New Mechanical PE specifications for the April 2017 exams

pmc · Nov 1, 2016

FYI. The exam specs for all three ME depths are changing in 2017. It appears as though the common ME breadth topics have been removed and its essentially one depth exam for each area of expertise.

http://ncees.org/engineering/pe/

Audi Driver P.E. · Nov 1, 2016

To the detriment of the test, if you ask me. All mechanical engineers should have some basic knowledge of the various depth areas and that is what the breadth sections covered.

JHW 3d · Nov 1, 2016

Audi driver said:
To the detriment of the test, if you ask me. All mechanical engineers should have some basic knowledge of the various depth areas and that is what the breadth sections covered.

Couldn't agree more.

Habib · Nov 1, 2016

Should there be different licenses for TF, MM and HVAC?

JHW 3d · Nov 1, 2016

Habib said:
Should there be different licenses for TF, MM and HVAC?

It seems that's what NCEES is suggesting. If not in name, at least by inference.

There is often so much overlap in industry, I question the value in this decision. The genius of the breadth/depth setup was that there was so much material, that it forces the examinees to study material they haven't seen in a long time and become comfortable with it. Even if one doesn't see that material on the test they will have some knowledge of it and can understand the basics -- remember, "minimally qualified." I know I benefitted from this.

I.ELKADY · Nov 1, 2016

Is this going to effect the October exam results? , since the Breadth topics like (management technology and economics, ...) have been removed for the April test

Audi Driver P.E. · Nov 1, 2016

I.ELKADY said:
Is this going to effect the October exam results? , since the Breadth topics like (management technology and economics, ...) have been removed for the April test

I don't see why it possibly would. Do you?

I.ELKADY · Nov 1, 2016

I really hope it would , I didn't do any good in the management and economics questions

I.ELKADY · Nov 1, 2016

I did great in the afternoon HVAC and Refrigeration, but not in the morning session

Habib · Nov 1, 2016

Look for new sample exams for all three mechanical depths.

If NCEES issue new sample morning exams for all three depths then I think this is trial year and soon we will see separate PE certificates HVAC, MM & TF.

Viper5 · Nov 1, 2016

As someone who is having to take April 2017, this frustrates me greatly. I don't even know what resources to use for these new topics and I certainly don't like the idea of being a guinea pig.

I can't imagine the April exam will be easier and maybe if I'm lucky it will be just as difficult.

Habib · Nov 1, 2016

So NCEES did upload their new sample exams, below is the link just for HVAC Exam:

https://account.ncees.org/exam-prep/pe-mechanical-hvac-and-refrigeration-practice-exam-1

I am pretty sure this will make exams lot easier with lot more theory type questions.

P-E · Nov 1, 2016

Habib said:
Should there be different licenses for TF, MM and HVAC?

That would have been bad for me. Most of my work is TF in nature. But sometimes I have simple HVAC systems. Glad it's a generic mechanical stamp.

Habib · Nov 1, 2016

P-E said:
That would have been bad for me. Most of my work is TF in nature. But sometimes I have simple HVAC systems. Glad it's a generic mechanical stamp.

Same is the case with me, I really hope that it remains a general Mechanical stamp, otherwise it will be hard to categorize people who already have PE.

May be they can keep it general for existing PE's and all new candidates will have to get PE's in their specific fields ( more source of money for NCEES).

I am just guess at this point, only time will tell what happens in future....

P-E · Nov 2, 2016

Habib said:
Same is the case with me, I really hope that it remains a general Mechanical stamp, otherwise it will be hard to categorize people who already have PE.

May be they can keep it general for existing PE's and all new candidates will have to get PE's in their specific fields ( more source of money for NCEES).

I am just guess at this point, only time will tell what happens in future....

I doubt that will happen. Although MA used to have an HVAC stamp.

GregoryPE · Nov 2, 2016

Just my own humble opinion, but I don't think we can infer from a few sample exams that they will begin categorizing licenses by type at any point in the near future. At least for now, a PE is a PE, whether she be geotechnical or mechanical. Personally I like the breadth/depth model and would hate to see it go. However, I probably studied WAY more than the average person because I had always heard about the epic nature of the exam and was overly cautious. With that being said, I felt great about both sections (not to gloat).

starquest · Nov 2, 2016

Wow!

Econ is still covered under all three morning sessions. Project Management only is in MD.

I have mixed feelings on this. I spent way too much time studying areas outside of my expertise that I know I will not use in my line of work. But I like the general ME PE stamp and feel that all three areas should be covered.

starquest · Nov 2, 2016

Hmm, I missed it earlier...but anyone notice that they switched the name of the MD exam yet again! I took the 'Mechanical Systems and Materials' exam in April. Now it is 'Mechanical Design and Materials'.

MikeGlass1969 · Nov 2, 2016

Does this mean it's all depth? Sounds like it is just a mixtures of depth and breadth questions mixture in morning and afternoon.

Audi Driver P.E. · Nov 2, 2016

MikeGlass1969 said:
Does this mean it's all depth? Sounds like it is just a mixtures of depth and breadth questions mixture in morning and afternoon.

Looking at the topics, it's pretty much all depth.

New Mechanical PE specifications for the April 2017 exams

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