{"id":8223,"date":"2026-01-08T07:01:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T15:01:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mcclatchymhstg.wpenginepowered.com\/sabe-careers-education\/?p=8223"},"modified":"2026-01-08T07:01:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T15:01:42","slug":"fe-exam-pass-rates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/","title":{"rendered":"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a critical step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer. Whether you&#8217;re studying civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, or another discipline, understanding the FE exam pass rate gives valuable insight into the exam\u2019s difficulty, preparation strategies, and what to expect on exam day.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article covers the most recent FE exam pass rates, why they vary, and how to prepare effectively for your first attempt.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-key-takeaways\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>Pass Rates Vary by Discipline:<\/strong> Fields like Environmental Engineering have higher pass rates, while Other Disciplines tend to be lower.<\/li> <li><strong>First-Timers Perform Better:<\/strong> Recent grads and first-time test takers from U.S. schools generally have the best pass rates.<\/li> <li><strong>There&#8217;s No Set Passing Score:<\/strong> The FE exam uses scaled scoring, but most experts estimate passing requires around 50\u201360% correct answers.<\/li> <li><strong>Prep Materials Matter:<\/strong> Using the FE Reference Handbook, practice problems, and full-length exams is crucial for test-day success.<\/li> <li><strong>Time Management Is Key:<\/strong> With 110 questions and tight timing, pacing, and familiarity with question types make a significant difference.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-fe-exam\"><strong>What Is the FE Exam?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-guide\/\">FE exam is a computer-based exam<\/a> administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). It&#8217;s typically the first exam taken on the path to earning your PE license. It&#8217;s designed to assess your understanding of fundamental engineering concepts and is most commonly taken by students or recent graduates from ABET-accredited programs.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exam is discipline-specific, with the following versions available:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>FE Civil<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>FE Mechanical<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>FE Electrical and Computer<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>FE Environmental<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>FE Industrial and Systems<\/strong><\/li> <li><strong>FE Other Disciplines<\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2025-fe-exam-pass-rates\"><strong>2025 FE Exam Pass Rates<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pass rates for the FE exam are updated periodically by the <a href=\"https:\/\/ncees.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Squared-2024_pages.pdf\">NCEES<\/a> and vary based on discipline and whether the test taker is a recent graduate.<\/p> <style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"supsystic-table-119_67823-css\">\/* Here you can add custom CSS for the current table *\/ \/* Lean more about CSS: https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cascading_Style_Sheets *\/ \/* To prevent the use of styles to other tables use \"#supsystic-table-119\" as a base selector for example: #supsystic-table-119 { ... } #supsystic-table-119 tbody { ... } #supsystic-table-119 tbody tr { ... } *\/ div#supsystic-table-119_wrapper { width: 60%; margin: 0 auto; } table#supsystic-table-119 { border: none !important; } .supsystic-tables-wrap .dataTables_scrollHead table.supsystic-table { border-bottom: unset !important; } .supsystic-tables-wrap thead th.htCenter { text-align: center !important; } span.discount { margin-top: 6px; display: inline-block; float: left; font-weight: 400; width: 100%; font-size: 12px; } .supsystic-tables-wrap tbody tr td:nth-child(1) { font-size: 16px; } .supsystic-tables-wrap thead th { font-size: 16px; } .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) th a:nth-child(3) { background: #1873cd; border: 1px solid #1873cd; } .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) th a:nth-child(4) { background: #1873cd; border: 1px solid #1873cd; } .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) th .editor_block:nth-child(1) { background: #32cd32; color: #fff; font-size: 14px; position: absolute; padding: 10px 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; top: 0px; left: 0; right: 0; } li.coupon_dis { list-style: none; } .dataTables_scrollBody .editor_block { display: none; } .editor_block::after { content: \"\"; position: absolute; left: 0; right: 0; margin: auto; height: 10px; width: 10px; background: #32cd32; top: 35px; transform: rotate(45deg); } .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) a:nth-child(4), .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) a.external { color: #fff; padding: 4px 12px; width: 70%; border-radius: 50px; font-size: 9px; margin-top: 10px; display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 12px; } .supsystic-table thead th img { width: 200px; margin: 0 auto; display: block; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td a { background: #00d084; color: #fff; padding: 10px 10px; border-radius: 10px; font-size: 16px; } .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) a:nth-child(3), .supsystic-table tr:nth-child(1) a.external { color: #fff; padding: 4px 12px; width: 70%; border-radius: 50px; font-size: 9px; margin-top: 10px; display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 12px; } table.dataTable.cell-border tbody th, table.dataTable.cell-border tbody td { border-top: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; } tr:first-child th { background-color: #fff; border: 1px solid #e1e1e1; } th:first-child, td:first-child { font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; } .supsystic-table tbody tr td { padding: 12px 10px !important; } td { font-size: 13px; text-align: center; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:first-child td { border-top: 1px solid #dddddd !important; } .dataTables_scrollBody { border: unset !important; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td { border-bottom: 1px solid #dddddd; } .supsystic-table thead th { border-bottom: unset !important; border-left: unset !important; } .supsystic-table thead tr:first-child th:first-child { border-radius: 12px 0 00; border-left: 1px solid #dddddd !important; } .supsystic-table thead tr th { border: 1px solid #dddddd; } .supsystic-table thead tr:first-child th:last-child { border-radius: 0 12px 0 0; } .supsystic-table thead tr:last-child th:first-child { border-left: 1px solid #dddddd !important; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td:first-child { border-radius: 0 0 0 12px; } .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td:last-child { border-radius: 0 0 12px 0; } @media screen and (max-width: 767px) { .supsystic-table tbody tr:last-child td a { padding: 8px !important; font-size: 11px !important; } div#supsystic-table-119_wrapper { width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; } } <\/style> <div id=\"supsystic-table-119_67823\" class=\"supsystic-tables-wrap \" style=\" width:100%; visibility: hidden; \" data-table-width-fixed=\"100%\" data-table-width-mobile=\"100%\" ><table id=\"supsystic-table-119\" class=\"supsystic-table border stripe hover lightboxImg cell-border\" data-id=\"119\" data-view-id=\"119_67823\" data-title=\"Current FE Exam Pass Rates (As of 2025)\" data-currency-format=\"$1,000.00\" data-percent-format=\"10.00%\" data-date-format=\"DD.MM.YYYY\" data-time-format=\"HH:mm\" data-features=\"[&quot;after_table_loaded_script&quot;]\" data-search-value=\"\" data-lightbox-img=\"\" data-head=\"on\" data-head-rows-count=\"1\" data-pagination-length=\"50,100,All\" data-auto-index=\"off\" data-searching-settings=\"{&quot;columnSearchPosition&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;minChars&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-lang=\"default\" data-override=\"{&quot;emptyTable&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;info&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;infoEmpty&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;infoFiltered&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;lengthMenu&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;search&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;previous&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;next&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;zeroRecords&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;exportLabel&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;file&quot;:&quot;default&quot;}\" data-merged=\"[]\" data-responsive-mode=\"2\" data-from-history=\"0\" ><thead><tr><th data-cell-id=\"A1\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"1\" data-db-index=\"1\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"FE Discipline\" data-order=\"FE Discipline\" style=\"min-width:50%; width:50%;\" >FE Discipline <\/th><th data-cell-id=\"B1\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"1\" data-db-index=\"1\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Average Pass Rate (2014-2024)\" data-order=\"Average Pass Rate (2014-2024)\" style=\"min-width:50%; width:50%;\" >Average Pass Rate (2014-2024) <\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A2\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"2\" data-db-index=\"2\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Chemical Engineering\" data-order=\"Chemical Engineering\" >Chemical Engineering <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B2\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"2\" data-db-index=\"2\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"72%\" data-order=\"72%\" >72% <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A3\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"3\" data-db-index=\"3\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Civil Engineering\" data-order=\"Civil Engineering\" >Civil Engineering <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B3\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"3\" data-db-index=\"3\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"60%\" data-order=\"60%\" >60% <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A4\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"4\" data-db-index=\"4\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Mechanical Engineering\" data-order=\"Mechanical Engineering\" >Mechanical Engineering <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B4\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"4\" data-db-index=\"4\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"68%\" data-order=\"68%\" >68% <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A5\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"5\" data-db-index=\"5\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Electrical and Computer\" data-order=\"Electrical and Computer\" >Electrical and Computer <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B5\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"5\" data-db-index=\"5\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"62%\" data-order=\"62%\" >62% <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A6\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"6\" data-db-index=\"6\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Environmental Engineering\" data-order=\"Environmental Engineering\" >Environmental Engineering <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B6\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"6\" data-db-index=\"6\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"67%\" data-order=\"67%\" >67% <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A7\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"7\" data-db-index=\"7\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Industrial Engineering\" data-order=\"Industrial Engineering\" >Industrial Engineering <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B7\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"7\" data-db-index=\"7\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"68%\" data-order=\"68%\" >68% <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A8\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"8\" data-db-index=\"8\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Other Disciplines\" data-order=\"Other Disciplines\" >Other Disciplines <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B8\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"8\" data-db-index=\"8\" class=\"\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"59%\" data-order=\"59%\" >59% <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><!-- \/#supsystic-table-119.supsystic-table --><\/div><!-- \/.supsystic-tables-wrap --><!-- Tables Generator by Supsystic --><!-- Version:1.11.1 --><!-- http:\/\/supsystic.com\/ --><a title=\"WordPress Data Table Plugin\" style=\"display:none;\" href=\"https:\/\/supsystic.com\/plugins\/wordpress-data-table-plugin\/?utm_medium=love_link\" target=\"_blank\">WordPress Data Table Plugin<\/a> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These numbers reflect first-time test takers with degrees from U.S. institutions. The pass rate tends to drop for repeat takers or those with degrees earned internationally.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-do-fe-pass-rates-vary\"><strong>Why Do FE Pass Rates Vary?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several factors contribute to different pass rates across disciplines:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Curriculum Alignment:<\/strong> Some programs align more closely with FE exam topics than others.<\/li> <li><strong>Content Breadth:<\/strong> The FE Other Disciplines exam, often taken by interdisciplinary engineers, covers a broader range of topics.<\/li> <li><strong>Preparation Quality:<\/strong> Effective FE exam prep, including practice exams, question banks, and thorough use of the FE Reference Handbook, significantly impacts performance.<\/li> <li><strong>Time Since Graduation:<\/strong> Those who take the exam shortly after college tend to perform better, as engineering fundamentals are still fresh.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-score-do-you-need-to-pass-the-fe\"><strong>What Score Do You Need to Pass the FE?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/passing-score-for-fe-exam-what-you-should-know\/\">FE exam passing score<\/a> is not a fixed percentage. NCEES uses a scaled scoring system, and the exact passing threshold isn\u2019t publicly disclosed. However, estimates suggest you need to answer roughly 50\u201360% of the questions correctly to pass, depending on the difficulty of your actual exam.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-improve-your-odds-of-passing\"><strong>How to Improve Your Odds of Passing<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passing the FE exam on your first try is entirely possible\u2014but it requires a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/how-to-study-for-the-fe-exam\/\">study plan<\/a> tailored to your discipline and learning style. Here are strategies that work:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Use the Official FE Reference Handbook:<\/strong> This is your only reference during the exam. Learn how to navigate it efficiently.<\/li> <li><strong>Work Through Practice Problems:<\/strong> Focus on solving timed problems using your calculator and handbook\u2014this mimics test-day conditions.<\/li> <li><strong>Take Full-Length Practice Exams:<\/strong> Simulate the full computer-based exam experience to build stamina and manage time constraints.<\/li> <li><strong>Identify Challenging Topics Early:<\/strong> Pinpoint weak areas like thermodynamics or statics and build in extra time to review them.<\/li> <li><strong>Join Study Groups or Seek Support:<\/strong> Explaining problems to others and hearing different approaches can deepen understanding.<\/li> <li><strong>Choose Quality Prep Resources:<\/strong> Tools like the FE Review Manual, online video courses, and question banks help reinforce learning.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-makes-the-fe-exam-challenging\"><strong>What Makes the FE Exam Challenging?<\/strong><\/h2> <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-info.png\" alt=\"what makes FE exam hard\" class=\"wp-image-8227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-info.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-info-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-info-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-info-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-info-280x280.png 280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several aspects of the FE exam can catch students off guard:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Wide Range of Topics:<\/strong> Even within a single discipline, the scope can be overwhelming without thorough preparation.<\/li> <li><strong>Time Pressure:<\/strong> With <a href=\"https:\/\/ncees.org\/exams\/fe-exam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">110<\/a> questions in 6 hours, managing your pace is essential.<\/li> <li><strong>Wordy or Tricky Questions:<\/strong> Some problems may appear simple but require careful reading and conceptual understanding.<\/li> <li><strong>Stress on Exam Day:<\/strong> Even well-prepared test takers may underperform if they haven\u2019t practiced under realistic conditions.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the FE exam pass rate varies by discipline and background, success ultimately comes down to preparation. Use your time wisely, lean on proven tools, and simulate the testing environment as much as possible. Whether you&#8217;re targeting FE Civil, FE Mechanical, or another exam version, the combination of early planning and consistent effort can lead to a passing score\u2014and a solid first step toward your PE exam and engineering licensure.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767595447651\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the FE exam pass rate for civil engineering?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">As of 2025, the pass rate for U.S. civil engineering graduates is around 60%, combining the averages of first-time takers and retakers, according to NCEES data.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767595452823\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is the FE exam hard to pass?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/how-hard-is-the-fe-exam\/\">FE exams can be difficult<\/a>, especially without preparation. However, with focused study and the right resources, many students pass on their first try.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767595460600\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How is the FE exam scored?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The exam is scaled and equated for difficulty. While exact scores aren\u2019t published, most estimates suggest that passing requires answering around 50\u201360% of questions correctly.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767595465182\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How can I prepare for the FE exam?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Start early, use the FE Reference Handbook regularly, complete timed practice exams, and review challenging topics thoroughly.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767595471747\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Do I need to take the FE exam right after college?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It helps. Pass rates are higher for recent grads, as coursework is still fresh and time hasn&#8217;t eroded core engineering knowledge.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a critical step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer. Whether you&#8217;re studying civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, or another discipline, understanding the FE exam pass rate gives valuable insight into the exam\u2019s difficulty, preparation strategies, and what to expect on exam day. This article covers the most recent [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":8226,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education"],"acf":{"external_author":[129],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":false,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img-768x401.png","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore FE exam pass rates by discipline, scoring details, and tips to help you pass on your first attempt with thorough preparation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Explore FE exam pass rates by discipline, scoring details, and tips to help you pass on your first attempt with thorough preparation.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sacramento Bee - Careers &amp; Education\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-08T15:01:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-08T15:01:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"535\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"\",\"@id\":\"\"},\"headline\":\"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-08T15:01:40+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-08T15:01:42+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":929,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Careers &amp; Education\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/\",\"name\":\"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-08T15:01:40+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-08T15:01:42+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"\"},\"description\":\"Explore FE exam pass rates by discipline, scoring details, and tips to help you pass on your first attempt with thorough preparation.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595447651\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595452823\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595460600\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595465182\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595471747\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":535,\"caption\":\"FE Exam Pass Rates\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/\",\"name\":\"Sacramento Bee - Careers &amp; Education\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595447651\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595447651\",\"name\":\"What is the FE exam pass rate for civil engineering?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"As of 2025, the pass rate for U.S. civil engineering graduates is around 60%, combining the averages of first-time takers and retakers, according to NCEES data.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595452823\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595452823\",\"name\":\"Is the FE exam hard to pass?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/how-hard-is-the-fe-exam\\\/\\\">FE exams can be difficult<\\\/a>, especially without preparation. However, with focused study and the right resources, many students pass on their first try.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595460600\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595460600\",\"name\":\"How is the FE exam scored?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The exam is scaled and equated for difficulty. While exact scores aren\u2019t published, most estimates suggest that passing requires answering around 50\u201360% of questions correctly.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595465182\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595465182\",\"name\":\"How can I prepare for the FE exam?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Start early, use the FE Reference Handbook regularly, complete timed practice exams, and review challenging topics thoroughly.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595471747\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sacbee.com\\\/careers-education\\\/fe-exam-pass-rates\\\/#faq-question-1767595471747\",\"name\":\"Do I need to take the FE exam right after college?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It helps. Pass rates are higher for recent grads, as coursework is still fresh and time hasn't eroded core engineering knowledge.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day","description":"Explore FE exam pass rates by discipline, scoring details, and tips to help you pass on your first attempt with thorough preparation.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day","og_description":"Explore FE exam pass rates by discipline, scoring details, and tips to help you pass on your first attempt with thorough preparation.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/","og_site_name":"Sacramento Bee - Careers &amp; Education","article_published_time":"2026-01-08T15:01:40+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-01-08T15:01:42+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":535,"url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/"},"author":{"name":"","@id":""},"headline":"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day","datePublished":"2026-01-08T15:01:40+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-08T15:01:42+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/"},"wordCount":929,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png","articleSection":["Careers &amp; Education"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/","url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/","name":"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png","datePublished":"2026-01-08T15:01:40+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-08T15:01:42+00:00","author":{"@id":""},"description":"Explore FE exam pass rates by discipline, scoring details, and tips to help you pass on your first attempt with thorough preparation.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595447651"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595452823"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595460600"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595465182"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595471747"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/01\/FE-Exam-Pass-Rate-feature-img.png","width":1024,"height":535,"caption":"FE Exam Pass Rates"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"FE Exam Pass Rates: What to Know Before Test Day"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/","name":"Sacramento Bee - Careers &amp; Education","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":""},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595447651","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595447651","name":"What is the FE exam pass rate for civil engineering?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"As of 2025, the pass rate for U.S. civil engineering graduates is around 60%, combining the averages of first-time takers and retakers, according to NCEES data.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595452823","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595452823","name":"Is the FE exam hard to pass?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/how-hard-is-the-fe-exam\/\">FE exams can be difficult<\/a>, especially without preparation. However, with focused study and the right resources, many students pass on their first try.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595460600","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595460600","name":"How is the FE exam scored?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The exam is scaled and equated for difficulty. While exact scores aren\u2019t published, most estimates suggest that passing requires answering around 50\u201360% of questions correctly.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595465182","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595465182","name":"How can I prepare for the FE exam?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Start early, use the FE Reference Handbook regularly, complete timed practice exams, and review challenging topics thoroughly.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595471747","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/fe-exam-pass-rates\/#faq-question-1767595471747","name":"Do I need to take the FE exam right after college?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It helps. Pass rates are higher for recent grads, as coursework is still fresh and time hasn't eroded core engineering knowledge.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"first_category":{"name":"Careers &amp; Education","url":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"attributes":[],"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8223"}],"collection":[{"attributes":[],"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"attributes":[],"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"attributes":{"embeddable":true},"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"attributes":{"embeddable":true},"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8223"}],"version-history":[{"attributes":{"count":0},"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8223\/revisions"}],"acf:post":[{"attributes":{"embeddable":true},"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/external-author\/129"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"attributes":{"embeddable":true},"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"attributes":[],"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8223"}],"wp:term":[{"attributes":{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true},"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8223"},{"attributes":{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true},"href":"https:\/\/www.sacbee.com\/careers-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}