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10.10

FE Exam to Begin Move to Computer-Based Format

The 8-hour, 180-question Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is about to undergo some major changes. NCEES, the organization that develops  and administers the exams used for engineering and surveying licensure in the United States, is set to begin the process of converting the Fundamentals of FE and Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exams from paper and pencil to computer-based testing (CBT).

After earning a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, the FE exam is typically the first step in obtaining  P.E. licensure in the United States. The 180-question, supplied-reference exam is developed and administered by NCEES for college engineering seniors who intend to pursue a P.E. license. While designed for students, practicing engineers can apply to take the exam at any time during their career. Nearly 50,000 examinees — students and non-students — took the FE exam during the 2009-2010 academic year, which included the October 2009 and April 2010 administrations. 

At the NCEES Annual Meeting in August, the state licensing boards that compose NCEES voted unanimously to make the switch to an electronic format.  The decision followed the recommendations of NCEES’ Computer-Based Testing Task Force, made up of representatives from NCEES’ member boards, exam committees and staff, which presented its findings based on more than three years of reviewing economic, logistical and regulatory considerations.

According to NCEES Managing Director Jerry Carter, the CBT Task Force will now identify a vendor to contract with and then establish an action plan and timeline for moving ahead with the conversion. The transition to CBT is expected to take two to three years to finalize the new electronic tests.

“The language approved by the Council includes the phrase ‘at the earliest feasible date,’ which means that NCEES exam writers and staff will be involved in a process that includes adapting exam item banks, selecting vendors, and communicating with licensing boards and examinees before we can begin offering the exams via computer,” said Carter.

“We anticipate it will be at least two years before FE and FS candidates begin taking the exams at computer-testing centers.”

The exact form the CBT exams will take has yet to be determined. A linear-on-the-fly (LOFT) test format appears to have the inside track on being the preferred delivery type, as it would make for the easiest transition from the current exams. However, the Task Force is also considering other delivery types, such as linear forms and computer adaptive tests (CAT).

Why make the change from a successful paper-and-pencil format? Among the reasons for making the change:

• Exams could be given more frequently, meaning greater scheduling flexibility for candidates

• more uniformity in testing conditions

• enhanced security for exam content

• more sophisticated question types to better assess competency

• faster score reporting

Unlike the open book PE and PS exams, FE and FS candidates may use only NCEES-supplied reference material. Another advantage of moving to CBT is that those reference materials can be made available on the computers at the testing centers, relieving test takers of the need to bring their own materials to the site.

As the CBT Task Force moves ahead, they will also need to find answers to a number of related question, including:

• Are testing item banks large enough and appropriate for CBT?

• Can exam length be shortened while still accurately testing for minimum competence?

• Will the Model Law and Model Rules have to be updated to remove jurisdictional obstacles?

According to NCEES, the PE and PS exams, which are also required for professional licensure, will remain paper-and-pencil exams for the foreseeable future.

References

News Release, “FE, FS exams to begin gradual move to computer-based format,” 27 August 2010, NCEES, Online: http://www.ncees.org/

Curtis, David L., “CBT Task Force recommends move to computer-based testing for FE and FS exams,” NCEES Licensure Exchange, pgs. 6-7, April 2010, Online: http://www.ncees.org/

Comments may be submitted to todaysengineer@ieee.org.