The 5 Best FE Exam Prep Courses for Guaranteed Success

Preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a vital step for engineering students and graduates pursuing a Professional Engineer (PE) license. This exam evaluates fundamental engineering concepts across disciplines, and passing it can enhance career opportunities.

With numerous prep courses available, choosing the right one can be daunting. This guide offers a detailed comparison of top FE exam prep courses, outlining their features, pricing, and effectiveness to help you make an informed choice.

Overview: Best FE Exam Prep Courses

• Best Overall FE Exam Prep Course: PPI2Pass.com
• Best Premium Course: School of PE
• Best on a Budget: NCEES
• Best Live Online Instruction: UT Austin
• Best for Flexible Study Plans: Excel Test Prep

The 5 Best FE Exam Prep Courses in 2025 

In 2025, five FE exam prep courses stand out for their quality content, expert instruction, and flexible study options. Here are the five best FE exam prep courses to help you succeed.

Best Overall FE Exam Prep Course: PPI2Pass

PPI2Pass stands out for its comprehensive curriculum tailored to each FE exam discipline. With over 45 years of experience, PPI2Pass offers in-depth materials and structured courses designed to thoroughly prepare you for every aspect of the exam.

Pros

• Extensive study material
• Choice between live online, on-demand, and self-paced
• Experienced instructors
• Variety of formats
• Flexible scheduling
• Full-length practice exams
• Pass guarantee 

Cons

• Higher cost for live online courses
• Overwhelming content
• Limited technical support during off-hours

Why We Chose It

The sheer volume and complexity of the FE exam content can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start. PPI2Pass addresses this issue by offering structured, comprehensive study programs that break down intricate topics into manageable segments.

The FE review manual is considered the gold standard, offering over 500 pages of content, including step-by-step solutions and exam-ready reference materials. The courses are meticulously structured to cover every topic outlined in the NCEES FE exam specifications.

You can choose between a live online course from instructors with office hours, an on-demand course that features recorded lectures and demonstrations, or a self-study course for those who only need a refresher.

The live online courses include interactive classes, personalized support, and a pass guarantee. For those who prefer self-paced study, the OnDemand course bundle provides 70+ hours of recorded lectures, practice exams, and flashcards. Lastly, the Self-Study: Learning Hub bundle, offers essential study tools, including web books and customizable learning paths.

The higher cost of the live online courses might be a financial strain for some. The limited technical support during off-hours might hinder those needing immediate assistance.

Additionally, the extensive content can be overwhelming for those who prefer a more streamlined approach. For a more streamlined alternative, the NCEES offers quality materials that are more basic.

Ready to maximize your preparation? Get PPI2Pass and gain access to industry-leading FE exam resources.

Best Premium FE Prep: School of PE

School of PE offers structured and engaging FE exam prep courses with a focus on interactive learning and personalized instruction. Its program is designed to reinforce fundamental concepts and enhance problem-solving skills through systematic teaching methods.

Pros

• Live interactive classes
• Experienced faculty
• Structured study plan
• Access to recordings
• E-books and flashcards
• Pass guarantee
• Customized study hub

Cons

• Expensive even for on-demand
• Inflexible live online schedule
• Short

Why We Chose It

Many engineering students find themselves struggling to create an effective study plan or yearning for guidance to simplify challenging concepts. They need a premium program like School of PE, which offers a structured and interactive learning experience that leaves no stone unturned.

School of PE emphasizes interactive learning with live online classes that mirror a traditional classroom, allowing real-time engagement with expert instructors. For busy learners, the on-demand option offers flexible, self-paced study with instant access to course materials, including flashcards and two e-books.

Want both? You can have it with the live online course, which gives you access to everything in the on-demand platform PLUS a question bank and instructor support.

Other key features of the online class include a structured study plan that breaks down the exam syllabus into manageable sections, ensuring full coverage without overload. The customized study hub helps track progress, target weak areas, and stay organized. You’ll also have access to study notes prepared by the instructors themselves.

With on-demand lecture recordings, you can revisit complex topics anytime. Plus, the pass guarantee reflects the School of PE’s confidence in your success.

School of PE delivers high-quality resources but is less flexible. Some live classes have plenty of options, but not School of PE. The live online classes have fixed schedules, which may not be accessible for everyone.

The on-demand option, though flexible, costs more than similar self-paced courses. For an affordable alternative, consider PPI2Pass, whose on-demand and self-paced courses come at a fraction of the cost.

If you’re interested in a guided learning experience and only the best will do, join School of PE’s network of successful engineers.

Best on a Budget: NCEES

Not everyone needs flashcards and study plans. Some people just need to practice. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) provides official FE exam preparation materials directly from the source.

Pros

• Affordable
• Official practice exams
• Timed practice exams
• Immediate feedback with solutions
• Online and PDF formats
• Unlimited access for a year

Cons

• Barebones, limited instructional content
• Practice questions only
• No video content or study plans
• No instructor support
• Not a comprehensive prep course

Why We Chose It

For aspiring engineers on a tight budget, finding quality study materials that don’t break the bank can be challenging. This financial barrier often leaves aspiring engineers feeling overwhelmed and underprepared. NCEES, the organization that administers the FE exam, addresses this need by offering official practice exams at an accessible price point.

NCEES’s interactive practice exams are designed to simulate the computer-based exam environment. They include features such as timed tests, immediate solution review, and detailed item specifications, helping you get accustomed to the exam’s structure and time constraints.

What we love about this is that you can access the interactive exams multiple times over the course of a year, allowing for repeated practice and mastery.

For those who want to study before taking the practice exam, the downloadable FE e-book practice exams offer a comprehensive set of questions and solutions in a convenient PDF format. These e-books include a variety of problems that cover the exam content, providing lifetime access to high-quality practice questions.

NCEES’s official materials focus on providing a true-to-exam experience, ensuring you are well-prepared for the types of questions and the testing environment you will face.

While NCEES provides high-quality practice questions, the materials lack video lectures, detailed concept explanations, and personalized study plans. There is also no instructor support and fewer practice questions compared to comprehensive courses. For more guidance, content, and just . . . more, a course like PPI2Pass can enhance your preparation and increase your chances of passing.

Want to practice with official materials and don’t need all the bells and whistles? Access NCEES’s and get firsthand experience with the exam format.

Best Live Online Prep Course: UT Austin

UT Austin’s FE Exam Prep course offers a unique blend of academic rigor and practical exam strategies, making it an exceptional choice for those seeking a university-led preparation experience.

Pros

• Affordable live instruction
• Expert instruction from renowned faculty
• Real-time interaction with instructors
• Access to session recordings

Cons

• Four 8-hour classes
• No flexible scheduling
• Content limited to live online lectures
• No practice tests
• No pass guarantee

Why We Chose It

Many FE exam prep courses offering live instruction often come with a set of challenges like high costs and limited real-time interaction with instructors. UT Austin’s FE Exam Prep course addresses these issues by offering an affordable live online format delivered via Zoom, promoting real-time interaction at a more budget-friendly price point.

What sets UT Austin apart is the caliber of its instructors—esteemed faculty from the Cockrell School of Engineering who bring both academic excellence and real-world experience to the virtual classroom.

The synchronous online format via Zoom promotes real-time interaction, allowing you to engage directly with professors, ask detailed questions, and participate in discussions that deepen your understanding.

Furthermore, the sessions are recorded, providing you with the flexibility to review the material at your own pace and solidify your grasp of challenging concepts. This feature is particularly beneficial if you need to revisit complex topics or if you miss a portion of a live session.

While UT Austin’s FE Exam Prep course offers unparalleled instruction, it does come with certain drawbacks.

The long classes may not match every student’s learning style. Where some courses offer flashcards and videos, UT’s course is strictly lectures.

The fixed course dates offer less flexibility compared to on-demand alternatives. If you’re seeking a more flexible schedule or a course with a pass guarantee, you might consider alternatives like School of PE.

Ready to leverage university-level instruction for your FE exam success? Visit UT Austin’s FE Exam Prep page and secure your spot today.

Most Flexible (sort of): Excel Test Prep

Excel Test Prep provides FE exam prep courses in on-demand, live online, and hybrid formats, teaching comprehensive content specifically tailored to each engineering discipline.

Pros

• Self-paced learning
• Hybrid course mixing live and on-demand
• Discipline-specific courses
• Extensive practice problems
• Access to instructors
• Structured study guides

Cons

• Limited live interaction
• Requires self-motivation
• No pass guarantee
• Lack of transparency

Why We Chose It

The flexibility to study for the FE exam on your terms is invaluable, especially if you’re managing other responsibilities. Excel Test Prep simplifies this journey by providing a well-structured roadmap that highlights high-impact topics and common exam pitfalls specific to your discipline.

You can access its content through a self-paced online course, a live online course, or a hybrid of the two. That last bit is actually why this course made it onto this list, since it has some pretty significant downsides I’ll get to later.

Excel Test Prep dives deep into core concepts with a heavy emphasis on practice and application. With over 2,000 practice problems, you’re not just skimming the surface—you’re mastering the material that’s crucial for the FE exam’s problem-solving focus.

The on-demand streaming course is perfect for those who need ultimate flexibility. You can access 78 hours of online classes multiple times over four months. This option lets you study when it fits your schedule, not the other way around.

The live online course allows you to experience live, interactive instruction from dynamic instructors right from your home. A whopping six live classes of seven hours each will cover everything you need to know, and any subjects that aren’t covered during the live sessions, you’ll get notes or pre-recorded videos to fill in the gaps.

While Excel Test Prep has many advantages, it’s not among our favorites for a few reasons.

First of all, I’d love to be able to tell you how much all this costs, but you can’t actually access exact prices without signing up, and I didn’t get an email back when I asked directly. Why the lack of transparency? Other exam prep courses make their prices perfectly clear.

Second, the hybrid version sounds great, but it’s actually described exactly the same as the live online version, so I can’t tell you how it’s different.

If you do manage to find out how much it is and sign up, you only have access to the content for four months. This isn’t enough time for everyone. Additionally, the lack of live interaction and limited peer interaction might not suit everyone. If you prefer a course with more live interaction and a structured schedule, PPI2Pass will be much more transparent.

If that hybrid course sounds enticing and you feel like doing some sleuthing, the content at Excel Test Prep is reliable and thorough.

Our Selection Process: Evaluating the Best FE Exam Prep Courses

Choosing the most effective FE exam prep courses required a meticulous review of numerous programs. Here’s how we evaluated the top contenders.

Comprehensive Curriculum Alignment

The FE exam encompasses a broad range of topics specific to various engineering disciplines, such as civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and more. A top-tier prep course must provide in-depth coverage of all exam topics, leaving no gaps that could hinder a student’s performance.

We looked for discipline-specific courses meticulously designed to cover every subject area outlined by NCEES. It was important that the courses we shared structure their courses to align with the latest exam specifications.

We looked at practice questions and curriculum requirements to make sure each course did its due diligence. By aligning their curriculum closely with NCEES guidelines, these courses help students focus their efforts efficiently.

Quality of Instruction and Learning Materials

The expertise of instructors and the quality of learning materials are pivotal for effective preparation.

We looked for seasoned professionals who bring real-world experience to their teaching and curriculum development. Students benefit from detailed explanations and practical examples that enhance comprehension.

The quality of materials is equally important. Courses should regularly update their study guides and reference manuals, ensuring the content is current and relevant.

We also looked for variety in the learning materials. E-books are great, but some people learn more visually, so we looked for video access, lectures, flashcards, and other learning materials that will apply to the many different learning styles out there.

We also make sure to prioritize programs that offer practice exams, which are crucial to understanding how you’ll perform on test day.

Flexibility and Accessibility

We assessed each program’s flexibility and accessibility, considering different learning formats like live online, on-demand, and self-paced options.

Live online courses allow real-time interaction with instructors and peers, creating a collaborative experience. This is great for students who find it easy to focus on lectures and require interaction with instructors. But these are difficult for people with complex schedules.

On-demand courses suit unpredictable schedules, providing ongoing access to recorded lectures and materials. This flexibility helps students customize their study plans around their lives. The downside to these programs is that they require self-motivation and commitment. Some people need structure.

The best courses offer a bit of both.

Student Support and Success Track Record

Support services play a key role in student success. We examined instructor support, community access, customer service, success rates, and guarantees.

Are the instructors available for questions during and after class? This quick feedback helps students overcome challenges quickly. Some courses that offer live instruction still give students no access to the instructors, which we find counterintuitive.

We also looked for a pass guarantee. In some cases, students who fail the exam can retake the course for free, showing confidence in their program. Some programs, though, make the pass guarantee super complicated in ways that mean no matter what happens, you’ll never get your money back or longer access to the course.

We looked for straightforward and honest pass guarantees.

Additional Resources to Enhance Your FE Exam Preparation

While enrolling in a prep course is a significant step toward passing the FE exam, supplementing your studies with additional resources can further strengthen your readiness.

• Official NCEES practice exams and materials: Familiarize yourself with the FE Reference Handbook, the only reference allowed during the exam, or purchase practice exams.
• Supplementary study guides and textbooks: Try “FE Review Manual” by Michael R. Lindeburg, an extensive guide covering all exam topics with practice problems, or find discipline-specific study guides that focus on civil, mechanical, electrical, and other engineering fields.
• Online practice problem repositories: PrepFE provides over 3,000 practice questions with detailed solutions and FE Exam prep apps like FE Exam Prep Pro allow you to practice on the go.
• Interactive forums and study groups: Reddit’s r/FE_Exam community posts discussions, asks questions, and shares resources.
• Flashcards and memory aids: Anki and Quizlet help you create custom flashcards or use pre-made decks. You can also make your own physical flashcards if you prefer tangible study aids.

Your Next Steps: Choosing the Right FE Exam Prep Course

Embarking on your FE exam preparation journey is a significant step toward your engineering career. Here’s how you can proceed to select the course that best fits your needs: 

Evaluate your learning style and needs:

• Self-paced vs. structured learning
• Interaction level: live interaction with instructors and peers or pre-recorded lectures
• Discipline focus: comprehensive coverage of your specific engineering discipline

Plan your study schedule:

• Set realistic goals
• Incorporate multiple resources: practice exams, study guides, and supplementary materials
• Regular assessment: multiple practice tests to gauge your progress

Stay committed and seek support:

• Engage with instructors
• Join study groups
• Monitor your progress

The sooner you begin your preparation, the better poised you’ll be to succeed. Consider the top options highlighted.

PPI2Pass stands out as the best overall, offering extensive resources, flexible learning formats, and a pass guarantee—an excellent choice for those seeking in-depth preparation with expert guidance.

If you prefer a structured, interactive learning experience, the School of PE provides live instruction and a comprehensive study plan to keep you on track. If budget is most important to you and you don’t need fancy instruction, give the NCEES practice exams a go.

No matter your study style or budget, there’s a course that can help you succeed.

FAQs

What is the best study method for the FE exam?

The best study method for the FE exam involves a combination of reviewing theoretical concepts, practicing problem-solving, and simulating exam conditions. Begin with a thorough review of the FE Reference Handbook provided by NCEES, as it is the only reference allowed during the exam.

How many times can you take the FE exam?

You can take the FE exam up to three times within 12 months. This policy provides flexibility for those who may need multiple attempts to pass the exam. However, it’s crucial to utilize each attempt as a learning experience.

Is FE exam prep worth it?

FE exam prep is definitely worth it. Structured prep courses provide a comprehensive and organized approach to studying, ensuring that you cover all necessary topics thoroughly. If you’re concerned about expense, just consider how expensive it is to keep retaking the test. Some programs, like NCEES, are very affordable.