School of PE Blog

10 Reasons You Might Have Failed Your FE or PE Exam

Jul 18, 2025

1. Underestimating the Exam’s Breadth and Depth

It’s tempting to focus on topics you know or enjoy, but the FE and PE exams are notorious for their broad scopes. These aren’t just memory tests—they challenge your understanding across disciplines. For example, the FE covers not only your core discipline (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.) but also supporting topics like ethics, materials science, and probability.

• Tip: Review the FE exam breakdown or the PE exam breakdown before you plan your studies. Map your strengths and—more importantly—your gaps.

2. Ineffective Study Strategy

Not all study time is created equal. We often see aspiring engineers grind for hours with little strategy. Without structure, it’s easy to miss key topics, fall into rote memorization, or simply burn out. Effective studying hinges on focused, active learning and spaced repetition, not endless passive reading or highlighting.

• Tip: Use a structured review course or develop a detailed schedule that incorporates topic rotation, active recall, and scheduled breaks.

3. Lack of Quality Practice with Realistic Problems

Many students don’t practice with questions styled after the actual exam, leading to surprises on test day. The exam’s time pressure and tricky wording require getting comfortable with real test-like problems, not just textbook exercises.

• Explore School of PE’s Question Bank for timed, exam-level practice.

4. Inadequate Review of Weak Areas

It’s easy (and comforting) to stay in your comfort zone, but the FE and PE exams will ruthlessly identify your weak spots. Often, we see candidates skip over the topics they struggle with, hoping a strong performance elsewhere will compensate. Unfortunately, each area carries weight.

• Tip: Routinely diagnose your weaknesses with practice tests, then circle back and target those areas aggressively.

5. Poor Time Management—Both on Exam Day and During Prep

Many failures aren’t about knowledge—they’re about running out of time. The time limits are tight, and learning to triage quickly is a must. Similarly, prepping without a realistic timeline can result in last-minute cramming and stress.

• Tip: During your practice sessions, always time yourself. Treat every mock exam like the real thing.

6. Overwhelmed by Test Anxiety

Even highly-prepared candidates can stumble if anxiety gets the best of them. Symptoms like blanking out, second-guessing, or freezing up are common. If nerves affected your outcome last time, you’re in good company.

• Tip: Build regular simulated exams into your prep. Learn and practice breathing or mindfulness techniques to manage stress on the day.

7. Misunderstanding the CBT (Computer-Based Testing) Format

The transition to computer-based testing (CBT) for both FE and PE exams means familiarizing yourself with the interface is crucial. Not knowing how to flag questions, use the online reference handbook, or manage on-screen tools can eat up valuable time.

• Tip: Spend time with the NCEES demo and practice using resources like the online reference handbook supplied during the real exam.

8. Neglecting Exam-Day Logistics

Little details can matter more than you might think—arriving late, forgetting approved calculators, missing required identification, or running into computer glitches can derail all your hard work. It’s surprisingly common for nerves or lack of sleep to detract from performance, too.

• Tip: Double-check all logistics in advance, including testing location, equipment, and what is/isn’t allowed in the exam room. Get a good night’s sleep!

9. Insufficient Support and Accountability

Many of us try to go it alone, thinking determination is enough. But isolation makes it easy to fall behind—and harder to stay motivated when things get tough. At School of PE, we see time and again how group support, knowledgeable instructors, and accountability mechanisms can boost outcomes.

• Tip: Consider joining a structured review course or forming a study group to stay on track and get help when you hit a wall.
• Our Live Online and Ondemand courses are designed to provide community and expert guidance, if you need it.

10. Overconfidence or Lack of Confidence

Curiously, both extremes can be a culprit. If you’re overconfident, you might not prepare thoroughly. If you lack confidence, you might second-guess your answers—even those you know.

• Tip: Aim for realistic self-assessment. Set aside ego (high or low!), and focus on progress tracked through mock exams and honest feedback.

The Path Forward: Failing Isn’t the End

We’ve met countless engineers who, after a stumbling block with the FE or PE, made smarter, more focused study plans and thrived. The key is honest reflection: why didn’t things go the way you planned? Once you can answer that, you can chart your way to success.
If you’re serious about improving your odds and want guidance rooted in proven strategies—not just hope—consider checking out our structured FE exam prep or PE exam prep courses. Thousands have passed with our support, and our Pass Guarantee means you can study with peace of mind.
Remember, becoming a registered professional engineer is a journey, not an event. Failing an exam is just a step on the way, not the final word. If you’re ready to try again, we’re here—for the challenge, for your career, and for your future.