CME Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CME exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CME Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CME Topics to Study (22)
✍️ Sample CME Questions & Answers
1. In the Rational Method, which factor primarily reflects the land use and surface characteristics of a drainage area?
The runoff coefficient (C) represents the fraction of rainfall that becomes surface runoff and varies by land use — for example, C ≈ 0.90 for impervious pavement versus C ≈ 0.25 for lawns with sandy soil.
2. What is the primary purpose of a water system's storage tank (elevated or ground-level)?
Water storage tanks equalize daily demand variations, maintain system pressure, and provide reserve capacity for fire fighting and emergencies.
3. Which system is commonly used to treat municipal wastewater?
Municipal wastewater, which includes sewage from homes and businesses, contains various contaminants that must be removed before it can be safely discharged. Wastewater treatment plants are specialized facilities designed to purify this water through a series of physical, chemical, and biological processes. This comprehensive treatment ensures the water meets strict regulatory standards, preventing pollution and protecting public health and aquatic ecosystems.
4. What is the purpose of a subdivision ordinance in municipal planning?
Subdivision ordinances regulate the process of dividing land, establishing standards for street design, utility installation, lot configuration, and the required review and plat recording process.
5. Under the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), how frequently must publicly owned bridges over 20 feet in length be inspected?
NBIS requires routine inspections of public highway bridges at intervals not to exceed 24 months (2 years), with underwater and fracture-critical inspections having separate requirements.
6. What is the primary concern with combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in older US cities?
CSOs occur when combined sewers overflow during storms, releasing untreated sewage mixed with stormwater directly into receiving waters, causing significant water quality impairment.