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Electrical FE Practice Exam & Technical Study Guide

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About the FE Exam

The FE exam is a 6 hour, 110 question computer based test administered by the NCEES. Passing the exam is step 1 of 2 of your emerging career as an engineer.
1.0 Mathematics

Mathematics accounts for 11 to 17 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers topics like algebra, trigonometry, complex numbers, discrete mathematics, analytic geometry, calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, vector analysis and much more.
2.0 Probability & Statistics

Probability & Statistics accounts for 4 to 6 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers topics like mean, mode, standard deviation, etc. Probability distributions like binomial, normal, t and , expected value in decision making, estimation for a single mean.
3.0 Ethics & Professional Practice

Ethics & Professional Practice accounts for 3 to 5 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers topics like codes of ethics, NCEES Model Law and Model Rules, intellectual property.
4.0 Engineering Economics

Engineering Economics accounts for 3 to 5 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers topics like the time value of money and the various time classificaitons of money like present value, future value and annual value. It also covers cost estimation, risk and engineering economic analyses like simple payback, rate of return, breakeven and cost-benefit.
5.0 Properties of Electrical Materials

Properties of Electrical Materials accounts for 4-6 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers the typical properties of materials that are used for capacitors, inductors, resistors, etc. These properties include conductivity, resistivity, permeability, permittivity, strength, corrosive, thermal, etc.
6.0 Engineering Sciences

Engineering Sciences accounts for 6-9 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers topics like charge, energy, current, voltage, power, capacitance, work, inductance and heat.
7.0 Circuit Analysis

Circuit Analysis accounts for 10-15 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers the typical skills used to analyze circuits like KCL, KVL, Thevenin, Norton, waveforms, impedance, phasors, nodes and loops.
8.0 Linear Systems

Linear Systems accounts for 5-8 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers topics like the Laplace Transform, transfer functions and two-port theory. These topics center around the frequency and transient response of signals, which is tied into the next section.
9.0 Signal Processing

Signal Processing accounts for 5-8 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers topics like convolution, difference equations and Z-transforms. These skills are used in the application of sampling, analog and digital filters.
10.0 Electronics

Electronics accounts for 7-11 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers the individual devices like transistors, diodes, BJT and CMOS. It also goes into the fundamentals of these devices like p-n theory, doping, bands, etc. It also looks at the application of those devices in bias circuits, amplifiers, op-amps, instrumentation and power electronics.
11.0 Power

Power accounts for 8-12 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers the introduction to Power Systems. It covers topics like single and three phase, power factor and voltage regulation. It also covers the common Power components, transformers, motors, generators and transmission and distribution lines.
12.0 Electromagnetics

Electromagnetics accounts for 5-8 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers the Maxwell Equations and the topics of Electricity and Magnetism. Also discussed are wave propagation, transmission lines and electromagnetic compatibility which overlaps with the electrical properties topic.
13.0 Control Systems

Control Systems accounts for 6-9 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers the control functions in block diagram, state diagram and equation formats. The responses of these control systems are discussed along with their Bode plots, performance, stability and root locus.
14.0 Communications

Communications accounts for 5-8 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers the sending of signals over a carrier signal. The various ways this can be accomplished include FM, AM and PCM. The analysis of these signals requires Fourier Transforms and Multiplexing.
15.0 Computer Networks

Computer Networks accounts for 3-5 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers the various types of networks, routing and switching.
16.0 Digital Systems

Digital Systems accounts for 7-11 questions on the Electrical FE Exam and covers number systems, boolean logic, minimization techniques, flip flops, counters, PLCs, timing, etc.
17.0 Computer Systems

Computer Systems accounts for 4-6 questions and covers the basic parts of a computer, like the microprocessor, memory, interface and architecture.
18.0 Software Development

Software Development accounts for 4-6 questions and covers the basics of programming, algorithms, testing, design and implementation of software.

Ethics & Professional Practice for the
Electrical FE Exam

by Justin Kauwale, P.E.

Introduction

Ethics and Professional Practice accounts for approximately 3 to 5 questions on the Electrical and Computer FE exam. The NCEES outline provides the following topics on its outline, Codes of Ethics, NCEES Model Law and Model Rules and Intellectual Property.

There are a few things that you can do to prepare for these problems.

(1) The first can be found in the NCEES FE Reference Handbook. There are about 8 pages on Ethics. This section covers the Codes of Ethics, Intellectual Property and the NCEES Model Law and Model Rules.

(2) The second is to read through the Model Law. The model law is published by NCEES and it is on the NCEES website. The link is shown below. The model law has very general regulations to govern engineering for the purposes of keeping the public safe. It is important to note that these laws are only ideas and it is up to each authority having jurisdiction like your State board to come up with their own laws.

NCEES Publications Website: https://ncees.org/about/publications/

Model Law Website: https://ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/Model_Law_2018.pdf

(3) You should also read through the Model rules. The model rules is published by NCEES and it is on the NCEES website. The link is shown below. The model rules complement the model laws. One key section in the model rules is the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Model Rules Website: https://ncees.org/wp-content/uploads/Model_Law_2018.pdf

Once you have read through these two writings, the following practice problems will help you to become familiar with the problems that may appear on the exam.

(4) This final task is optional, because the first three tasks should give you enough preparation for these 4-6 problems. The National Society of Professional Engineers or NSPE has information on a lot of legal cases and can provide insight on the topic of ethics and professional practice. The following link has a list of Ethics Resources. You should read the NSPE Ethics Reference Guide.

NSPE Ethics Resources: https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/ethics-resources/other-ethics-resources

NSPE Ethics Reference Guide: https://www.nspe.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Ethics/CodeofEthics/NSPECodeofEthicsforEngineers.pdf

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