The current breadth-and-depth
mechanical PE exam is 8 hours long, divided into 2 equal sessions, morning and
afternoon. All questions are multiple-choice.
This exam is structured in a "breadth-and-depth" format. In the morning session,
all examinees work the same "breadth"
exam, which consists of 40 questions drawn from the areas of mechanical
engineering listed below. Examiness must answer all 40 questions. In the afternoon,
examinees choose to work one of three "depth" exam modules: HVAC
and Refrigeration, Mechanical Systems and Materials, and Thermal and Fluids
Systems. Each depth exam consists of 40 questions that test knowledge in
the areas specified. Examinees must work all 40 questions in the depth exam
of their choice.
What
format are the questions in?
The questions are multiple-choice,
with four answer choices each. Nearly all questions are unique--that is, one
problem statement followed by one question. There may be a few multi-part questions,
where one problem statement is followed by 2 or 3 questions, but in these cases
the answers to the questions will be independent from each other (i.e., the
answers do not "cascade").
What topics will be covered on the mechanical PE exam?
The topics covered on the
current ME exam are as follows:
MORNING SESSION: BREADTH
(40 multiple-choice problems)
- Basic Engineering Practice: approx. 30% of problems
- Basic Engineering Practice: approx. 30% of problems
- Engineering terms and symbols
- Economic analysis
- Project management
- Interpretation of technical drawings
- Electrical concepts
- Units and conversions
- Mechanical Systems and Materials: approx. 20% of problems
- Principles: approx. 13% of problems
- Statics and dynamics
- Strength of materials
- Stress analysis
- Fatigue theory
- Applications: approx. 7% of problems
- Mechanical components (Springs, gears, pressure vessels)
- Joints and fasteners (Welding, bolts, adhesives)
- Vibration/dynamic analysis
- Materials selection (Corrosion, weight, strength)
- Hydraulics and Fluids: approx. 17% of problems
- Principles: approx. 7% of problems
- Compressible flow
- Incompressible flow
- Applications: approx. 10% of problems
- Hydraulic and fluid equipment (Pumps, turbines, compressors)
- Piping systems and components
- Energy/Power Systems: approx. 15% of problems
- Principles: approx. 7% of problems
- Thermodynamic cycles
- Thermodynamic properties
- Energy balances
- Mass balances
- Heat transfer
- Combustion
- Applications: approx. 8% of problems
- Power conversion systems
- Energy/power equipment (Turbines, boilers, engines)
- Heat exchangers
- HVAC/Refrigeration: approx. 18% of problems
- Principles: approx. 10% of problems
- Psychrometrics
- Refrigeration cycles
- Heat transfer
- Applications: approx. 8% of problems
- HVAC/refrigeration systems
- HVAC/refrigeration components (Air handlers, compressors)
- Heating/cooling loads
AFTERNOON SESSIONS: DEPTH MODULES
Examinees must choose to work one of the following three depth exam modules.
Each depth module has 40 multiple-choice problems, and examinees must work all
questions.
Note: All three depth modules will be printed in the same exam booklet,
so you will have the opportunity to look at each exam before deciding which
one to select. Be aware that the time you spend making your selection is part
of the total four hours you have to work the afternoon exam--so don't take too
long to decide.
HVAC and Refrigeration Depth Module (40 multiple-choice
problems)
- Principles: approx. 55% of problems
- Thermodynamics: approx. 7% of problems
- Cycles
- Properties
- Compression processes
- Psychrometrics: approx. 15% of problems
- Heating/cooling cycles
- Humidification/dehumidification
- Heating/cooling loads
- Heat Transfer: approx. 13% of problems
- Fluid Mechanics: approx. 7% of problems
- Compressible Flow: approx. 3% of problems
- Energy Balances: approx. 10% of problems
- Applications: approx. 45% of problems
- Equipment and Components: approx. 20% of problems
- Cooling towers and fluid coolers (Configurations, conditions, flow rates)
- Boilers and furnaces (Configurations, efficiencies, fuel types)
- Condensers (Configurations, conditions, flow rates)
- Pumps/compressors/fans (Laws, efficiency, selection)
- Evaporators/chillers (Configurations, conditions, flow rates)
- Cooling/heating coils (Configurations, conditions, flow rates)
- Control systems components (Valves, dampers)
- Refrigerants (Properties, types)
- Refrigeration components (Expansion valves, accumulators)
- Systems: approx. 18% of problems
- Air distribution (Duct design, system type, terminal devices)
- Fluid distribution (Hydronic, oil and/or gas distribution design, system type, steam distribution)
- Refrigeration (Food storage, cooling and freezing)
- Energy recovery (Enthalpy wheels, heat pipes, run-around systems)
- Supportive Knowledges: approx. 7% of problems
- Codes and standards (ASHRAE, NFPA)
- Air quality and ventilation (Filtration, dilution)
- Vibration control (Transmission effect, isolation)
- Acoustics (Sound control, absorption, attenuators, noise level criteria)
- Economic analysis
- Electrical concepts (Power consumption, motor ratings, heat output, amperage)
Mechanical Systems and Materials Depth Module (40 multiple-choice problems)
- Principles: approx. 60% of problems
- Statics (Free body diagrams, friction, centroids, inertia): approx. 15% of problems
- Kinematics (Linear/rotational motion, velocity, acceleration): approx. 7% of problems
- Joints and Fasteners: approx. 10% of problems
- Dynamics (Particle and rigid body): approx. 10% of problems
- Materials Properties (Physical, chemical, mechanical): approx. 10% of problems
- Strength of Materials (Stress/strain, shear, bending, buckling, torsion): approx. 18% of problems
- Applications: approx. 40% of problems
- Mechanical Components: approx. 10% of problems
- Pressure vessels (Thick/thin wall)
- Bearings (Journal, ball, roller, lubrication, life-load relationships)
- Gears (Spur, bevel, helical, planetary, speed and torque ratios)
- Springs (Helical, torsion, leaf, stiffness, deflection)
- Belts, pulleys, and chains (Flat/V, wire rope, roller chain, sprockets)
- Clutches and brakes (Disc/drum brake, flat plate/cone clutch)
- Power screws (Lifting and lowering torque, locking conditions)
- Shafts and keys (Torsion, bending, static/fatigue failure, stress risers)
- Mechanisms (Linkages, slider cranks, levers, mechanical advantage)
- Mechatronics (Electro-mechanical interfaces, control, robotics)
- Joints and Fasteners: approx. 10% of problems
- Welding and brazing (Butt, fillet, groove, eccentric, symbols)
- Bolts, screws, and rivets (Load capacity, grade, bolt patterns, pretension)
- Adhesives and soldering (Butt, lap, glue, epoxy)
- Others (Pipe threads, snap rings, interference fit)
- Vibration/Dynamic Analysis: approx. 10% of problems
- Natural frequencies (Linear, bending and torsional)
- Damping (Frequency, damping ratio, critical damping)
- Forced vibrations (Magnification factor, transmissibility, unbalance)
- Vibration isolation
- Dynamic analysis (Balancing, vehicle dynamics)
- Materials and Process: approx. 10% of problems
- Materials selection (Impact of physical, chemical and mechanical properties)
- Manufacturing processes (Machining, molding, heat treatment)
- Fits and tolerances
- Economic analysis and project management
- Quality control
According to NCEES, the mechanical
PE exam uses US customary (English) units exclusively.
Yes, there will be a separate
passing score set for each of the three exam modules. Here's how NCEES explains
it:
Beginning with the October 2005 administration, candidates will receive results of "Pass" or "Fail" only. Failing candidates will no longer receive a numerical score.
NCEES does not make the passing
scores public. Click here
for the passing rates.
