Test Dates: Check the NCEES website for exam dates.
Test requirements: Each state controls the requirements for professional licensure. The NCEES website has a list of the different state regulatory offices. The website for licensure in New Mexico is http://www.sblpes.state.nm.us/. If you are wishing to be licensed in another state, and have the test proctored in NM, check your state’s requirements here:http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensing_boards/
Test Format: Every person taking the Mechanical PE test will take the same morning breath exam. In the afternoon each person will choose from three depth exams. Make sure to know what depth exam you are planning on taking and study towards it. The NCEES provides the approximate breakdown of the different exams. The breakdowns for the different exams are located here:http://www.ncees.org/exams/professional/pe_mechanical_exams.php
Study Text and Reference Material: You should find a good study test to help prepare for the test. A couple of good sources are Professional Publications, Inc (PPI) and the NCEES. Also study with the references that you will be taking to the test. If you are not familiar with a reference it will not do you any good during the test. Also remember that you have a very limited time per questions, about 6 minutes, so don’t bring too many references. A recommendation is for one over all reference, and then a few specific resources based on your selection for the afternoon depth section.
Here's a link to materials from PPI that we recommend for taking the test:
Calculator: Check the NCEES and your board’s website to find out what calculators are approved for the test. Buy the model you want to use early and use it to study for the test. Also buy an extra one to take to the test.
Study Plan: The average study time for the exam is over 200 hours. That is a lot of time, so it is best to start early and to create a plan to spread the time out. An example plan is located here. Make sure to do practice exams for the formation you plan on taking. You can find practice exams to purchase on both the NCEES and PPI websites.
Day of the test: Make sure you know where the test is being held. Do a dry run before hand, and allow plenty of time to get to the test. If you are coming from outside Albuquerque, plan on staying the night in town. If a road is closed due to weather or an accident, you don’t get to sit for the test.
After the test: It will take a while to get your results back after the test. The average wait is 10-12 weeks. Make notes to yourself on what topics you felt weak on during the test. You may need to retake the test, and this will be a good place to start. Do not share this information with anyone else, because that would be considered a breach of exam security.
If you don’t pass: If you don’t pass, you will receive a diagnostic detailing how well you did on the different topics. Make sure that you don’t study the problems from the test you just took. There are multiple formats of the test, so you most likely will not have the same breakdown of topics. Use the diagnostic and focus on the area you know you need to study.
Web Links for licensure
National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES)
Professional Publications, Inc.
Engineering and Land Surveying Examination Services
For more information contact Aaron Brundage at albrund@sandia.gov.