Imagine having a repair shop and not having a way to showcase your technical ability and your trustworthiness as a shop owner. The ASE helps you to do just that. Customers are more likely to trust ASE-certified mechanics because ASE has tested them thoroughly and continues to do so.
An ASE certification can benefit whether you are an owner or a mechanic looking for work. The ASE test is administered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. They give their stamp of approval to new and seasoned professionals.
With this text, we will help you understand the ASE exam, how to pass ASE tests, and even how long an ASE test is. All you have to do to find this great information is to keep reading.
What is the ASE Test?
What is the ASE Test?Having an ASE certification means that a technician’s knowledge has been validated. The ASE not only ensures that a technician is book smart but that they have on-the-job training as well. In addition to passing the exams, some certification also requires a work component.
You also shouldn’t think that passing the exam means you only have to pass once. Individuals must agree to be retested to ensure that they are keeping up with the knowledge of their specialty and able to perform adequately. This means being recertified every year.
The ASE offers different options for individuals looking to enter the automotive field. Individuals can choose from several certification tests, all grouped by category. These categories include the following:
- Automobile & Light Truck Tests
- Collision and Refinishing Tests
- Service Consultant Test
- Truck Equipment Tests
- Alternate Fuel Exam
- Maintenance & Light Repair Exam
- Transit Bus Exam
- Parts Specialist Test
- Advanced Level Exam
- School Bus Exam
- Medium/Heavy Trucks
- Specialty Exams
- Military Tactile Exam
ASE also offers noncertification options. These options include exams for Volvo and BMW.
If you’re wondering where to start, we can provide you with more insight into the exam and what you must do to become certified. Auto maintenance specialists, as well as several other related professionals like estimators or service consultants, can take one or more of the exams that ASE offers. The exams are grouped by the categories listed above. Each category includes a series of exams. Students may take one or more of those exams. The exams look to adequately validate the associated job skills needed to perform in that subject area.
If you want to build a career in the automotive space, beginning your journey with an ASE certification can show employers that you are serious about your craft. There are different levels of certifications that you can receive from ASE; these include the following:
ASE L1 – Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Certification Test
This advanced certification is meant for individuals who have already passed the A8, Engine Performance Exam. This certification identifies who is skilled in diagnosing light-duty trucks, cars, and SUVs. This exam is said to be highly rigorous, and the ASE recommends focusing solely on this exam when preparing to take it.
ASE L2 – Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist Certification Test
If you are someone who wants to go a step up and you are skilled in the diagnosis of medium and heavy-duty trucks, this is the exam for you. The prerequisite to this exam is passing one of the four diesel engine exams (A9, T2, S2, or H2) and one of the Electronic Systems tests (S6, H6, T6, or A6). This test contains 75 questions, and test-takers must know things like diesel fuel systems, diesel exhaust systems, and more.
ASE L3 – Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Certification Test
The last L level exam is the Hybrid/Electrical vehicle specialization. This specialization focuses on light-duty trucks, SUVs, and even electric cars. You must have already taken the A8 Engine Performance exam and the A6 Electronic Systems exam to sit for this exam.
Master Level Certifications
Master-level certifications are offered for individuals who have taken and passed all certification tests within a given series. Becoming a master technician allows you to get the salary that you deserve. It also lets you show customers that you know exactly what you are talking about. Individuals can become a master in multiple areas. These include the following:
- Master Automobile Technician
- Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technicians
- Master School Bus Technicians
- Master Truck Equipment Technicians
- Master Transit Bus Technicians
- Master Collision Repair/Refinish Technician
How Many Questions Are on the ASE Test?
Each exam has a different number of questions, with many of the exams having at least 40 questions and others having no more than 75. All of the questions are multiple-choice, and, on some exams, there are ten non-scored items. These items are used for research purposes only. The tests are made up of scenarios that you will encounter in your day-to-day work. The number of questions listed for the A series can be found below.
- Manual Drive Train & Axles (40 Questions)
- Light Vehicle Diesel Engines (50 questions)
- Engine Repair (50 scored questions)
- Engine Performance (50 questions)
- Automatic Transmission/Transaxle (50 questions)
- Heating & Air Conditioning (50 questions)
- Electrical/Electronic Systems (50 questions)
- Suspension & Steering (40 questions)
- Brakes (45 questions)
What is a Passing Score on the ASE Test?
To ensure that you pass any certification exams, you will need at least 70% unless otherwise specified. Though each exam has a different number of questions, the number correct required can be easily calculated. For example, the ASE brake test passing score is based on 55 questions, which means that students only need to get 39 correct to pass the exam. Another easy ASE certification exam is the A7 HVAC exam. This exam contains 60 questions and requires answering 42 correct to pass the exam.
To calculate the number of questions, you will need to get correct on an exam, you must simply use the formula below.
70% (Passing score needed) x # of questions on a given certification test = X questions or more needed to correctly pass. This will give you the number of questions you can miss and still pass.
Easiest to Hardest ASE Tests
If you think the ASE exam is easy, you are sadly mistaken. One in three students will fail their ASE exam on the first try. However, that may be for several different reasons. If you are looking to take your first ASE exam and are unsure about which one it should be, taking the easiest exams may be a great way to obtain some quick wins when getting your certifications. Though the exam subjects may vary, they vary in difficulty as well. Some exams will naturally be more straightforward than others. However, according to multiple test-takers, the easiest ASE test is the Brake System Exam, also known as A5.
Students have concluded that these sections have more common knowledge questions. The specific certification exams are listed below.
- A5 – Brakes– Automobile
- T4 – Brakes – Medium/Heavy Truck Certification
- A7 – Heating & Air Conditioning – Automobile
- T7 – Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) – Medium/Heavy Truck Certification
Many previous test-takers feel that brakes are one of the essential components of cars and trucks. They are also the component most notably given for rookies to change.
If you are still looking to find out the difficulty of the exams, take a look at some of the easiest to hardest ASE tests below. This listing is only for the main ASE series, the A-series. The first two items on the exam are brakes and HVACs. The other items are listed in order below:
| Engine Repair (A1) |
| Engine Performance (A8) |
| Manual Drive Train & Axles (A3) |
| Electrical / Electronic Systems (A6) |
| Suspension and Steering(A4) |
| Automatic Transmission / Transaxle (A2) |
| Light Vehicle Diesel Engines (A9) |
The Light Vehicle Diesel Engine exam is one of the hardest. This and other diesel engine-related exams are harder because this experience is harder to get. These jobs are less accessible, and most are gasoline engines.
However, it is essential to know that failing the exam is not the world’s end. Failing an exam is not uncommon; if you do so, it is not the end of the world. Individuals will need to wait 30 days; they can then register again and sign up to retake the exam.
5 Best Ways to Pass for ASE Tests
There are several ways that you can study for the ASE exam. They even have provided several options to get you started on your certification journey. Use the tips below to help you prepare for the exam.
Practice Tests
Practice exams are an excellent option to prepare you adequately for the exam. Individuals can even purchase vouchers to take the official ASE practice test. The test gives you a clear picture of what to expect when testing and how the items will be formatted. If you are unsure of what to expect, ASE provides a video walk-thru of a sample test center and gives you the option to test out the testing software.
ASE Study Guides
The ASE institution offers a study guide for each certification exam. Each study guide can be downloaded from the ASE website. The study guides come equipped with a specification list of tasks that students taking the exam need to know. The guide even includes sample test questions for what you can expect from the exam. Some questions may even include diagrams where students must identify the part of what is happening.
Training Courses
There are several training options for students who are looking for more hands-on training. Individuals may partake in webinars, watch online videos or even participate in online training activities.
Understand the questions
The exam asks several different types of questions. These include completion questions. This presents the test taker with a piece of equipment and an issue. You will then need to identify the most likely cause for the issue. Individuals will also encounter true or false questions. The last type is questions on what is least likely.
Give yourself time
Give yourself time to study. Prepare to practice studying for the exam early. This means giving yourself ample time to review material and ensuring you have thoroughly reviewed the task list. The more time you give yourself to study, the better. It is also recommended that if you are taking one of the more challenging exams, you only opt to take one exam and not multiple.
Wrapping Things Up: What is a Passing Score on ASE Test?
Passing the ASE exam is a notable achievement for all technicians. It allows them to showcase their achievement and potentially obtain a greater salary within their field. These benefits do not come without great sacrifice.
Taking the exam is hard; however, some exams are easier than others. The brake exam is said to be one of the easiest exams to pass. Brakes are one of the essential components of cars and trucks. They are also the component most notably given for rookies to change. One of the hardest exams is the Light Vehicle Diesel Engines. This is one of the hardest exams because many people cannot get the experience they need to become truly skilled.
Never fear; there are several things you can do to prepare for the exam. Use the five tips listed above to help you pass the exams.
