FE vs PE?
FE vs PE?
(OP)
Hello all,
I had a general question about how the FE and PE compare in terms of difficulty.
I have heard varying opinions on this subject. Some people say that the PE is much more difficult and in depth, whereas, others say that the FE is supposed to be a harder exam. Does the answer to this question depend on which discipline your exam is in? Also, is this comparison valid or is it like comparing Apples and Oranges?
I had a general question about how the FE and PE compare in terms of difficulty.
I have heard varying opinions on this subject. Some people say that the PE is much more difficult and in depth, whereas, others say that the FE is supposed to be a harder exam. Does the answer to this question depend on which discipline your exam is in? Also, is this comparison valid or is it like comparing Apples and Oranges?
RE: FE vs PE?
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: FE vs PE?
For me, the FE was more academically difficult, but much more amenable to guessing! I took it in my senior year and passed.
The PE was more difficult in that there could be more than one approach and more than one answer (taken back when the test was free-form and not multiple choice...all work had to be shown). I would anticipate that the current format might be less rigorous for that reason.
As with comparative difficulty, I considered the ASNT Level III radiography exam to be more difficult than either. I've taken two separate state contractor licensing exams and found them to be elementary level by comparison to any of the above.
Fortunately all passed so don't anticipate taking any of them again!!
RE: FE vs PE?
RE: FE vs PE?
I found the SE (2 day 16 hour) exam about 2 orders of magnitude more difficult than either the FE or the PE.
M.S. Structural Engineering
Licensed Structural Engineer and Licensed Professional Engineer (Illinois)
RE: FE vs PE?
Maui
www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com
RE: FE vs PE?
I understand that has changed considerably...
RE: FE vs PE?
RE: FE vs PE?
http://cdn2.ncees.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Li... [April 2012 see page 14]
For April 2012 pass rates in CA click http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/ap12stats.shtm...
Notice that for the 3 part PE civil, the pass rate for each exam is about 40%. Probably less than 25% obtained the PE on the first attempt. What many in CA are doing now, is to take the national PE in another state and six months later take the CA Seismic and Surveying exams. A couple of review courses have the seismic and surveying exam preparation down pat. Many do not.
I concur with others who state that the FE exam is easy for seniors. For those who have been out of college for a while, it can be really challenging - a reason why some wait until the state board exempts them from the FE exam and allows them to take the PE based on years of experience.
RE: FE vs PE?
RE: FE vs PE?
For the seismic exam, be familiar with ASCE 7. There may be some quick look-up questions if you know where to look. I vaguely remember some question about special access floors and I knew nothing about access floors. But I was able to quickly find up the answer in chapter 13. There was also a question about some non-building structure that I knew nothing about. But, I found the answer quickly. You probably won't have the same questions, my point is to be familiar with ASCE 7. I do structural building design in California, so most of the seismic test was fairly simple for me.
For the surveying test, know what a licensed civil engineer in California can and cannot survey. You don't have to memorize everything, but things like civil engineers licensed after some date (in the 80s?) can't survey things that involve property boundaries. One big problem I had was my cheap TI calculator does not handle angle input in degrees minute and seconds. If I did not pass, I would have bought a new calculator that does before retaking the test. Become familiar with vertical and horizontal curves. I spent a half day before the test reviewing PPI's Civil Engineering Review Manual (CERM) so I knew the concepts and where to find the formulas. You will probably have a questions or two about curves on the national test and state surveying test. I had a fairly rigorous surveying class in college, so I knew surveying concepts and terminology.
By the way, I thought the PE exam was harder because I toted a box of reference material into the exam; All I carried for the FE was a calculator, some forms and wallet with identification. Just kidding
RE: FE vs PE?
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: FE vs PE?
the survey test was a cakewalk compared to either the seismic or the 8 hour exam.
studied 4 hours for the FE exam in my senior year and passed it.
RE: FE vs PE?
I didn't prepare much for the PE, since I had heard that it would focus on my area of experience. I just brought a handful of reference books. The test was a booger compared to my FE. I did pass with a pretty good score, but it was only because I identified two trick questions that took just minutes to complete.
Best to you,
Goober Dave
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RE: FE vs PE?
A simple thing like using US Customary Units would be an immediate disadvantage to me...
I am currently hedging my bets by working through the FE Exam Preparation materials and sample exams loaned to me from a much younger colleague, if only to refresh myself for the fundamentals that might help with Part 1 of the PE exam.
Might as well start now...even though it's a drag and from what I hear (and read) there are folks smarter than me who aren't successful the first time around.
Any recommendations for the best places to obtain PE sample problems apart from NCEES?
RE: FE vs PE?
RE: FE vs PE?
Will do.
Now all I need to do is find somebody who is actually smart to take the tests for me.
RE: FE vs PE?
RE: FE vs PE?
RE: FE vs PE?
RE: FE vs PE?
I am taking the PE for the second time in a couple weeks. I would say the problems are not much harder, but I struggle with doing them in 5 min.
That is just me and I am a slow reader and there is more reading on the PE exam.