ME POST study guide
ME POST · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ME POST is a mechanical engineering post-examination used to assess whether a candidate can apply core mechanical engineering fundamentals under exam conditions. It suits engineering graduates, candidates preparing for licensure or employer screening, and practicing engineers who need a structured refresher. The ME POST study guide has 10 sections and about 2,504 words.
01Mathematics and Basic Engineering Sciences
Mathematics and Basic Engineering Sciences underpins quantitative mechanical engineering; the exam tests calculus, linear algebra, ODEs, probability and statistics, numerical methods, and dimensional analysis as applied to engineering models. A derivative is a rate; an integral accumulates.
245 words, about 1 min02Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Machinery
Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Machinery tests conservation laws, pipe and duct flow, turbomachinery performance, cavitation, and pump or fan selection. Continuity: rho A V=m dot is constant for steady flow; incompressible flow gives Q=AV.
270 words, about 1 min03Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer tests the laws of thermodynamics, property relations, power and refrigeration cycles, and conduction, convection, and radiation. First law for a steady-flow control volume: Q-W=delta H+delta KE+delta PE; state the sign convention explicitly.
230 words, about 1 min04Strength of Materials and Machine Design
Strength of Materials and Machine Design tests stress analysis, failure criteria, fatigue, buckling, and design of shafts, joints, and pressure components. Normal stress sigma=F/A and strain epsilon=delta/L; Hooke's law sigma=E epsilon in the elastic range.
250 words, about 1 min05Manufacturing Processes and Materials
Manufacturing Processes and Materials tests casting, forming, machining, joining, additive manufacturing, heat treatment, and material selection. Casting: shrinkage allowance is added to pattern dimensions; risers feed solidification shrinkage; chills promote directional solidification.
247 words, about 1 min06Mechanical Measurements
Mechanical Measurements tests sensor principles, calibration, uncertainty, bridge circuits, signal conditioning, and data acquisition. Accuracy is closeness to true value; precision is repeatability.
235 words, about 1 min07Instrumentation and Control
Instrumentation and Control tests sensors and actuators, Laplace-domain models, PID control, stability, and closed-loop performance. A first-order system G=K/(tau s+1) reaches 63.2% of its final value at one time constant tau; a second-order system is characterized by natural frequency omega n and damping ratio zeta.
247 words, about 1 min08Power Plant
Power Plant tests thermodynamic cycles, boiler and condenser performance, turbine expansion, heat rate, and plant auxiliaries. Rankine cycle: pump work is approximately v delta P; boiler heat input is h 1-h 4; turbine work is h 1-h 2; efficiency is (W t-W p)/Q in.
241 words, about 1 min09Energy Systems and HVAC
Energy Systems and HVAC tests psychrometrics, cooling and heating loads, refrigeration and heat pumps, duct and fan systems, combustion, and energy efficiency. Psychrometrics: humidity ratio W=0.622 p v/(P-p v); dew point is saturation at p v; moist-air enthalpy combines dry-air and water-vapor terms.
282 words, about 1 min10Engineering Economics, Ethics and Professional Practice
Engineering Economics, Ethics and Professional Practice tests time value of money, project comparison, depreciation, and professional obligations. Money has time value: F=P(1+i)^n; P=F/(1+i)^n; for annuities, P=A[(1+i)^n-1]/[i(1+i)^n].
257 words, about 1 min