FE Mechanical practice problems and timed practice exams

What the exam covers

FE Mechanical knowledge areas

NCEES divides the FE Mechanical exam into 14 knowledge areas and publishes a range for each: how many of the exam’s 110 questions can come from that area. PassFEPE sorts every FE Mechanical problem into the same areas, so you can work on one at a time or mix them all.

1. 1

   Mathematics

   Analytic geometry · Calculus (e.g., differential, integral, single-variable, multivariable) · Ordinary differential equations (e.g., homogeneous, nonhomogeneous, Laplace transforms) · Linear algebra (e.g., matrix operations, vector analysis) · Numerical methods (e.g., approximations, precision limits, error propagation, Taylor's series, Newton's method) · Algorithm and logic development (e.g., flowcharts, pseudocode)

   6–9 exam questions5–8% of the exam90+ practice problems

2. 2

   Probability and Statistics

   Probability distributions (e.g., normal, binomial, empirical, discrete, continuous) · Measures of central tendencies and dispersions (e.g., mean, mode, standard deviation, confidence intervals) · Expected value (weighted average) in decision making · Regression (linear, multiple), curve fitting, and goodness of fit (e.g., correlation coefficient, least squares)

   4–6 exam questions4–5% of the exam50+ practice problems

3. 3

   Ethics and Professional Practice

   Codes of ethics (e.g., NCEES Model Law, professional and technical societies, ethical and legal considerations) · Public health, safety, and welfare · Intellectual property (e.g., copyright, trade secrets, patents, trademarks) · Societal considerations (e.g., economic, sustainability, life-cycle analysis, environmental)

   4–6 exam questions4–5% of the exam50+ practice problems

4. 4

   Engineering Economics

   Time value of money (e.g., equivalence, present worth, equivalent annual worth, future worth, rate of return, annuities) · Cost types and breakdowns (e.g., fixed, variable, incremental, average, sunk) · Economic analyses (e.g., cost-benefit, break-even, minimum cost, overhead, life cycle)

   4–6 exam questions4–5% of the exam60+ practice problems

5. 5

   Electricity and Magnetism

   Electrical fundamentals (e.g., charge, current, voltage, resistance, power, energy, magnetic flux) · DC circuit analysis (e.g., Kirchhoff's laws, Ohm's law, series, parallel) · AC circuit analysis (e.g., resistors, capacitors, inductors) · Motors and generators

   5–8 exam questions5–7% of the exam40+ practice problems

6. 6

   Statics

   Resultants of force systems · Concurrent force systems · Equilibrium of rigid bodies · Frames and trusses · Centroids and moments of inertia · Static friction

   9–14 exam questions8–13% of the exam20+ practice problems

7. 7

   Dynamics, Kinematics, and Vibrations

   Kinematics of particles · Kinetic friction · Newton's second law for particles · Work-energy of particles · Impulse-momentum of particles · Kinematics of rigid bodies · Kinematics of mechanisms · Newton's second law for rigid bodies · Work-energy of rigid bodies · Impulse-momentum of rigid bodies · Free and forced vibrations

   10–15 exam questions9–14% of the exam20+ practice problems

8. 8

   Mechanics of Materials

   Shear and moment diagrams · Stress transformations and Mohr's circle · Stress and strain caused by axial loads · Stress and strain caused by bending loads · Stress and strain caused by torsional loads · Stress and strain caused by shear · Stress and strain caused by temperature changes · Combined loading · Deformations · Column buckling · Statically indeterminate systems

   9–14 exam questions8–13% of the exam30+ practice problems

9. 9

   Material Properties and Processing

   Properties (e.g., chemical, electrical, mechanical, physical, thermal) · Stress-strain diagrams · Ferrous metals · Nonferrous metals · Engineered materials (e.g., composites, polymers) · Manufacturing processes · Phase diagrams, phase transformation, and heat treating · Materials selection · Corrosion mechanisms and control · Failure mechanisms (e.g., thermal failure, fatigue, fracture, creep)

   7–11 exam questions6–10% of the exam30+ practice problems

10. 10

    Fluid Mechanics

    Fluid properties · Fluid statics · Energy, impulse, and momentum · Internal flow · External flow · Compressible flow (e.g., Mach number, isentropic flow relationships, normal shock) · Power and efficiency · Performance curves · Scaling laws for fans, pumps, and compressors

    10–15 exam questions9–14% of the exam30+ practice problems

11. 11

    Thermodynamics

    Properties of ideal gases and pure substances · Energy transfers · Laws of thermodynamics · Processes · Performance of components · Power cycles · Refrigeration and heat pump cycles · Nonreacting mixtures of gases · Psychrometrics · Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) processes · Combustion and combustion products

    10–15 exam questions9–14% of the exam30+ practice problems

12. 12

    Heat Transfer

    Conduction · Convection · Radiation · Transient processes · Heat exchangers

    7–11 exam questions6–10% of the exam20+ practice problems

13. 13

    Measurements, Instrumentation, and Controls

    Sensors and transducers · Control systems (e.g., feedback, block diagrams) · Dynamic system response · Measurement uncertainty (e.g., error propagation, accuracy, precision, significant figures)

    5–8 exam questions5–7% of the exam30+ practice problems

14. 14

    Mechanical Design and Analysis

    Stress analysis of machine elements · Failure theories and analysis · Deformation and stiffness · Springs · Pressure vessels and piping · Bearings · Power screws · Power transmission · Joining methods (e.g., welding, adhesives, mechanical fasteners) · Manufacturability (e.g., limits, fits) · Quality and reliability · Components (e.g., hydraulic, pneumatic, electromechanical) · Engineering drawing interpretations and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)

    10–15 exam questions9–14% of the exam20+ practice problems

How PassFEPE helps

Practice that fits around work and classes.

• Practice problems

  610+ FE Mechanical problems, sorted by knowledge area. Choose the areas and how many to do in a set.

• Timed practice exams

  5 full-length FE Mechanical practice exams on the exam clock, with the scheduled break and a review screen before you submit.

• Step-by-step solutions

  Every problem has a worked solution, so you see how the answer is reached and where a wrong one goes astray.

• Tailored study plan

  Your results decide what comes next. PassFEPE ranks the FE Mechanical knowledge areas that need the most work and sizes a set for each.

• Your handbook, searchable

  Add your own NCEES FE Reference Handbook PDF. Search it, jump between sections and keep it open beside every question. It stays on your device.

• Progress by topic

  Accuracy in each of the 14 knowledge areas, and your pace against the exam clock, so every session goes where it counts.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

How many questions are on the FE Mechanical exam?

110 questions in 5 hours 20 minutes of exam time, in two sections with an optional 25-minute scheduled break after about half the questions (PassFEPE’s simulator breaks after question 55). NCEES publishes the question count, the times and the break; PassFEPE’s simulator follows them.

Which knowledge area carries the most questions on the FE Mechanical exam?

Dynamics, Kinematics, and Vibrations, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Mechanical Design and Analysis, at 10–15 of the 110 questions each in the NCEES specification. PassFEPE has 130+ practice problems across them.

Are these real FE Mechanical exam questions?

No. They are practice problems written for PassFEPE in the style of the computer-based exam, sorted by the NCEES knowledge areas for FE Mechanical.

Do I need the NCEES FE Reference Handbook?

It is the reference NCEES supplies on screen during the exam, so it is worth practicing with. PassFEPE doesn’t include it, because it is copyrighted: add your own legally obtained PDF and it opens beside your questions, searchable. The file stays on your device.

Is PassFEPE affiliated with NCEES?

No. PassFEPE is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NCEES.