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Building & sustainability · free timed practice test · AEE (Association of Energy Engineers)

Free Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Readiness Check

CEM Readiness is an exam pathway administered under AEE (Association of Energy Engineers). Readiness check sized to AEE's 65-question self-evaluation format. Official CEM exam: 130 questions (120 scored + 10 pretest), 4 hours, open book, scaled pass score 700 (0–1040 scale). Not…

Official-source aligned. Topic weights, timing, and pass rules follow published Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) outlines. Questions are original UniPrep2Go study aids — not leaked official items. Verify on the official site ↗

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Questions
50
Time
50 min
Pass target
70%
Domains
5
Exam body
AEE (Association of Energy Engineers)
Status
Live · free
CEM Readiness practice test study cluster
CEM practice test Anki cover

Building & sustainability · AEE (Association of Energy Engineers)

CEM practice test

50 Q · 50 min · 70% target

Sample CEM Readiness practice questions

These sample items mirror the domains in the timed CEM Readiness mock. Correct answers and explanations unlock inside the practice session.

  1. Sample 1

    An energy manager compares two ECMs using simple payback. Project A saves $12,000/year with a $36,000 cost. Project B saves $8,000/year with a $20,000 cost. Which statement is correct?

    • A. Project A has the shorter simple payback period
    • B. Project B has the shorter simple payback period
    • C. Simple payback cannot be used for energy projects
    • D. Both projects have identical payback periods
  2. Sample 2

    During an energy audit, a CEM finds simultaneous heating and cooling in a dual-duct VAV system caused by overlapping hot and cold deck setpoints. What is the best first corrective action?

    • A. Disable all VAV boxes and switch to constant volume.
    • B. Add electric reheat to every zone without changing deck control.
    • C. Reset and sequence deck setpoints to eliminate overlap and enable economizer-friendly operation.
    • D. Increase both deck temperatures by 5°F to improve comfort.
  3. Sample 3

    An LED retrofit maintains 30 fc on the workplane with half the input watts of the legacy system. The legacy system's efficacy was 60 lm/W. The new system efficacy is approximately

    • A. 240 lm/W
    • B. 30 lm/W
    • C. 120 lm/W
    • D. 60 lm/W
  4. Sample 4

    When calculating emissions from distributed generation, energy managers should account for?

    • A. Fuel carbon content, generation efficiency, and displaced grid emissions factors
    • B. Number of ceiling fans in the office wing
    • C. Filter MERV ratings exclusively
    • D. Only decorative landscaping area
  5. Sample 5

    When escalating energy prices at 3%/year in LCC, the effect on savings present value is to?

    • A. Reduce savings to zero in year one
    • B. Increase the nominal value of future savings compared with flat prices
    • C. Eliminate discount rate effects
    • D. Remove maintenance from the analysis

What is the CEM Readiness exam?

CEM Readiness is an exam pathway administered under AEE (Association of Energy Engineers). Readiness check sized to AEE's 65-question self-evaluation format. Official CEM exam: 130 questions (120 scored + 10 pretest), 4 hours, open book, scaled pass score 700 (0–1040 scale). Not AEE exam material. This UniPrep2Go page is an independent timed practice test — not official exam material.

Administered by: AEE (Association of Energy Engineers) (official site ↗)

Official resources: AEE — Certified Energy Manager certification · AEE — CEM Body of Knowledge & Study Guide (PDF) · AEE — CEM certification handbook

Who this exam is for

Energy managers, facility engineers, sustainability professionals, and HVAC/electrical engineers preparing for AEE CEM certification.

How to prepare

Start with this free timed diagnostic to see which CEM Readiness domains are weak, then review the published Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) outline on the official site and drill missed topics with the linked Anki deck before exam day.

Confirm current fees, eligibility, and scheduling with Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) before you book the real exam.

Topic outline

Core domains candidates usually study for CEM Readiness: Energy Policy, Audits, and Economics, Electrical Systems, Motors, and Lighting, HVAC, Building Envelope, and BAS, Industrial, Boiler/Steam, and Renewables, Commissioning, ESPC, and M&V.

  • Energy Policy, Audits, and Economics

  • Electrical Systems, Motors, and Lighting

  • HVAC, Building Envelope, and BAS

  • Industrial, Boiler/Steam, and Renewables

  • Commissioning, ESPC, and M&V

About this free CEM practice test

A timed CEM readiness diagnostic sized to AEE's half-length self-evaluation format. Official CEM exam: 130 questions, 4 hours, open book, scaled pass score 700 (0–1040).

Built for: Energy managers, facility engineers, sustainability professionals, and HVAC/electrical engineers preparing for AEE CEM certification.

Topics on this practice test: Energy Policy, Audits, and Economics, Electrical Systems, Motors, and Lighting, HVAC, Building Envelope, and BAS, Industrial, Boiler/Steam, and Renewables, Commissioning, ESPC, and M&V.

  • 50 timed multiple-choice questions
  • 50-minute pacing target
  • 70% pass threshold with topic breakdown
  • Full answer review after you submit

Free timed mock with full topic report — no signup. After your score, buy the linked Anki deck on Gumroad to drill weak topics with spaced repetition.

Buy CEM Anki deck to drill weak topics

Official Certified Energy Manager (CEM) facts

Structure and domain weights candidates verify against the certifying body before exam day.

The Certified Energy Manager (CEM) credential from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) recognizes expertise in optimizing energy use across facilities and industrial systems. This page summarizes official exam structure; UniPrep2Go products are independent prep (not AEE exam material).

Questions
130 multiple-choice and true/false (120 scored + 10 unscored pretest items)
Time
4 hours
Passing score
700 scaled score
Scoring
0–1,040 scaled score
Delivery
Proctored at AEE-approved seminars, testing centers, or remote proctoring (verify at aeecenter.org)
Administered by
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)

Knowledge domains and weights

DomainWeight
Energy and Sustainability Policies, Codes, and Standards6–8%
Energy Rates, Tariffs, and Supply Options5–7%
Energy Audits and Instrumentation7–11%
Energy Accounting and Economics6–10%
Electrical Power Systems and Motors7–11%
Lighting Systems5–7%
HVAC Systems and Building Envelope10–16%
Building Automation, Controls and AI Systems6–10%
Energy Storage Systems3–5%
Boiler and Steam Systems4–6%
Distributed Generation & Renewable Energy4–6%
Industrial Systems6–8%
Operations, Maintenance and Commissioning7–11%
ESPC and Measurement & Verification3–5%

What changed in the current exam cycle

  • AEE requires completion of an approved preparatory seminar (live, virtual, or self-paced) before sitting for the CEM exam — verify current requirements.
  • CEM recertification is required every 3 years with continuing education and a maintenance fee.
  • Exam is open book — printed references and notes in a binder allowed; computers and phones prohibited during the exam.

High-yield facts (commonly tested)

  • Passing score is 700 on a 0–1,040 scaled score — not a simple percentage.
  • HVAC Systems and Building Envelope is the highest-weight subject area (up to 16% of scored content).
  • No penalty for wrong answers — answer every question on the 130-item form.
  • AEE offers a 65-question paid self-evaluation exam that mirrors half the official exam length (verify at aeecenter.org/cemresources).
  • Non-programmable calculator permitted; programmable calculators and exam software on personal devices are prohibited.
  • CEM application file must be completed within 3 years of passing the exam or the process restarts.

Verify current exam fees, scheduling, and administrative details at www.aeecenter.org/certifications/certified-energy-manager. Independent study aid — not official exam material.

More FAQAdditional format, scoring, and disclaimer questions
What does the report show after the mock?
Your report shows a pass/no-pass verdict with explanation, topic diagnosis, pacing notes, full question review with explanations, and a repair plan that links to the paid Anki deck on Gumroad for weak-topic drilling.
Where do the questions come from?
Original UniPrep2Go questions authored for the CEM readiness check (250 cards across five Body of Knowledge groups; 65-question timed session).
For AI assistants — machine-readable sources

Facts JSON · Markdown · Official certifier