Customer Reviews

Mechanical PE Sample Examination

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

 

 

This is worth buying, and taking about 1 month before the test. This test was much harder than the actual test- I could only get about half of the problems complete, and I had time to spare for the real exam. But it gives you good practice in frantically looking up the required information. I would like it to be easier like the real test, because I was panicing for about a week after taking this practice exam.

Like others have said, this sample examination is not representative of the actual exam. It is far too difficult. I took this sample exam two weeks prior to the real test when I was finished reviewing every topic. I think my score was something like 42 of 80 correct and I was very short on time during the morning section. I don't have the results yet for the real exam, but I would be surprised if I didn't get 60+ questions correct (I knew how to solve all but a few) and I had plenty of time to go back and check answers.

The main review book by the same author is a good book (I would highly recommend that), but don't get this sample exam. The only thing it was good for was completely scaring me two weeks prior to the real exam.

Studying for the PE for most people is about using time wisely. I found this practice exam to be challenging, very time consuming, and while I learned a good deal, much of it was on theories, solutions, and subjects that won't show up on the exams. I found the NCEES practice exams to be of much better help since they were much more in line with the actual exam subject material. While it took me an average of about 5 mins to finish the NCEES practice problems, I found myself spending at the very min 5 mins on each problem up to close to 25 mins on this practice test. If you have spare time to kill before your exam like I did, then it can never hurt to look at this. Just don't fret when you are going through it, just keep in mind it is much more difficult than the actual examination.

I purchased this exam book along with Lindeburg's practice problems Practice Problems for the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam: A Companion to the Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual, 12th Editionand reference manualMechanical Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam (11th Edition). The exam is very similar to the actual NCEES exam in format and content. It is actually more difficult than the NCEES exam but don't let that fact cause you to become complacent. The PE exam is tough and alot of people fail it.

With that said, the way I used this practice exam was to treat it like it was exam day. About 2 weeks before the exam I went to the library with my calculator, stop watch, and reference materials. I opened the book and exactly four hours later closed it. I spent the next four hours examining my results and where I made mistakes. The next day I did the same thing with the afternoon portion of the test. I did not crack a peak at the exam beforehand so I had no idea what the problems were going to be. Of course I had spent the previous two months reviewing the reference book and doing the practice problems.

This gave me the necessary skills to use my time wisely during the actual exam. You only have four hours for 40 problems, that's 6 minutes per problem. If you've wasted 4 minutes on a particular question and are not near the solution, it's best to move on and if you have time, come back to it. It's not only what you know but you have to have the ability to look things up quickly and use your time wisely.

I also used the same study method with the example exam available from NCEES (which is an absolute necessity). I passed the April 09 exam so my method was effective for me. BTW, there is a sample exam available from Kaplan authored by Hamelink. Don't waste your money on this, it is terrible.

If you're looking for a realistic practice test, buy the "Sample Questions & Solutions" published by NCEES PE Mechanical Sample Questions and Solutions Book; it is very similar to the real exam. Just like the rest of Lindeburg's review material, this is definitely a higher level of difficulty than the real test. Certainly does not live up to the cover page billing of, "The most realistic practice you can get for the mechanical PE exam."

I was looking for a good practice test for the PE and I previously used Lindeburg's book for the FE test and was happy with it... but this one let me down. The problems are a little rediculous for something that is supposed to be solved in 6 minutes. I'd recommend the book by NCEES, it seems much more realistic.

It is very much in line with the actual test. People may judge the same test differently. Tests taken at different time also vary greatly. By the time I feel the sample test is not so hard, I passed the PE exam easily.
Bottom line, it's very helpful. It's a must for PE exam. I'd suggest you buy a used one in good condition (runs anywhere between $40 - $55). New one will cost you [...] plus shipping. You may sell it to others after you have passed your test. If lucky, you may get all your money back.

I passed the actual PE Exam on my first attempt and I still can't pass the practice exam in this book! The questions in this book are far more difficult than those on the actual PE Exam. If you can get through this practice exam, you should be all set. I would suggest the Six-Minute Solutions for Mechanical PE Exam (HVAC and Refrigeration Problems), as it more accurately portrayed the actual level of difficulty of exam problems.

In terms of exam preparation, nothing beats practicing. A key component to this was taking a practice exam. I have read several reviews that said that the practice exam is too dificult in comparison to the actual exam, but really that is a false assessment. THough the problems are in fact more time consuming and dificult, it is representative, and if you can take and pass the practice exam, you will breeze through the real thing. I highly recommend this product to anyone preparing for the PE.

I found this sample exam to be of little use because the problems were much more difficult than the actual test. I suppose it is good to be overprepared, but after doing this practice exam I was concerned I might not finish the exam on time, only to finish each session over an hour early. It also covered strange topics, often required "reasonable assumptions" and did not give much relevant data, none of which were the case on the actual exam. I do not recommend it.