NCEES
FE Electrical and Computer
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Electrical and Computer Exam
The discipline-specific FE exam for electrical and computer engineers, usually taken near graduation. Passing the FE is the required first step toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in the United States.
What's on the exam
FE Electrical and Computer CBT Exam Specifications (effective 2020)
Mathematics
11–17 questionsAlgebra and trigonometry · Complex numbers · Calculus (single and multivariable) · Differential equations · Linear algebra and vector analysis
Probability and Statistics
4–6 questionsMeasures of central tendency and dispersion · Probability distributions · Expected value · Regression
Ethics and Professional Practice
4–6 questionsCodes of ethics · Professional liability · Licensure · Intellectual property
Engineering Economics
5–8 questionsTime value of money · Cost estimation · Risk analysis · Depreciation
Properties of Electrical Materials
4–6 questionsConductors and insulators · Semiconductor materials · Thermal and magnetic properties · Materials behavior
Circuit Analysis (DC and AC Steady State)
11–17 questionsKCL and KVL · Series and parallel equivalents · Thevenin and Norton theorems · Node and loop analysis · Impedance
Linear Systems
5–8 questionsFrequency and transient response · Laplace transforms · Transfer functions · Convolution
Signal Processing
5–8 questionsSampling and quantization · Discrete-time signals and systems · Z-transforms · Digital filters
Electronics
7–11 questionsDiscrete devices · Amplifiers and operational amplifiers · Instrumentation · Power electronics
Power Systems
8–12 questionsPower theory · Transmission and distribution · Power factor and voltage regulation · Three-phase systems
Electromagnetics
4–6 questionsMaxwell equations · Wave propagation · Transmission lines · Electrostatics and magnetostatics
Control Systems
6–9 questionsBlock diagrams · Bode plots · Open- and closed-loop response · Stability and controller performance
Communications
5–8 questionsModulation and demodulation (AM, FM, PCM) · Fourier transforms and series · Multiplexing · Information theory
Computer Networks
4–6 questionsRouting and switching · Network topologies · Network types and models · Network security
Digital Systems
8–12 questionsNumber systems · Boolean logic · Logic gates and circuits · Sequential circuits · State machines
Computer Systems
5–8 questionsMicroprocessor architecture · Memory technology and systems · Interfacing · Instruction sets
Software Engineering
4–6 questionsAlgorithms and complexity · Data structures · Software design · Programming concepts
Frequently asked questions
How much does the FE Electrical and Computer cost?
The FE Electrical and Computer costs $175. NCEES exam fee; some state boards add separate application fees.
How long is the FE Electrical and Computer and how many questions does it have?
110 questions — 6 hours (includes tutorial and an optional scheduled break).
What do you need to pass the FE Electrical and Computer?
Scaled pass/fail standard set by NCEES (no fixed percentage).
Can you retake the FE Electrical and Computer?
Up to 3 attempts in a 12-month period.
What is the best way to study for the FE Electrical and Computer?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Mathematics 11–17 questions, Probability and Statistics 4–6 questions, Ethics and Professional Practice 4–6 questions, Engineering Economics 5–8 questions, Properties of Electrical Materials 4–6 questions, Circuit Analysis (DC and AC Steady State) 11–17 questions, Linear Systems 5–8 questions, Signal Processing 5–8 questions, Electronics 7–11 questions, Power Systems 8–12 questions, Electromagnetics 4–6 questions, Control Systems 6–9 questions, Communications 5–8 questions, Computer Networks 4–6 questions, Digital Systems 8–12 questions, Computer Systems 5–8 questions, Software Engineering 4–6 questions). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
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