FE/EIT General Course Information
Question: Is this course for me?
Our course is designed for students who have been out of school for a while. We realize that you may not have practiced many of the topics covered on the exam since college. Our focus is to give you a concise, intensive, and structured review of the important topics needed to pass the exam, and we use our workshop sessions to ensure that you get the practice applying these topics in a problem-solving environment.
Question: How is your course setup?
Our course is setup into two sections:
- REVIEW COURSE: Theoretical concepts are explained to refresh and give students an understanding of important exam topics, and many example problems are worked to reinforce these concepts. The focus of the review course is to review the important concepts needed for the exam and begin to develop the student’s problem-solving proficiency.
- PROBLEM SOLVING WORKSHOPS: The workshops supplement the review courses for the examination. Since the actual examination is all problem-solving, numerous exam-like problems will be solved to give students intensive problem-solving practice to perform well on the examination. For the PE courses, the workshops focus on the depth (PM) examinations but certainly help increase the score in the breadth (AM) part of the examinations. 100% of the time is devoted to problem solving and strengthening students’ proficiency in solving exam-like problems in a timed environment, similar to what you will be doing on the exam day.
For some locations, the review course and workshops are offered separately, and in other locations the review course and workshops are combined as one complete course. The Guarantee of Passing only applies when both the review course and workshops are taken together.
Question: How is Test Masters different from other courses?
The course coordinator has been teaching the EIT/PE courses for over 25 years, and is very well versed with the format of the exam and what it takes to pass it. The course is focused only on the exam and helping students pass. It is a very comprehensive course with 72 hours of instruction for the PE courses, and 80 hours of instruction for the EIT/FE courses. In the course, concepts are reviewed and many problems are worked out in class. This helps students become familiar with solving problems that are similar to what is on the exam. Our course is not a college course which is designed for their students and covers theory. Our course is focused on the exam and helping you pass.
As a result of the quality of our courses, we are able to offer the Guarantee of Passing. If you take and attend our review course and workshops and do not pass the first time, you can retake the entire course again at no charge.
Question: How much do I have to prepare before taking the class?
Most of our students come to the class with little or no preparation. However, if you have been out of school for many years, we would recommend that to get the most out of the classes some preparation would be helpful. Knowing the fundamentals while in class will help you grasp the information more quickly and focus on learning the material taught in class. You can pick up any engineering book to begin reviewing the topics covered on the exam before the course starts.
Question: How does the Guarantee of Passing work?
If you attend every class of the review course and workshops and don’t pass, you can repeat the next review course and workshops absolutely free. To get the guarantee for the FE/EIT, you must take the next actual examination given after the completion of the course. For the Principles and Practice examinations, the actual examination must be taken within nine months after completion of the course. The free repeat is limited to only one time, and it must be used in the next course offered after the results of the actual examination have come in. Subsequent repeats within 18 months will be at 50% of the regular fee. No course is guaranteed to be offered at the previous location or every time the actual examination is given. There are no workshops for chemical and environmental engineering and therefore no guarantee of passing applies.
Question: Does the Guarantee of Passing still apply if I miss a class?
All classes need to be attended for the Guarantee of Passing. This is also for your benefit, as attending all classes will increase your chances of passing. However, we understand that sometimes unavoidable circumstances come up and you are unable to attend. For that reason, we are flexible in allowing you to miss up to one topic session, and the guarantee will still apply.
Question: Who teaches the classes?
Our instructors come from the industry and academia, and are highly qualified in their specialized fields. They have taught EIT/PE courses for many years at various companies including Central and Southwest Services, Bechtel, Kellogg, Fluor, Sirrine, Lummus, Ericsson, Texas Instruments, Foster Wheeler Energy Corp., Texas Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Transportation, Utility Engineering, and the City of Austin Electric Utility Department.
Question: Where are the courses conducted?
Because we have many students attending the course from out-of-town, we usually conduct our classes in classrooms at hotels. For students needing to stay overnight, our group has discounted sleeping room rates with the hotel. This information will be provided after registration.
Registering for an EIT/FE or PE Course
Question: How do I register for a course?
There are a few options to register for a course. You can register online at our website, www.testmasters.com/pereg or you can print out the registration form, fill it out and fax or mail it to our office. Our fax number is 713-529-4394. You can also call our office at 713-529-9752 and register over the phone.
Question: Do you offer group registration discounts?
For a group of 3 or more persons registering by the early registration deadline and taking the course and also workshops, there is an additional $50 discount per person. Group members must take either the FE or the PE course, but not both courses. To get a group discount, the names of group members and full payment, not just the purchase order, must be received at least ten days before the start of the review course.
Question: Do you offer registration discounts to full-time undergraduate students?
Full-time undergraduate students will receive a 50% discount off the regular fee when taking the EIT review course with workshops. We will need a copy of your fee slip from the registrar’s office showing that you are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours in the current semester. No additional discounts will be given.
Question: What is your refund policy?
If you are unable to start the course, the fee will be fully refunded. Up to two weeks after the start of the review course, refunds will be on a pro-rata basis less $150 administrative fee upon a written request for a refund. No refund will be given after two weeks. There will be no refund for the classes missed or attended prior to our receipt of the written request, which must be sent by email to engineering@testmasters.com. No refund will be given for the workshop fees once they begin.
EIT Course Information
Question: What topics are covered in the EIT/FE course?
Mathematics, Probability & Statistics, Chemistry, Computers, Ethic & Business Practices, Engineering Economics, Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Material Properties, Fluid Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Biology, Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer. Along with the course topics, many tips, techniques, and shortcuts are taught in class. Students are not only able to solve problems after going through the class but also solve them in much less time.
Question: How long is the EIT/FE course?
The total course is 88 hours. The review course is 48 hours, and the workshops are 32 hours. There is an 8-hour simulated mock exam given. All three must be taken to qualify for the guarantee of passing program.
Question: What course materials will I receive in the EIT/FE course?
All review course and workshop manuals used in class are included in the course fee and will be given out in class. All teaching is done from these notes.
Question: What references do I need for the exam and class?
The FE Handbook is the only reference book allowed in the exam, and is also referenced in class. You can download a copy of the handbook at no charge or purchase a booklet form from www.ncees.org.
Question: What is the format of the exam?
The 8-hour exam consists of a general 4-hour morning session covering all topics, and a 4-hour afternoon session that can be taken in any of the following areas: General, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, and Mechanical.
Question: What PM depths are covered in the course?
Our FE/EIT course prepares students for the General exam in the morning and afternoon session.
PE (Civil) and PE (Environmental) Course Information
Question: How long are the courses and what are the topics covered?
- REVIEW COURSES:
Civil Engineering: This 36-hour review course covers selected topics from the following: Traffic Systems, Transportation Systems, Structural Analysis and Design, Foundations and Retaining Structures, Geotechnical, Hydraulics, Water Treatment, and Wastewater Treatment. - WORKSHOPS:
Civil Engineering: There are 12 workshops each of three hours on the following subjects: Traffic Systems, Transportation Systems, Structural Design I & II, Foundations & Retaining Structures, Hydraulics, Hydrology/Ground Water/Wells, Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Geotechnical, and Timber/Masonry Design.
Question: How is the format for the PE exam?
The PE (Civil) examination is in breadth and depth format. All examinees work the breadth (AM) exam and one of the depth (PM) exams. The breadth exam contains questions from all areas of the discipline. The depth exams focus more closely on a single area of the engineering discipline.
PE (Civil): The PM depth exams are in Environmental, Geotechnical, Structural, Water Resources, and Transportation. The AM breadth covers all of these areas.
Question: What course materials will I receive?
The fees for the course include extensive course notes. For students enrolled in both the PE review course and workshops for the PE (Civil) course will also receive a reference book and its solution manual given below as part of the course fee. If you already have the reference books, we will give you a refund of $100 and you will only receive the course notes.
- Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam, 10th Edition, Lindeburg
- Practice Problems for the Civil Engineering PE Exam: A Companion to the Civil Engineering Reference Manual, 10th Edition, Lindeburg.
Question: Will the course prepare me enough for my afternoon PM depth exam?
The review course covers concepts and is suited for the AM exam preparation. The workshops focus on the depth (PM) examinations but certainly help increase the score in the breadth (AM) part of the examinations. However, it will be helpful for you to spend some additional time reviewing topics and material related to the specific PM depth that you choose.
Question: How is the PE (Environmental) course setup?
Environmental Engineering: This 30-hour review course and workshops will take selected topics from the PE (Civil) review course and workshops. The following topics are covered: Hydraulics, Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Pumps, Hydrology, Groundwater, and Wells. This will help to prepare, but not provide a complete preparation, for the exam. No Guarantee of Passing applies for this examination.
The PE-Environmental course is a subset of the PE-Civil review course and workshops. You will be attending selective dates from the PE-Civil course and workshops. However, the exact dates will be finalized once the topic schedule is set. You will then be notified of the days you will need to attend, along with the topics covered on those days.
PE (Mechanical) and PE (Chemical) Course Information
Question: How long are the courses and what are the topics covered?
- REVIEW COURSES:
Mechanical Engineering: This 36-hour review course covers selected topics from the following: Fluids, Heat Transfer/Exchangers, Economic Analysis, Thermodynamics, Vibrations, HVAC/Refrigeration, Stress Analysis, Pumps, and Combustion. - WORKSHOPS:
Mechanical Engineering: There are 12 workshops each of 3 hours on the following subjects: Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer/Exchangers, Fluids, HVAC/Refrigeration I & II, Machine Design I & II, Blowers and Compressors, Stress Analysis I & II, and Power Plants I & II.
Question: How is the format for the PE exam?
The PE (Mechanical) examination is in breadth and depth format. All examinees work the breadth (AM) exam and one of the depth (PM) exams. The breadth exam contains questions from all areas of the discipline. The depth exams focus more closely on a single area of the engineering discipline.
PE (Mechanical): The PM depth exams are in HVAC/Refrigeration, Machine Design, and Thermal/Fluid Systems. The AM breadth covers all of these areas.
Question: What course materials will I receive?
The fees for the course include extensive course notes. For students enrolled in both the PE review course and workshops for the PE (Mechanical) course will also receive a reference book and its solution manual given below as part of the course fee. If you already have the reference books, we will give you a refund of $100 and you will only receive the course notes.
- Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam, 12th Edition, Lindeburg.
- Practice Problems for the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam: A Companion to the Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual, 12th Edition, Lindeburg.
Question: Will the course prepare me enough for my afternoon PM depth exam?
The review course covers concepts and is suited for the AM exam preparation. The workshops focus on the depth (PM) examinations but certainly help increase the score in the breadth (AM) part of the examinations. However, it will be helpful for you to spend some additional time reviewing topics and material related to the specific PM depth that you choose.
Question: What is the difference between review course I & II for the PE (Mechanical) exam?
There is no difference in the material presented during the class. The difference is in the schedules. Review course I is conducted on two evenings during the week, while Review course II is a weekend class conducted on Friday to Sunday. We offer two sections for participants who are local and for those that are coming from out of town to attend the course.
Question: What is the format for the PE (Chemical) course?
Chemical Engineering: This 48-hour review course prepares for the Principles and Practice Examination in Chemical Engineering and consists of two parts.
- Part I:
30 hours of the following subjects taught with the Mechanical Engineering review course and workshops:
- Economic Analysis
- Fluids
- Pumps
- Heat Transfer and Exchangers
- Thermodynamics
- Power Plants
- Combustion
- Part II:
18 hours of the following Chemical Engineering subjects:
- Mass and Energy Balance
- Mass Transfer
- Chemical Thermodynamics
- Kinetics
Each is independent of the other. No Guarantee of Passing applies for this examination.
PE (Electrical) Course Information
Question: How long are the courses and what are the topics covered?
- REVIEW COURSES:
Electrical Engineering: This 36-hour review course covers selected topics from the following: Communication Systems, Power Systems, Control Systems, National Electrical Code, Digital Systems, and Advanced Analog Electronics. - WORKSHOPS:
Electrical Engineering: There are 12 workshops each of 3 hours on the following subjects: Advanced Analog Electronics, Power Systems, Communication Systems, NEC, and Control Systems. These workshops focus on the following two depth exams: Power, and Electronics / Controls / Communications. There are no workshops offered for the depth exam in Computers.
Question: How is the format for the PE exam?
The PE (Electrical) examination is in breadth and depth format. All examinees work the breadth (AM) exam and one of the depth (PM) exams. The breadth exam contains questions from all areas of the discipline. The depth exams focus more closely on a single area of the engineering discipline.
PE (Electrical): The PM depth exams are in Computers, Power, and Electronics / Controls / Communications.
Question: What course materials will I receive?
The fees for the course include extensive course notes. For students enrolled in both the PE review course and workshops for the PE (Electrical) course will also receive a reference book and its solution manual given below as part of the course fee. If you already have the reference books, we will give you a refund of $100 and you will only receive the course notes.
- Electrical Engineering Reference Manual for the Electrical and Computer PE Exam, 6th Edition, Camara.
- Practice Problems for the Electrical and Computer Engineering PE Exam, 6th Edition, Camara.
Question: Will the course prepare me enough for my afternoon PM depth exam?
The review course covers concepts and is suited for the AM exam preparation. The workshops focus on the depth (PM) examinations but certainly help increase the score in the breadth (AM) part of the examinations. However, it will be helpful for you to spend some additional time reviewing topics and material related to the specific PM depth that you choose.
Exam Information
Question: Why does my state board have two dates for the PE exam application process?
The first date is the deadline for submitting the paperwork for approval for the PE examination. If your application is approved, then you have until the second date to register to take the exam. You can still submit your paperwork after the first deadline but it is not guaranteed that they will send you an approval in time to register for the exam. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
Question: Does my EIT certificate have an expiration period?
It depends on the state board. Some states might have a 10 year limit in which you have to take the PE exam. In other states (such as Texas), there is no limit.
Question: What are the requirements for the exam?
Each state has different requirements. Therefore please contact the PE board of your state.
Question: What calculator can I use on the exam?
The only calculator models allowed on the exam are HP33S, HP30S or HP9S, Casio FX115ES, FX 115MS or FX 115 MS Plus, or TI 30XA, 30X IIS, 30X IIB, or 36X Solar. If you are deciding which calculator to buy, we recommend visiting your local electronics store and trying out each of the different calculators to see which one you feel the most comfortable using. Be sure to bring the calculator you plan to use on the exam to the first day of class. You can visit www.ncees.org to view their latest calculator policy.
