If you want to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, the best thing you can do is enroll in a great FE exam prep course.
Earning an FE license proves that you can commit to yourself, your future employer, and the public. Not to mention that the FE license is necessary to become a Professional Engineer or Structural Engineer.
So which FE review course will help you pass the exam best?
We have personally researched and compared all of the major FE exam preparation study materials on the market so you don’t have to. Use our comparison chart below to help you decide which FE course is best for you!
List of the Top 4 Best FE Exam Review Courses of September 2023
- School of PE FE Review
- PPI2Pass FE Review Course
- Civil Engineering Academy FE Course
- Capstone Learning FE Review
- Excel Test Prep FE Review
- NCEES FE Review
Top 4 FE Exam Study Materials Comparison
CRUSH RANKING | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 |
FE EXAM PREP COURSES | ||||||
PRICE | $1,790 | Check Price | $397 - $997 | $70 - $699 | $50 - $200 | $175 |
DISCOUNT | Save $200 | Save 15% | ||||
VIDEO LECTURES | 80 Hours | 16+ Hours | 90+ Modules | 35+ Hours | 45+ Hours (online) | None |
PASSING GUARANTEE | Free Repeat Guarantee | |||||
PRACTICE EXAMS | 2+ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
FREE TRIAL | ||||||
SUPPORT | ||||||
GET STARTED | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now |
School of PE FE Review (Rank: #1)
Unlimited practice and continuous updates
School of PE Pros & Cons 2023
What everyone needs to know about School of PE FE Review
PROS
Free Trial:
The best way to find out if School of PE is the right FE review course for you is to try it! That’s why they offer all students the ability to try their prep materials for 30 days free of charge. This is more than enough time to figure out whether this is the right choice for you— without any financial commitment.
Complementary Study Materials:
School of PE offers an FE review course that combines the best of both worlds. Alongside 80 hours of detailed lecture content are thousands of practice questions. These help reinforce your knowledge and memory of important concepts; not only will it increase your exam score, but it will also help you once you start your engineering career!
High Pass Rates:
School of PE stands out as an exceptional choice due to its remarkable pass rates, which exceed the national average by a significant margin. An illustrative example is the January 2023 Civil FE exam, where only 62% of test-takers achieved success, while an impressive 87% of School of PE students triumphed.
This outstanding track record highlights the effectiveness and superiority of School of PE’s review courses, showcasing their unmatched dedication to ensuring your success in passing the exam. By selecting School of PE, you position yourself among a distinguished group of individuals who excel and surpass expectations, propelling your engineering career to new heights.
CONS
Learning Styles:
Different people have different learning styles, and it’s crucial to choose a review course that aligns with your preferred method of learning. While Edmund School of PE offers comprehensive study materials, including recorded lectures and practice exams, some individuals may find their teaching style or course structure less effective for their personal learning preferences.
Although there are a lot of terrific features and benefits to School of PE, they come at a continuous cost. You’ll need to pay a monthly subscription to continue having access to lectures and practice questions, which can add up if you take a long time to study.
Bottom Line: This is a FE review course that’s determined to resolve all of your pre-exam anxiety. Not only do they have high pass rates, but they also give you a full month of free access to evaluate their course first.
PPI2Pass FE Review (Rank: #2)
Premier materials, support, and everything you need to pass the FE exam
PPI2Pass FE Review Pros & Cons 2023
What Everyone Needs To Know About PPI2Pass FE Review
PROS
Flexible and Unique to You:
It’s tricky to fit studying into your busy schedule, so PPI2Pass offers convenient scheduling and many differently timed-access options that make it easy to practice for the FE exam during your free time. Choose from course options that offer as much or as little prep as you need.
Fully Comprehensive Course:
While it may seem like a pricey review course, PPI’s FE Live Online Review comes with all the study tools and review materials you need to pass the exam with ease, and get your EIT certification. Their comprehensive course bundles mean you don’t have to spend time wondering what you need to purchase to prepare; that work is already done for you!
Lots of Student Support:
During your entire Live Online course with PPI, you will be able to communicate with your instructors in class or via email. Their instructors are also very highly rated by past students; you can rest easy knowing that your instructor will be extremely attentive and knowledgeable.
Strategies for the FE Exam:
Not only will you be provided with all the FE study material you need to prepare for the exam, you will also be able to learn all sorts of tips and tricks for taking this notoriously difficult test
Bottom Line: It’s tough to pass the FE exam, especially if you have been away from school for a while. PPI offers review courses for all sections of the FE exam, and these courses have been helping students pass the FE exam for over 40 years.
This course isn’t like others where you are just given a heap of information and expected to study on your own. PPI will be there guiding you throughout your FE exam study process. This includes lots of time practicing in exam-like conditions and reference materials that break down complex concepts.
So what are you waiting for? Give them a shot today and you won’t regret it!
GO TO PPI2PASS FE REVIEW
Civil Engineering Academy FE Prep (Rank: #3)
Everything you need to pass the FE Exam.
Civil Engineering Academy FE Pros & Cons 2023
What Everyone Needs To Know About Civil Engineering Academy FE Review
PROS
Innovative Teaching Style:
Although Civil Engineering Academy offers lots of features that you can find in traditional FE exam prep courses, they also provide enrolled students with unconventional study materials. For example, they have a large library of video-based practice problems that offer a unique take on the study process perfect for jaded students.
Mobile Compatibility:
This may seem like a confusing point to make since Civil Engineering Academy doesn’t offer a dedicated mobile app. However, they’ve designed their entire FE prep course platform to be accessible on essentially any smart device with a browser. This adds the fringe benefit of saving space on your smartphone or tablet since you don’t need to install a superfluous app!
Support Options:
In order to provide students with all the help they may need during their enrollment, whether it’s technical issues on their platform or general help with their exam prep, Civil Engineering Academy has your back. You have the option of sending an email directly to their support address or entering into a discussion with fellow students and instructors in their private Facebook group.
CONS
Guarantee:
If you’re unsure whether or not Civil Engineering Academy will actually be able to help you pass the FE exam, they do offer a 15-day money back guarantee. However, they don’t offer any guarantee if you enroll in their course and fail to pass your exam or increase your score. This is a pretty egregious omission that makes it difficult for some students to justify taking the plunge.
Bottom Line: Civil Engineering Academy’s Ultimate Civil FE Review Course very nearly lives up to its namesake. This has mostly to do with the versatility they provide students when it comes to study materials, including their substantial library of video content. Additionally, their private support group is a great way to collaborate with fellow students, and you can get a full refund if you don’t like it after a 2-week trial. However, the lack of a full guarantee is all that’s missing from making this the best FE prep course on the market.
GO TO CIVIL ENGINEERING ACADEMY FE REVIEW
Capstone Learning FE Prep (Rank: #4)
All the study materials that you need, and none that you don’t
Capstone Learning FE Review Pros & Cons 2023
What Everyone Needs To Know About Capstone Learning FE Review
PROS
Exam-Like Practice Problems:
Practicing problems takes up majority of your study time, and Capstone Learning has you in exam-like conditions as you practice.
Fast and Easy Student Support:
You can contact a certified exam instructor anytime during your studies, taking away the stress of getting stuck on certain concepts.
Focus on the Important Topics:
Your Capstone Learning course will give you just what you need to pass the exam: nothing more. There’s no need to spend extra time studying topics you may have already mastered.
CONS
Outdated Software:
If you want a high-tech course that comes with all the bells and whistles, then Capstone Learning is not for you. This course software is basic, but certainly gets the job done.
Bottom Line: I love how Capstone Learning gives you all you need to prepare for the FE exam. No extra information that won’t even be tested on the FE exam: If you are a student that likes to just practice, practice, practice when getting ready for a test, then this would be a great FE prep course for you. You will have access to student support that is quick to respond and the ability to organize your study plan at your own pace. Check out the free trial on Capstone Learning’s website to check out for yourself!
Excel Test Prep FE Review (Rank: #5)
Fantastic for those who’ve been out of school for a while
Excel Test Prep FE Review Pros & Cons 2023
What Everyone Needs To Know About Excel Test Prep FE Review
PROS
Live Classes:
Excel Test Prep offers 6 live classes (each 7-8 hours) that teach all sections of the FE exam, including FE Civil, Mechanical, and Other Disciplines.
Passing Guarantee:
Excel Test Prep is so confident in its course that it comes with a guarantee. If you go to every class and still don’t pass your exam, you get to take the next class for free. Just make sure to read the fine print on this guarantee before purchasing!
Top-Notch Instructors:
Excel Test Prep’s instructors come from academia and have industry experience. Each one is highly qualified in their specialized topic, so you are in good hands.
CONS
Subpar Student Support:
Even though this course comes with Live classes that let you communicate with the instructor, it’s tough to find immediate student support. Other courses like PPItoPass have email student support that helps you when you run into questions in the late night hour of studying.
Bottom Line: Excel Test Prep is a great course for you if you have been out of school for some time. The material is organized in a way that provides you with an intensive study plan that will cover everything on the exam. You will be practicing problems that you probably haven’t seen since college. There is also a group sign up discount if you know others that are studying for the FE Exam.
NCEES FE Exam Prep (Rank: #6)
Practice exams and reference material, at a much cheaper price
NCEES FE Review Pros & Cons 2023
What Everyone Needs To Know About the NCEES Exam Course
PROS
Practice Tests from FE Exam Creator:
You can purchase a practice an NCEES fe practice exam for each section of the test, each containing questions from old exams. You will be practicing in the same format, style, and level of difficulty as the real deal.
Inexpensive:
If you are trying to go through this FE license process without spending a lot of money, this is the way to go! Just make sure you don’t need any extra study materials.
Return Policy:
If you end up not using the practice tests, you can return them within 30 days for a full refund. There’s no risk in getting them now and deciding whether or not you need them in your study journey.
CONS
Not an “Official” Prep Course:
This is a great resource for those that don’t need a full review course or simply don’t want to spend a lot of money on one. You can get the exam materials straight from the NCEES and study on your own, which is prefered for some. But it’s much more difficult if you’ve been out of school for a while.
Bottom Line: If you just want to go straight to the source and practice FE exams, NCEES is the place for you. For a much cheaper price, you can practice the exams and look at general reference material. I don’t recommend this to you if you have been out of school for awhile; in that case, I would recommend PPItoPass. However, NCEES could be a great addition to another review course or additional study material!
Best FE Prep Courses FAQs
Q: Which is the easiest FE exam to pass?
A: The NCEES-FE Other (General) examination is the easiest and most reliable FE test, according to exam data. Although professional engineer certification candidates might find this engineering exam less difficult than other exams, engineering exam preparation through FE review courses and course materials.
How many hours do I need to study for the FE?
A: FE exam preparation is dependent upon individuality. The recommended time is usually between 14 and 24 months, depending on your PE FE exam prep needed. FE exam review courses can help cut this time down dramatically, especially when you get access from one of the best FE exam prep companies.
Bryce Welker is a regular contributor to Forbes, Inc.com, YEC and Business Insider. After graduating from San Diego State University he went on to earn his Certified Public Accountant license and created CrushTheCPAexam.com to share his knowledge and experience to help other accountants become CPAs too. Bryce was named one of Accounting Today’s “Accountants To Watch” among other accolades. As Seen On Forbes