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The FE Electrical and Computer Engineering exam is the first step toward your Professional Engineer (PE) license—and for many electrical and computer engineers, it is the most significant standardized test they will take after college. Whether you are a recent graduate looking to lock in your coursework knowledge or a working engineer returning to the exam after years in industry, this page brings together everything you need to prepare: exam format, topic breakdowns, study timelines, recommended resources, and free practice problems.
FE Electrical Exam at a Glance
- 110 questions — 5 hours 20 minutes, computer-based at Pearson VUE
- 17 topic areas — from Circuit Analysis to Software Engineering
- ~62% pass rate — one of the more challenging FE disciplines
- $175 exam fee — paid to NCEES; offered year-round
- 200–300 study hours recommended over 8–16 weeks
- NCEES provides the FE Reference Handbook on-screen during the exam
What Is the FE Electrical and Computer Engineering Exam?
Administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), the FE exam is a computer-based test that confirms you have the foundational knowledge expected of an entry-level engineer. The Electrical and Computer Engineering version covers 17 topics spanning circuits, electronics, power systems, digital logic, signals, controls, communications, and computer science.
Passing earns you the Engineer Intern (EI) or Engineer in Training (EIT) designation, depending on your state. After accumulating the required professional experience (typically four years under a licensed PE), you become eligible for the PE exam.
The exam costs $175, paid directly to NCEES when you register. Some states charge an additional application fee ($25–$100). You will also need an NCEES-approved calculator—the TI-36X Pro is the most popular choice among electrical engineers for its matrix operations and polynomial solver.
What Topics Does the FE ECE Exam Cover?
The 17 topic areas fall into three tiers based on how many questions they typically contribute. A smart study plan starts at the top and works down.
Highest weight (8–12 questions each):
- Circuit Analysis — DC/AC analysis, Kirchhoff’s laws, Thevenin/Norton, phasors, transient response
- Power Systems — three-phase, transformers, per-unit analysis, fault analysis, power factor
- Electronics — diodes, BJTs, MOSFETs, op-amp circuits, amplifier configurations
- Digital Systems — Boolean algebra, logic gates, flip-flops, state machines, memory
Mid weight (5–9 questions each):
- Control Systems, Linear Systems, Signal Processing, Electromagnetics, Communications, Mathematics
Lower weight (3–6 questions each):
- Probability & Statistics, Ethics, Engineering Economics, Properties of Electrical Materials, Engineering Sciences, Computer Networks, Computer Systems & Software Engineering
Together, the four highest-weight topics account for roughly 30–46 questions—about a third of the exam. Our complete study guide breaks down every topic with question counts, priority rankings, and a week-by-week study plan.
How Hard Is the FE Electrical Exam?
With a pass rate around 62%, the FE Electrical and Computer exam is statistically one of the tougher FE disciplines. The breadth is what makes it challenging: you need working knowledge across circuits, electronics, power, digital logic, signals, controls, communications, electromagnetics, and computer science—all in one sitting.
That said, the exam is absolutely passable with the right approach. The questions are designed to test foundational understanding, not graduate-level depth. If you can solve textbook-level problems across the 17 topics using only the FE Reference Handbook and an approved calculator, you are well-prepared.
For a detailed breakdown of study strategy, time management, and how to handle the topics you find weakest, read our guide on how to pass the FE Electrical exam on your first try.
How Long Should You Study for the FE ECE Exam?
Most candidates who pass spend 200–300 hours preparing over 8 to 16 weeks. Here is a realistic breakdown based on where you are starting from:
- Recent graduates (within 1–2 years): 150–200 hours over 8–10 weeks. Your coursework is still relatively fresh—focus on filling gaps and building exam pacing.
- Working engineers (3–7 years out): 250–300 hours over 12–16 weeks. Budget extra time for relearning topics you have not used professionally (signal processing, electromagnetics, and digital systems are common weak spots).
- Returning engineers (8+ years out): 300+ hours. Start with our guide for returning engineers to build a realistic timeline and avoid common pitfalls.
A 12-week study plan works well for most candidates: spend the first two weeks on a diagnostic and fundamentals review, weeks 3–8 on the high- and mid-weight topics, and weeks 9–12 on lower-weight topics plus full-length timed practice exams. Our study guide includes a detailed week-by-week schedule.
What Should You Study With?
You do not need to spend thousands of dollars to pass the FE exam. Here are the resources that matter most:
- NCEES FE Reference Handbook (printed copy) — This is the exact reference provided on-screen during the exam. Studying with a physical copy lets you learn where every formula lives, which saves critical time on exam day.
- NCEES Practice Exam ($30) — The only official practice exam from the organization that writes the real test. Take it as a timed diagnostic early in your preparation.
- TI-36X Pro calculator — The most capable NCEES-approved calculator. Its matrix solver, polynomial roots, and complex number mode are especially useful for circuit analysis and signals problems. See our full calculator comparison.
- A quality prep book — See our best FE exam prep books guide for detailed reviews and recommendations by discipline and budget.
- Practice questions with explanations — Passive reading is not enough. You need to solve problems under realistic conditions and learn from your mistakes. Try our free FE Electrical practice problems to see where you stand.
What Should You Expect on Exam Day?
The FE exam is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers across the country. You will sit at a computer workstation with access to the digital FE Reference Handbook and an on-screen calculator (though most candidates prefer their physical approved calculator). The 110 questions are presented sequentially, and you can flag questions to revisit before submitting.
Arrive early, bring valid government-issued ID, and have your approved calculator with fresh batteries. For a complete walk-through of what to bring, what to expect at the testing center, and common mistakes to avoid, see our exam day checklist.
Your FE Electrical Study Resources
We have built a full library of free guides for the FE Electrical and Computer Engineering exam. Bookmark this page and work through them as part of your preparation:
- Complete Study Guide & Topic Breakdown — All 17 topics with question weights, priority rankings, and a 12-week plan
- How to Pass the FE Electrical Exam on Your First Try — Strategy, pacing, calculator tips, and test-day tactics
- FE Electrical Practice Problems with Solutions — 10 free problems covering circuits, power, digital logic, and more
- Calculator Guide — Every approved model compared, with tips for the TI-36X Pro
- Best FE Exam Prep Books — Reviews and recommendations by discipline and budget
- Exam Day Checklist — What to bring, what to expect, and mistakes to avoid
- Reference Handbook Guide — How to navigate the handbook efficiently during the exam
- Guide for Returning Engineers — Strategies for engineers who have been out of school for years
- App Guide — How to get the most out of practice mode, timed exams, and analytics
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the FE Electrical and Computer Engineering exam?
The FE Electrical and Computer Engineering exam has an approximate pass rate of 62%, making it one of the more challenging FE disciplines. It covers 17 topic areas spanning circuits, electronics, power systems, signals, controls, and computer engineering. However, with 200–300 hours of structured study and consistent practice using the NCEES FE Reference Handbook, most well-prepared candidates pass on their first attempt.
How many questions are on the FE Electrical exam?
The FE Electrical and Computer Engineering exam has 110 questions. You have 5 hours and 20 minutes to complete it at a Pearson VUE testing center. The exam is computer-based and offered year-round.
What topics are on the FE Electrical and Computer exam?
The exam covers 17 topics: Mathematics, Probability and Statistics, Ethics, Engineering Economics, Properties of Electrical Materials, Engineering Sciences, Circuit Analysis, Linear Systems, Signal Processing, Electronics, Power Systems, Electromagnetics, Control Systems, Communications, Computer Networks, Digital Systems, and Computer Systems/Software Engineering. Circuit Analysis, Power Systems, Electronics, and Digital Systems carry the most weight.
How much does the FE Electrical exam cost?
The FE exam costs $175, paid directly to NCEES when you register. Some states charge an additional application fee (typically $25–$100). You also need an NCEES-approved calculator ($15–$25) and may want a printed copy of the FE Reference Handbook for studying. Total out-of-pocket cost is usually $200–$300.
How long should I study for the FE Electrical exam?
Most successful candidates study 200–300 hours over 8 to 16 weeks. A 12-week study plan works well for most people. If you graduated recently and your coursework is still fresh, you may need closer to 150 hours. If you have been out of school for several years, plan for 300+ hours and start with the fundamentals before tackling discipline-specific topics.
FE Civil • FE Mechanical • FE Chemical • FE Environmental • PE Electrical: Power
Disclaimer: This guide is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NCEES. The “Fundamentals of Engineering” exam, “FE” exam, and “NCEES” are trademarks of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Exam specifications and content are subject to change; always refer to the official NCEES website for the most current information.