FE Exam Leverage Points
What is a leverage point? In terms of FE exam prep, leverage points are areas of focus that can create significant changes. We want to know where they are and how to use them effectively.
Here’s the strange thing: students intuitively know what their leverage points are — time to study, mental and physical energy, preparation resources, solving practice problems, study strategies, study plans, and so on. Students give their leverage points a lot of attention. They push really hard. But sometimes, they push the leverage point in the WRONG DIRECTION.
Let me give you two examples I consistently see.
Example 1 (Leverage Point: Time): A student intuitively knows they have to dedicate time to studying for the FE. They enroll in the course. They are motivated and excited to start. Fueled by this motivation, they put in long hours of studying during the first few weeks. But after that, they completely stop studying!
Example 2 (Leverage Point: Solve Practice Problems): A student intuitively knows they need to solve practice problems to feel prepared for the real exam. With this in mind, they gather a lot of practice problems and work through many of them. For the student, this is a sign they are ready for the exam. But unfortunately, they do not pass!
In both examples, the student is trying very hard, but they are pushing each leverage point in the wrong direction.
Even though both leverage points feel intuitive, they are not being used correctly. We tend to use them backwards, which makes the problems we’re trying to solve even worse.
Often, a leverage point is counterintuitive. I remember seeing one example when I was tutoring a student who didn’t study at all during the last four days before her exam. Sounds crazy, right? She felt she had studied enough. She made sure to relax, sleep well, eat well, and take it easy before her exam. And yes, she passed! This is a counterintuitive leverage point because we’re convinced that more studying, more time, and more practice will lead to better performance. But this isn’t true, especially when considering other factors like mental and physical health.
But let’s say we’re dealing with intuitive leverage points like those in the examples above. Why do we often use them backwards?
The answer is complex because studying and learning depend on many factors that shape each student’s mindset and drive their behavior. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to using each leverage point effectively. However, we can make better use of them by keeping these ideas in mind
1) Have the Right Goal
Are you doing this for the right reason from the start? Preparing for this exam will take a lot of hard work, temporary sacrifices, and patience over a consistent period of time.
If your goal is to “just study,” “put in the time,” or “pass the FE,” then all your actions will align with that goal. This means you might “just study” the wrong way. You might “put in the time” that isn’t productive. And you might want to “pass the FE” but only keep telling yourself that without taking action.
Your goal needs to be driven by your own genuine purpose. It should be well-defined, realistic, and actionable.
Here’s an example of a goal I had when studying for my PE exam:
“Take the PE exam by December. Book the exam to have a deadline. The PE exam will broaden my understanding of engineering concepts, which I can use to help students and grow my tutoring business. To do that, I will study two hours each day and take at least one full day off on the weekend……”
2) Understand the rules of the game
Remember, the rules of the game are already set. The NCEES sets the rules. Therefore, most of your practice should follow these rules. This means you need to gradually get comfortable solving problems under timed conditions similar to the real exam environment.
3) Know your feedback mechanisms
What is a feedback mechanism? You experience these all the time. A feedback mechanism keeps you on track. When solving practice problems, the feedback you get from the solution gives you a clear picture of any weak areas in your understanding (i.e., knowledge gaps). This tells you which concepts you need to study more.
Another feedback mechanism is your study environment. If you’re easily distracted while studying, that’s feedback telling you that you may need to change your environment or simply turn off your phone!
Heck, here’s another one. When you send me a question. I am giving you feedback. Let’s say I notice you’re not keeping track of your units. I would tell you that then you would use the feedback to make sure you’re keeping track of the units when solving the next question. Asking me questions is a powerful form of feedback that enhances your learning and retention.
Missing or ignoring feedback is one of the most common reasons students fail to retain concepts and apply them effectively.
Feedback requires serious self-reflection. It’s always there when we choose to observe and listen.
4) Let Go
Sometimes, it’s best to let go because pushing a leverage point too hard can lead to burnout. For example, if a student is consistently performing poorly in practice tests, it’s best to address the underlying issue. In this case, the issue might stem from having the wrong goal or purpose from the beginning. If a student is pushing hard to pass the exam without taking breaks between attempts, they are bound to burn out. Remember, this exam does not define you. You need to change your perspective. Take time to rest, relax, socialize, and let go! You’ll find the right moment to get back to studying.
5) Adapt and Change
Change and adapt slowly. Studying for this exam will disrupt your life schedule. Creating the mental space is one of the hardest things to do, especially if you have a family and a full-time job. Start slow and gradually increase your study time week by week. Make sure you don’t overdo it at the beginning.
6) Quality over Quantity
More is not always better. Solving more practice problems doesn’t guarantee you’ll become a better problem solver. This is an “infinite growth” mindset that reaches its limit once a threshold is crossed. It’s better to work through a few practice problems with a “quality” mindset, ensuring you truly understand the concepts, conversions, and relationships between variables.
You don’t need to solve thousands of practice problems to develop strong problem-solving skills. Sometimes, it only takes a few problems to grasp the core ideas. With this understanding, you can tackle real FE problems confidently.
