FE Review

Computational Tools
April 8, 2014
Matthew C. Valenti, Ph.D., P.E.
Lane Dept. Comp. Sci. &
Elect. Eng.

Outline
Introduction
Overview of Computational Tools
Section
Spreadsheet Computations
Structured Programming
Exam Tips

Outline
Introduction
Overview of Computational Tools
Section
Spreadsheet Computations
Structured Programming
Exam Tips

About Me
B.S.E.E., Virginia Tech, 1992.
Electronics Engineer, U.S. Naval Research Lab,
1992-1995.
M.S.E.E., Johns Hopkins, 1995.
Ph.D., Virginia Tech, 1999.
Assistant Professor, WVU, 1999-2005.
Associate Professor, WVU, 2005-2010.
Full Professor, WVU, 2010-present.
Passed FE Exam, Oct. 2010.
Passed PE Exam, Oct. 2011.

Outline
Introduction
Overview of Computational Tools
Section
Spreadsheet Computations
Structured Programming
Exam Tips

Do I Need to Know Todays

Topic?
Each discipline has its own exam
Some of the disciplines require computer
knowledge
Civil (4-6 questions)

Mechanical (3-5 questions)

Chemical (4-6 questions)

Outline
Introduction
Overview of Computational Tools
Section
Spreadsheet Computations
Structured Programming
Exam Tips

What is a Spreadsheet?

Relative Addressing

Absolute Addressing

Question #1
In a typical spreadsheet, the reference H$8
is typed into cell T5. If this reference is
copied into cell AA8, which cell will it refer
to?
(a) AA5
(b) O8
(c) O11
(d) T8

Whitehead, 999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review, PPI, 199

Question #1
In a typical spreadsheet, the reference H$8
is typed into cell T5. If this reference is
copied into cell AA8, which cell will it refer
to?
(a) AA5
(b) O8
HIJKLMNO
(c) O11
TUVWXYZAA
(d) T8
The answer is (b)

Whitehead, 999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review, PPI, 199

Question #2

Whitehead, 999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review, PPI, 199

Question #2

Whitehead, 999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review, PPI, 199

Question #3

ndamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition, Kaplan, 2008

Question #3

ndamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition, Kaplan, 2008

Question #4

ndamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition, Kaplan, 2008

Question #4

4
16

ndamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition, Kaplan, 2008

Question #5

ndamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition, Kaplan, 2008

Question #5

Question #6

FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition, Barrons, 2008.

Question #6

FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition, Barrons, 2008.

Question #7
A partial spreadsheet is shown below:

FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition, Barrons, 2008.

Question #7

Question #7

The answer is (D) 4

Question #8

FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition, Barrons, 2008.

Question #8

Question #9

FE Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 2nd Edition, Barrons, 2008.

Question #9

Outline
Introduction
Overview of Computational Tools
Section
Spreadsheet Computations
Structured Programming
Exam Tips

Structured Programming
You will be given several lines of pseudocode, and
asked to determine the final values of variables.
Syntax similar to Matlab or Fortran.

Need to understand logic for branching and looping.

IF/THEN
DO/WHILE
DO/UNTIL
FOR
GOTO (outdated)

Could be asked about generic programming

concepts.

Question #10
A computer structured programming segment contains the following
program segment. What is the value of Y after the segment is
executed?
Y=4
B=4
Y=3*B6
IFY>BTHENY=B2
IFY<BTHENY=Y+2
IFY=BTHENY=B+2

(a) 2
(b) 6
(c) 8
(d) 12

M.R. Lindeburg, FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition, PPI, 2006.

Question #10
A computer structured programming segment contains the following
program segment. What is the value of Y after the segment is
executed?
Y=4
B=4
Y=3*B6Y=3(4)6=6
IFY>BTHENY=B2TRUE,SOY=B2=42=2
IFY<BTHENY=Y+2TRUE,SOY=Y+2=2+2=4
IFY=BTHENY=B+2TRUE,SOY=B+2=4+2=6

(a) 2
(b) 6
(c) 8
(d) 12

M.R. Lindeburg, FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition, PPI, 2006.

Question #11

M.R. Lindeburg, FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition, PPI, 2006.

Question #11

M.R. Lindeburg, FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition, PPI, 2006.

Question #12

M.R. Lindeburg, FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition, PPI, 2006.

Question #12

M.R. Lindeburg, FE Review Manual, 2nd Edition, PPI, 2006.

Question #13

ndamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition, Kaplan, 2008

Question #13

ndamentals of Engineering FE/EIT Exam Preparation, 18th edition, Kaplan, 2008

Question #14

Whitehead, 999 Nonquantitative Problems for FE Examination Review, PPI, 199

Question #14

RESULT = TRUE
implies A.AND.B = TRUE
which requires that both
A and B be TRUE.
So A must be TRUE.

Question #15
The following code segment is an example
of what programming technique?
b=cube(a)
cube(a)
{
b=a*a*a
returnb
}

(a)branching
(b)function call
(c) looping
(d)subroutine

M.R. Lindeburg, FE/EIT Sample Examinations, 2nd Edition, PPI, 2010.

Question #15
The following code segment is an example
of what programming technique?
b=cube(a)
cube(a)
{
b=a*a*a
returnb
}

(a)branching
(b)function call
(c) looping
(d)subroutine

M.R. Lindeburg, FE/EIT Sample Examinations, 2nd Edition, PPI, 2010.

Outline
Introduction
Overview of Computational Tools
Section
Spreadsheet Computations
Structured Programming
Exam Tips

Its a Marathon
The exam is long:
6 hours total.
Includes tutorial and 25 minute scheduled break.
5 hours and 20 minutes exam time (320 minutes).

Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint.

Develop your test stamina through practice.
Get good nights sleep: Dont cram!
Eat big breakfast. Bring a few snacks & a drink.

Manage your time effectively.

110 questions 2.9 minutes/question
Should use all of your available time.

Know the Handbook

You will be given electronic access to
the Supplied Handbook.
Know where to find things in the
Handbook.
Use the it when preparing/studying.
The index can be helpful.
the pdf is searchable, so practice doing
keyword searches.

Know Your Calculator

Your calculator must be on the approved list.
I recommend the Casio FX 115

Take advantage of its advanced features.

Integration, derivatives.
Matrix/vector operations.
Finding roots.

Practice with your calculator.

You cant bring the instruction manual with you.

There is an electronic backup calculator.

TI-30XS

Passing Scores

NCEES does not release its minimum passing scores.

Your score will be psychometrically adjusted.
Passing scores have been between 50-70% in the past.
No penalty for guessing.
Make sure to respond to every question.
Suppose you only get 1/3 of the problems correct, and guess
on the rest. If 1/4 of those guesses are correct, what will
your overall score be?

Passing Scores

NCEES does not release its minimum passing scores.

Your score will be psychometrically adjusted.
Passing scores have been between 50-70% in the past.
No penalty for guessing.
Make sure to respond to every question.
Suppose you only get 1/3 of the problems correct, and guess
on the rest. If 1/4 of those guesses are correct, what will
your overall score be?

1 2 1 1

3 3 4 2

No Matter Your Discipline, You Can

Get 1/3 Right!

Time Management
Work the Exam in Three Passes.
1. Ones you know for sure, and can solve quickly.

Spend first 80 minutes answering the easiest 40

questions.
Per question: 2 minutes.

2. Ones you can likely solve, but will take time.

Spend 160 minutes answering 40 more questions.

Per question: 4 minutes.
Take your break an hour into this stage.

3. Ones you dont know. Just guess.

Last 80 minutes can be for guessing, checking easy

answers, and attempting the very difficulty problems.
Should hopefully only have 30 such questions

Passing Rates

Conclusion
Approach the exam as if it were a
marathon.
Know the Reference Manual.
Know your calculator.
Answer the easy questions first.
The computational tools section is one of
the easiest.
You can pass!