ASE AUTOMOBILE TECHNICIAN A5
BRAKES PRACTICE EXAM QUESTION
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of a brake booster?
A. Increase brake pad friction
B. Reduce pedal travel
C. Multiply driver pedal force
D. Prevent brake fade
Rationale: The brake booster uses engine vacuum or hydraulic pressure to
multiply the force applied by the driver.
2. A low brake pedal that pumps up usually indicates:
A. Worn brake pads
B. Air in the hydraulic system
C. Warped rotors
D. Faulty ABS module
Rationale: Air compresses in the hydraulic system, causing a spongy or
low pedal that improves when pumped.
3. Disc brake calipers that fail to retract can cause:
A. Hard pedal
B. Brake drag and overheating
C. Increased stopping distance only
D. ABS activation
Rationale: Sticking calipers keep pads in contact with the rotor, causing
drag and heat.
4. Which component converts hydraulic pressure into mechanical force at the
wheel?
, A. Master cylinder
B. Brake booster
C. Caliper or wheel cylinder
D. Proportioning valve
Rationale: Calipers and wheel cylinders apply force to pads or shoes using
hydraulic pressure.
5. A proportioning valve is used to:
A. Increase rear brake pressure
B. Reduce rear brake pressure during hard stops
C. Equalize pedal force
D. Bleed air from the system
Rationale: It prevents rear-wheel lockup by limiting rear brake pressure.
6. Which condition can cause a brake pedal to feel spongy?
A. Glazed pads
B. Air or moisture in brake fluid
C. Bent backing plate
D. Faulty parking brake
Rationale: Air or moisture compresses, reducing pedal firmness.
7. DOT 3 brake fluid is primarily made from:
A. Silicone
B. Petroleum
C. Glycol-based compounds
D. Alcohol
Rationale: DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids are glycol-based and hygroscopic.
8. ABS wheel speed sensors are used to detect:
A. Brake pad wear
B. Hydraulic pressure
C. Wheel rotation speed
D. Rotor thickness
Rationale: ABS relies on wheel speed data to prevent lockup.
9. Excessive brake pedal free play is usually caused by:
A. Overfilled master cylinder
B. Improper pedal adjustment or worn linkage
, C. Contaminated pads
D. ABS malfunction
Rationale: Mechanical linkage or adjustment issues cause excess free
play.
10.What tool is commonly used to measure brake rotor thickness?
A. Dial indicator
B. Feeler gauge
C. Micrometer
D. Vacuum gauge
Rationale: A micrometer accurately measures rotor thickness.
11.Brake fade is most often caused by:
A. Excessive brake fluid
B. Overheating of friction materials
C. Air in the system
D. Faulty ABS sensors
Rationale: High heat reduces friction effectiveness.
12.Which symptom indicates a leaking master cylinder?
A. Hard pedal
B. Pedal slowly sinking while held
C. Pulsating pedal
D. Noise during braking
Rationale: Internal leaks allow pressure to bypass seals.
13.Drum brakes use which component to keep shoes close to the drum?
A. Anchor pin
B. Self-adjuster mechanism
C. Return springs
D. Parking brake cable
Rationale: The self-adjuster maintains proper shoe-to-drum clearance.
14.A brake warning light may be triggered by:
A. Worn tires
B. Low brake fluid level
C. Faulty alternator
BRAKES PRACTICE EXAM QUESTION
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of a brake booster?
A. Increase brake pad friction
B. Reduce pedal travel
C. Multiply driver pedal force
D. Prevent brake fade
Rationale: The brake booster uses engine vacuum or hydraulic pressure to
multiply the force applied by the driver.
2. A low brake pedal that pumps up usually indicates:
A. Worn brake pads
B. Air in the hydraulic system
C. Warped rotors
D. Faulty ABS module
Rationale: Air compresses in the hydraulic system, causing a spongy or
low pedal that improves when pumped.
3. Disc brake calipers that fail to retract can cause:
A. Hard pedal
B. Brake drag and overheating
C. Increased stopping distance only
D. ABS activation
Rationale: Sticking calipers keep pads in contact with the rotor, causing
drag and heat.
4. Which component converts hydraulic pressure into mechanical force at the
wheel?
, A. Master cylinder
B. Brake booster
C. Caliper or wheel cylinder
D. Proportioning valve
Rationale: Calipers and wheel cylinders apply force to pads or shoes using
hydraulic pressure.
5. A proportioning valve is used to:
A. Increase rear brake pressure
B. Reduce rear brake pressure during hard stops
C. Equalize pedal force
D. Bleed air from the system
Rationale: It prevents rear-wheel lockup by limiting rear brake pressure.
6. Which condition can cause a brake pedal to feel spongy?
A. Glazed pads
B. Air or moisture in brake fluid
C. Bent backing plate
D. Faulty parking brake
Rationale: Air or moisture compresses, reducing pedal firmness.
7. DOT 3 brake fluid is primarily made from:
A. Silicone
B. Petroleum
C. Glycol-based compounds
D. Alcohol
Rationale: DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids are glycol-based and hygroscopic.
8. ABS wheel speed sensors are used to detect:
A. Brake pad wear
B. Hydraulic pressure
C. Wheel rotation speed
D. Rotor thickness
Rationale: ABS relies on wheel speed data to prevent lockup.
9. Excessive brake pedal free play is usually caused by:
A. Overfilled master cylinder
B. Improper pedal adjustment or worn linkage
, C. Contaminated pads
D. ABS malfunction
Rationale: Mechanical linkage or adjustment issues cause excess free
play.
10.What tool is commonly used to measure brake rotor thickness?
A. Dial indicator
B. Feeler gauge
C. Micrometer
D. Vacuum gauge
Rationale: A micrometer accurately measures rotor thickness.
11.Brake fade is most often caused by:
A. Excessive brake fluid
B. Overheating of friction materials
C. Air in the system
D. Faulty ABS sensors
Rationale: High heat reduces friction effectiveness.
12.Which symptom indicates a leaking master cylinder?
A. Hard pedal
B. Pedal slowly sinking while held
C. Pulsating pedal
D. Noise during braking
Rationale: Internal leaks allow pressure to bypass seals.
13.Drum brakes use which component to keep shoes close to the drum?
A. Anchor pin
B. Self-adjuster mechanism
C. Return springs
D. Parking brake cable
Rationale: The self-adjuster maintains proper shoe-to-drum clearance.
14.A brake warning light may be triggered by:
A. Worn tires
B. Low brake fluid level
C. Faulty alternator
