Introduction

After receiving an overwhelming number of requests for a study guide, ASE Certification Training HQ has decided to put out a new series on ASE test preparation tips and tricks.

Types of Questions on ASE Exam

Here at ASE Certification Training HQ, we believe that preparation is the key to success, and what better way to prepare than to know what types of questions will be asked on the ASE exam.  There are 5 basic types of questions, and we will cover each of them in the following sections.

The types are:

• Multiple-Choice Questions
• EXCEPT Questions
• Technician A, Technician B Questions
• Most-Likely Questions
• Least-Likely Questions

Different people tend to find different types of questions easier than others.  We recommend reviewing the types and seeing which questions you feel most comfortable answering.

ASE certification tests are often thought of as being tricky. They may seem to be tricky if you do not completely understand what is being asked. The following examples will help you recognize certain types of ASE questions and avoid common errors. Each test is made up of forty to eighty multiple-choice questions.

Multiple-choice questions are an efficient way to test knowledge. To answer them correctly, you must think about each choice as a possibility, and then choose the one that best answers the question. To do this, read each word of the question carefully. Do not assume you know what the question is about until you have finished reading it.

About 10 percent of the questions on an actual ASE exam will use an illustration. These drawings contain the information needed to correctly answer the question. The illustration must be studied carefully before attempting to answer the question. Often, techs look at the possible answers then try to match up the answers with the drawing. Always do the opposite; match the drawing to the answers.

When the illustration is showing an electrical schematic or another system in detail, look over the system and try to figure out how the system works before you look at the question and the possible answers.

Multiple-Choice Questions

One type of multiple-choice question has three wrong answers and one correct answer. The wrong answers, however, may be almost correct, so be careful not to jump at the first answer that seems to be correct. If all the answers seem to be correct, choose the answer that is the most correct. If you readily know the answer, this kind of question does not present a problem. If you are unsure of the answer, analyze the question and the answers. For example:

A rocker panel is a structural member of which vehicle construction type?
A. Front-wheel drive
B. Pickup truck
C. Unibody
D. Full-frame

Analysis:
This question asks for a specific answer. By carefully reading the question, you will find that it asks for a construction type that uses the rocker panel as a structural part of the vehicle.

Answer A is wrong. Front-wheel drive is not a vehicle construction type.

Answer B is wrong. A pickup truck is not a type of vehicle construction.

Answer C is correct. Unibody design creates structural integrity by welding parts together, such as the rocker panels, but does not require exterior cosmetic panels installed for full strength.

Answer D is wrong. Full-frame describes a body-over-frame construction type that relies on the frame assembly for structural integrity.

Therefore, the correct answer is C. If the question was read quickly and the words “construction type” were passed over, answer A may have been selected.

EXCEPT Questions

Another type of question used on ASE tests has answers that are all correct except one. The correct answer for this type of question is the answer that is wrong. The word “EXCEPT” will always be in capital letters. You must identify which of the choices is the wrong answer. If you read quickly through the question, you may overlook what the question is asking and answer the question with the first correct statement. This will make your answer wrong. An example of this type of question and the analysis is as follows:

All of the following are tools for the analysis of structural damage EXCEPT: A. height gauge. B. tape measure. C. dial indicator. D. tram gauge.

Analysis:
The question really requires you to identify the tool that is not used for analyzing structural damage. All tools given in the choices are used for analyzing structural damage except one. This question presents two basic problems for the test-taker who reads through the question too quickly. It may be possible to read over the word “EXCEPT” in the question or not think about which type of damage analysis would use answer C. In either case, the correct answer may not be selected. To correctly answer this question, you should know what tools are used for the analysis of structural damage. If you cannot immediately recognize the incorrect tool, you should be able to identify it by analyzing the other choices.

Answer A is wrong. A height gauge may be used to analyze structural damage.

Answer B is wrong. A tape measure may be used to analyze structural damage.

Answer C is correct. A dial indicator may he used as a damage analysis tool for moving parts, such as wheels, wheel hubs, and axle shafts, but would not be used to measure structural damage.

Answer D is wrong. A tram gauge is used to measure structural damage.

Technician A, Technician B Questions

The type of question that is most popularly associated with an ASE test is the “Tech­ nician A says… Technician B says… Who is right?” type. In this type of question, you must identify the correct statement or statements. To answer this type of question correctly, you must carefully read each technician’s statement and judge it on its own merit to determine if the statement is true.

Typically, this type of question begins with a statement about some analysis or repair procedure. This is followed by two statements about the cause of the problem, proper inspection, identification, or repair choices. You are asked whether the first statement, the second statement, both statements, or neither statement is correct. Analyzing this type of question is a little easier than the other types hecause there are only two ideas to consider although there are still four choices for an answer.

Technician A, Technician B questions are really double true or false questions. The best way to analyze this kind of question is to consider each technician’s statement sep­ arately. Ask yourself, is A true or false? Is B true or false? Then select your answer from the four choices. An important point to remember is that an ASE Technician A, Techni­ cian B question will never have Technician A and B directly disagreeing with each other. That is why you must evaluate each statement independently. An example of this type of question and the analysis of it follows.

Structural dimensions are being measured. Technician A says comparing measurements from one side to the other is enough to determine the damage. Technician B says a tram gauge can be used when a tape measure cannot measure in a straight line from point to point. Who is right?

A. A only

B. B only

C. Both A and B

D. Neither A nor B

Analysis:
With some vehicles built asymmetrically, side-to-side measurements are not always equal. The manufacturer’s specifications need to be verified with a dimension chart before reaching any conclusions about the structural damage.

Answer A is wrong. Technician A’s statement is wrong. A tram gauge would provide a point-to-point measurement when a part, such as a strut tower or air cleaner, interrupts a direct line between the points.

Answer B is correct. Technician B is correct. A tram gauge can be used when a tape measure cannot be used to measure in a straight line from point to point.

Answer C is wrong. Since Technician A is not correct, C cannot be the correct answer.

Answer D is wrong. Since Technician B is correct, D cannot be the correct answer.

Most-Likely Questions

Most-likely questions are somewhat difficult because only one choice is correct while the other three choices are nearly correct. An example of a most-likely-cause question is as follows:

The most likely cause of reduced turbocharger boost pressure may be a:

A. westgate valve stuck closed.

B. westgate valve stuck open.

C. leaking westgate diaphragm.

D. disconnected westgate linkage.

Analysis:

Answer A is wrong. A westgate valve stuck closed increases turbocharger boost pressure.

Answer B is correct. A westgate valve stuck open decreases turbocharger boost pressure.

Answer C is wrong. A leaking westgate valve diaphragm increases turbocharger boost pressure.

Answer D is wrong. A disconnected westgate valve linkage will increase turbocharger boost pressure.

LEAST-Likely Questions

Notice that in most-likely questions there is no capitalization. This is not so with LEAST-likely type questions. For this type of question, look for the choice that would be the least likely cause of the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer. An example is as follows:

What is the LEAST likely cause of a bent pushrod?

A. Excessive engine speed

B. A sticking valve

C. Excessive valve guide clearance

D. A worn rocker arm stud

Analysis:

Answer A is wrong. Excessive engine speed may cause a bent pushrod.

Answer B is wrong. A sticking valve may cause a bent pushrod.

Answer C is correct. Excessive vaJve clearance will not generally cause a bent pushrod.

Answer D is wrong. A worn rocker arm stud may cause a bent pushrod.

Next Steps towards ASE Certification

Now that you’re familiar with Heater Cores: Problem Diagnosis, Inspection, Pressure, and Dye Testing, try out our free Automotive Service Excellence Tests to see how much you know!