Although the MERM and other PPI materials are helpful there are several things about them I wish I was aware of before purchase (Note, I probably still would have purchased them, but it would have been a more informed choice). First, I bought Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam Lindeburg 12th edition with the intent of using it alone as a reference and source of review problems. I did not want to get the 'Practice Problem Solution Manual' since I didn't think I'd need solutions too. I was dissapointed to find that after opening the MERM 12th edition the first thing I read is the practice problems are removed, causing me to buy the Practice Problem book. Since the 12th edition retailed for the same as the 11th I don't see any gain from the 12th edition. Plus there is no errata published for it yet. The MERM itself is primarily useful now as a summary to give you a sense of how to study (don't get me wrong, this is still very important). Otherwise all of the information is contained in Mark's or other handbooks. The information in the PE MERM is taken directly from the FE/EIT reference manual also sold by PPI. It is also repeated in the Civil PE review manual and I'd imagine the others. Hence PPI is mainly marketing about one book in many different configurations. This is likely what leads to the issues associated with the practice exam being in SI and English units instead of just English.
Product Details
Hardcover: 1296 pages
Publisher: Professional Publications, Inc.; Twelfth Edition, New Edition edition (June 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1591260493
ISBN-13: 978-1591260493
Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.7 x 2.1 inches
Hi,
ReplyDeleteWhen you say that the MERM is taken from the FE reference manual, are you referring to the one for the am general portion or the manual for the afternoon mechanical section? Also, which edition?
I'm curious as to whether someone could use the FE manual to study for the PE, along with the problems and solutions book that goes with the merm in lieu of purchasing the merm too.