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Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)
MECHANICAL CBT Exam Specifications
Effective Beginning with the July 2020 Examinations
• The FE exam is a computer-based test (CBT). It is closed book with an electronic reference.
• Examinees have 6 hours to complete the exam, which contains 110 questions. The 6-hour time also
includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break.
• The FE exam uses both the International System of Units (SI) and the U.S. Customary System
(USCS).
Knowledge Number of Questions
1. Mathematics 6–9
A. Analytic geometry
B. Calculus (e.g., differential, integral, single-variable, multivariable)
C. Ordinary differential equations (e.g., homogeneous, nonhomogeneous,
Laplace transforms)
D. Linear algebra (e.g., matrix operations, vector analysis)
E. Numerical methods (e.g., approximations, precision limits, error
propagation, Taylor's series, Newton's method)
F. Algorithm and logic development (e.g., flowcharts, pseudocode)
2. Probability and Statistics 4–6
A. Probability distributions (e.g., normal, binomial, empirical, discrete,
continuous)
B. Measures of central tendencies and dispersions (e.g., mean, mode,
standard deviation, confidence intervals)
C. Expected value (weighted average) in decision making
D. Regression (linear, multiple), curve fitting, and goodness of fit
(e.g., correlation coefficient, least squares)
3. Ethics and Professional Practice 4–6
A. Codes of ethics (e.g., NCEES Model Law, professional and technical
societies, ethical and legal considerations)
B. Public health, safety, and welfare
C. Intellectual property (e.g., copyright, trade secrets, patents, trademarks)
D. Societal considerations (e.g., economic, sustainability, life-cycle
analysis, environmental)
4. Engineering Economics 4–6
A. Time value of money (e.g., equivalence, present worth, equivalent annual
worth, future worth, rate of return, annuities)
B. Cost types and breakdowns (e.g., fixed, variable, incremental, average, sunk)
C. Economic analyses (e.g., cost-benefit, break-even, minimum cost,
overhead, life cycle)