General
Information about the exam
Q: What is the difference between the EIT vs. FE?
A: The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam was formerly known as the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam. The name was changed because some people were insulted by the term "in training". However, many people still refer to the exam as the EIT, and we usually call it the FE/EIT. Engineers who pass the FE are referred to as Engineering Interns and may use the letters "E.I." after their names.
Q: What is the content and format of the FE Exam?
A: The examination is divided into a four hour morning session and a four hour afternoon session. The morning session consists of 120, one-point multiple choice questions that cover a wide range of engineering disciplines. The afternoon session consists of 60, two-point multiple choice questions in an area of the examinee's choice: chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, or general engineering. Each student can select which section of the afternoon portion they wish to take when they arrive for the afternoon segment of the exam. It is generally recommended that students take the general engineering section of the afternoon exam, since everyone studies the material for the morning exam, and the afternoon segment revisits the same material in a little more detail. However, electrical and computer engineers who have not taken much of the statics/dynamics, fluid, and thermodynamics might consider taking the specific electrical engineering exam.
Q: What majors can take the FE Exam?
A: All majors in the College of Engineering (including Chemical and Agricultural) can take the exam except for Physics, Computer Science, and Bioengineering.
Q: Is the FE/EIT exam offered both semesters?
A: Yes the exam is offer in the Fall (around late October - early November) and Spring (April).
Q: Is there only one time during the year to register for the FE/EIT exam?
A: Registration for the FE exam is offered both semesters. If you plan to take the exam in the Fall, you must register in the Fall (the same for the Spring). Notification for the semester registration is distributed usually around the beginning of September (for the Fall exam) and around the beginning of February (for the Spring exam).
Q: When would be the best time to take the Exam? Should I take it in the Fall or Spring?
A: It doesn't matter what semester you take the exam, as long as you take it within a calendar year of your graduation. For example, if you were to graduate in Fall (December) 2007, you would take the exam either Spring (April) 2007 or Fall (October) 2007. If you were to graduate in August 2007, you would not have taken the exam in Spring (April) 2006 (over the year requirement) but take the exam either Fall (October) 2006 or Spring (April) 2007.
Q: What are the exam dates for the upcoming year?
A: Below is a list of the exams for the next few years:
Year 2007 April 21 October 27
Year 2008 April 12 October 25
Year 2009 April 25 October 24
Year 2010 April 17 October 30
Q: What is the difference between registering through Continental Testing vs. IDPR (Illinois Department of Professional Regulation)?
A: Continental Testing is only authorized to handle registration
of senior undergraduates in an ABET accredited curriculum
(including chemical and agricultural engineering, excluding computer
science and engineering physics) who are taking the exam for the
first time.
Undergraduates who are more than one year away from graduation
must wait until they are within one year of graduation to take
the exam. If a student takes the exam and discovers that he
will not graduate within the year, he must petition IDPR to maintain
his results until graduation. See contact
section
Graduate students must register directly through IDPR
because the department needs to verify their undergraduate credentials
and eligibility through a separate application process. The IDPR
deadlines are significantly earlier than Continental Testings: November for
the April test date and May for the October test date. See contact section
Alumni and professors and anyone else who is no longer a UIUC
student must also register through the IDPR, using the same
procedure as graduate students. See
contact section
Q: Can I sign up for the PE Exam through Continental Testing?
A: Continental Testing is not authorized to handle registration for the PE exam. Engineers must register directly with the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDPR) at (217)782-8556. The deadline is typically by the middle of November for the April exam and the middle of May for the October exam. The PE exam is administered on Friday and the FE on Saturday, so a person with the proper qualifications may take sit for both exams in the same weekend and obtain a PE license.
Q: If I failed the test before, how do I register?
A: Students who are retaking the FE exam need to use their
test results to reschedule. Follow instructions
on your test results sheet and make special arrangements through
the Continental Testing Service to sit for the exam a second time.
See contact section
Q: What if a student changes his/her mind or something comes up and they do not want to take the test?
A: It is up to the student to contact CTS. CTS can carry over fees for the next exam, but NO REFUNDS. Once admission letters are sent out, CTS will not reschedule test for a student unless it's an emergency. The week of the exam CTS can not do anything. See contact section
Q: What can the College of Engineering do for a student after registration?
A: The College of Engineering is responsible only for notice of registration. Room reservations and admission tickets (notifying students where the exam will be) are all handled directly by CTS, so refer all related questions and registration confirmation questions to them. See contact section
Q: If I miss the registration times, can I still sign up for the exam?
A: Unfortunately, no.
If a person misses an exam, then they will have to sign up the next semester. If you are graduating the semester you missed the exam, then you need to contact Illinois Department of Regulation ASAP and sign up for next semester's exam through that department. Once you graduate, you cannot sign up for registration through the College of Engineering. If you still in school the next semester, then you can sign up through the College of Engineering. See contact section
Questions concerning mechanics of Exam
Q: Where can I sign up for review courses?
A: Both ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) and ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) offer review courses and sell review books. ASCE usually offers both the course and book both in the Fall and Spring, while ASME typically sells the book in the Fall and offers the book and the review course in the Spring. See contact section
Q: Where can I get review booklets for this exam?
A: These review booklets can be purchased from ASCE or ASME. See contact section. You may also purchase study materials from NCEES.
Q: When will I receive notice of when and where the exam will be?
A: CTS is responsible for sending information to students that sign up for the exam. They usually send out letters ten to fourteen days before the exam date (call CTS if you have not received your letter) See contact section
Q: What will I need to bring to the exam?
A: Here is a description of what a person should bring to the exam:
Identification:
You must present a photo ID along with your admission notice to
be admitted into the examination room. The only acceptable photographic
identification is a Driver's License, Secretary of State card,
or a current passport. If the name on your photo ID is different
from that on your admission notice, you must provide proof of
legal name change.
Calculator:
Q: I signed up for the FE exam through Continental Testing and have taken the exam. I received a letter stating that I have to pay $20.00 for a certificate and send them a transcript. What should I do?
A: You need to pay the $20.00 for the certificate and provide them with an official transcript. Four to five months after you graduate, you should contact the Department of Regulation just to make sure they received your transcript. See contact section
Q: Who do I contact if I have not received my results from the Exam, or if I moved and need to forward someone my new address?
A: You need to contact the Illinois Department of Regulation. They handle test results and new addresses. See contact section
Q: What if I don't graduate within one year of taking the test? What should I do?
A: You need to contact the Illinois Department of Regulation because they can handle extensions. You need to contact them ASAP. If you wait, they will not allow your extension. The College of Engineering will not intervene because this is a Illinois Department of Regulation policy. See contact section