Summary of the BEST Study Materials and References for the Mechanical PE Exam
I have compiled a list of the Best Study Materials for the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam, and am providing that information here for your use.
By the way, I would like to thank my friend Greg over at PE Prep ME for the help in getting this list together. We recently did a podcast episode on the Mechanical PE Exam, where we discussed this topic in more detail. Greg also shared about the Mechanical PE exam Guide that provides additional tips and strategies specific to that exam.
Go to: http://acethepe.com/peprepme for the Mechanical Engineering PE guide
The Mechanical PE Exam is an open-book exam, and you will need to bring some references with you. In addition, let me offer some suggested study materials that will come in handy when you prepare for the Mechanical PE Exam. Below each recommendation you will find a link to the amazon version of the product. Note: These are affiliate links, though any commissions I receive are at no additional cost to you. So I want to thank you in advance for feeding my babies 
In studying for the Mechanical PE Exam, the three things you will need the most include a base reference manual, a bunch of sample problems, and a sample exam. Of course, for the depth portion of the breadth and depth format, you will need to gather codes and standards so that you can answer those problems.
Your preparation should primarily be focused on working problems, and the reference manual is intended to be a reference and also a study guide when you realize that you need to refresh in a particular area. First skim the relevant chapters, and then work the problems for those types of problems. During your review, you will want to take the sample exam to determine how you are doing, and determine what you need to focus on the most.
Here is my list of references for the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam:
1. Reference Guide s -
1A. Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual
The first thing is to get a good reference guide as the foundation of your reference and studies. The most popular and tested manual for the Mechanical PE exam is the Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual. Regardless of which depth discipline you take, this one manual will help you with the vast majority of questions. Leave this one at home, and you might be coming back to re-take the test!
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1B. Marks Standard Handbook
Mark’s standard handbook is an alternative to the ‘MERM’. It has been around and updated for years, and some people prefer to use this reference handbook for the Mechanical PE Exam. Of course, you can use it as a supplement if you choose that option as well.
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2. Additional References:
The additional references that you need for the exam will largely depend on which depth module you select for the afternoon. Here are the more common references needed for the afternoon portion of the Exam.
2A. ASME Steam Tables
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2B. Machinerys Handbook
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2C. ASHRAE Fundamentals
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2D. NFPA 90A
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3. Practice Problems
One proven fact about the PE Exam is that working problems improves your chances of passing. Here are some suggested practice problems.
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4. Mechanical PE Sample Exam
To get a feel for the exam day experience, and also to help you ascertain where you are in your studies, you will need to take a sample exam about half-way to two-thirds of the way through your preparation. Here is one suggested sample exam.
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5. Calculator
You will need a calculator for the exam. NCEES has limitations on the calculator you can use, so be sure you follow those requirements.
Courses
6. PE Exam Review Course
A PE Exam review course can be a helpful way to study for the PE Exam, and you may wan to consider that as well as you are planning your review.
About Andy RichardsonAndy Richardson, PE has been a Professional Engineer for over 14 years, and currently practice engineering at my business in South Carolina. I created this site in 2009 to help others realize the dream of obtaining their PE License as well. Please let me know if there is any specific information you need to 'Ace' The PE Exam. For more, check the about page.
Hi
I am going to sit for the Mechanical PE exam next April. I want to purchase review material. I see on Amazons website they will bundle 3 books; MERM, Practice problems, Mechanical PE sample exam. All 3 for $317.43.
I would not mind purchansing through your website. Do you have a similar deal?
I am going to take the HVAC-Refrigeration in the PM (I am in my mid 50′s and have been designing HVAC systems for 33 years). Any additional info to help me pass will be much appreciated.
As far as ordering materials, I do not sell them myself, but you can use my affiliate link (here) to by through amazon (no additional cost to you). It will give me a few dollars if you first click my link then buy anything the next 24 hours from amazon.
For courses, PPI, and a few other companies have one of those as well. They offer a 15% discount on the book + course package, so you may want to check that out too. If you buy the course separately, use the code ANDYS54U to get 5% off of the course.
Also, look at the other tips under the mechanical PE Exam section of the site.
Best wishes on your upcoming exam,
Andy
I have sat for the PE Mechanical Exam 3 times now. I seem to perform okay on the afternoon session (Thermal fluids), but I am having trouble with the morning session questions that are randomly picked that has nothing to do with fluids, thermo, HVAC, heat transfer, etc. What I am asking is there any study material out there that would prepare you for these types of questions?
Are you using the Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual The ‘MERM’? This has much of the broad subjects as well as your depth subjects.
(Link)
Also, check out this page and listen to this recording about preparing for the mechanical PE.
http://acethepe.com/podcast-11-mechanical-pe-exam/
Best,
Andy
hi , i want to ask if the book Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam, 12th Edition is for all depth exams ? what i mean that i intend to take the thermo and fluid exam as a depth exam so is the book good for all depth exams , in this case part of it i don’t have to study ? please advice , thank you
Hi Nabil,
Yes the Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual (MERM) covers all of the depth topics, including thermo and fluids. You will want to focus more on your depth area, obviously, and cover the other ‘breadth’ subjects less thoroughly. I think the bet approach is to look a the NCEES topical outline and use it as a syllabus to prepare for your exam; covering each topic in sufficient detail.
Thanks for this website, do you have an idea of what depth topic is usually found the easiest for those who are not working in any particular depth?
Hi,
I would suggest to look at which one you feel most comfortable with and then choose that depth area. Every person has different experiences and education, and will feel comfortable with a different depth module.