The A-level exam results are out in the UK. Over 350,000 teenagers have been placed on undergraduate courses, according to UCAS, the organization that manages applications to UK full-time higher education courses. And while they jump for joy, excited at the prospect of going to university, some social commentators and education critics are harrumphing.

They feel that despite their success, these exam-savvy youngsters are woefully ill-prepared for the real world. And that the ones who go to university are simply entering outdated institutions that don’t prepare them for the world of work.

Most university courses aren’t vocational. Yet, the debts that mount up throughout a course (an average of £50,000) are forcing students to create a “personal brand” and a portfolio of work before they leave – so that they have a chance of competing in a crowded marketplace once they graduate.

In the past, students were only expected to step-up their writing, thinking and analytical skills while at university. Now, they’re expected to take Instagram-worthy internships and use social media to network their way to success. They’re expected to document their skills and capabilities across a range of social media so that they can effectively secure work opportunities.

A report from the Department of Education showed that in 2017, graduates and postgraduates had higher employment rates than non-graduates. And that the average, working-age graduate earned £10,000 more than the average non-graduate.

So good, so far. But this emphasis on securing work is contributing to a hole in their university life. This manifests as poorer quality reading and writing skills on the essays they write throughout their course. And the writing they do in the business world. This is not new. And it’s not down to youngsters spending more time on Snapchat than perusing the abridged works of Shakespeare. But it’s a skill gap that doesn’t seem to be closing.

Many arrive at university after years of teachers “teaching to the test”. Students haven’t necessarily been given the opportunity to think for themselves. At least, not in an academic sense. Their teachers have been judged on results throughout their teaching careers. So, their primary task hasn’t been to help students to write fluently, or accurately. In fact, while 26.4% of exams scored an A or A*, just 1.8% of English language exams were graded A*. Overall, the teachers have done their jobs, which has been to get their pupils to pass. And the overall pass rate for 2018 sits at 97.6%.

But when school leavers get to university, many will find themselves in a quandary. It’s likely that they’ll feel a pressure “to get their money’s worth”. Yet, they’ll also be faced with a barrage of new concepts and theories. And they may not have the writing skills to communicate them effectively. Ironically, this can hamper their chances in the job market.

A Royal Literary Fund report called “Writing Matters” labeled the writing skills of students “shocking” and “inadequate”. What’s more, an academic survey cited in this report found that 90% of lecturers said it was necessary to teach writing skills to students. Yet, university is structured so that the teaching of writing skills is not embedded into courses. It’s a veritable chicken-and-egg situation.

In any case, qualifications alone don’t sell themselves anymore. So, students need to see themselves as a package, not as a vessel for their exam results. They need to hone their soft skills – their ability to think well, write well, be emotionally intelligent and communicate with themselves and others.  Employers want to hire people who are creative, resourceful and resilient.

So, as students crack open the prosecco and celebrate their results – I say we provide them a break. Going to university is a massive life transition in itself, as is starting work for the first time. It’s easy to forget the days when you couldn’t boil an egg. And it’s easy to forget that it’s the system itself that isn’t teaching students the writing and communication skills they need to truly succeed in life and work.

The combination of a high-quality study package for every need and budget, a responsive instructor hotline, and a money-back certain makes Securities Training Corporation our choice as the best overall exam prep provider.

Securities Training Corporation (STC) was one of the first companies to offer exam prep courses back when securities exams were first introduced in 1969. Since then, it has strived to be the industry leader. By adding a money-back certain to its offering of high-quality study packages, along with responsive instructor support, STC makes our list as the best overall exam prep provider.

Starting at $323.95, STC's base study package, SIE/Series 7 Top-Off Standard, is as fully loaded as some other providers' premium packages. The enrollment, valid for six months, includes both online and printed study manuals, access to an instructor hotline, 24/7 tech support, and final exams. It also features Crunch Time Facts, which summarize the study manual's "must-know" facts by chapter.

With the next package tier, the $485.93 SIE/Series 7 Top-Off Premiere, students can add on-demand lectures and online flash cards. The flash cards, which can be organized by course, chapter, or FINRA exam sections, allow students to test their knowledge and focus on areas of weakness. This package also comes with the pass certain and additional exams.

Finally, for $559.08, students can add live virtual or in-person classes with the SIE/Series 7 Top-Off Premier Plus package. The package also includes weekly instructor-led question-and-answer sessions.

STC boasts a self-published 95% pass rate. Between a high pass rate and its money-back guarantee, STC's exam prep course offers students a great return on investment.

When can I take the FE exam?

To be eligible to take the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering exam, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Completed 90 credits
2. Achieved senior status
3. Be enrolled in mostly 400-level courses toward your engineering degree
4. Be enrolled in the ENGR 490 section assigned to your major department
   • Section 1002-Chemical & Materials Science Engr
   • Section 1003-Civil & Environmental Engr
   • Section 1004-Electrical & Biomedical Engr
   • Section 1005-Mechanical Engr
   • Section 1006-Geological Engr
   • Section 1007-Metallurgical & Mining Engr

For seniors ready to take the FE exam, you will still need to register for ENGR 490 the semester you plan on taking the exam. Please be mindful that if you plan on graduating in the semester you take the exam, you will need to take the exam no later than prep day to allow for adequate processing time (uploading your exam proof). Otherwise, this may delay your diploma.

CSE students are not required to take the FE exam. 

The exam will be held at any NCEES-approved testing facility year round at a testing day and time that you choose. Do not wait to sign up for an exam date! If you choose to wait to sign up for the test in the middle of or later in the semester, the testing center dates will most likely be FULL! This may cause a delay, or even denial, in receiving your diploma if you are taking the exam in your last semester. Yes, it is an expensive test, but isn't it more expensive to have wait an extra semester for your diploma?

How do I sign up for the FE exam?

Register for the exam on the NCEES website.

How do I prepare for the FE exam?

You may access and review the current FE Supplied Reference Manual, the same type you'll be using during the examination, on the NCEES website.

Study sessions are often organized by the student chapters of ASCE and ASME once a semester. Emails will be sent to students enrolled in ENGR 490, and flyers will be posted on the College's Facebook page. There is often a small cost in order to attend each session.

Please contact Sam DiMuzio (sadimuzio@unr.edu) with any questions about review sessions.

Once you've passed the FE exam

Go to the Nevada State Board of Engineering website and apply for Engineer Intern certification. Instructions on how to apply can be found on their website.