Blog Archives

04Jan 2025 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

How to Pass the Mechanical PE Exam: A Complete Guide

The Mechanical PE Exam is one of the most significant milestones for engineers aiming to earn their professional licensure. Passing this exam is not just about adding two letters to your name; it’s about elevating your career, gaining authority, and opening doors to opportunities that would otherwise remain closed. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to pass the Mechanical PE exam, from understanding the importance of the PE license to crafting a study plan and acing the exam with confidence. If you pass the PE exam, you will enhance your career opportunities significantly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrsKab4ixTM Why Earning Your PE License Matters For mechanical engineers, earning a PE license is a career-defining achievement. It signifies expertise, credibility, and the ability to take on more significant responsibilities. At…

03Dec 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

Mechanical PE Exam Strengths and Weaknesses

Preparing for the PE exam can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to assess your strengths and weaknesses as an engineer. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, this journey allows you to refresh and deepen your technical knowledge. Embracing both your strengths and challenging topics is crucial for becoming a well-rounded engineer. In this post, we’ll discuss how to leverage your strengths, address weaknesses, and develop a balanced approach to mechanical PE exam preparation. Let go of pre-conceived notions about the mechanical PE exam. Looking at the PE exam specification, you may get flashbacks to the good, the bad and the ugly from your undergrad years. It is natural to recall that you were strong in one course and struggled in another. However, studying for the…

08Oct 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

Parenting and the PE Exam | Finding Balance

There is nothing quite like finding out that you are becoming a parent to light a fire under anyone with significant goals. Many of the engineers I’ve had the privilege of supporting in the last few years became highly motivated to pass the PE exam prior to the arrival of a new baby. This is undoubtedly a wise approach as the addition of a new person in your life brings about a reorganization of priorities, and rightfully so. As a recent father myself, I have a newfound appreciation for how challenging studying for the PE exam can be with a little one in the house. Some days it is hard to get around to washing the dishes, much less carve out blocks of time for deep critical thinking. Pursuing a…

07Aug 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

PE Exam Success Factors for Seasoned Professionals

The vast majority of PE candidates are within the first 10 years of their career when they pursue professional licensure. My personal experience puts me in this majority, having obtained my PE license in 2014, 6 years after completing my undergraduate engineering degree. However, there is a smaller cohort of PE candidates that have been in their careers for a decade or more and are only now seeking to obtain their PE. Having served as a guide to both groups, I’d like to share the following success factors for the PE Exam that are unique to more experienced engineers. Respect the limits of practical experience. NCEES expects qualified Professional Engineers to have a sufficient level of practical experience and technical knowledge. The experience portion is documented in the written portion…

05Jul 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

5 Ways to Push Yourself When Studying for the PE Exam

When an aspiring Professional Engineer decides to pursue engineering licensure, motivation runs high. The excitement of preparing for the PE Exam fuels this drive. However, motivation follows a cycle. When the process becomes difficult or dull, procrastination can easily creep in. In some cases, this leads to abandoning or deferring the goal. Pushing yourself for the PE Exam can be challenging, and sometimes, the first attempt doesn’t succeed, and retaking the PE Exam becomes necessary. Conscientious PE candidates understand this challenge. They recognize the need to push themselves to stay on track. However, the methods they choose may not always be effective, and some could even be counterproductive. In this article, I’ll share 5 strategies that successful candidates use to push through obstacles and pass the PE Exam—no matter their…

06Jun 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

PE Exam Prep for Every Budget

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as financial advice. Everyone has different financial resources and values. There's no single "right" way to study for the PE Exam, but the framework outlined here may help aspiring professional engineers determine the best course of action for their needs. This includes PE exam prep for every budget, ensuring you find an approach that suits your financial situation. Studying for the PE Exam is like embarking on a journey to a faraway destination. You have a variety of travel options, and different approaches suit different people or situations. This article describes four levels of exam preparation that candidates typically fall into: Level 1: Gritty Minimalist Method (Walking) Level 2: Independent & Self-Directed Method (Driving) Level 3: Assisted & Accelerated Method (Flying Economy) Level 4:…

05May 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

Beyond the Books: Fueling Your Brain and Body for the PE Exam

Any successful study plan must incorporate the use of resources that are rich in technical detail, sequenced appropriately, and consumed thoughtfully to develop the knowledge and skills required for the PE Exam. However, there are additional considerations beyond what to study and how to go about it. Studying is a cognitive process, and the quality of our thinking depends on having enough energy and mental clarity to work day after day for the PE Exam. Cultivating this state of readiness is a metaskill that enables skill-building and rests on three pillars: sleep, nutrition, and fitness. This brief article offers a few practical tips for engineers pursuing PE licensure. Each tactic you adopt provides an outsized benefit due to their synergy. If you encounter significant sticking points in one area, it’s…

07Apr 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

Slow Studying for Faster Results

I recently finished reading Cal Newport’s book Slow Productivity and felt inspired to share how his insights apply to preparing for the PE Exam. Slow studying for faster results is a concept that can be beneficial for this preparation. Cal observes that many of us feel overwhelmed by work and struggle to prioritize. Instead of focusing, we try to tackle everything and hope to make progress. Years of knowledge work in offices have taught us how to look busy, but we often falter when it’s time to block distractions and focus. Cal’s three “rules,” adapted from the book, aim to help us direct cognitive effort and turn time and energy into lasting value. For PE candidates, this means building the knowledge and skills to pass the PE exam and demonstrate…

06Mar 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

The PE Exam Motivation Cycle (and What to Do About It)

When You First Start Considering Your PE The idea of pursuing your PE can feel incredibly exciting. You might find yourself dreaming about your future career, exploring job opportunities, researching the application process in your state, asking colleagues about their PE journeys, and searching for the best study resources. Understanding the PE exam motivation cycle can help you stay focused and driven throughout your journey. Often, this happens before you're fully committed to the process. Even if you're unsure if it's the right time in your career, worried about the complexity of the process, or hesitant to ask references for endorsements, you may feel compelled to tackle the challenge despite these obstacles. The Start When your reasons outweigh the challenges, motivation takes hold. Motivation is simply "the reasons for acting."…

03Feb 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. 1 Comment

3 Tips For Retaking the PE Exam

Have You Failed the Mechanical PE Exam? Here's How to Succeed on Your Next Attempt. Discover essential tips for retaking the PE exam to improve your chances of passing. Are you determined to earn your professional engineering license but unsure how to adjust your approach after failing the Mechanical PE Exam? Here are three actionable suggestions gathered from working with hundreds of candidates—many of whom succeeded on their sixth try! These tips for retaking the PE exam should help guide you. 1. Recalibrate Your Expectations One of the most common questions candidates ask themselves (or others, like me) is: “How hard is the Mechanical PE Exam?” The answer depends on factors like: Your college background How long it’s been since you were a student Your ability to focus critically for…

07Jan 2024 by Dan Molloy, P.E. 2 Comments

10 Steps to Get Started Toward Your PE

This article is for you if you have already decided to pursue your Professional Engineering License in Mechanical HVAC & Refrigeration or Thermal & Fluids Systems and are figuring out how to get started. Here are 10 steps to get started toward your PE. Gather State Board Requirements Before diving into your studies, determine the specific requirements for the state where you plan to obtain your license. Some states require candidates to apply and receive approval before sitting for the exam. Others allow candidates to take the exam anytime, even before meeting the experience requirements, with the application process completed later. To find out your state’s requirements, check the map we’ve created or visit your state board’s official website through the NCEES website. Describe Your Experience In states that require…

05May 2021 by Dan Molloy, P.E. No Comments

What Comes First? The PE Exam, or the Application?

If you are going for your PE license, one of the first questions you need to figure out is the order of events. If you are seeking your PE license in the state of New York, you must submit your application first. Then you wait for approval before registering for the PE Exam. However, in New Jersey, as of Spring 2021 you can register for and pass the PE Exam first. Once you have your passing result, then you will put your application together. To help you figure out if your state is more like New York or New Jersey, check this map! Each state has it's own process and it's a good idea to read about your state board's requirements directly from the NCEES Website. If you are just…

14Jun 2020 by Dan Molloy, P.E.

How Long Should You Study For the PE Exam?

You’ve decided to pursue your Professional Engineering (P.E.) License, which means your journey has already begun. But how long should you study for the PE Exam? Now, you’re thinking about the future. What opportunities will open up once you become a P.E.? You know the process will take effort, but the rewards are worth it. Perhaps it’s been years since you last studied seriously. Maybe your last major exam was the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), which allowed you to become an Engineer in Training (EIT). Or perhaps you’re following an alternate licensure route without a formal engineering degree and wondering how long to study for the PE Exam. Regardless of your situation, one important question arises: How long will it take to study for the PE Exam? State Your Assumptions…

16Jan 2019 by Dan Molloy, P.E. 2 Comments

The First Marathon I Never Ran

How Running Helped Me Beat Procrastination and Pass the P.E. Exam During the summer before my senior year of high school, I spent my evenings running. While most of my friends were getting into trouble, I tackled a nightly 4-mile route, rewarding myself with ice cream afterward. One evening, as I struggled up the biggest hill on my route, a classmate drove by, rolled down his window, and shouted, “Hey man, why are you running?” Caught off guard, I replied, “I don’t know,” between labored breaths. He sped away, but the question stayed with me. This experience made me ponder how to beat procrastination and stay focused on my goals. Neither guilt-free dessert nor preparing for the basketball season seemed like enough reason. Maybe I ran for the feeling of…

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