If you are preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, one of the first questions you probably have is: "What are my chances of passing?" Understanding FE exam pass rates is not just about satisfying curiosity -- these statistics can shape your study strategy, set realistic expectations, and ultimately help you join the majority of first-time takers who walk out of the testing center with a passing result.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down the latest FE exam pass rate data from NCEES, compare disciplines, analyze the gap between first-time and repeat takers, and explain exactly what these numbers mean for your preparation.
Current Overall FE Exam Pass Rates
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) publishes pass rate data annually. While specific numbers fluctuate slightly from year to year, the overall trends have remained remarkably consistent.
Key Statistic: In NCEES’s latest annual report, first-time pass rates ran from 59% (Other Disciplines) to 72% (Chemical), with FE Civil at 60%, FE Electrical and Computer at 62% and FE Mechanical at 68%. Repeat takers passed at 25% to 36%, and at 33% on FE Civil.
These numbers tell an important story. The majority of well-prepared, first-time test takers do pass the exam. But if you do not pass on your first attempt, the odds shift significantly against you -- not because the exam gets harder, but because the underlying factors that caused the initial failure often persist without a deliberate change in study approach.
FE Civil Pass Rates vs. Other Disciplines
The FE exam is offered in seven discipline-specific versions: Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Environmental, Industrial and Systems, Mechanical, and Other Disciplines. Pass rates vary across these specializations.
First-Time Pass Rates by Discipline
- FE Chemical: 72% of first-time takers passed (73% of those with an EAC/ABET bachelor’s degree); repeat takers 34%. 1,847 first-time examinees.
- FE Civil: 60% of first-time takers passed (63% of those with an EAC/ABET bachelor’s degree); repeat takers 33%. 15,619 first-time examinees. The largest FE exam by far, and the lowest first-time rate of the three large disciplines.
- FE Electrical and Computer: 62% of first-time takers passed (64% of those with an EAC/ABET bachelor’s degree); repeat takers 30%. 5,132 first-time examinees.
- FE Environmental: 67% of first-time takers passed (70% of those with an EAC/ABET bachelor’s degree); repeat takers 36%. 2,359 first-time examinees.
- FE Industrial and Systems: 68% of first-time takers passed (73% of those with an EAC/ABET bachelor’s degree); repeat takers 25%. 525 first-time examinees.
- FE Mechanical: 68% of first-time takers passed (71% of those with an EAC/ABET bachelor’s degree); repeat takers 35%. 10,487 first-time examinees. The highest first-time rate among the large disciplines.
- FE Other Disciplines: 59% of first-time takers passed (61% of those with an EAC/ABET bachelor’s degree); repeat takers 27%. 2,374 first-time examinees. Candidates come from more varied academic backgrounds, which shows in the rate.
View the data as a table
| FE Discipline | First-time, all takers | First-time, EAC/ABET degree | Repeat takers | First-time volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FE Chemical | 72% | 73% | 34% | 1,847 |
| FE Industrial and Systems | 68% | 73% | 25% | 525 |
| FE Mechanical | 68% | 71% | 35% | 10,487 |
| FE Environmental | 67% | 70% | 36% | 2,359 |
| FE Electrical and Computer | 62% | 64% | 30% | 5,132 |
| FE Civil | 60% | 63% | 33% | 15,619 |
| FE Other Disciplines | 59% | 61% | 27% | 2,374 |
FE Civil Spotlight: 15,619 people sat FE Civil for the first time in the report year and 60% passed (63% of EAC/ABET graduates), the lowest first-time rate of the three large disciplines. The exam is very passable with proper preparation: more than nine thousand civil engineering graduates passed it on the first try in a single year, and you can be one of them.
Discipline pages with the six-year series, the degree split and where candidates lose points: FE Mechanical pass rate · FE Electrical and Computer pass rate.
Historical Trends in FE Exam Pass Rates
FE exam pass rates have shifted over the past two decades, largely driven by changes in exam format and delivery.
The Transition to Computer-Based Testing
Before 2014, the FE exam was a pencil-and-paper test offered only twice a year (in April and October). When NCEES transitioned to computer-based testing (CBT) in January 2014, two major changes occurred:
- Year-round availability: Candidates can now take the exam during any testing window, which means they can schedule it when they feel most prepared rather than being forced into a fixed date.
- Discipline-specific format: The old exam had a general morning session and a discipline-specific afternoon session. The CBT version is entirely discipline-specific, with 110 questions over 5 hours and 20 minutes.
The CBT format is now the only format: the last pencil-and-paper NCEES exam was given in October 2023, and since April 2024 every NCEES exam is computer-based.
Recent Year-Over-Year Trends
The six NCEES reports since 2019 do not show a flat line. For the three largest exams the first-time rate has drifted down: FE Civil from 65% in 2018–19 to 60% in 2023–24, FE Mechanical from 75% to 68%, FE Electrical and Computer from 64% to 62%. The current FE specifications took effect with the July 2020 examinations, in the middle of that window, and NCEES fixes the passing standard by subject-matter judgment rather than by a quota of examinees, so a lower rate means candidates clearing a fixed bar less often. NCEES does not publish causes and we will not invent one. The FE Mechanical and FE Electrical pages carry the full six-year series for each of those exams, including the split by degree and by attempt.
View the data as a table
| Exam year | FE Civil | FE Mechanical | FE Electrical & Computer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | 65% | 75% | 64% |
| 2019–20 | 66% | 75% | 65% |
| 2020–21 | 64% | 71% | 66% |
| 2021–22 | 60% | 68% | 63% |
| 2022–23 | 60% | 66% | 61% |
| 2023–24 | 60% | 68% | 62% |
One notable trend is that the gap between first-time and repeat taker pass rates has remained persistently wide. This gap has not narrowed significantly over time, reinforcing the importance of thorough first-attempt preparation.
First-Time vs. Repeat Taker Statistics
The single most important distinction in FE exam pass rate data is the difference between first-time and repeat takers. This gap is not small -- it is one of the most striking features of the data.
Critical Insight: Weighted across the seven disciplines, 64% of first-time takers passed and 33% of repeat takers did. On FE Civil the figures are 60% and 33%. Repeat takers are roughly half as likely to pass as first-time examinees, in every discipline.
View the data as a table
| FE Discipline | First-time takers | Repeat takers |
|---|---|---|
| FE Chemical | 72% | 34% |
| FE Industrial and Systems | 68% | 25% |
| FE Mechanical | 68% | 35% |
| FE Environmental | 67% | 36% |
| FE Electrical and Computer | 62% | 30% |
| FE Civil | 60% | 33% |
| FE Other Disciplines | 59% | 27% |
| All disciplines (weighted) | 64% | 33% |
Why the Gap Is So Large
Several factors contribute to the dramatic difference between first-time and repeat pass rates:
- Time since graduation: Many repeat takers have been out of school for several years. The longer it has been since you studied the core material, the harder it is to recall and apply it under exam conditions.
- Same study approach: Candidates who fail often retake the exam using the same study methods that did not work the first time. Without a fundamental change in preparation strategy, the outcome is likely to remain the same.
- Exam anxiety and confidence: Failing the exam can create a psychological barrier. Self-doubt and test anxiety are real factors that can impair performance on subsequent attempts.
- Diminishing motivation: Each failed attempt can reduce a candidate's motivation and willingness to invest the time required for adequate preparation.
What Low Repeat-Taker Pass Rates Tell Us
The low pass rate for repeat takers is not an indication that the exam becomes harder on subsequent attempts -- the exam itself does not change based on your attempt number. Instead, these statistics tell us something crucial about preparation:
- Preparation quality matters more than attempt quantity. Simply retaking the exam without changing your study approach is unlikely to produce a different result.
- Your first attempt is your best statistical opportunity. The data overwhelmingly supports investing heavily in first-attempt preparation rather than treating the first try as a "practice run."
- Repeat takers who change their strategy can beat the odds. Those repeat takers who do pass typically report making significant changes: switching study materials, using practice exams, creating structured study plans, or enrolling in focused prep programs.
Factors That Affect Your Pass Rate
Pass rates are population-level statistics, but your individual probability of passing depends on specific, controllable factors. Research and candidate surveys consistently identify four major predictors of FE exam success.
Total Study Hours
Candidates who study 200-300+ hours have significantly higher pass rates. Consistent daily study over 3-4 months is more effective than cramming in the final weeks.
Preparation Method
Using realistic, exam-format practice questions with detailed solutions dramatically outperforms passive reading of textbooks or review manuals alone.
Time Since Graduation
Candidates who take the FE within 1-2 years of graduation pass at the highest rates. Each additional year away from coursework correlates with lower pass probability.
FE Handbook Familiarity
The NCEES FE Reference Handbook is your only resource during the exam. Candidates who practice extensively with the handbook pass at much higher rates than those who do not.
Study Time: The Most Controllable Factor
Of all the factors that influence pass rates, total study time is the one most directly under your control. Surveys of successful FE exam candidates consistently show the following pattern:
- Under 100 hours: Pass rates drop well below the national average. This level of preparation is typically insufficient for most candidates.
- 100-200 hours: Pass rates approach the national first-time average. This is a reasonable baseline for recent graduates with strong academic foundations.
- 200-300+ hours: Pass rates exceed the national average significantly. This level of preparation is recommended for candidates who have been out of school for more than two years or who feel less confident in certain subject areas.
The Preparation Method Gap
Not all study hours are created equal. Candidates who rely primarily on passive study methods -- re-reading textbooks, watching lecture videos without practicing, or reviewing notes -- consistently underperform compared to those who use active learning strategies.
The most effective preparation approaches include:
- Practice exams under timed conditions: Simulating the actual exam environment builds both competence and confidence.
- Solving problems with the FE Reference Handbook: Learning to find information quickly in the handbook is a critical exam skill that only comes with practice.
- Reviewing detailed solutions: Understanding why an answer is correct (and why the other options are wrong) deepens your grasp of the underlying concepts.
- Focused topic review: Identifying your weak areas through diagnostic tests and dedicating extra time to those topics yields the highest return on study time.
How to Be on the Right Side of the Statistics
The FE exam pass rate data is clear: the majority of well-prepared, first-time takers pass. Your goal is to make sure you are in that majority. Here is a data-driven action plan.
1. Treat Your First Attempt as Your Best Attempt
Do not approach the FE exam with a "let me see how it goes" mindset. The statistics are unambiguous: your first attempt gives you the best odds. Invest the time, resources, and effort upfront to maximize your chances on attempt number one.
2. Build a Structured Study Plan
Break the FE Civil exam content into manageable topics. The exam covers 18 topic areas including Mathematics and Statistics, Ethics, Engineering Economics, Statics, Dynamics, Mechanics of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, and more. Allocate study time to each topic proportional to its weight on the exam and your personal comfort level.
3. Prioritize Active Practice Over Passive Review
For every hour you spend reading or watching videos, spend at least two hours solving practice problems. Use a platform that provides realistic, exam-format questions with detailed step-by-step solutions so you can learn from every problem you encounter.
4. Use the FE Reference Handbook from Day One
The NCEES FE Reference Handbook is provided during the exam as a searchable PDF. Make it your primary reference during all practice sessions. Knowing where to find formulas, constants, and methods in the handbook can save you precious minutes on exam day.
5. Take Full-Length Practice Exams
At least two to three weeks before your exam date, begin taking full-length, timed practice exams. This builds your stamina for the 5-hour-and-20-minute test, helps you develop a pacing strategy, and reveals any remaining weak areas that need last-minute attention.
Pro Tip: Candidates who complete at least 3 full-length practice exams before test day report feeling significantly more confident and perform better on the actual exam. Simulation is one of the most powerful preparation tools available.
6. If You Are a Repeat Taker, Change Your Approach
If you have previously taken and not passed the FE exam, the worst thing you can do is study the same way and hope for a different result. Analyze what went wrong: Was it time management? Weak content areas? Unfamiliarity with the handbook? Then make targeted changes. Consider using a dedicated exam simulator that tracks your performance and identifies your specific weaknesses.
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Start Your Free TrialPutting the Numbers in Perspective
It is easy to look at pass rate statistics and feel intimidated. But consider this: a 60% first-time pass rate for the FE Civil exam means that 6 out of every 10 first-time takers walk away with a passing result. These are not people with superhuman intelligence -- they are engineering graduates who committed to a structured study plan and put in the work.
The 33% repeat-taker pass rate is a cautionary statistic, not a discouraging one. It exists primarily because many repeat takers do not fundamentally change their approach. Those who do -- who switch to active practice, use exam simulators, and study with the handbook -- dramatically improve their odds.
Ultimately, pass rates are averages across thousands of candidates with vastly different levels of preparation. Your individual pass rate is determined by the choices you make in the weeks and months leading up to exam day. Choose to prepare thoroughly, practice actively, and walk into that testing center knowing you have done everything in your power to succeed.
Conclusion
FE exam pass rates reveal a clear pattern: first-time takers who prepare diligently have a strong probability of passing, while repeat takers who do not change their approach face an uphill battle. The FE Civil exam, with its first-time pass rate of 60% (per NCEES Squared 2024), is absolutely conquerable with the right preparation strategy.
The data points to four key success factors: sufficient study hours, active practice with realistic exam questions, familiarity with the FE Reference Handbook, and taking the exam while coursework is still fresh. By aligning your preparation with these proven factors, you position yourself firmly on the passing side of the statistics.
Do not let pass rate numbers intimidate you. Let them inform you. Prepare smart, practice hard, and make your first attempt count.