FE Exam — Fundamentals of Engineering
The FE exam is the first step toward becoming a licensed Professional Engineer. I am preparing for the FE Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) exam. These notes are organized around the NCEES exam specification and double as a comprehensive review of engineering fundamentals.
Exam Overview
- Administered by: NCEES
- Format: 110 questions, 5 hours 20 minutes, computer-based
- Reference: NCEES FE Reference Handbook (provided during exam)
- Frequency: Year-round at Pearson VUE centers
NCEES ECE Exam Topics
Mathematics (11–17%)
Linear algebra, differential equations, complex analysis, discrete math, numerical methods.
Probability & Statistics (4–6%)
Probability distributions, statistical inference, estimation.
Ethics & Professional Practice (3–5%)
Codes of ethics, professional responsibility, engineering standards.
Engineering Economics (4–6%)
Time value of money, present worth, annual cost, rate of return, depreciation.
Properties of Electrical Materials (4–6%)
Conductor, semiconductor, insulator properties. Dielectric materials, magnetic materials.
Circuit Analysis (10–16%)
KVL, KCL, nodal/mesh analysis, superposition, Thevenin/Norton, AC steady-state, phasors, power.
Linear Systems (5–8%)
Transfer functions, Bode plots, frequency response, Laplace transforms.
Signal Processing (4–6%)
Fourier series, Fourier transform, sampling theorem, digital filters.
Electronics (5–8%)
Diodes, BJTs, MOSFETs, op-amps, amplifier analysis.
Power (8–12%)
Three-phase circuits, transformers, motors, generators, per-unit system.
Electromagnetics (5–8%)
Maxwell’s equations, transmission lines, waveguides.
Control Systems (4–6%)
Feedback control, stability, root locus, PID.
Communications (3–5%)
Modulation, noise, channel capacity.
Computer Networks (3–5%)
OSI model, protocols, network security basics.
Digital Systems (6–9%)
Boolean algebra, logic gates, flip-flops, state machines, microprocessors.
Study Approach
- Work through each topic using the NCEES FE Reference Handbook as the anchor
- Create concept notes for every major formula and method
- Solve practice problems (minimum 20 per topic)
- Full timed practice exams in the final weeks
Connects To
- Mathematical Foundations — majority of exam content
- Engineering Foundations — circuit theory, electromagnetics
- Control Systems
- Power Systems
- PE Exam — next step after passing FE