Higher score indicates better value for the FE Exam.
Understanding FE Exam Calculator Policies and Value
The FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam is a crucial step for aspiring engineers. A significant aspect of exam preparation is understanding which calculators are permitted. NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) has strict guidelines to ensure fairness and prevent the use of unauthorized electronic devices. This calculator helps you compare the potential value of different types of approved calculators based on cost and features relevant to the exam.
Approved Calculator Categories
NCEES officially approves three categories of calculators for the FE exam:
Basic Calculators: These are standard four-function calculators (add, subtract, multiply, divide) with square root and percentage keys. They are the most fundamental and least expensive option.
Scientific Calculators: These offer advanced functions beyond basic arithmetic, such as trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent), logarithms, exponents, and memory storage. Many engineering disciplines heavily rely on these functions.
Graphing Calculators: These are the most advanced, capable of plotting functions, performing matrix operations, and often have larger displays. While powerful, their use on the FE exam is restricted to specific models that meet NCEES criteria, primarily focusing on their computational capabilities rather than advanced programming or communication features.
The Value Calculation Logic
The "Value Score" calculated by this tool is a simplified model to help you weigh the trade-offs between cost and functionality for FE exam preparation. It's important to note that NCEES does not endorse any specific calculator or provide a "value score." This is purely an educational tool.
The formula used is designed to give more weight to calculators with more features relevant to engineering calculations, while penalizing higher costs. The specific logic is as follows:
Base Value: Starts with a base score related to the number of features.
Feature Scaling: Scientific and graphing calculators receive a score proportional to their estimated number of relevant features.
Cost Adjustment: The total score is then adjusted downwards based on the calculator's estimated cost. A higher cost results in a lower final score, reflecting a potentially worse value proposition.
Graphing Specifics: For graphing calculators, screen size is considered a minor factor, potentially influencing usability but not directly impacting the core computational value score as much as the number of features.
Formula Breakdown (Conceptual):
For Basic Calculators: Value Score = (Base Score + Feature Bonus) / Cost
For Scientific Calculators: Value Score = (Base Score + (Number of Features * Feature Weight)) / Cost
For Graphing Calculators: Value Score = (Base Score + (Number of Features * Feature Weight) + (Screen Size * Screen Weight)) / Cost
Note: The actual implementation uses specific weights and base values to generate the displayed score.
Choosing the Right Calculator for the FE Exam
When selecting a calculator for the FE exam, consider the following:
NCEES Approved List: Always refer to the official NCEES website for the most current list of approved calculator models. Ensure your chosen calculator is explicitly permitted.
Discipline Needs: While NCEES allows basic calculators, a scientific or approved graphing calculator is often essential for performing the complex calculations required in most engineering disciplines.
Familiarity: Practice extensively with the calculator you intend to use during the exam. Knowing its functions and how to operate it quickly is as important as its capabilities.
Cost vs. Benefit: Use tools like this calculator to get a general idea of value, but prioritize functionality and NCEES approval over just price. Investing in a capable, approved calculator can save time and reduce errors during the exam.
Ultimately, the best calculator is one that is approved by NCEES, meets the computational demands of your specific engineering discipline, and that you are proficient in using.
function updateInputs() {
var calculatorType = document.getElementById("calculatorType").value;
document.getElementById("basicInputs").style.display = "none";
document.getElementById("scientificInputs").style.display = "none";
document.getElementById("graphingInputs").style.display = "none";
if (calculatorType === "basic") {
document.getElementById("basicInputs").style.display = "block";
} else if (calculatorType === "scientific") {
document.getElementById("scientificInputs").style.display = "block";
} else if (calculatorType === "graphing") {
document.getElementById("graphingInputs").style.display = "block";
}
}
function calculateValue() {
var calculatorType = document.getElementById("calculatorType").value;
var valueScore = 0;
var baseScore = 100;
var featureWeight = 2;
var screenWeight = 5; // Minor weight for screen size
var cost = 0;
var features = 0;
var screenSize = 0;
// Input validation function
function isValidNumber(value) {
return !isNaN(parseFloat(value)) && isFinite(value) && value >= 0;
}
if (calculatorType === "basic") {
var basicCostInput = document.getElementById("basicCost");
cost = parseFloat(basicCostInput.value);
features = 10; // Assume a basic calculator has a minimal set of features
if (!isValidNumber(cost)) {
alert("Please enter a valid cost for the Basic Calculator.");
return;
}
valueScore = (baseScore + (features * featureWeight)) / cost;
} else if (calculatorType === "scientific") {
var scientificCostInput = document.getElementById("scientificCost");
var scientificFeaturesInput = document.getElementById("scientificFeatures");
cost = parseFloat(scientificCostInput.value);
features = parseFloat(scientificFeaturesInput.value);
if (!isValidNumber(cost) || !isValidNumber(features)) {
alert("Please enter valid costs and number of features for the Scientific Calculator.");
return;
}
valueScore = (baseScore + (features * featureWeight)) / cost;
} else if (calculatorType === "graphing") {
var graphingCostInput = document.getElementById("graphingCost");
var graphingFeaturesInput = document.getElementById("graphingFeatures");
var graphingScreenSizeInput = document.getElementById("graphingScreenSize");
cost = parseFloat(graphingCostInput.value);
features = parseFloat(graphingFeaturesInput.value);
screenSize = parseFloat(graphingScreenSizeInput.value);
if (!isValidNumber(cost) || !isValidNumber(features) || !isValidNumber(screenSize)) {
alert("Please enter valid costs, number of features, and screen size for the Graphing Calculator.");
return;
}
// Graphing calculators often have more complex features, slightly higher base feature value
valueScore = (baseScore + (features * featureWeight) + (screenSize * screenWeight)) / cost;
}
// Ensure score is not infinite or NaN
if (!isFinite(valueScore) || isNaN(valueScore)) {
valueScore = 0;
}
document.getElementById("result-value").innerText = valueScore.toFixed(2);
}
// Initialize input display on page load
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", updateInputs);