FE Exam

Frequently Asked Questions

Date: 03/03/10

What Is a Passing Grade?

Date: 03/03/10

Pass Rate for FE Exam

When an exam is introduced or when its specifications

change, a committee of subject-matter experts works with
experienced psychometricians (testing experts with a
background in statistics) to determine the level of
performance that corresponds with minimal competence in
that discipline. This becomes the passing score.

NCEES does not publish passing scores because they

change with each administration.
(Source: NCEES, 2010)

Date: 03/03/10

How Many People Do Pass?

Date: 03/03/10

National Pass Rates (Oct. 09)

Exam Module

First-time takers

Repeat takers

Chemical

87%

61%

Civil

74%

29%

Electrical

71%

25%

Environmental

82%

37%

Industrial

65%

26%

Mechanical

78%

27%

General (Other
disciplines)

73%

28%

(Source: NCEES, 2010)

Date: 03/03/10

Should I wait to take the exam in

another state since Im not going to
work in Massachusetts when I
graduate?

Date: 03/03/10

No!

The FE is a national exam and your score can be

reported to any state in which you wish to become
registered.
The longer you wait, the more difficult for you to
prepare in the future.

Date: 03/03/10

When Will I Find Out If I Passed?

Date: 03/03/10

It Depends

All exams are machine graded on a first-arrived, firstgraded basis.

Results are reported to the State Boards and the Boards

notifies the examinees

It could take 10 to 12 weeks, according to NCEES

You will know in time to take the exam again if you did not
pass

Date: 03/03/10