LATEST ASE ENTRY-LEVEL
CERTIFICATION – AUTOMOBILE
MAINTENANCE AND LIGHT REPAIR
CERTIFICATION EXAM OFFERED BY
National Institute for Automotive
Service Excellence (ASE) | Q&A WITH
RATIONALES
1. A technician is performing a compression test.
Technician A says the engine should be cranked over
with the pressure gauge installed for "4 puffs."
Technician B says the maximum difference between
the highest-reading cylinder and the lowest-reading
cylinder should be 20%. Which technician is correct?
A) Technician A only
B) Technician B only
C) Both Technicians A and B
D) Neither Technician A nor B
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Four compression strokes (puffs) are
generally sufficient for a compression test reading,
and a variation of more than 20% between cylinders
indicates a problem.
,2. Technician A says oil should be squirted into all
cylinders before taking a compression test.
Technician B says if compression greatly increases
when oil is squirted into the cylinders, it indicates
defective or worn piston rings. Which technician is
correct?
A) Technician A only
B) Technician B only
C) Both Technicians A and B
D) Neither Technician A nor B
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A "wet" compression test involves adding
oil to the cylinders. If compression readings increase
significantly, it indicates worn piston rings or cylinder
walls. Oil should only be added if the dry test shows
low compression.
3. During a cylinder leakage (leak-down) test, air is
noticed coming out of the oil fill opening. Technician
A says the oil filter may be clogged. Technician B
says the piston rings may be worn or defective.
Which technician is correct?
A) Technician A only
B) Technician B only
,C) Both Technicians A and B
D) Neither Technician A nor B
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Air escaping from the oil fill opening during
a leak-down test indicates blow-by past the piston
rings, suggesting worn rings or cylinder walls.
4. When replacing a water pump, which of the
following should be done?
A) Torque all fasteners to factory specifications
B) Use a new gasket/seal
C) Check that the accessory drive belt is properly
aligned and tensioned
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Proper water pump replacement requires
torquing fasteners to specifications, using a new
gasket or seal, and ensuring the drive belt is
correctly aligned and tensioned.
5. Coolant should be tested for:
A) Proper color
B) Freezing point
, C) Specific gravity
D) Both B and C
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Coolant should be tested for both freezing
point (temperature) and specific gravity to ensure
proper protection and concentration.
6. When using a scan tool to retrieve diagnostic
trouble codes (DTCs), the technician should also:
A) Check monitor status
B) Check freeze frame data
C) Record any stored DTCs
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When retrieving DTCs, the technician
should also check monitor status, review freeze
frame data, and record all stored codes for proper
diagnosis.
7. Leaking antifreeze can be what color?
A) Green
B) Orange
C) Red
CERTIFICATION – AUTOMOBILE
MAINTENANCE AND LIGHT REPAIR
CERTIFICATION EXAM OFFERED BY
National Institute for Automotive
Service Excellence (ASE) | Q&A WITH
RATIONALES
1. A technician is performing a compression test.
Technician A says the engine should be cranked over
with the pressure gauge installed for "4 puffs."
Technician B says the maximum difference between
the highest-reading cylinder and the lowest-reading
cylinder should be 20%. Which technician is correct?
A) Technician A only
B) Technician B only
C) Both Technicians A and B
D) Neither Technician A nor B
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Four compression strokes (puffs) are
generally sufficient for a compression test reading,
and a variation of more than 20% between cylinders
indicates a problem.
,2. Technician A says oil should be squirted into all
cylinders before taking a compression test.
Technician B says if compression greatly increases
when oil is squirted into the cylinders, it indicates
defective or worn piston rings. Which technician is
correct?
A) Technician A only
B) Technician B only
C) Both Technicians A and B
D) Neither Technician A nor B
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A "wet" compression test involves adding
oil to the cylinders. If compression readings increase
significantly, it indicates worn piston rings or cylinder
walls. Oil should only be added if the dry test shows
low compression.
3. During a cylinder leakage (leak-down) test, air is
noticed coming out of the oil fill opening. Technician
A says the oil filter may be clogged. Technician B
says the piston rings may be worn or defective.
Which technician is correct?
A) Technician A only
B) Technician B only
,C) Both Technicians A and B
D) Neither Technician A nor B
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Air escaping from the oil fill opening during
a leak-down test indicates blow-by past the piston
rings, suggesting worn rings or cylinder walls.
4. When replacing a water pump, which of the
following should be done?
A) Torque all fasteners to factory specifications
B) Use a new gasket/seal
C) Check that the accessory drive belt is properly
aligned and tensioned
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Proper water pump replacement requires
torquing fasteners to specifications, using a new
gasket or seal, and ensuring the drive belt is
correctly aligned and tensioned.
5. Coolant should be tested for:
A) Proper color
B) Freezing point
, C) Specific gravity
D) Both B and C
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Coolant should be tested for both freezing
point (temperature) and specific gravity to ensure
proper protection and concentration.
6. When using a scan tool to retrieve diagnostic
trouble codes (DTCs), the technician should also:
A) Check monitor status
B) Check freeze frame data
C) Record any stored DTCs
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When retrieving DTCs, the technician
should also check monitor status, review freeze
frame data, and record all stored codes for proper
diagnosis.
7. Leaking antifreeze can be what color?
A) Green
B) Orange
C) Red
