PE Mechanical Exam Prep

Prep courses are enrolling now! PPI PE Mechanical prep courses provide absolutely everything you need to pass your exam the first time. 

Choose your depth below to get started. 

HVAC & Refrigeration

Machine Design & Materials

Thermal & Fluid Systems

About the Exam

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What Our Customers Say

Russell
"I chose PPI over other online courses because the schedule allowed me time to review material I was weak on. This course comes highly recommended from myself and colleagues. Stick to the schedule and work all the homework problems. The instructor was helpful, engaging, and responded quickly to questions."
Tamara
"There is no better way to get to know the contents of MERM than the PPI Review Course. Highly recommended as a foundation for PE preparation."
PE Mechanical Customer
"This course is a must for everyone. It is much more difficult than the actual test, but it will leave no stone unturned. You WILL be prepared for the exam if you attend the lectures and do the homework."
Kevin
"The structure provided by the course is what I needed to force myself to sit down and study. The knowledge and test-taking tips from the instructor were very helpful. Course notes were a great reference on the exam. Quite often, class examples were very representative of actual exam problems."
Brad
"This was a good class overall. The best part was receiving a good study structure, being held accountable for doing it, and having a place to ask questions and review the concepts. I know this review course was the reason I passed. You also have to put in the effort, but it is worth it in the end."
Thomas
"This test is definitely not one to attempt without some help or guidance. PPI does a solid job of keeping attendees on a schedule and giving them an overall review of the required materials."
Ion
"This course is a good review prior to taking the PE exam. The instructor offered valuable advice that only experience could bring. Thank you for your guidance and thank you PPI. I highly recommend this course to everybody who wants to pursue a technical career."
PE Mechanical Customer
“The instructor was very knowledgeable in the exam topic areas and answered all questions. The course materials were very helpful in learning what will be on the exam. It was often more difficult than the actual exam questions, but they will prepare you for the test."
Justin
"This review course is very rigorous, but the amount of problems and difficulty of subjects cover what you need to be prepared for the exam. The course also allows you to interact with other PE exam takers to be able to ask them questions and learn from other students.”
PE Mechanical Customer
“The instructor provided basic theory and techniques that were very helpful in the homework, practice exams, and, of course, the actual exam. There was also good feedback and help from the other students. It's definitely hard work, but definitely worth it!"
Maureen
"I was very rusty in all of the areas I hadn't used in my day-to-day work. I have been out of school for 30 years, and the structured lectures and homework helped me get back in practice. I went into the exam nervous and left confident. I wouldn't have been able to do this without PPI."
David
"The course i s tailored to provide a structured roadmap to help you review all the required materials to master the PE exam. The instructor in particular was very helpful, and his tips were solid gold. I would definitely recommend the PPI course for future PE exam applicants."
Kelly
"This course is a great resource for studying for the PE exam. The course follows a rigorous but helpful schedule. The office hours are a great resource for anyone who needs questions answered outside of class. I felt very prepared going into the exam."
PE Mechanical Customer
“The interaction with the instructor and other students was very helpful and gave some great insights for preparation as well as content and problem solving methods. You will not regret taking this prep course because it will make you feel absolutely ready when you enter those doors on exam day."
Michael
"This course is a very valuable tool to prepare for the exam. Not only does it give a structured study plan to follow, but the instructor follows the topic breakdown, which ensures you keep up on your end as well. The class material, homework, and discussions were all great for preparation.”
Jesse
"This review course is well worth the time. The review materials are a good representation of what you could see on the PE exam. The live instructor feedback is valuable."
Brian
"This course was great for structuring how to study for the test within a given timeline. Having homework that went with each subject matter was time consuming, but so helpful in getting a good overview of the entire test."
Christian
"This course will definitely prepare you for the exam. The instructor's explanations are well thought out and detailed in regards to taking the PE. I recommend this course to anyone taking the PE."
Matthew
"I took the thermal and fluid systems exam and passed my first time. The course is helpful but the most important part of studying is doing practice problems.”
James
"This course covers the entire scope for the PE Machine Design and Materials Prep Course. Attend this course, work ALL of the problems, and it will help."
Russell
"I chose PPI over other online courses because the schedule allowed me time to review material I was weak on. This course comes highly recommended from myself and colleagues. Stick to the schedule and work all the homework problems. The instructor was helpful, engaging, and responded quickly to questions."
Tamara
"There is no better way to get to know the contents of MERM than the PPI Review Course. Highly recommended as a foundation for PE preparation."

 FAQs for the PE Mechanical exam

This depends on your exam. The topics on the HVAC & Refrigeration, Machine Design & Materials, and Thermal & Fluid Systems exams do differ. For more information on specifications for your exam, please visit NCEES here. 
You will have 9 hours to complete the exam, which contains 80 questions.
Unfortunately, no. In April 2020, the exam changed to a closed-book, computer-based test (CBT) that is available to take year-round. The exam topics have not changed; however, you will not be able to bring any books into the exam. Your only reference will be an electronic reference supplied by NCEES.
The PE Mechanical exam can be difficult. The exam tests your competency in all aspects of mechanical engineering and should not be taken lightly. You should plan on taking several weeks to prepare and study before sitting for the exam. The average pass rate for first-time test takers during the last exam was about 74%.
The PE Mechanical exam tests for a minimum level of competency in mechanical engineering. You need a minimum of four years of post-college work experience to be able to sit for the exam.