in which you took the exam, the date of the conduction, and the result (pass or fail), are all available in the report. In that report, there will also be a link that will help you find jobs until you get your certification and license, but you will only be able to see that link if you have passed the FE exam.

If you have failed to pass the FE exam, a diagnostic report will be attached to your email. These reports and FE results will be provided to you through email.

5. The Diagnostic Report

The diagnostic report can be your blueprint for the next time you prepare for the FE exam. The FE exam is challenging, and the preparation is quite complicated. As a fresh taker of the exam, many misconceptions and general anxiety will permanently inhibit your performance. Re-takers have the advantage of experience.

The diagnostic report lists all the subjects and the number of questions in each one of them. The score given to each subject is the scaled score which ranges between 0-15. There is also a bar graph that represents your performance in each subject.

If you didn’t perform well in the exam, do not get disheartened – use the diagnostic report as your guide and improve your weak areas. Practice more and more using the materials that the NCEES® provides, and focus the most on those subjects you aren’t much good at.

6. The FE Exam Passing Score

Unlike college or university exams where passing scores are defined to be 50%, 60% or 70%, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) does not publish a specific passing score for the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exams, including the FE Electrical and Computer exam.

Instead, the exams are scored using a scaled and psychometrically adjusted method, where the pass/fail decision is based on achieving a minimum level of competency as determined through statistical processes.

This means there is no predetermined percentage of examinees that should pass or fail; all exams are scored consistently using the same standard, regardless of the test version.

The exact score needed to pass can vary between exam administrations based on the difficulty of the specific set of questions presented, which is adjusted to ensure fairness and consistency in the evaluation of all candidates’ competencies. Thus, each examinee’s performance is measured against a standard competency level rather than against other test takers.

7. So Many Numbers, What to Do?

The FE exam test is challenging but not impossible to clear. If you are retaking the FE exam, the interpretation of the diagnostic report will help you to identify your weak areas so you may work on them. The more you practice, the more you will improve. Please use the manuals the NCEES® provides. These are the same manuals you will be given on exam day. Make sure that you are well-versed in using them.

How many attempts do you get for the FE exam? 

The FE Exam is crucial to obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license. While thorough preparation is key, it’s also helpful to understand the retake policy in case you fail to pass on the first attempt. Here, we’ll explore the number of attempts allowed and strategies to maximize your chances of success on the FE Exam.

Exam Attempts and Scheduling

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) allows candidates to take the FE Exam three times within 12 months. This 12-month cycle commences from the month you take your first FE Exam.

Here’s a breakdown of the scheduling window:

• The FE Exam is offered four times yearly, with testing windows in January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December [1].
• This translates to a potential opportunity to take the exam every three months within the 12-month cycle.

It’s important to note that registration deadlines typically fall several weeks before each testing window, so planning and early registration are crucial.

Maximizing Your Chances of Success

While understanding the retake policy is helpful, the goal is to pass the FE Exam on the first attempt. Here are some strategies to maximize your chances:

• Develop a Personalized Study Plan: Create a schedule that aligns with your learning style and dedicates sufficient time to each exam topic.
• Utilize Effective Resources: Invest in high-quality study materials such as practice exams, question banks, and FE Exam reference manuals.
• Practice Time Management: Practice exams can help you develop practical time management skills for the actual exam, ensuring you can complete all sections within the allotted time.
• Seek Support: Join online forums or study groups to connect with other FE Exam candidates and share study tips and strategies.

If you don’t pass on the first try, the NCEES retake policy allows you to regroup, refine your study approach, and retake the exam within the 12-month window.

Related Reading

• What Is On The FE Exam And How You Can Ace It
• Important Phases For NCEES FE Exam Prep Success
• Spaced RePEtition Studying Technique
• FE Electrical And Computer Exam – 5 Common Reasons For Failure
• Tips To Decrease Studying Distractions For FE And PE Exam
• How To Take Breaks Effectively While Studying FE Electrical & PE Power
• What Is Pomodoro Technique? How To Use For FE And PE Exams
• Understanding Of Concepts Of FE Electrical & PE Power
• FE Electrical Tips If You Are Taking Exam Next Month

Conclusion

The NCEES® criteria for FE Exam Passing Score is a little bit different than most people usually expect it to be. The exam scores are calculated via a ‘standard scale’ that eliminates all bias. The reliability of this testing method is also very high. The test intakes and the average FE exam passing scores are all subjective to the complexity of the exam and the performance index of candidates.

You are recommended to remain consistent throughout your preparation journey. Apart from consistency and focus, the evaluation criterion of the FE exam is geared towards passing the right candidates without any biased scoring.

For further queries related to FE/PE exam and dedicated guidance throughout your preparation journey feel free to contact Study for FE.