Developing your FE Exam Consistency

You’ve probably heard this term tossed around nowadays: “consistency”. What does it really mean when it comes to preparing for this FE exam. Consistency is a mindset. It’s a mindset anyone can build if the right framing is in place. Being consistent is more about doing the small things right rather than aiming for big goals. Consistency is about the small wins. It’s these small wins that will help you build your confidence to pass your FE exam.

Here are 6 tips I want you to think about as you continue to build your consistent study habits:

1. You need a Purpose, what’s your WHY

Why are you doing this? What’s the point of putting in all this study time? Why sacrifice things to get your EIT? Being consistent in anything is rooted in purpose. It’s part of your identity. When things get hard, your sense of self identity is the driving force that will help you keep going. This is your purpose. This is the real reason why you’re doing this in the first place.

Think about it and start developing your WHY today. 

2. Building a FE exam Study Plan

We won’t just rely on free time when it comes to studying for this big exam. It’s unrealistic, especially given how much you have going on already. Start planning your study session today. Start small. Always start small. Even if you can only do 1 hour each day, that’s excellent. Allocate a study time block, a study spot where you can focus, and write down what you want to study. STICK TO IT but do adjust things when the time calls for it. 

3. Do the basics right 

Don’t overdo it. Don’t try to study past your limits. It doesn’t make sense to study if you’re not motivated to do so. Why is that so? Also, it doesn’t make sense to immediately move into studying harder topics when you haven’t mastered the basics you studied in prior topics. The basics may just get you that passing score. Heck, in fact, they absolutely will since this is the FUNDAMENTALS of ENGINEERING exam! 

4. Don’t overcomplicate things

Keep things simple! The study routine you’re building now needs to be simple to the point where you truly feel like you can put in the study time on a consistent basis. This is also true when it comes to studying these topics. Study things in a simple way where you’re thinking about developing your skills for the ultimate test on exam day. These skills entail engaging your own thought process through lots and lots of practice. The right kind of practice. Deliberate practice where you’re dissecting problems one step at a time and failing a lot as you make the necessary mistakes. 

5. Quality over Quantity 

Three hours of tired, distracted practice is never as good as one hour of focused, undistracted practice. Make sure you’re creating the right PRE-CONDITIONS that allow for quality study time. 

As a side note, here is a definition for a pre-condition: 

a condition that must be fulfilled before other things can happen or be done.

6. Be Patient

You’re getting better every day. Even when you feel like you’re not getting the results you’re hoping for, you’re still improving. Learning is a slow process, and it does require a great deal of patience. With patience by your side, your consistent study habits are bound to be rewarded by the small wins you feel after solving that next practice problem. 

Check out the video below diving deep into these 6 tips to help you develop the right consistency to pass your FE exam.