FE Exam Day: What to Expect and How to Stay Calm Under Pressure

You've spent weeks or months preparing for the FE exam. You've solved hundreds of practice problems, memorized key formulas, and built your confidence. Now, exam day is approaching, and you might be feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety.

This guide will walk you through exactly what to expect on exam day—from arriving at the testing center to submitting your final answer. Knowing what's coming will help you stay calm and focused when it matters most.

The Night Before

What you do the night before your exam can significantly impact your performance. Here's how to set yourself up for success:

• Stop studying by 6 PM: Last-minute cramming increases anxiety without meaningfully improving performance. Trust your preparation.
• Prepare everything you need: Lay out your ID, confirmation email, and approved calculator. Check the testing center address and plan your route.
• Eat a balanced dinner: Avoid heavy, greasy foods that might upset your stomach. Stick to familiar foods.
• Limit screen time: Put away your phone and computer at least an hour before bed to improve sleep quality.
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep: Sleep is when your brain consolidates learning. Don't sacrifice it.

Exam Day Morning

Breakfast

Eat a protein-rich breakfast that will sustain your energy. Good options include eggs, oatmeal with nuts, or Greek yogurt with fruit. Avoid sugary cereals or pastries that will cause an energy crash mid-exam.

Arriving at the Testing Center

Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This gives you buffer time for unexpected traffic, parking issues, or check-in delays. Arriving rushed will only increase your stress.

During the Exam

The First 10 Minutes

When the exam begins, take a deep breath and don't rush into the first question. Spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the computer interface, especially if you haven't used Pearson VUE software before. Check that your calculator works and locate key sections in the digital FE Reference Handbook.

Pacing Strategy

You have 5 hours and 20 minutes for 110 questions, which averages to about 2.9 minutes per question. However, some questions take 30 seconds while others take 5+ minutes. Here's a smart pacing strategy:

1. First pass (quick wins): Go through all questions, answering the ones you can do quickly and confidently. Flag the rest for review.
2. Second pass (flagged questions): Return to flagged questions and work through them more carefully.
3. Final pass: If time permits, review any remaining uncertain answers.

The Scheduled Break

After 2 hours and 40 minutes (approximately halfway), you'll get a 25-minute scheduled break. Use this time wisely:

• Use the restroom
• Eat your snack and hydrate
• Stretch and move around to increase blood flow
• Take a few deep breaths to reset your mental state
• DO NOT review notes or study materials (you shouldn't have them anyway)

Managing Exam Anxiety

Even well-prepared candidates experience anxiety during the exam. Here are techniques to manage it:

The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

If you feel panic rising, try this: Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, breathe out for 8 seconds. Repeat 3-4 times. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system and calms your body's stress response.

Positive Self-Talk

Replace negative thoughts with positive ones:

• Instead of "I don't know this" → "I've seen similar problems before"
• Instead of "I'm running out of time" → "I have a strategy, I'll flag and return"
• Instead of "I'm going to fail" → "I'm prepared, I can do this"

When You're Stuck

If you encounter a question that completely stumps you:

1. Take a breath and read the question again slowly
2. Identify what the question is actually asking
3. Eliminate obviously wrong answers
4. If still stuck after 3-4 minutes, flag it and move on
5. Fresh eyes on the second pass often help

After the Exam

When you submit your final answer and leave the testing center, resist the urge to immediately google answers or discuss specific questions with others (this violates NCEES policy). Instead:

• Acknowledge that you gave your best effort
• Do something relaxing—you deserve it
• Avoid analyzing your performance; it only causes unnecessary stress
• Results typically arrive within 7-10 days

Final Thoughts

Exam day success is the result of consistent preparation meeting calm execution. You've done the work—now trust yourself to perform. Thousands of engineers pass the FE exam every year, and with the right mindset and strategy, you will too.

Good luck. You've got this.