Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mechanical PE Exam?

The Principles and Practice of Engineering exam is the examination required for one to become a Professional Engineer (PE) in the United States. It is the second exam required, coming after the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Upon passing the PE exam and meeting other eligibility requirements that vary by state, such as education and experience, an engineer can then become registered in their State to stamp and sign engineering drawings and calculations as a PE. The PE Exam is created and scored by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). NCEES is a national non-profit organization composed of engineering and surveying licensing boards representing all states and U.S. territories.  Learn More about the PE Exam.

How many sub-disciplines are there for the Mechanical PE Exam?

Three.  

  • HVAC and Refrigeration 
  • Thermal and Fluid Systems
  • Machine Design and Materials

Which Mechanical PE Exam discipline is the easiest?

Based on the latest published pass rates from NCEES, all three disciplines are about the same, with approximately two thirds of first time exam takers passing, and just over half of second time exam takers passing.  View Pass Rates.

What score do I need to pass the PE Exam?

The cut score varies from one test to the next and is not published by NCEES.

Which Mechanical PE Exam discipline should I take?

You should take the exam that is most relevant to your education, experience, and future work expectations.  If any of these are in conflict, experience should be the primary driver.

What should I study for the Mechanical PE HVAC & Refrigeration Exam?

How exactly should I study for the Mechanical PE Exam?

Spend about 10 hours brushing up on the Fundamentals to re-establish your foundation, especially if you have been out of school for a while, then practice solving as many example problems as you can, carefully and gradually uncovering the nuances along the way.

How can I organize the study process so I don’t waste valuable time figuring out what to study?

What other books do you recommend for the Mechanical PE Exam?

Even though you can’t bring it with you since the exam is closed-book, the Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual is a helpful learning aid.  There is no need to purchase the 14th edition.  A used copy of the 13th edition will suffice as an occasional study reference.  The NCEES Practice Exams books are useful for a trial run a few weeks before your exam, when you are nearing the end of the study process.  

I am taking the Machine Design Exam, do you have any resources?

Not at this time, but I may create a program in the future.  Click here to sign up for updates.

I need to pass the FE before taking the PE, do you have any resources for the FE?

Yes! 

We have the course: 300 Practice Problems for the Mechanical FE Exam which will enable you to pass with confidence on the first try.  Click here to watch free previews or enroll.

What if I am taking the PE Exam for Civil, Electrical, or other Engineering Discipline?

When should I start studying for the Mechanical PE Exam?

I recommend starting 4-6 months before your exam date.  Any less tends to be rushed, and when life or work inevitably gets in the way, there isn’t enough slack in the schedule to accommodate the delay.  Candidates often end up taking the test before they are fully prepared, or pushing their exam back, which carries a cost. On the other hand, allowing much more than 6 months leads to a casual, unfocused approach to studying which doesn’t shift into high gear until the exam date is approaching.  The danger of too much time is a false sense of confidence.  4-6 months is the ideal balance. Read more of my thoughts on this.

When is the Mechanical PE Exam?

As of April 2020 the Mechanical PE Exam has flexible scheduling because it is a computer-based test (CBT).

Where do I take the PE Exam?

What are the PE Exam education and professional requirements?

It depends on your state.  Learn more here.

What tools will be provided for the CBT exam for drawing lines on the screen, such as using the psychrometric chart?

Why should I get my PE license?

Should I take a PE Exam course or study on my own?

If you are a highly motivated engineer with a detail-oriented learning style, you may not need a formal review course with live instruction.  With the right program, you can get yourself well-prepared and pass on the first try.  If your life is busy with work, family, and other commitments and you are looking to be more efficient, I’ve created on-demand review programs that bypass the conventional study models and cut to the chase with focused practice problems in clean modules organized by topic.  In addition to solution PDFs, I’ve recorded a clear concise solution video, typically 5-10 minutes, walking you through every single problem.  My goal is to give you a way to study on your own and be confident that the process is going to bring you to your ultimate goal – passing the PE Exam!

How can I pass the PE Exam without spending a lot of money?

You can check out my YouTube channel and all the Free Previews for my courses.  If you really want to make your process more efficient, you can save 100+ hours by using the Full Access Bundle, which represents a savings of about $4,000 worth of time for the average engineer, and a lot less stress and frustration.

Is the content in the Full Access Bundle released according to a schedule?

All content is available to you immediately upon enrollment.

Are the examples in the Full Access Bundle similar to real exam problems?

Yes, most of the problems have been written to be as hard as exam problems or slightly harder. My goal is to challenge you, but not distract you or waste your time with hour-long problems. Every problem has at least one key insight embedded within it, and very often two or three.

Are the solutions in the Full Access Bundle based on the Computer Based Test (CBT)?

Yes, all problems are solved using the NCEES Mechanical Reference Handbook PDF. The companion Practice Problems book calls out specific search terms from the handbook to help you quickly find what you need.

I've been out of school for a long time. Is the Full Access Bundle right for me?

Yes! By covering the Fundamentals first, I give you the background and context you may have forgotten (or never fully grasped back in college) before we start solving example problems.

Are the PDFs in the practice modules downloadable?

Yes, for each of the main practice Modules, you get all the PDFs: Problem Set, Answer Key, Complete Solutions, Key Formulas, and Key Search Terms.

I've already purchased an individual course included in the Full Access Bundle, how can I upgrade?

Email me and I will give you a link with a credit for any course(s) you already purchased. My email address is Dan@MechanicalPEexamprep.com.

How long does the program access remain active?

The HVAC & Refrigeration Full Access Bundle and the Thermal and Fluid Systems Full Access Bundle both include Lifetime Access.  You can take the courses at your own pace, and return to specific topics in the future if you need a refresher.  I update the material periodically, and all future updates are also included.

Can I purchase individual courses?

Most of the courses are not offered individually.  Topic-specific modules/chapters are exclusive components of the respective bundle. The reason for this is that for most candidates, what really matters is the final outcome: Passing the PE Exam!  In my experience, cherry-picking topics tends to lead to partial understanding of key concepts, confusion, frustration, and disappointment with the exam results.  The program is truly a comprehensive system and takes every measure to make sure you are fully prepared. The Fundamentals course is offered a la carte, since many candidates like to get the lay of the land and gain a sense of my teaching style before enrolling in the Full Access Bundle.  The practice modules (which make up the main content of the program) are written specifically for the CBT exam and will help you find the key search terms quickly as you’re studying.

Does the Full Access Bundle come with a money-back guarantee?

Yes! As of December 2023, the HVACR Full Access Bundle and Thermal and Fluids Systems Full Access Bundle include our Pass Guarantee.  As long as you use the program as intended and take the exam, you are guaranteed to pass or you are entitled to a full refund.