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FE Mechanical Practice Exam

NCEES FE Mechanical · mechanical engineering FE exam prep

FE Mechanical Exam Prep

FE Mechanical tests the whole mechanical engineering curriculum in one sitting: mechanics, thermal-fluid sciences, design, materials, and a slice of electrical and controls. This FE Mechanical exam prep guide covers what NCEES actually tests, how the pass rates have moved over seven years, where mechanical candidates lose points, and free timed practice exams built on the same blueprint.

Start an FE Mechanical practice exam See the 14 knowledge areas
First-time pass rate
69%NCEES FY2025, highest of the seven
First-time takers
11,552second only to civil
ABET first-time
72%10,076 takers
Knowledge areas
14110 questions, 5 hr 20 min

FE Mechanical exam topics and question weights

Each knowledge area has an NCEES question range; every exam form chooses counts within the ranges that total 110. The dark bar is the guaranteed minimum and the gold is the possible extra.

  1. Dynamics, Kinematics, and Vibrations 10–15
  2. Fluid Mechanics 10–15
  3. Thermodynamics 10–15
  4. Mechanical Design and Analysis 10–15
  5. Statics 9–14
  6. Mechanics of Materials 9–14
  7. Material Properties and Processing 7–11
  8. Heat Transfer 7–11
  9. Mathematics 6–9
  10. Electricity and Magnetism 5–8
  11. Measurements, Instrumentation, and Controls 5–8
  12. Probability and Statistics 4–6
  13. Ethics and Professional Practice 4–6
  14. Engineering Economics 4–6

Bold rows: thermal-fluid sciences and mechanical design. Source: NCEES FE Mechanical CBT exam specifications.

Four blocks, nearly equal

BlockQuestionsShare
Foundations
mathematics, statistics, ethics, economics		18–27~18%
Mechanics
statics, dynamics and vibrations, mechanics of materials		28–43~28%
Thermal-fluid sciences
fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer		27–41~27%
Design, materials, and systems
mechanical design, materials and processing, electricity, instrumentation and controls		27–42~27%

Unlike FE Civil, where specialty practice outweighs everything else, the mechanical exam splits almost evenly four ways. The fourth block is the one people underrate: design, materials, electrical, and controls together carry as many questions as thermo, fluids, and heat transfer combined.

Every subtopic NCEES lists for FE Mechanical

Open a knowledge area to see NCEES's lettered subtopics.

#Knowledge area and NCEES subtopicsQuestions
1
Mathematics
  • A. Analytic geometry
  • B. Calculus (e.g., differential, integral, single-variable, multivariable)
  • C. Ordinary differential equations (e.g., homogeneous, nonhomogeneous, Laplace transforms)
  • D. Linear algebra (e.g., matrix operations, vector analysis)
  • E. Numerical methods (e.g., approximations, precision limits, error propagation, Taylor's series, Newton's method)
  • F. Algorithm and logic development (e.g., flowcharts, pseudocode)
6–9
2
Probability and Statistics
  • A. Probability distributions (e.g., normal, binomial, empirical, discrete, continuous)
  • B. Measures of central tendencies and dispersions (e.g., mean, mode, standard deviation, confidence intervals)
  • C. Expected value (weighted average) in decision making
  • D. Regression (linear, multiple), curve fitting, and goodness of fit (e.g., correlation coefficient, least squares)
4–6
3
Ethics and Professional Practice
  • A. Codes of ethics (e.g., NCEES Model Law, professional and technical societies, ethical and legal considerations)
  • B. Public health, safety, and welfare
  • C. Intellectual property (e.g., copyright, trade secrets, patents, trademarks)
  • D. Societal considerations (e.g., economic, sustainability, life-cycle analysis, environmental)
4–6
4
Engineering Economics
  • A. Time value of money (e.g., equivalence, present worth, equivalent annual worth, future worth, rate of return, annuities)
  • B. Cost types and breakdowns (e.g., fixed, variable, incremental, average, sunk)
  • C. Economic analyses (e.g., cost-benefit, break-even, minimum cost, overhead, life cycle)
4–6
5
Electricity and Magnetism
  • A. Electrical fundamentals (e.g., charge, current, voltage, resistance, power, energy, magnetic flux)
  • B. DC circuit analysis (e.g., Kirchhoff's laws, Ohm's law, series, parallel)
  • C. AC circuit analysis (e.g., resistors, capacitors, inductors)
  • D. Motors and generators
5–8
6
Statics
  • A. Resultants of force systems
  • B. Concurrent force systems
  • C. Equilibrium of rigid bodies
  • D. Frames and trusses
  • E. Centroids and moments of inertia
  • F. Static friction
9–14
7
Dynamics, Kinematics, and Vibrations
  • A. Kinematics of particles
  • B. Kinetic friction
  • C. Newton's second law for particles
  • D. Work-energy of particles
  • E. Impulse-momentum of particles
  • F. Kinematics of rigid bodies
  • G. Kinematics of mechanisms
  • H. Newton's second law for rigid bodies
  • I. Work-energy of rigid bodies
  • J. Impulse-momentum of rigid bodies
  • K. Free and forced vibrations
10–15
8
Mechanics of Materials
  • A. Shear and moment diagrams
  • B. Stress transformations and Mohr's circle
  • C. Stress and strain caused by axial loads
  • D. Stress and strain caused by bending loads
  • E. Stress and strain caused by torsional loads
  • F. Stress and strain caused by shear
  • G. Stress and strain caused by temperature changes
  • H. Combined loading
  • I. Deformations
  • J. Column buckling
  • K. Statically indeterminate systems
9–14
9
Material Properties and Processing
  • A. Properties (e.g., chemical, electrical, mechanical, physical, thermal)
  • B. Stress-strain diagrams
  • C. Ferrous metals
  • D. Nonferrous metals
  • E. Engineered materials (e.g., composites, polymers)
  • F. Manufacturing processes
  • G. Phase diagrams, phase transformation, and heat treating
  • H. Materials selection
  • I. Corrosion mechanisms and control
  • J. Failure mechanisms (e.g., thermal failure, fatigue, fracture, creep)
7–11
10
Fluid Mechanics
  • A. Fluid properties
  • B. Fluid statics
  • C. Energy, impulse, and momentum
  • D. Internal flow
  • E. External flow
  • F. Compressible flow (e.g., Mach number, isentropic flow relationships, normal shock)
  • G. Power and efficiency
  • H. Performance curves
  • I. Scaling laws for fans, pumps, and compressors
10–15
11
Thermodynamics
  • A. Properties of ideal gases and pure substances
  • B. Energy transfers
  • C. Laws of thermodynamics
  • D. Processes
  • E. Performance of components
  • F. Power cycles
  • G. Refrigeration and heat pump cycles
  • H. Nonreacting mixtures of gases
  • I. Psychrometrics
  • J. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) processes
  • K. Combustion and combustion products
10–15
12
Heat Transfer
  • A. Conduction
  • B. Convection
  • C. Radiation
  • D. Transient processes
  • E. Heat exchangers
7–11
13
Measurements, Instrumentation, and Controls
  • A. Sensors and transducers
  • B. Control systems (e.g., feedback, block diagrams)
  • C. Dynamic system response
  • D. Measurement uncertainty (e.g., error propagation, accuracy, precision, significant figures)
5–8
14
Mechanical Design and Analysis
  • A. Stress analysis of machine elements
  • B. Failure theories and analysis
  • C. Deformation and stiffness
  • D. Springs
  • E. Pressure vessels and piping
  • F. Bearings
  • G. Power screws
  • H. Power transmission
  • I. Joining methods (e.g., welding, adhesives, mechanical fasteners)
  • J. Manufacturability (e.g., limits, fits)
  • K. Quality and reliability
  • L. Components (e.g., hydraulic, pneumatic, electromechanical)
  • M. Engineering drawing interpretations and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
10–15

What the heaviest FE Mechanical sections really test

Our reading of how the heavy mechanical subtopics become exam questions, from the specification and from building these question types. Each one is drillable in the practice center below.

Dynamics, kinematics & vibrations (10–15)

Eleven subtopics, from particle kinematics to forced vibration. Expect projectile and relative-motion problems, work–energy with springs and friction, impulse–momentum and collisions, rolling bodies, and single-degree-of-freedom natural frequency. Vibrations is the subtopic most often skipped in school.

Thermodynamics (10–15)

Property lookups, first-law energy balances on turbines, compressors, nozzles, and tanks, and cycle performance (Rankine, Brayton, refrigeration). HVAC and psychrometrics, mixtures, and combustion round it out. Fluency with the handbook's property tables and charts decides a large share of it.

Fluid mechanics (10–15)

Hydrostatics and manometers, Bernoulli and the energy equation with losses, Moody-chart friction factors, momentum on jets and bends, pump power and affinity laws, and some compressible flow (Mach number, isentropic relations, normal shock).

Mechanical design & analysis (10–15)

Thirteen subtopics, the most on the exam: failure theories, springs, bolts and welds, pressure vessels, bearings, power screws, gears and belts, fits, and GD&T. Questions are usually short once you find the right handbook page, so practice finding them.

Mechanics of materials (9–14)

Axial, torsional, and bending stress; Mohr's circle; combined loading; deflection; buckling; and simple indeterminate members. It overlaps heavily with design, so time here pays twice.

Statics (9–14)

Resultants, equilibrium, trusses and frames, centroids and moments of inertia, and friction. Short and reliable points, and the setup habits it builds carry through dynamics and design.

FE Mechanical vs FE Civil: how the two blueprints differ

The two biggest FE exams share their fundamentals and mechanics, then go opposite ways. If you're weighing which to take, or moving from civil prep material to mechanical, this is the difference in question counts, topic by topic. For the civil side in depth, see FE Civil exam prep.

TopicFE MechanicalFE Civil
Mathematics (with statistics)10–158–12
Ethics and professional practice4–64–6
Engineering economics4–65–8
Statics9–148–12
Dynamics (and vibrations)10–154–6
Mechanics of materials9–147–11
Materials7–115–8
Fluid mechanics10–156–9
Thermodynamics10–15—
Heat transfer7–11—
Electricity and magnetism5–8—
Measurements, instrumentation, controls5–8—
Mechanical design and analysis10–15—
Civil practice (surveying, water resources, structural, geotechnical, transportation, construction)—53–80
First-time pass rate, FY202569%61%
Share of attempts that were repeats, FY202516%37%

Question ranges: NCEES FE Mechanical and FE Civil CBT specifications. FE Mechanical lists mathematics and statistics as separate areas; they're combined here to match civil. Pass rates: NCEES Squared 2025.

FE Mechanical pass rate history, FY2019–FY2025

FE Mechanical pass rates by NCEES fiscal year
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% FY19FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25 69% First time 72% ABET, first 50% Other, first 37% Repeat

NCEES fiscal years (Oct 1 – Sep 30). "Other" = takers without an EAC/ABET bachelor's degree, not reported in Squared 2025. Sources: NCEES Squared 2019–2025; full tables in FE sources and data.

Show the numbers
FY19FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25
First time75%75%71%68%66%68%69%
ABET, first77%77%73%70%68%71%72%
Other, first61%64%57%56%56%50%—
Repeat40%42%35%36%37%35%37%

Mechanical's first-time rate started the period at 75% and fell to a low of 66% in FY2023 before recovering to 69%. It has stayed above civil's every year, and in FY2025 it was the highest of all seven FE exams.

The number that stands out is the degree gap. In FY2024, first-time mechanical takers with an ABET degree passed at 71%, and those without one at 50%: a 21-point gap, against 12 points for civil. If your degree isn't ABET-accredited mechanical, plan extra time for the design and thermal sections that an accredited curriculum drills.

Fiscal yearFirst-time takersRepeat takersRepeat pass rate
FY201911,0181,25940%
FY20208,1141,00242%
FY202110,1981,41035%
FY20228,9821,40836%
FY20239,3461,49037%
FY202410,4871,85035%
FY202511,5522,12037%

FE Mechanical practice exams and section drills

Two full-length FE Mechanical practice exams, a half-length exam, and a Quick 20 diagnostic, all on the real clock with the halfway submit and the break. Drill any of the 14 knowledge areas with instant feedback. Want to compare disciplines? The FE exam practice test page covers all seven.

Practice exams: FE Mechanical

MEC-F1Full length

FE Mechanical Full-Length Practice Exam 1

  • 110 questions
  • 5 hr 20 min
  • 14 NCEES sections

The whole NCEES blueprint at real scale and real pace: review and submit the first half, take the optional break, then finish.

PDF + answer key
MEC-F2Full length

FE Mechanical Full-Length Practice Exam 2

  • 110 questions
  • 5 hr 20 min
  • 14 NCEES sections

The whole NCEES blueprint at real scale and real pace: review and submit the first half, take the optional break, then finish.

PDF + answer key
MEC-H1Half length

FE Mechanical Half-Length Practice Exam

  • 55 questions
  • 2 hr 40 min
  • 14 NCEES sections

Every section at half scale in 2 hours 40 minutes. A good fit for a weeknight.

PDF + answer key
MEC-Q1Diagnostic

FE Mechanical Quick 20 Diagnostic

  • 20 questions
  • 58 min
  • 14 NCEES sections

Twenty questions spread across the blueprint in about an hour. Shows where to start studying.

PDF + answer key
Want a paper nobody has seen?

Section drills: one NCEES knowledge area, instant feedback

Where FE Mechanical candidates lose points

Each of these slips produces a number that sits among the options. Know them and you can spot the trap before you fall into it.

Absolute pressure and temperature

Pv=RT,T [K]=T [∘C]+273.15Pv = RT,\quad T\,[\mathrm{K}] = T\,[^\circ\mathrm{C}] + 273.15

Gas laws and cycle efficiencies need absolute values. A gauge pressure or a Celsius temperature in an ideal-gas or Carnot calculation is one of the most common wrong options on the thermodynamics section.

Refrigerator or heat pump COP

COPR=TLTH−TL,COPHP=THTH−TL\mathrm{COP}_{R} = \dfrac{T_L}{T_H - T_L},\quad \mathrm{COP}_{HP} = \dfrac{T_H}{T_H - T_L}

The two differ by exactly 1. Read what the device is for: keeping a space cold (refrigerator) or delivering heat (heat pump). A COP above 1 is normal, not a violation.

Natural frequency: rad/s or Hz

ωn=k/m,fn=ωn2π\omega_n = \sqrt{k/m},\quad f_n = \dfrac{\omega_n}{2\pi}

Check which one the question wants. Springs in parallel add; springs in series combine as 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂. Mixing those up gives two distinct wrong options.

Mohr's circle radius

R=(σx−σy2)2+τxy2R = \sqrt{\left(\tfrac{\sigma_x-\sigma_y}{2}\right)^2 + \tau_{xy}^2}

The circle is centered at the average normal stress; σ₁,₂ = center ± R, and the in-plane τmax = R. When both principal stresses share a sign, the absolute maximum shear is larger than R.

Column buckling: axis and K

Pcr=π2EI(KL)2P_{cr} = \dfrac{\pi^2 EI}{(KL)^2}

Use the smaller moment of inertia unless the column is braced about that axis, and pick K from the end conditions: fixed–free is 2.0, pinned–pinned 1.0, fixed–fixed 0.5 (theoretical).

Pump and fan affinity laws

Q2Q1=N2N1, H2H1=(N2N1)2, P2P1=(N2N1)3\dfrac{Q_2}{Q_1} = \dfrac{N_2}{N_1},\ \dfrac{H_2}{H_1} = \left(\dfrac{N_2}{N_1}\right)^{2},\ \dfrac{P_2}{P_1} = \left(\dfrac{N_2}{N_1}\right)^{3}

Flow scales with speed, head with speed squared, and power with speed cubed (same impeller diameter). Scaling power linearly is the standard distractor.

LMTD end temperatures

ΔTlm=ΔT1−ΔT2ln⁡(ΔT1/ΔT2)\Delta T_{lm} = \dfrac{\Delta T_1 - \Delta T_2}{\ln(\Delta T_1/\Delta T_2)}

In counterflow, ΔT₁ = T_h,in − T_c,out and ΔT₂ = T_h,out − T_c,in. Pairing the ends as in parallel flow, or using the arithmetic mean, produces the wrong options.

When lumped capacitance applies

Bi=hLck<0.1,Lc=VAsBi = \dfrac{h L_c}{k} < 0.1,\quad L_c = \dfrac{V}{A_s}

The characteristic length is volume over surface area (D/6 for a sphere), not the diameter. If Bi is above 0.1 the lumped model doesn't apply, and analyze-level questions check that you noticed.

Try an FE Mechanical question: is the claim possible?

Evaluate-level questions don't just ask you to compute. They ask you to judge whether a claim holds up. This refrigeration question needs one formula and two decisions: which COP applies, and what to compare it with.

Before you open the answer, convert both temperatures to kelvin and decide whether this device is a refrigerator or a heat pump. Three of the four options come from getting one of those wrong, or from believing a COP above 1 is impossible.

Want more like it? Thermodynamics is one of the 14 drillable areas in the FE Mechanical practice center, and the FE exam study materials page covers the handbook's thermodynamics tables.

Sample: Thermodynamics Bloom's level: Evaluate
A refrigeration unit is claimed to hold a cold space at -15°C while rejecting heat to 36°C surroundings with a coefficient of performance of 1.52. The claim is:
  1. A Impossible: a COP above 1 violates energy conservation
  2. B Impossible: the maximum COP is 5.06
  3. C Possible: the maximum COP is 5.06
  4. D Possible: the maximum COP is 6.06
Answer and worked solution

Answer: C.

  1. COPR,max=TLTH−TL=258309−258=5.06COP_{R,max} = \dfrac{T_L}{T_H - T_L} = \dfrac{258}{309 - 258} = 5.06
  2. The claimed COP of 1.52 is below the reversible limit, so the claim is possible.

Why the other choices are tempting:

  • A: COP compares heat moved with work input; values above 1 are normal.
  • B: Right limit, wrong comparison.
  • D: Used the heat-pump COP, T_H/(T_H − T_L); a refrigerator's is T_L/(T_H − T_L).

📘 FE Reference Handbook › Thermodynamics (refrigeration cycles: Carnot COP)

An FE Mechanical study order by dependency and weight

  1. Statics and mechanics of materials (18–28)

    Free bodies, section properties, stress, and deflection. Design builds directly on these, so they come first.

  2. Mechanical design and analysis (10–15)

    Failure theories, springs, fasteners, vessels, and power transmission, while mechanics of materials is fresh.

  3. Dynamics, kinematics, and vibrations (10–15)

    Particles, then rigid bodies, then vibrations. Leave extra time here if your program treated vibrations as an elective.

  4. Thermodynamics, then fluids, then heat transfer (27–41)

    Properties and the first law first; cycles and HVAC after. Fluids next, then conduction, convection, radiation, and exchangers.

  5. Materials, electrical, and controls (17–27)

    Phase diagrams, heat treatment, and failure modes; DC/AC circuits and motors; sensors, block diagrams, and first-order response.

  6. Math, statistics, ethics, economics throughout (18–27)

    A little every day, plus two timed full-length exams in the final third of your plan. The FE exam prep course links a drill to each of these modules, and the FE exam prep hub covers registration.

For instructors and study-group leads

  • Few repeaters: only 16% of mechanical attempts in FY2025 were repeats, against 37% for civil. Mechanical review is mostly a first-attempt audience.
  • The degree gap is the biggest risk: a 21-point first-time gap between ABET and other takers in FY2024.
  • Hours by weight: each block is roughly a quarter of the blueprint, so a 60-hour course gives each about 15 hours, not two-thirds of the time to thermo and fluids.
  • Mechanical design has 13 subtopics, the most on any FE Mechanical area. Cover breadth, not depth.

NCEES Squared 2024 and 2025; NCEES FE Mechanical CBT specifications.

FE Mechanical exam prep FAQ

What is on the FE Mechanical exam?
110 questions across 14 NCEES knowledge areas. Dynamics/kinematics/vibrations, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and mechanical design and analysis carry 10–15 questions each; statics and mechanics of materials 9–14; material properties and heat transfer 7–11. Mathematics, statistics, ethics, economics, electricity and magnetism, and instrumentation and controls make up the rest.
What is the FE Mechanical pass rate?
69% for first-time takers in NCEES fiscal year 2025 (11,552 people), the highest of the seven FE exams that year. First-time takers with an EAC/ABET degree passed at 72%, and repeat takers at 37%. Since FY2019 the first-time rate has ranged from 66% to 75%.
Is the FE Mechanical exam easier than FE Civil?
It has had the higher first-time pass rate every year since FY2019 (69% vs 61% in FY2025). That doesn't prove the exam is easier, though: the two groups of takers differ too (in FY2024, 88% of first-time mechanical takers had an ABET degree, against 76% for civil). Take the exam that matches your degree.
What are the most important topics for the FE Mechanical exam?
By weight: dynamics and vibrations, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and mechanical design (10–15 each), then statics and mechanics of materials (9–14 each). Those six areas carry 58–88 of the 110 questions. Make sure none of them is a weak spot before you polish lighter areas.
How long should I study for the FE Mechanical exam?
Most recent mechanical graduates do well with 8–12 weeks of steady study. Budget extra time for whatever your program covered lightly; for many, that's vibrations, controls, or manufacturing processes. The FE exam study guide has a 12-week plan you can weight toward the mechanical blueprint.
Are steam tables provided on the FE Mechanical exam?
Yes, as part of the FE Reference Handbook, which is the only reference on screen during the exam. It includes the property tables and charts the thermodynamics questions rely on. Practice reading them from the PDF, not a textbook's version, because the layouts differ. Download the handbook free from MyNCEES.
Can a mechanical engineer take the FE Other Disciplines exam instead?
NCEES lets you choose your discipline at registration, but your licensing board may care which one you pass, so check its rules first. For most mechanical graduates FE Mechanical is the better fit: FE Other Disciplines drops mechanical design and analysis entirely, folds heat transfer into a combined thermodynamics area, and adds chemistry and safety, health, and environment.
How many questions are on the FE Mechanical exam?
110, in 5 hours 20 minutes of exam time: about 2.9 minutes each. You review and submit roughly the first half before the optional 25-minute break, and can't go back to it after that.

More FE prep for mechanical engineers

FE exam study guideThe 12-week plan, weighted by NCEES question counts FE exam study materialsHandbook, approved calculators, and the official practice exam FE exam prep courseA free self-paced course, and how to judge paid reviews FE exam practice testPractice exams for all seven disciplines FE Civil exam prepThe civil blueprint, for comparison FE exam prep hubRegistration, exam-day rules, and pass rates

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