From Doubt to Success: How Paulina Passed the FE Exam After Three Attempts

For many aspiring engineers, deciding which FE exam to take can be overwhelming. Paulina was no exception. After hearing that the FE Other Disciplines exam was easier, she decided to take that route—but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit.

“There were too many subjects I wasn’t prepared for. I had never even taken some of these courses in college. It just wasn’t worth it to learn more than I needed to.”

After this realization, Paulina made a pivotal decision—she would take the FE Mechanical exam, the one that aligned with her degree. But her journey wasn’t straightforward.

This is the story of her setbacks, her lessons learned, and how she finally passed on her third attempt.

Choosing the Right FE Exam: A Hard Lesson Learned

Paulina graduated in 2020 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Like many recent grads, she wasn’t sure whether to take the FE Mechanical or FE Other Disciplines exam. Since some people told her Other Disciplines was easier, she decided to give it a try.

“I thought I was making a smart choice, but once I took the test, I realized it was filled with topics I had never studied. I knew right away—it wasn’t for me.”

After failing the exam, she knew she needed a new approach. She switched to FE Mechanical, but she still wasn’t fully committed to studying.

Juggling Full-Time Work and Studying: The Reality Check

After college, Paulina started working full-time and quickly got caught up in the routine of work, commuting, and exhaustion.

“Time flies when you’re working full-time. You wake up early, drive to work, spend all day solving problems, drive home, and by the time you get there—you’re drained.”

Even though she knew the FE was required for her job, she told herself there was still time before the deadline.

“A year went by. Then another. And then suddenly, I realized—I needed to stop delaying and start studying seriously.”

Paulina attempted the FE Mechanical for the first time and failed again. She had put in effort—about 70–80% of what she felt was needed—but the FE is unpredictable.

“I heard you only need to get 60-70% of the questions right to pass, so I thought I’d be fine. But the exam is tricky, and I realized I just wasn’t fully prepared.”

That’s when she knew: if she wanted to pass, she needed to go all in.

Committing to a Real Study Plan

After failing her second attempt, Paulina took four months to prepare for her final try. This time, she completely changed her approach.

1️⃣ She focused on fundamentals. Instead of just doing endless practice problems, she dug deep into the core concepts so she could tackle any type of question.

2️⃣ She switched to structured study materials. She realized that reading textbooks alone wasn’t working for her.

3️⃣ She found the right course.

“I needed explanations. I needed someone to walk me through step-by-step. That’s why I chose the Genie Prep course—I liked the way the concepts were explained, and there was no time limit on access like other courses.”

The Final Attempt: Putting It All Together

By the time Paulina sat for her third attempt, she was 90% confident—the highest she had ever felt going into the exam.

“I knew I had put in the time, I had put in the effort, and I had really focused on fundamentals. I wasn’t just hoping to pass—I was ready.”

After the exam, she felt better than before but still wasn’t sure. When the results came back, she was shocked—she passed! 🎉

“I had to check the website twice just to make sure it was real!”

How Passing the FE Changed Her Career

Passing the FE didn’t just lift a weight off Paulina’s shoulders—it also led to a promotion and a pay raise.

“Now, I’m moving from Associate 1 to Associate 2. There’s no more stress about deadlines, no more studying after work or on weekends. It feels amazing!”

But she’s not stopping there.

“I’m giving myself one month to rest, and then I’m starting on my PE exam. I want to keep this momentum going.”

Paulina’s Top 3 Study Tips for FE Success

1️⃣ Stick to a study schedule.

• “The more you push it off, the less time you have to cover all the topics. Small sacrifices now will pay off later.”

2️⃣ Find the study method that works best for you.

• “Some people can learn from a book. I needed explanations, so I found a course that worked for me. Figure out what works best for you.”

3️⃣ Tell people in your life that you’re taking the exam.

• “If people know you’re studying, they’ll respect your time and give you space to focus.”

Final Thoughts: You Can Do This

Paulina’s journey wasn’t easy—three attempts, full-time work, and constant distractions. But with the right strategy and mindset, she passed and changed her career.

If you’re preparing for the FE, don’t wait. Start now, find the right resources, and commit to the process. You’ve got this. 💪

🚀 Thinking about taking the FE Mechanical?

Check out the Genie Prep course that helped Paulina pass!