The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offers over 50 certifications.

As a professional automotive technician, picking the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Automobile & Light Truck Certification exams (A1-A9) can be a big career boost.

It’s well known in the automotive community that passing one or more of these tests and becoming ASE-certified proves your commitment to being one of the best in your field.

But before you register for one or more of the A-Series exams, you’ll want to know what to expect when test day rolls around. That’s why, in this article, we’re going to discuss what each of the A-Series tests entails, along with test-taking tips and the types of jobs ASE certified technicians can obtain.

What are the A1-A9 Tests?

Each of the ASE A-Series tests cover a different area of automotive repair. All of the tests are computer-based, multiple-choice exams.

To become an ASE Certified Technician, you need to pass one of the A-Series exams and have the relevant work experience. If you want to go even further and become an ASE Certified Master Technician, you must pass exams A1-A8 and have the necessary work experience.

You do not need to pass the A9 test to become a Certified Master Technician, but it’s worthwhile to add the endorsement to your list of credentials.

ASE provides a full A1-A9 study guide, but here’s a brief overview of each of the A1-A9 exams:

 

A1 Engine Repair

The A1 test covers the following areas of diagnosis and repair:

  • General Engine Diagnosis.
  • Cylinder Head and Valve Train Diagnosis and Repair
  • Engine Block Diagnosis and Repair
  • Lubrication and Cooling Systems Diagnosis and Repair
  • Fuel, Electrical, Ignition, and Exhaust Systems Inspection and Service

A2 Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

The A2 test covers the following areas of diagnosis and repair:

  • General Transmission/Transaxle Diagnosis
    • Mechanical/Hydraulic Systems
    • Electronic Systems
  • In-Vehicle Transmission/Transaxle Maintenance and Repair
  • Off-Vehicle Transmission/Transaxle Repair
    • Removal and Installation
    • Disassembly and Assembly
    • Friction and Reaction Units

A3 Manual Drive Train and Axles

The A3 test covers the following areas of diagnosis and repair:

  • Clutch Diagnosis and Repair
  • Transmission Diagnosis and Repair
  • Transaxle Diagnosis and Repair
  • Drive Shaft/Half-Shaft and Universal Joint/Constant Velocity (CV) Joint Diagnosis and Repair (Front and Rear Wheel Drive)
  • Drive Axle Diagnosis and Repair
    • Ring and Pinion Gears
    • Differential Case/Carrier Assembly
    • Limited Slip/Locking Differential
    • Axle Shafts and Housing
  • Four-Wheel Drive/All-Wheel Drive Component Diagnosis and Repair

A4 Suspension and Steering

The A4 test covers the following areas of diagnosis and repair:

  • Steering Systems Diagnosis and Repair
  • Suspension Systems Diagnosis and Repair
  • Wheel Alignment Diagnosis, Adjustment, and Repair
  • Wheel and Tire Diagnosis and Service

A5 Brakes

The A5 test covers the following areas of diagnosis and repair:

  • Hydraulic, Power Assist, and Parking Brake Systems Diagnosis and Repair
  • Drum Brake Diagnosis and Repair
  • Disc Brake Diagnosis and Repair
  • Electronic Brake Control Systems: Antilock Brake System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), and Electronic Stability Control System (ESC) Diagnosis and Repair

A6 Electrical/Electronic Systems

The A6 test covers the following areas of diagnosis and repair:

  • General Electrical/Electronic System Diagnosis
  • Battery and Starting System Diagnosis and Repair
  • Charging System Diagnosis and Repair
  • Lighting Systems Diagnosis and Repair
  • Instrument Cluster and Driver Information Systems Diagnosis and Repair
  • Body Electrical Systems Diagnosis and Repair

A7 Heating and Air Conditioning

The A7 test covers the following areas of diagnosis and repair:

  • Heating, Ventilation, A/C (HVAC) and Engine Cooling System Service, Diagnosis, and Repair
  • Refrigeration System Component Diagnosis and Repair
  • Operating Systems and Related Controls Diagnosis and Repair

A8 Engine Performance

The A8 test covers the following areas of diagnosis and repair:

  • General Diagnosis
  • Ignition System Diagnosis and Repair
  • Fuel, Air Induction and Exhaust Systems Diagnosis and Repair
  • Emission Control Systems Diagnosis and Repair
    • Positive Crankcase Ventilation
    • Exhaust Gas Recirculation
    • Secondary Air Injection (AIR) and Catalytic Converter
    • Evaporative Emissions Controls

A9 Light Vehicle Diesel Engines

The A9 test covers the following areas of diagnosis and repair:

  • General Diagnosis
  • Cylinder Head and Valve Train Diagnosis and Repair
  • Engine Block Diagnosis and Repair
  • Lubrication and Cooling Systems
  • Air Induction and Exhaust Systems
  • Fuel System Diagnosis and Repair

What Kinds of Jobs are Available to A-Series Certified Technicians?

Having certification in one or more of the A1-A9 areas will go a long way toward helping you get a job as an automotive technician. The average salary for ASE Certified Technicians is $50,760 a year, while ASE Certified Master Technicians usually make around $86,299 a year.

But being a technician isn’t the only career path you can pursue once you’re certified. You’ll find that ASE Certified Technicians are highly sought after in a variety of positions, ranging from service managers to mechanical claims adjusters.

Once you become an ASE Certified Master Technician and have several years of experience under your belt, you may even be able to land a job as an automotive instructor at a trade school or college.

There are a lot of possibilities, as long as you keep your skills up-to-date and remain passionate about the automotive industry.

Tips For Passing the ASE A-Series Tests 

The most important piece of advice for anyone is to properly prepare before attempting one or more of the A-Series exams. This means actually studying – not just skimming material right before the exam. If you’re out of practice, here are some study tips.

In many cases, the thought process behind the ASE questions is different than what you might encounter in the field.

You may need to recall some of the automotive theories that you learned in school, in addition to what you know from working in the shop. Even industry veterans should spend a sufficient amount of time studying and preparing for these exams.

Also, if you’re like many industry professionals, you may not have taken a multiple-choice exam in a long time. To prepare yourself, you’ll want to take a look at the practice tests on the official ASE website. You’ll also want to quiz yourself when you aren’t at your computer, using a mobile study tool like Pocket Prep.

The final piece of advice is to remember not to stress out about taking the test. You can always retake the exam if you fail. The only stipulation is that you have to wait 30 days before you can register again. You (or your employer) will also have to pay the registration fees to reschedule the test.

Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for technicians to fail an ASE exam on their first try. Even many of the most successful industry professionals have failed a test or two.

But the best technicians don’t give up – and neither should you. If you fail the first time, keep studying until you pass. Your efforts will be well worth it once you become an ASE Certified Technician.