FE Civil Practice Exam
Practice FE Civil questions on every knowledge area in the NCEES specifications, from statics and fluids to geotechnical, structural, water resources and transportation. Every answer has a worked solution, and the full practice exam runs 110 questions on the real 5-hour-20-minute clock.
110 questions on the real 5 hours 20 minutes clock, weighted to the NCEES specifications, with a score by knowledge area and a worked solution for every answer.
Or start with a free 10-question drill- 348 original FE Civil questions with worked solutions
- 15 free drills: every knowledge area plus a mixed set
- 60% of first-time examinees passed in 2024
In a triangular truss panel, angle A = 38° and angle B = 74°. The side opposite angle A is 50.0 ft long. The side opposite angle B is most nearly:
FE Civil exam format
Civil engineering students and graduates. FE Civil is the most-taken FE exam: 15,586 first-time examinees in 2024.
- Questions
- 110 questions: multiple choice plus alternative item types (multiple correct, point and click, drag and drop, fill in the blank)
- Time
- A 6-hour appointment: 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, 8-minute tutorial, 5 hours 20 minutes of exam time and a 25-minute scheduled break
- Break
- After about half the questions you review and submit them, then you may take the scheduled break; submitted questions close
- Reference
- Closed book. The NCEES FE Reference Handbook appears on screen as a searchable PDF; download your free copy from MyNCEES
- Calculator
- One NCEES-approved calculator; an on-screen TI-30XS is also available
- Units
- Both SI and U.S. Customary units
- Delivery
- Computer-based, year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test centers
- Fee
- $225, paid to NCEES when you register
- Scoring
- Pass or fail. Every question is scored right or wrong with no partial credit; NCEES does not publish the passing score
- Results
- Typically 7–10 days after the exam in MyNCEES; a failing result includes a diagnostic report by topic
- Retakes
- One attempt per testing window (January–March, April–June, July–September, October–December), at most three in 12 months
What’s on the FE Civil exam
The 14 knowledge areas of the NCEES FE Civil CBT specification, with the number of questions NCEES lists for each. Our practice exam draws its 110 questions inside those ranges. Every knowledge area has a topic guide and a free ten-question drill with a worked solution after every answer; each drill’s first attempt is free.
| Knowledge area | Questions on the exam | Guide | Drill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Mathematics and Statistics | 8–12 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 2. Ethics and Professional Practice | 4–6 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 3. Engineering Economics | 5–8 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 4. Statics | 8–12 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 5. Dynamics | 4–6 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 6. Mechanics of Materials | 7–11 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 7. Materials | 5–8 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 8. Fluid Mechanics | 6–9 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 9. Surveying | 6–9 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 10. Water Resources and Environmental Engineering | 10–15 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 11. Structural Engineering | 10–15 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 12. Geotechnical Engineering | 10–15 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 13. Transportation Engineering | 9–14 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
| 14. Construction Engineering | 8–12 | Topics and problems | 10-question drill |
What FE Civil tests
- The five civil depth areas carry about half the exam: water resources and environmental (10–15 questions), structural (10–15), geotechnical (10–15), transportation (9–14) and construction (8–12).
- The engineering sciences come next: mathematics and statistics, statics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, surveying and civil materials (concrete, asphalt, aggregates, wood and metals).
- Ethics, engineering economics and dynamics are short blocks of 4–8 questions each, and engineering economics is one of the quickest places to pick up points.
Pass rates in 2024: 60% of first-time examinees (15,586 took it) and 32% of repeat examinees (9,260), according to NCEES.
How to take the FE Civil exam
- Check your state licensing board’s FE requirements. Most boards let students take the FE close to finishing an ABET-accredited engineering degree.
- Create a MyNCEES account, register for the FE Civil exam and pay the $225 fee to NCEES. Download your free copy of the FE Reference Handbook from MyNCEES.
- Schedule your appointment at an NCEES-approved Pearson VUE test center. The FE is offered year-round.
- Sit the exam: 110 questions in 5 hours 20 minutes of exam time, with the handbook on screen. Results arrive in MyNCEES, typically within 7–10 days.
- After you pass, apply to your board for engineer intern (EI) or engineer-in-training (EIT) status where it offers one, and start the experience the PE license requires.
Common questions
How many questions are on the FE Civil exam?
110 questions in 5 hours 20 minutes of exam time, inside a 6-hour appointment that also holds a nondisclosure agreement, a tutorial and a 25-minute scheduled break. After about half the questions you review and submit them, then take the break.
What score do you need to pass the FE Civil exam?
NCEES does not publish a passing score. Subject-matter experts set the standard with psychometric methods, and it varies slightly with the difficulty of each exam form. Results are reported only as pass or fail; a failing result comes with a diagnostic report by topic.
Can I bring notes or a book to the FE Civil exam?
No. The FE is closed book. NCEES supplies the FE Reference Handbook on screen as a searchable PDF, and you bring one NCEES-approved calculator. Practice with the same handbook: it is free in your MyNCEES account.
How often can I retake the FE Civil exam?
Once per testing window and no more than three times in any 12-month period. The windows are January–March, April–June, July–September and October–December. Some state boards are stricter, and you pay the fee again for each attempt.
Are these official NCEES questions?
No. NCEES does not release its exam questions. These are original practice questions written to the published CBT exam specifications, with a worked solution for every answer.
What is the FE Civil pass rate?
In 2024, 60% of first-time FE Civil examinees passed (9,367 of 15,586), and 32% of repeat examinees passed (2,969 of 9,260), according to NCEES.
What are the hardest topics on the FE Civil exam?
The ones with the most questions decide the result: water resources and environmental, structural and geotechnical engineering are each 10–15 questions. Many examinees also lose time on transportation curve geometry and on water treatment terms. Use the free topic drills and the topic breakdown after the practice exam to find your weakest areas.
Ready for exam day?
110 questions on the real 5 hours 20 minutes clock, weighted to the NCEES specifications, with a score by knowledge area and a worked solution for every answer.
Or start with a free 10-question drillMore FE exam practice
One FE exam pass covers every practice exam and drill below.
Exam format, fees, retake rules, specifications and pass rates checked November 2026: NCEES: FE Civil CBT exam specifications · NCEES: FE exam · NCEES: Computer-based testing and alternative item types · NCEES Examinee Guide (November 2026) · NCEES 2025 Engineering Forum: FE exam volumes and pass rates, 2024.
Original independent practice questions written to the published NCEES exam specifications. Not affiliated with or endorsed by NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying). FE is the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering exam.