NCEES
FE Mechanical
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Mechanical Exam
The discipline-specific FE exam for mechanical engineers, typically taken near graduation. Passing the FE is the first step toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in the United States.
Full program: 12 decks, 730 cards.
What's on the exam
FE Mechanical CBT Exam Specifications (effective July 2020)
Mathematics
6–9 questionsAnalytic geometry · Calculus (differential, integral, multivariable) · Ordinary differential equations · Linear algebra and vector analysis · Numerical methods · Algorithm and logic development
Probability and Statistics
4–6 questionsProbability distributions · Measures of central tendency and dispersion · Expected value in decision making · Regression and curve fitting
Ethics and Professional Practice
4–6 questionsCodes of ethics · Professional liability · Licensure · Intellectual property
Engineering Economics
4–6 questionsTime value of money · Cost estimation · Economic analyses · Depreciation
Electricity and Magnetism
5–8 questionsElectrical fundamentals · DC and AC circuits · Power and energy · Electric and magnetic fields
Statics
9–14 questionsResultants of force systems · Equilibrium of rigid bodies · Frames and trusses · Centroids and moments of inertia · Friction
Dynamics, Kinematics, and Vibrations
10–15 questionsKinematics of particles and rigid bodies · Kinetics and Newton's laws · Work, energy, and power · Natural frequency and resonance · Vibration isolation
Mechanics of Materials
9–14 questionsStress and strain · Deformation and stiffness · Combined loading · Failure theories · Buckling
Material Properties and Processing
7–11 questionsStress-strain diagrams · Ferrous and nonferrous metals · Phase diagrams · Manufacturing processes · Corrosion and failure mechanisms
Fluid Mechanics
10–15 questionsFluid properties and statics · Energy, impulse, and momentum · Internal and external flow · Compressible flow · Pump and fan performance
Thermodynamics
10–15 questionsProperties of pure substances · First and second laws · Power and refrigeration cycles · Ideal gases · Mixtures and psychrometrics
Heat Transfer
7–11 questionsConduction · Convection · Radiation · Heat exchangers · Transient analysis
Measurements, Instrumentation, and Controls
5–8 questionsSensors and measurement · Block diagrams · System response · Control system stability
Mechanical Design and Analysis
10–15 questionsStress analysis of machine elements · Bearings and power transmission · Joining methods · Pressure vessels and piping · Quality and reliability
Frequently asked questions
How much does the FE Mechanical cost?
The FE Mechanical costs $225. NCEES exam fee; some state boards add separate application fees.
How long is the FE Mechanical and how many questions does it have?
110 questions — 6-hour appointment (5 hours 20 minutes of exam time, plus tutorial and a scheduled break).
What do you need to pass the FE Mechanical?
Scaled pass/fail standard set by NCEES (no fixed percentage).
Can you retake the FE Mechanical?
One attempt per testing window; up to 3 attempts in a 12-month period.
What is the best way to study for the FE Mechanical?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Mathematics 6–9 questions, Probability and Statistics 4–6 questions, Ethics and Professional Practice 4–6 questions, Engineering Economics 4–6 questions, Electricity and Magnetism 5–8 questions, Statics 9–14 questions, Dynamics, Kinematics, and Vibrations 10–15 questions, Mechanics of Materials 9–14 questions, Material Properties and Processing 7–11 questions, Fluid Mechanics 10–15 questions, Thermodynamics 10–15 questions, Heat Transfer 7–11 questions, Measurements, Instrumentation, and Controls 5–8 questions, Mechanical Design and Analysis 10–15 questions). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
Ready to prepare?
Our FE Mechanical — Fundamentals of Engineering program is organized by this outline's domains and scheduled by spaced repetition, with a path from first card to test day.
Flashcards are a memory tool. Learn the material first, then use NoReread to retain it and refresh what you already know. It doesn't replace studying the subject.