Free PE Mechanical Practice Exams
Practice the NCEES PE Mechanical exams with original calculation problems written to the October 2025 specifications and a full worked solution for every answer. Each exam has free drills for every knowledge area and an 80-question timed mock.
80 questions in two sections of 40, 8 hours of exam time, with a score by knowledge area and a worked solution for every problem.
Or start with a free 10-question drill- 410 original problems with worked solutions
- 3 exams: HVAC and Refrigeration, Thermal and Fluid Systems, Machine Design and Materials
- October 2025 NCEES specifications, 80 questions per exam
A cooling coil in a university laboratory air handler cools 12,000 cfm of mixed air from 80°F db with h = 31.4 Btu/lbm to 55°F db with h = 22.6 Btu/lbm. Using standard sea-level air, what is the total coil load?
Choose your PE Mechanical exam
The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam is the national exam for professional engineering licensure, written by NCEES. Mechanical engineers choose one of three exams: HVAC and Refrigeration, Thermal and Fluid Systems, or Machine Design and Materials. All three are computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE test centers, with 80 questions in a 9-hour appointment.
PE Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration
- First-time pass rate
- 71%
- First-time takers
- 799
- Repeat pass rate
- 40%
NCEES, January–June 2026
The HVAC and Refrigeration exam uses U.S. Customary units only. Knowledge areas: HVAC Loads and Psychrometrics, HVAC and Refrigeration Distribution and Systems, HVAC Equipment and Components, Supportive Knowledge.
PE Mechanical: Thermal and Fluid Systems
- First-time pass rate
- 70%
- First-time takers
- 578
- Repeat pass rate
- 46%
NCEES, January–June 2026
The Thermal and Fluid Systems exam uses both SI and U.S. Customary units. Knowledge areas: Thermal/Fluid Principles, Fluid Equipment and Distribution Systems, Power Systems and Components, Cooling/Heating Systems and Components, Supportive Knowledge.
PE Mechanical: Machine Design and Materials
- First-time pass rate
- 61%
- First-time takers
- 401
- Repeat pass rate
- 39%
NCEES, January–June 2026
The Machine Design and Materials exam uses both SI and U.S. Customary units. Knowledge areas: Basic Engineering Practice, Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Attachments, Power Transmission, Mechanical Components and Assemblies, Supportive Knowledge.
Take a full PE HVAC and Refrigeration mock under the real 8-hour clock
80 questions in two sections of 40, 8 hours of exam time, with a score by knowledge area and a worked solution for every problem.
Or start with a free 10-question drillThe PE Mechanical exam format
- Questions
- 80 questions in two sections; after about 40 you submit the first section and cannot return to it
- Time
- A 9-hour appointment: 8 hours of exam time, a 50-minute scheduled break, a tutorial and a nondisclosure agreement
- Question types
- Mostly multiple choice with one correct answer, plus alternative item types: multiple correct, point and click, drag and drop, fill in the blank. No partial credit
- References
- Closed book with an electronic NCEES reference handbook on screen (searchable PDF) and one NCEES-approved calculator
- Units
- HVAC and Refrigeration: U.S. Customary only. Thermal and Fluid Systems, Machine Design and Materials: SI and U.S. Customary
- Schedule
- Year-round, computer-based, at Pearson VUE test centers
- Fee
- $400 per attempt, paid to NCEES; some boards add an application fee
- Results and retakes
- Pass or fail, typically 7 to 10 days after the exam. One attempt per quarterly testing window, at most three in 12 months
What each exam tests
The knowledge areas and question counts from the NCEES specifications effective October 2025. Every knowledge area has its own free ten-question drill.
HVAC and Refrigeration
- 1. HVAC Loads and Psychrometrics (18–27 questions)
- 2. HVAC and Refrigeration Distribution and Systems (20–30 questions)
- 3. HVAC Equipment and Components (24–36 questions)
- 4. Supportive Knowledge (HVAC and Refrigeration) (8–12 questions)
Thermal and Fluid Systems
- 1. Thermal/Fluid Principles (19–29 questions)
- 2. Fluid Equipment and Distribution Systems (17–26 questions)
- 3. Power Systems and Components (17–26 questions)
- 4. Cooling/Heating Systems and Components (12–18 questions)
- 5. Supportive Knowledge (Thermal and Fluid Systems) (5–8 questions)
Machine Design and Materials
- 1. Basic Engineering Practice (11–17 questions)
- 2. Mechanics of Materials (17–26 questions)
- 3. Mechanical Attachments (9–14 questions)
- 4. Power Transmission (9–14 questions)
- 5. Mechanical Components and Assemblies (16–24 questions)
- 6. Supportive Knowledge (Machine Design and Materials) (8–12 questions)
Common questions
What is the format of the PE Mechanical exam?
80 questions on a computer at a Pearson VUE test center, year-round. The 9-hour appointment includes a 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, an 8-minute tutorial, 8 hours of exam time and a 50-minute scheduled break after the first section. Most questions are multiple choice with one correct answer; the rest are alternative item types: multiple correct, point and click, drag and drop, and fill in the blank. There is no partial credit.
Which PE Mechanical exam should I take?
Pick the exam that matches your work: HVAC and Refrigeration for building systems and refrigeration, Thermal and Fluid Systems for power, process and fluid systems, and Machine Design and Materials for product, component and machine design. The specifications list every topic, so compare them with the work you do before you register.
How much does the PE exam cost?
$400 per attempt, paid to NCEES when you register. Some licensing boards charge a separate application fee. NCEES also sells its own practice exams.
Which PE Mechanical exam is the hardest?
By pass rate, Machine Design and Materials: 61% of first-time examinees passed in January–June 2026, against 71% for HVAC and Refrigeration and 70% for Thermal and Fluid Systems. Repeat examinees passed at 39% to 46%.
Are these official NCEES questions?
No. NCEES does not release its exam questions. These are original practice problems written to the October 2025 exam specifications, with every number recomputed by an independent reviewer and a worked solution for every answer.
Does one pass cover all three PE Mechanical exams?
Yes. The PE Mechanical pass unlocks every full timed mock exam and unlimited drills for HVAC and Refrigeration, Thermal and Fluid Systems, and Machine Design and Materials.
Ready for exam day?
80 questions in two sections of 40, 8 hours of exam time, with a score by knowledge area and a worked solution for every problem.
Or start with a free 10-question drillExam format, fees, specifications and pass rates checked November 2026: NCEES: PE Mechanical exam and pass rates · NCEES PE Mechanical: HVAC and Refrigeration CBT exam specifications (October 2025) · NCEES PE Mechanical: Thermal and Fluid Systems CBT exam specifications (October 2025) · NCEES PE Mechanical: Machine Design and Materials CBT exam specifications (October 2025) · NCEES Examinee Guide (November 2026) · NCEES: PE exam.
Original independent practice problems. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).