Issue date: 2/23/07 Section: Campus News

Few engineering students realize that they have not outgrown standardized tests. Though they have passed their state grade school exams and the regiment of SATs, SATIIs, and ACTs another test still looms, even for those who do not plan on the LSATs, GREs or MCATs. This acronym is shorter and has lasting professional implications: FE. The FE Exam, short for Fundamentals of Engineering, is the precursor to the PE or Professional Examination, which is a requirement to be a Professional Engineer, which is vital in order to be a licensed engineer. LICENCED If that sounds confusing, just keep in mind that the ultimate goal of all this is to be a licensed engineer. Just like a doctor needs to be licensed in order to practice, there are standards for engineers, especially in disciplines like Civil Engineering where one's day to day activates impact the public safety. Each state has its own set of qualifications to be licensed. New York State, for example, has a "continuing education" requirement. In order to keep a NY engineering license, a person must show yearly proof that they have stayed current in their field by attending seminars, taking classes, or working towards a degree. The national exam required by every state board is the PE Exam. Just like you have to have completed high school before taking the SATs, you need to have work experience before you can take the PE. The 8 hour long test ensures that someone has the practical and technical knowledge to act as an engineer. Most states require about 4 years in the real world working under a licensed engineer. In some places, the years of necessary work are reduced if the applicant has a higher degree, like a Masters or a PhD. Because the requirements for every state are different, there is a long application process for every state license you apply for. However, before they can even think about the PE exam, a prospective engineer needs to worry about the FEs. STRICT RULES The Fundementals of Engineering test is broken down into 2 sessions, both taken on the same day, both lasting 4 hours. This closed book test contains 180 multiple choice questions and there are strict limitations about what can and cannot be brought into the exam room. No books or cell phones are allowed in the room. Even the mechanical pencils you must take the test with are provided and using other writing utensils means your test may be disqualified. During the morning session of the test, the material focuses on broad-based topics relevant to all engineering disciplines. This includes Mathematics, Chemistry, Engineering Economics, Materials, and Fluid Mechanics. For the afternoon test, examinees have a choice between a second general exam or a discipline-specific exam. The FE works on a Pass/Fail basis. That is, there is no bragging about who has the higher FE score: a person either passes the test by achieving a score of 70 or higher (how many questions make up that pass mark changes every test) or fails. COLLEGE POPULATION Most universities, including Stevens, recommend that graduating students take the FEs as soon as they are able. The test is offered in October and April. Students or recent graduates generally take the more general version of the test, while those who are returning to take the test after time in the field are usually more comfortable with their discipline-specific test. Stevens does not require graduating seniors sit for the test, unlike many other colleges who use the exam as a way to fill their ABET standards. ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) requires universities to offer some overall evaluation of how their programs fulfill educational outcomes in order to receive accreditation , but Stevens uses other methods to fulfill this requirement. Currently, all major engineering programs at Stevens are accredited except for the Biomedical program (the program is too new to have qualified for accreditation). Traditionally, some majors have had a higher percentages sitting for the test than others. Civil Engineers, for example, have little hope of a career without passing the Fes. In order to sign off on drawings for structures, an engineer must be a PE. As a result, the Civil Engineering department has nearly all of its graduates sit for the exam and even pays for the testing fee. Mechanical Engineers also have a strong showing, while Electrical and Computer Engineers generally do not take the exam. Attaining the title of PE, for any engineering discipline, is certainly a career enabler and offers a level of accreditation recognized both nationally and internationally. Stevens offers a free FE review course from August to October to prepare for the fall test. Planning to take the fall test offers some important advantages: a student who passes the test can have it noted on their diploma, a student who fails the test can take it again before graduation, and it allows the remainder of senior year to focus on Senior Design projects, job hunting, and socializing. Stevens' approach to the FE exams means that it has a much higher pass rate for students sitting for the exam than most neighboring technical colleges. An FE review course is also offered to the general public, for a fee, with alumnae and companies sending five or more employees receiving a discount. WHY GO FOR MY PE? - professionally recognized as competent and committed - promotions - salary - job security - jobs - you will be available for more positions and also be able to work independently as a consultant (From SWE Magazine, Winter 2004) For information about the FE courses for Stevens students and the public, contact Beth DeFares at bdefares@stevens.edu

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