About to take the ASE

[nuklbstr83]

I'm a second year automotive student about to take my first ASE tests; A5 & A6 (brakes & electronics). I've got about 45 days until the tests.

Any tips for studying, other than my text books, old tests, and a delmar study guide?

Planning on taking A1 & A8 in October, if I pass A5 & A6.

 

[Carguy99]

fist and for most breathe. Remember they want you to pass. The biggest mistake is over thinking the question.
Brakes has a lot of ABS stuff and machining questions.
Electrical is harder for a student to pass. Is your school Natef? There is so many tasks in electrical that it is spit up and put into several classes. this makes it hard because you may not have had the training yet.
Go to the Natef.. sitehttp://www.natef.org/program_standards/auto/service_tech.cfm

The tasks will tell you exacty what you need to study.

 

[nuklbstr83]

carguy, my school is NATEF & ASE certified... I did well in electrical and brakes, but that was 3-6 months ago. im hoping that 45 days will be enough to bring my brain back to the material. our teachers said that the tests were very similar to what ASE would be like. I may be dealing with some test anxiety :-/

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Well study, I have A1, A5,A6,A8, that was before they moved to the new format,
I took them in 2011 or 2010 when they were the wriiten test... I heard they add more question to the computer based tests.

 

[Bruce Amacker]

Buy a study guide (or get one from the library), I like Motor Age. Read the info and do the questions twice, it will help a lot. Start studying a week or two ahead of the tests.

Eat well a couple of hours before the test, lots of sugar and carbs to keep brain cells happy. Get there early, bring a valid ID (they refused me once because my DL expired 2 days earlier!), take a bottle of water. Don't be afraid to stop, get up, stretch, walk a bit if you're having trouble concentrating.

I'm taking my A1R through A8R this afternoon. I've participated in several ASE test writing workshops so I have a leg up on the material.

Most of all, Good Luck!

 

[Techniker]

About to take another ASE as well. Is there any difference between the material covered in an individual subject Delmar book versus the 700+ page combined book? Any other ASE books/practice tests anyone would recommend?

I'm really kicking myself for not buying the MotorAge set when I had the chance. Could have bought all ASE topic study guides for a total of like $80.

Thanks in advance,
Techniker

 

[Bruce Amacker]

PS Forget the bottle of water, they won't let you take ANYTHING into the PC lab, and I mean nothing. I put everything into a locker including cellphone, keys, etc. and turned my pockets inside out for them, and they checked me for electronics with a wand like TSA at the airport. I don't remember this at the last PC based test.

I took 8 recerts, got a max of 2 wrong on any test for an average about 95%. I was out in a bit over 2 hours.

 

[D.J.]

sounds like the firefighter II and III and Instructor I tests for the state of IL gives. Can the ASE tests be challenged without taking a course through a college.

 

[stingray1966]

I have been a mechanic since 1961 I had my ASE master tec. Back then I thought it was a joke. Today I am 63 and retied. To Me ASE is a BIG WAST OF TIME.Any good tec will tell you that the answers that they are looking for in this test is NOT how it is in the real world in the shop. Many years ago when I went for a up date on my certs I told them after the test just that. They did agree with me. I never went back. Years later I had a guy in the shop that went to school and had all of the ASE cert BUT he could not fix or diagnose his way out of a paper bag.
After a month I had to let him go > He just did NOT know how to repair a car. I think I would blame ASE for his failure . The Test is really BS. I am now retired BUT if I was still in it there is NO WAY I would waste my time with ASE. I look at todays test and I get a good laugh and think THATS the wrong answer they are looking for. That NOT how it is.
And the sad part is I really thought with having an ASE would make me more money ,BUT it didn't mater. It never did. I still think ASE is one BIG joke

 

[Carguy99]

carguy, my school is NATEF & ASE certified... I did well in electrical and brakes, but that was 3-6 months ago. im hoping that 45 days will be enough to bring my brain back to the material. our teachers said that the tests were very similar to what ASE would be like. I may be dealing with some test anxiety :-/

if your school did their job you should be fine. Go to the ASE web site I gave you. Look over your textbooks and hand outs.

 

[Carguy99]

Well study, I have A1, A5,A6,A8, that was before they moved to the new format,
I took them in 2011 or 2010 when they were the wriiten test... I heard they add more question to the computer based tests.

I should be the same amount of questions, however, they do add questions for "testing purposes"

About to take another ASE as well. Is there any difference between the material covered in an individual subject Delmar book versus the 700+ page combined book? Any other ASE books/practice tests anyone would recommend?

I'm really kicking myself for not buying the MotorAge set when I had the chance. Could have bought all ASE topic study guides for a total of like $80.

Thanks in advance,
Techniker

Depth of coverage is the only thing I can think of that may be different.

sounds like the firefighter II and III and Instructor I tests for the state of IL gives. Can the ASE tests be challenged without taking a course through a college.

you don't have to take any courses to take the tests

 

[Carguy99]

I have been a mechanic since 1961 I had my ASE master tec. Back then I thought it was a joke. Today I am 63 and retied. To Me ASE is a BIG WAST OF TIME.Any good tec will tell you that the answers that they are looking for in this test is NOT how it is in the real world in the shop. Many years ago when I went for a up date on my certs I told them after the test just that. They did agree with me. I never went back. Years later I had a guy in the shop that went to school and had all of the ASE cert BUT he could not fix or diagnose his way out of a paper bag.
After a month I had to let him go > He just did NOT know how to repair a car. I think I would blame ASE for his failure . The Test is really BS. I am now retired BUT if I was still in it there is NO WAY I would waste my time with ASE. I look at todays test and I get a good laugh and think THATS the wrong answer they are looking for. That NOT how it is.
And the sad part is I really thought with having an ASE would make me more money ,BUT it didn't mater. It never did. I still think ASE is one BIG joke

I think Its more telling if someone cant pass an ASE. i also think that as an entry level ASEs are a good thing. Older more experienced techs I don't think it makes much of a difference. However many shops require them.
I also think it does show professionalism to the public.

 

[nuklbstr83]

I appreciate everyone's responses especially since I'm pretty sure I posted this in the wrong section...

I've been studying the Delmar guides, and have taken 5 practice exams in each brakes (84% average) & electrical (78% average). Most questions I get wrong, are based on job experience, and not learning from a textbook.

I'm not taking the tests in order to prove I am a hot shot new tech that knows everything, I understand I don't know ****...... -->
I'm taking the tests for the marketability in finding a job. I have no experience working on cars, other than in school, and it seems that every shop I've gone to, they require 2 or 3 years experience. 8 out of the 12 shops I went to asked if I had taken any of the ASE exams; which is now my reason for taking the tests.

It goes back to the circle of doom, how do I get these 2-3 years experience if no one will hire me. I'm not giving up, but not many shops want to hire an inexperienced newb, they don't want to have one of their experienced, veteran techs slow down his pace in order to train someone. They don't look at hiring newbs as an investment, someone that could be a 20+ yr employee, but instead as a liability.
The auto repair industry doesn't seem to be like other trades, it's as if a new tech is supposed to know how to swap engines, diagnose electrical problems, sounds, smells, etc., and do it all from day one with no apprenticing.

Thanks for all the feedback fellas, I'll press on and keep studying. 16 days left until test day.

 

[Carguy99]

Talk to your instructors they will be a valuable resource. Ask if they have an internship. Don't give up, walk in to the closest shop and ask to talk to the owner....ask. repeat at every shop big and small. this is best done face to face, If they say no, ask if you can stop in to see them later in a month or two. ask when they might be looking.
Around here there is free industry training for the EPA. GO. Network, lots of shop owners attend these and I have had several student find jobs this way, it works.

 

[nuklbstr83]

I just Passed both electrical & brakes on Friday, AND more importantly I got an internship at a small shop, working with the owner who has 37 years experience. Going to take 2 more exams in October.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and opinions.

 

[Carguy99]

awesome congratulations
told you so

 

[Medic1]

I got My ASE MasterTech in 1991 as well as my Service Consultant, Undercare Specialist, and Advanced Engine Performance certs. Later I went after a few Meduim/Heavy truck certs. While passing a test and doing the job are 2 different things, they lend cred to a resume, especially for a new tech. The people who buy auto repair now recognize the mighty blue seal, and it helps keep you competitive. It shows an employer that you are willing to advance your skills. Sure, I know a few guys who are masters and can't wrench their way out of a greasy paper bag, but they soon find themselves in the unemployment line. I think the best way to pass the tests is simply listening to the old dogs and getting your hands on as many machines as you can. It's all nuts and bolts man.