If you’re serious about passing the FE Exam, it’s important to go beyond just creating a study plan. In this article, I’ll share 9 essential tips that will help you study more effectively, stay on track, and increase your chances of success.
Tip 1: Prime your BrainBefore you Start Each Section
Before jumping into any topic, start with a quick preview to get a sense of what you’ll be studying. When I was in college I used to skim chapters before lectures, quickly reviewing the subtopics and equations. Doing this helped me grasp the material faster. For example, if you’re studying math, look at the subtopics in the FE exam specifications and review the relevant equations in the reference handbook. Then, watch related videos or read notes, but don’t solve any problem for now. This warm-up phase will help you build a stronger understanding when you start tackling the problems.
Tip 2: Master the Fundamentals & Easy Questions
Don’t rush through the fundamentals. Mastering the basics makes it easier to tackle more complex topics because everything builds on those core concepts. Focus on the easy questions first; the harder ones are often just more involved versions of these basics. When you know the foundations, you’re more prepared to handle the toughest problems.
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Tip 3: Active Learning
Watching lectures alone won’t help you pass the FE exam. Active learning—solving problems and applying what you’ve learned—is crucial. Many study resources rely on long lectures, but the FE exam is all about problem-solving. Our courses, for example, focus on short lectures followed by a variety of practice problems that increase in difficulty. This approach helps you retain the material more effectively.
Tip 4: Expose Yourself to Different Problems
The FE exam is 110 questions, so practicing a wide variety is key. Make it a goal to attempt each problem on your own before looking at the solution. Struggling with a problem helps deepen your understanding and improves retention. If you get stuck, try looking at just the next step instead of the whole solution to help you figure it out. This active approach will help you solve the problems faster and feel more confident.
Tip 5: Add Review Sessions to your Schedule
With many materials to cover, it’s easy to forget what you’ve learned. Schedule weekly review sessions to review your notes, go over solved problems, and reinforce your memory. You can even review notes while doing other activities, like working out. Combining physical activity with review time helps with retention and reduces stress.
Schedule weekly review sessions to review your notes, go over solved problems, and reinforce your memory. You can even review notes while doing other activities, like working out. Combining physical activity with review time helps with retention and reduces stress.
Tip 6: Create a Cheat Sheet
While the reference handbook is useful, there are some equations and concepts that aren’t included in it. Create your own cheat sheet with additional formulas, problem-solving steps, and common unit conversions. Review this sheet before test day to reinforce important information. You can also download our Genie Prep Cheat Sheet (for free!) to get started.
Tip 7: Develop a Test Strategy
Having a plan for test day is essential. Start with the easy questions, then move to the medium and hard ones. Don’t leave any questions blank, as you’re not penalized for wrong answers. When you sit down for the exam, do a “brain dump” of important equations and concepts so you don’t forget them. Focusing on time-saving methods is also key; there are often faster ways to solve engineering problems, so practice these in advance.
Tip 8: Take Practice Exams
Practice exams are a great way to simulate the real test. They help you refine your test strategy, identify weaknesses, and get comfortable with the exam format. Don’t worry if your score isn’t great at first—use each attempt as a learning experience. Reflect on any mistakes, improve where you can, and watch your progress improve.
Tip 9: Go at Your Own Pace
Don’t rush. Take the time you need to fully understand the material. If four months isn’t enough, give yourself more time. Everyone’s situation is different—many of you are balancing work and family commitments, so it’s important to study at a pace that works for you. Choose study resources that allow flexibility, like our courses at Genie Prep, which offer lifetime access so you can study when it fits your schedule.
To succeed on the FE exam, follow these nine tips along with the five foundational steps we discussed in a previous video. Create a realistic study schedule, whether it’s four months, six months, or even a year, and make sure you’re using effective study resources. With a solid plan and the right tools, you’ll be on your way to not only passing the FE exam but also being well-prepared for the PE exam down the line.
Are you still looking for good study resources designed to actually help you PASS your FE exam in 4 months? Our Genie Prep Courses come with unlimited Lifetime Access and 100% On-demand courses to cover all the necessary topics to pass your FE Civil, Mechanical or Other Discipline exam!
If you’d like more details and examples, check out the full video on YouTube – Make sure to watch the video below, and don’t forget to like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more FE Exam Tip!
