Customer Reviews

Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam (11th Edition)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I used this book along with the class and the key is to get familiar with the book. Passed the PE on the first try. I still use the book as my primary reference it's that good! Unfortunately, the book doesn't talk to you, or transfer material by osmosis so you still need to take the time and read it. The book doesn't cover fundamentals(if you need this, get the FE book). It gives you cookbook formulas and information needed to solve about 90% of the problems. It may be wise to take a PE refresher course to help walk you through the material. As for the errors, the publisher posts the errata/corrections on the web and keeps it updated. There is also a solutions manual for the book, I highly recommend this if you are preparing for the PE.

Seriously, this is the only book I used to study for the exam. I began studying about 2-3 months before the exam, couple hours a night. I also skipped some chapters that wouldn't have a high potential score on the test (see the PE exam content descriptions).

I then took the last week off work before the exam, and went through all the chapters again. I passed first time.

This is also the only book I used during the exam, though I did bring my favorite design and thermo book, but never opened them. Was pretty funny to see people with suitcases and hand carts stacked with 3 milkcases full of books, honest!

I bought this book, the answer guide, and the sample exam book from the National Council of Examiners to get an idea of what the test looks like ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932613137/ ).

That was all I bought. Just set up a schedule, apply yourself, and you'll pass. Honest, I graduated from college over 18 years ago, so if I could pass first time using this guide, you can.

Don't get me wrong, I don't regret buying this book, but the overwhelming number of errors in this book is staggering and inexcusable, especially since all of the formulas and most of the problems should just be cut-n-paste from various respected sources. It's frustrating not knowing if your getting a practice problem wrong because you're doing it wrong or because the book has the wrong formulas, problem wording, problem answers, etc.

Even the online errata list only covers a portion of the errors.

This is by far the best reference book for the PE Exam. There are may questions that you are not expected to know. You are supposed to be able to find the information and apply that knowledge. This book contained all of the information that was required (other books did not have the same information).

An excellent study guide!

I used this book, the companion solution manual, a copy of Shigley's Mechanical Design book, and some notes to study and take the PE test, and I passed on my first try. This book doesn't have everything you need for the test, but it covers more than 90% of what's needed. If you know this book inside and out, the other 10% that's not covered in here won't matter. Some books contain more information, but, as a combination of study guide/test reference, you can't beat this book.

This book was the only one I really needed for study purposes. I checked out the quick reference at the library, but had it not been available I would have bought it too. You really need the quick reference to get everything out of this book.

There are a lot of tips in the book, not just for studying but for preparation and planning for the big day. This is a high quality study aid and test reference. I brought a few smaller books with me to the test and I used this 99% of the time and the other 1% could have been done with this book, I just happened to have a couple smaller references with me.

I used this book along with the sample problem book for my preparation. Short of 2 other reference books that I barely used, this one is the key to taking the test and passing with room to spare. Leave your old university books on the shelf, this replaces them all.

This book has everything you need to know for the exam, all placed in easy to find categories. Some of the example problems are more complicated than would be seen on the exam, and are difficult to work if you don't have experience in multiple areas. I suggest using this book for the reference and get the NCEES sample problems book from NCEES for some sample problems.
Good Luck on the exam!

Even if you dont plan to take the PE, you should have this in your library. It is a great reference and an excelent book to use to refresh your memory on engineering principles as issues come up.

This is one of two books I used to study for the PE exam. During the test I used this book for 99% of everything I needed to look up. If you spend some quality time doing the problems in this book and reading the material the PE test is a pass. I actually now use the book (mostly for the tables) in my every day job.