I wrote the Power PE, but I have a lot of friends and colleagues on the mechanical side of the fence. Also, my undergrad was actually originally in the mechanical/energy arena, so a large portion of my undergrad was on the topics covered in the mechanical PE outlines. I’ve compiled the resources list below through research into available PE Exam – Mechanical resources, and spending the time to establish which resources have been liked/disliked by successful test takers. Behold, a (current in 2021) list of mechanical PE resources, including anecdotes about whether they are any good. I spent the time researching, reading, and digging so you don’t have to!
I always advocate borrowing as much as possible from your friends or workplace (if that is cool) or buying used. This stuff gets expensive….
Realize also that there are a few resources that cover all 3 disciplines (the MERM, for example), for those, you only need to focus on your chosen discipline that you’ll be taking.
[ Note: for the PPi2Pass books, they have given me a tagged link – you get 15% off if you buy and eligible products from the PPi website using these tagged links. It only works on some products.]
PE Mechanical Resources: All Disciplines
Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam (the MERM) – The was the universally agreed upon must-have resource for pencil-and-paper exams. They have updated it (according to their website) to be compatible with the new CBT format. This resource is individually listed in the bundles for each exam at the PPi site, so check your relevant discipline. Also, here it is on Amazon as well if that is your preference.
Engineering Unit Conversions – Lindeburg, PE – This did seem to be universally agreed to be useful for pencil-and-paper exams but with the new CBT format, I don’t think this is as good of a resource. I left it here for completeness, but since you can’t bring it with you when you take the exam, it’s possibly not a great plan to use it while studying? This resource is individually listed in the bundles for each exam at the PPi site, so check your relevant discipline. Also, here it is on Amazon as well if that is your preference.
Engineering Pro Guides – Study Guides & Exams – Note that I have listed the specific products by discipline below, but wanted to link this up here for visibility. I found his material (for the Power PE) very useful and I think his approach and style is solid.
Practice Problems for the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam – Lindeburg, PE – Previous test-takers say the problems are harder/different than exam-style problems, but many used this resource to work through areas they were struggling with. Many also found it useful to work through for learning, but not necessarily as ‘exam-simulation’ style studying. This resource is individually listed in the bundles for each exam at the PPi site, so check your relevant discipline. Also, here it is on Amazon as well if that is your preference.
Quick Reference for the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam – Lindeburg, PE – Mixed reviews by previous test-takers. Depends if you are building your own cheat-sheets/notes. Likely not that useful with the new CBT format =(
PE Mechanical Resources: HVAC and Refrigeration
Study Prep Materials:
PE Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration Practice Exam – NCEES – You need this, no question. Find the right one for your discipline.
Mechanical PE HVAC & Refrigeration Textbook – Engineering Pro Guides – This is my own personal recommendation. I used his material for the Power PE and found it to be the best available study/prep material. Highly recommend! (the next three listed are also from the same guy).
Mechanical PE HVAC & Refrigeration Full Exam
Mechanical PE HVAC & Refrigeration Supplemental Reference Exam
Mechanical PE HVAC & Refrigeration Final Exam
Mechanical PE Online Prep Course – Engineering Pro Guides – This is relatively new, but I would assume it is a good course based on the quality of the study material by the same provider. If your study-type would benefit from an online course, you should take a serious look at this one.
PE Mechanical HVAC and Refrigeration Practice Exams – PPi – I haven’t seen a lot of reviews/thoughts on this one. In my experience, doing as many practice exams as possible was key, so if you relate to my method – get practice exams! However, I found that the practice exams by this provider in the Power discipline were not my favorite. The practice exams are listed inside their bundles. Also, here it is on Amazon as well if that is your preference.
Six-Minute Solutions for Mechanical PE Exam HVAC and Refrigeration Problems – by Elder PE – I have seen mixed reviews on these. I can’t seem to find a consensus on it. Some liked/recommend these, some say ‘don’t waste your time.’
Reference Material
Try to borrow these. If you can’t, then definitely look for a used or older edition copy for a lower price. I’ve linked the latest as a starting point, as used ones will come and go online.
ASHRAE Fundamentals
ASHRAE Handbook: HVAC Systems and Equipment
ASHRAE Handbook: Refrigeration
ASHRAE Handbook: HVAC Applications
PE Mechanical Resources: Thermal & Fluids Systems
Study Prep Materials:
PE Mechanical: Thermal & Fluids Systems Practice Exam – NCEES – You need this, no question. Find the right one for your discipline.
Engineering Pro Guides –
This is my own personal recommendation. I used his material for the Power PE and found it to be the best available study/prep material. Highly recommend! Get the following 3 items from his store:
Mechanical PE Thermal & Fluids Technical Study Guide
Mechanical PE Thermal & Fluids Full Exam
Mechanical PE Thermal & Fluids Supplemental Reference Exam
PE Thermal and Fluids Systems Reference Manual – Hanson, PE – I haven’t seen a lot of reviews/thoughts on this one, but wanted to include it since I referenced it above. I think it is likely out of date for the new CBT format.
PE Mechanical Thermal and Fluids Systems Practice Exam – Lindeburg, PE – I haven’t seen a lot of reviews/thoughts on this one. In my experience, doing as many practice exams as possible was key, so if you relate to my method – get practice exams! However, I found that the practice exams by this provider in the Power discipline were not my favorite. The practice exams are listed inside their bundles. Also, here it is on Amazon as well if that is your preference.
Six-Minute Solutions for Mechanical PE Exam: Thermal and Fluid Systems – Deckler – I have seen mixed reviews on these. I can’t seem to find a consensus on it. Some liked/recommend these, some say ‘don’t waste your time.’
Reference Material: Your College Textbooks
Consider digging out your college textbooks on the topics below. You will be most familiar with your own college textbooks, so best to use those or something similar. I have linked the ones from my undergrad as a reference point.
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Power Plant Design (may be part of a section of another book)
PE Mechanical Resources: Machine Design and Materials
Study Prep Materials:
PE Mechanical: Machine Design and Materials Practice Exam – NCEES – You need this, no question. Find the right one for your discipline.
Engineering Pro Guides –
This is my own personal recommendation. I used his material for the Power PE and found it to be the best available study/prep material. Highly recommend! Get the following 3 items from his store:
Machine Design & Materials PE Textbook
Mechanical PE Machine Design & Materials Full Exam
Mechanical PE Machine Design & Materials Supplemental Reference Exam
PE Mechanical Machine Design and Materials Practice Exam – Lindeburg, PE – I haven’t seen a lot of reviews/thoughts on this one. In my experience, doing as many practice exams as possible was key, so if you relate to my method – get practice exams! However, I found that the practice exams by this provider in the Power discipline were not my favorite. The practice exams are listed inside their bundles. Also, here it is on Amazon as well if that is your preference.
Machine Design and Materials Six-Minute Problems – by Cooke PE – I have seen mixed reviews on these. I can’t seem to find a consensus on it. Some liked/recommend these, some say ‘don’t waste your time.’
Reference Material: Your College Textbooks
Consider digging out your college textbooks on the topics below. You will be most familiar with your own college textbooks, so best to use those or something similar. I have linked the ones from my undergrad as a reference point.
Engineering Mechanics: Statics & Dynamics
Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction
Mechanics of Materials
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Long after creating this website, I created amazon affiliate links for all the products I used, because I just learned that you can do that! I’m hopeful that it can help me cover the (relatively small) costs of hosting, and renewing this domain every year (and keeping it ad-free). All in it costs me ~$85 per year.