Why Take the FE Exam as an Undergrad?
Wasim Asghar 
September 15, 2023Senior engineering students, and junior undergrads, must remember the significance of licensure, and this is where the FE exam comes in.
Taking the NCEES® Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test as an electrical engineer is vital in preparing for and establishing your career. The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is the first of the two tests an engineer must pass to become a licensed professional engineer (PE) in the United States.
To use the term “Engineer” in the US as a professional, you must pass the FE exam. Students become eligible to take this test in the final year of college. Therefore, it is recommended to take the FE exam in undergrad and make this a significant priority as a college senior in engineering streams.
Adding to this, taking the FE exam allows you to take on the title of an engineer, but it is also the prerequisite to clear before you can take on the PE exam less experience. Not only that, clearing the FE exam adds to your professional profile in terms of credibility and helps secure better job opportunities.
In this write-up, we will further explain why taking the FE exam in undergrad is vital and how it is beneficial not only for you but a practical requirement to consider taking the exam in the final year of undergraduate engineering.
5 Benefits of Taking the FE Exam in Undergrad
Let us first look at the advantages of taking the FE exam in undergrad. It is no doubt that FE is easier during undergrad but is this reason enough? With multiple factors playing in at the time of graduation when it comes to an engineer’s career path, we have identified the following benefits of taking the FE exam while still in college:
- Increased Career Opportunities
- Prospects for Advancement
- Confidence Boost
- Improved Knowledge Retention
- Networking Possibilities
Let’s explore these benefits in further detail to understand why appearing for the FE Exam in the senior year of undergraduate engineering is worth it.
1. Increased Career Opportunities
Many firms prefer to recruit engineers who have passed the FE Exam since it demonstrates that they have a solid understanding of engineering concepts and are well-prepared for professional tasks.
2. Prospects for Advancement
Passing the FE Exam can lead to additional employment options, such as becoming a licensed professional engineer, which can lead to a greater salary and more assignments.
3. Confidence Boost
Passing the FE Exam successfully may increase students’ confidence and make them feel more ready for the obstacles they will encounter in their future professional journey.
4. Improved Knowledge Retention
Preparing for the FE Exam can help students remember what they learned in engineering classes and strengthen their understanding of fundamental engineering theories.
5. Networking Possibilities
Taking the FE Exam can allow students to network with other engineers and industry experts, which can be advantageous in terms of developing contacts and learning about new professional opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1 - Can I take the FE exam before I graduate?
Yes, you can take the FE exam before you graduate. Undergraduate engineering students become eligible to take the FE exam as soon as they enter their final year.
2 - What time of year should I take the FE exam?
You should take the FE exam in the second half of your senior year or right after graduation. This is because all the engineering concepts would be fresh in your mind, making the test attempt easier.
3 - How many attempts are allowed for a FE exam?
NCEES® policy states that you can attempt the test once per every testing window, up to three times in 12 months.
Conclusion
At first, if you decide to take the FE exam in undergrad, you might become overwhelmed and anxious. Still, once you understand the benefits of doing so, you will realize that senior year in college is the best time to take this exam.
Furthermore, once you start reflecting on how appearing for this exam and clearing it will impact your professional career, you will get further motivation to work towards this goal. Additionally, suppose you decide to enroll in an FE prep course which we suggest; in that case, you will also realize that taking the examination of FE is easier during undergrad compared to a few years later.
So keep your motivation level high and prepare for the FE exam. Please make a list of your goals and stick to them. We wish you the best of luck in your journey towards a brighter career!
Keep yourself updated with our blog to learn about the challenges you might face when taking the FE exam in undergrad. This will help you better prepare for this exam prep and process.
Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas (PE), Florida (PE) and Ontario (P. Eng) with consulting experience in design, commissioning and plant engineering for clients in Energy, Mining and Infrastructure.