I am not working through the MERM and probably wont until I finish going through all of my other reference material. I inadvertently look at the example problems in the MERM while working out practice problems anyway. I've skimmed through most of the chapters but I read the thermo and HVAC chapters thoroughly as that is what really burned me on the exam. Everyone keeps telling me that secret to passing is to work as many problems as you can.
Not sure if this has been addressed or not but keep in mind that you may have limited real estate on your table. I had half of an 8 foot table to work on. Essentially a 4' x 3' space and the floor around me. You will have the test booklet, your answer booklet, your calculator, and your primary references out at a minimum. You can see that having too much stuff out might mean you are going to be piling things on top of each other. Try and be selective with what you have out and be neat about your backup references. I had them in a bag but I saw a bunch of egg creates and wheeled suit cases. I think the civils usually end up bringing the most stuff. Some people showed up with just the MERM and a calculator ??? go figure.
My Primary References:
MERM 12 edition
My custom binder of formulas, graphs, charts and sample problems
My Backup references are:
6MS MD, Thermo / Fluids
NCEES practice test
Lindeburg practice test
Fundamentals of machine component design by Juvinall (I've barely used this so far, didnt need it on the test)
Book of "Tables and Figures to accompany Thermodynamics" (I've barely used this so far, didnt need it on the test)
I may repurchase Shigley's machine disign (sold it back in college because im a dummy) if what I have doesnt pan out (didnt have it when i took it, didnt need it)