ASE Test

[Alex55]

Passed the Engine Repair, Brakes, and Suspension tests within the last 6 months and used the Delmar books. I did well on all three and am currently studying the Delmar Auto Trans and Engine Performance books for my tests at the end of the month.

 

[JASTECH]

I still have my binder from late 70's somewhere, lol. Test's are a lot different now days.

 

[treasureseeker]

Congrats- I told ya those guides would work.

If you made it through the auto trans, the manual trans shouldn't give you any troubles.

When do you plan to take the L1?

I just found I have to recert for coolant/ brakes this year. I thought I had one more...ughhh. Might just retake them all, but then again my employer is paying the bill and Im certainly not getting any raise for re-certing so I might just drag them out as they expire.

I am not familiar with the L1 is.

In reading online about people taking ASE exams it seems the same test vary greatly in which actual exam you receive. Like the electrical one I got was almost all circuit diagrams and others report their test just had a few. I took the paper version and the booklet was three times the thickness of the HVAC. I swear it made a dull thud when she placed it on my desk. The HVAC I took was mostly what would cause a certain pressure at a location. I hadn’t memorized how the AC system worked in regard to pressure changes and what caused the different states of Freon. If I had it would have been easy. I don’t think the manual trans will be hard and will be taking it Monday. I am glad they give you instant results when you take the computer version. I think electrical tested by computer would put you at a disadvantage. With the paper version I was able to circle(test booklet) just the important areas in regard to the question and in doing so was able to quickly find the answer.

 

[otis66]

I have done searches on here and the web and could use some help on which study tools to purchase. I have taken the Michigan state test but never any of the ASE.

I ordered a 7 booklet set from MOTOR AGE Mag a few years ago. Go to the motor age web site. They have test booklets for each clasificatilon. About 7 booklets for each classification. Go to the tech tab(pass the ASE test) and you will find the classification you need. My job bought the booklets for me.http://motorage.search-autoparts.com/

 

[otis66]

I am not familiar with the L1 is.

In reading online about people taking ASE exams it seems the same test vary greatly in which actual exam you receive. Like the electrical one I got was almost all circuit diagrams and others report their test just had a few. I took the paper version and the booklet was three times the thickness of the HVAC. I swear it made a dull thud when she placed it on my desk. The HVAC I took was mostly what would cause a certain pressure at a location. I hadn’t memorized how the AC system worked in regard to pressure changes and what caused the different states of Freon. If I had it would have been easy. I don’t think the manual trans will be hard and will be taking it Monday. I am glad they give you instant results when you take the computer version. I think electrical tested by computer would put you at a disadvantage. With the paper version I was able to circle(test booklet) just the important areas in regard to the question and in doing so was able to quickly find the answer.

L1 is advanced engine perfomance specialist. That booklet is 27.95 on the Motor Age Web site.
http://passthease.search-autoparts....erformance-Specialist/Default.aspx?p=2&iid=23

 

[MattPersman]

I like the Motor Age books better personally. I have some of those and some mitchell books. ASE may not be the be all end all determination of a good tech, but it does show a person at least some what cares about their current profession, and is going on their own time to get certified. it is a better attitude than the guys who think they are the world's top 10 tech just because they have hopped around to 25 shops in the last 20 years.

some shops require 1 ASE like others mentioned the brake A5 test is common at Midas, Car X, Mieneke, etc.

some hiring forces at shops think you are way smarter than someone with out ASE as well so it does help. I guess it is like the whole college vs no college that at least you put the effort in you might not REALLY be smarter but at least you have more things in your favor.

don't forget to take the ASE Refrigerant Recovery Program as well if you plan on doing AC work.

 

[Schurkey]

I like the Motor Age books better personally. I have some of those and some mitchell books.

Haven't seen a Mitchell study guide, currently have the Motor Age study guides for P1 and C2; and I like them WAY, WAY more than the Delmar L1 book. Part of that, admittedly, is that the P1 and C2 tests appear to be much easier than L1.

ASE may not be the be all end all determination of a good tech, but it does show a person at least some what cares about their current profession, and is going on their own time to get certified. it is a better attitude than the guys who think they are the world's top 10 tech just because they have hopped around to 25 shops in the last 20 years.

I've seen good techs that were not certified. I've seen poor techs that were certified.

I've never, ever seen a complete ******* that was certified. And that's my take on the ASE certifications--they weed out the morons and the truly incompetent.

Beyond that...it's fun to collect certifications; it's only mildly expensive, and not "all that" difficult.

 

[GRX]

x10 on the Motor Age books. The study guides on the ASE webpage can help too.

I've seen good techs that were not certified. I've seen poor techs that were certified.

I've never, ever seen a complete ******* that was certified. And that's my take on the ASE certifications--they weed out the morons and the truly incompetent.

Beyond that...it's fun to collect certifications; it's only mildly expensive, and not "all that" difficult.

^^ well said! - weeding out the morons.
I have been an ASE certified Master Engine Machinist (cylinder head, block, assembly) for many many years. Even acted as technical consultant for a few of the questions on occasion. The ASE tests are not made to be especially difficult. In a way the certifications provide a means to say to the customer and/or layman that you passed some sort of test. "Look at my patch". Better than nothing.

Having said that, ASE kind of let me down. They stopped providing engine machinist certs, and I was only notified this upon the last round of re-certifications. They said it was out of lack of interest. Little surprise. It's not like many other fields where you are dealing with the general public. In the machine shop world reputation is everything. No biggie. Not as though I have forgotten everything I have learned over the last 30+ years. Plenty of people already trust my experience. No shoulder patch or shiny metal ASE badge on my toolbox will change that.

 

[treasureseeker]

I passed the last of the eight on Monday. I don’t think the ASE test are an accurate measure of the quality of a mechanic but show their commitment to make the effort.
I have a degree in mechanical engineering but am looking for an engineering tech job which the ASE certifications should help. In Michigan I got the wrong degree at the time.

 

[not-required]

We just found out that with the switch to computer based testing, that there is no where on the island that has the facilities to handle it so we must fly to a different island to take the tests...

 

[SINISTER]

Make sure you absolutely need them. I know guys in my shop that have all their ASE's and are still changing tires. I have taken none and I am a master tech in my shop( I am certified in many areas but no ASE's). Just because you are a good test taker doesn't make you a good mechanic. The human brain retains 30% of what he/she study's for a test.

But this is in NY. In other states I know laws are different and you can even touch a car without ASE certification.

It would be quite useless for you to spend money to take the tests and never need them. Like in my other field I am a CM I know plenty of CM's who took all the tests and steps to become LEED AP certified and never needed it. Thats over 1K down the tubes in some cases. I however have my LEED AP and my company pays me more to be only involved on projects that are going for LEED and need me for credits.