2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

In this paper, a multi-year approach is outlined to increase awareness and encourage mechanical engineering students to pass the FE Exam in the senior year of their undergraduate studies. At the institution described in this paper, completing the FE Exam is a degree requirement for mechanical engineering majors. However, students are not required to earn a passing score, which may negatively impact student levels of motivation and preparedness. Institutional pass rates have historically fallen below the national average. In an effort to improve institutional pass rates, faculty have developed a plan to incorporate additional strategies to encourage and support undergraduate students to pass the FE Exam before graduating. The new programming will be embedded in all four years of undergraduate study. Programming includes external speakers, alumni feedback, and course-related discussions that highlight the potential benefits of passing the FE Exam as a student and pursuing a PE License after graduating. New strategies to increase motivation will be incorporated at the School, Program, and student organization levels. Additionally, new study tools and exam preparation materials will be developed and provided to students for self-guided review. Future work will include data collection and assessment to determine levels of student participation in and effectiveness of the multi-year approach outlined here.