Part of the expanding PassProfessor catalog: PassProfessor is building an ASE practice program mapped test-by-test to the Automobile & Light Truck Certification Tests (A1–A9) published by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Join the notify list and we will email you when enrollment opens.
This program is part of the expanding PassProfessor catalog — join the notify list and we’ll email you when enrollment opens.
ASE certification is the automotive industry’s standard credential for technicians, earned test by test from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. The core series for car and light-truck technicians is the A Series: nine separate tests, A1 through A9, covering everything from Engine Repair (A1) to Light Vehicle Diesel Engines (A9). Each test stands on its own — 40 to 50 scored questions, in 60 to 90 minutes, plus hands-on work experience ASE must approve before the credential itself is issued. PassProfessor’s ASE program, now in development, will prepare you against the same test structure and task areas ASE publishes, so the time you spend practicing lines up with the test you actually sit. Our full breakdown of the real exams is in the ASE exam guide.
What the program will cover
The A Series, test by test, at its real shape. The program is being built directly on ASE’s published A-Series structure. A6 Electrical/Electronic Systems — the longest A test at 50 scored questions in 90 minutes — gets practice at that length and weight, and a shorter test such as A3 Manual Drive Train & Axles (40 scored questions in 60 minutes) is not padded to look bigger than it is. The coverage table below shows the blueprint the program is built to.
Diagnosis-first practice, not just parts naming. ASE tests reward judgment: given a customer concern, a symptom, or a measurement that is out of specification, what do you check next, and what repair follows? The program is being designed around that style of question — system diagnosis, service decisions, and repair reasoning across each A test’s area — because recognizing a component and diagnosing its failure are different skills, and only the second one is tested at depth.
The Technician A / Technician B format, made familiar. ASE tests are known for scenario items, including the format where two technicians make different statements and you judge each one. The program will include practice in the formats ASE uses, so the question style itself costs you no time or confidence on test day.
Timed practice at each test’s real length. ASE pacing is tight: 45 scored questions in 75 minutes on A1, A2, and A5; 50 in 90 minutes on A6. And every certification test carries 10 additional research questions you cannot identify, so the clock runs on more questions than the scored count suggests. The program will include timed practice at each test’s published length, so pacing is a practiced skill rather than a test-day surprise.
A study loop tied to the test you are taking next. Practice results will break down by test and task area, so a weak area — brakes hydraulics inside A5, say, or charging-system diagnosis inside A6 — shows up in your practice data while there is still time to fix it, not for the first time on a score report. That matters most for technicians working toward Master status one test at a time.
The real exams at a glance
Current as of October 2026, per the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ase.com). Full detail — work experience, registration windows, test day, retakes, and recertification — is in our ASE exam guide.
| ASE Automobile & Light Truck Tests (A Series) | |
|---|---|
| Awarded by | National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
| Tests in the series | 9 separate tests: A1–A9 |
| Scored questions per test | 40–50, depending on the test (see the table below) |
| Additional questions on screen | 10 unscored research questions on each certification test |
| Time limit per test | 60–90 minutes, depending on the test |
| Also required for certification | Relevant hands-on work experience, approved by ASE (amount varies by test) |
| Master status | Certification in A1–A8 earns ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technician status; A9 is not required for it |
| Certification validity | 5 years; recertification tests (A1R–A9R) are about half as long |
| Delivery | In person at a Prometric test center; online remote testing for those eligible |
| Language | Tests A1–A9 are available in Spanish |
- Passing a test and being certified are two steps, not one. Per ASE, you must pass an ASE test and have full-time, hands-on work experience (or a combination of formal training and experience) to become ASE Certified. You may take most tests before you have the experience — you will receive a score report, but ASE will not issue the certification or certificate until your experience is reviewed and approved.
- ASE publishes no single passing percentage. ASE does not state one simple percentage that passes every test, so this page does not print one. Plan to practice comfortably above the standard for the specific test you are taking, across all of its task areas — and be skeptical of any source that promises a fixed number of questions you are allowed to miss.
- You have 90 days to test once you buy. Per ASE, once you have purchased a test you have 90 days from the original date of purchase to schedule an appointment and take it. Buy when your preparation and your work calendar can actually use that window.
How the practice maps to the real exams
The program is being built test-by-test on ASE’s published A-Series structure — the same tests the real credentials are built from. Scored counts and times below are ASE’s published figures for the certification tests; each certification test also includes 10 unscored research questions, and each recertification test (shown for planning) carries no research questions.
| ASE test | Scored questions / time (certification) | Scored questions / time (recertification) | What the program will drill |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 – Engine Repair | 45 / 75 mins | 23 / 30 mins (A1R) | Engine diagnosis and repair — the foundation test of the series |
| A2 – Automatic Transmission/Transaxle | 45 / 75 mins | 23 / 30 mins (A2R) | Automatic transmission and transaxle diagnosis, service, and repair |
| A3 – Manual Drive Train & Axles | 40 / 60 mins | 20 / 30 mins (A3R) | Clutches, manual transmissions and transaxles, driveshafts, and axles |
| A4 – Suspension & Steering | 40 / 60 mins | 20 / 30 mins (A4R) | Suspension and steering systems, alignment, and related diagnosis |
| A5 – Brakes | 45 / 75 mins | 23 / 30 mins (A5R) | Hydraulic, drum, disc, power-assist, and anti-lock brake systems |
| A6 – Electrical/Electronic Systems | 50 / 90 mins | 25 / 45 mins (A6R) | Battery, starting, charging, lighting, and body electrical diagnosis |
| A7 – Heating & Air Conditioning | 50 / 75 mins | 25 / 30 mins (A7R) | Refrigeration, heating, ventilation, and A/C controls and service |
| A8 – Engine Performance | 50 / 75 mins | 25 / 45 mins (A8R) | Drivability, ignition, fuel, emissions, and engine-performance diagnosis |
| A9 – Light Vehicle Diesel Engines | 50 / 75 mins | 25 / 30 mins (A9R) | Light-duty diesel engine systems, diagnosis, service, and repair |
ASE offers far more than the A Series — over 50 tests in total, including the T Series for medium-heavy truck, the B Series for collision repair and refinishing, the S Series for school bus, the H Series for transit bus, the L Series advanced-level specialist tests (L1–L4), the G1 Auto Maintenance and Light Repair test, the C1 Automobile Service Consultant test, the P Series parts specialist tests, and others. This program’s development focus is the A Series; the notify list is how we will announce any expansion beyond it.
How to use it
- Join the notify list today. While the program is in development, start with ASE’s free official material: the Automobile & Light Truck Study Guide for tests A1–A9 contains the test specifications, task lists, and sample questions for the test you plan to take — everything testable traces back to that list.
- Pick one test and prepare for that test. ASE certification is earned one test at a time. If you are working toward Master Automobile Technician status, the eight required tests are A1 through A8 — A9 is a separate light-diesel specialty and is not required for Master status.
- Sort your work experience early. Per ASE, your certificate for a passed test is delayed until your work experience information is reviewed and approved. Create your myASE account and submit the work experience form there rather than discovering the paperwork after you pass.
- When the program opens, practice timed, at the real test’s length. Forty-five scored questions in 75 minutes — plus 10 research questions you cannot spot — is a pacing skill separate from knowledge. Practice the full sitting, not just short quizzes.
- Register through myASE when your practice says you are ready — timed scores consistently strong across every task area of your target test — and remember the 90-day window starts at purchase, not at your first study session.
Frequently asked questions
What is ASE certification? ASE certification is a voluntary professional credential from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. A technician earns a separate certification for each ASE test passed — A5 for Brakes, A6 for Electrical/Electronic Systems, and so on — provided ASE also approves the required hands-on work experience. Employers and customers use the credential as evidence that a technician’s knowledge in that specialty has been independently tested.
How many ASE tests are there? ASE states that there are over 50 tests, segmented by sub-specialty — automobile, medium/heavy truck, school bus, transit bus, collision repair, and more. The Automobile & Light Truck series at the center of this program has nine tests, A1 through A9. Other series include T1–T8 (medium-heavy truck), B2–B5 and B6 (collision), S1–S7 (school bus), H1–H8 (transit bus), and the L1–L4 advanced-level specialist tests.
What do I need to become ASE certified in an A-Series area? Two things, per ASE: pass the test for that area, and have full-time, hands-on work experience (or a combination of formal training and experience). The amount of experience required varies by test — ASE lists Repair Technician requirements of 1, 2, or 3 years depending on the certification. You may take most tests before completing the experience, but certification is not issued until ASE approves it.
How many questions are on the ASE A tests, and how long do I get? It depends on the test. Scored questions run from 40 (A3 and A4, in 60 minutes) to 50 (A6, A7, A8, and A9 — 90 minutes for A6, 75 minutes for the others). A1, A2, and A5 each have 45 scored questions in 75 minutes. Every certification test adds 10 research questions that do not count toward your score and are not identified, so answer every question as if it counts.
What score do I need to pass an ASE test? ASE does not publish a single passing percentage that applies to all of its tests, and this page does not invent one. The practical standard is to prepare until you are consistently strong across every task area of the specific test you are taking — a score report, not a percentage promised by a study site, is the official result.
What is ASE Master Automobile Technician status? Technicians who are certified in tests A1 through A8 are recognized as ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians, per ASE. A9 (Light Vehicle Diesel Engines) is not a requirement for Master Automobile Technician status — it is an additional specialty a technician may add.
Can I take an ASE test in Spanish? Yes, for this series. Per ASE, tests A1–A9 and G1 are available in Spanish.
How long is ASE certification valid? Five years. Per ASE, certification credentials are valid for five years, and technicians must retest to retain certification. The A-Series recertification tests (A1R–A9R) are about half as long as the initial certification tests and include no research questions. A-Series certifications can also be maintained through the ASE Renewal App, one of the testing options ASE lists.
Where do I take an ASE test? Per ASE, the testing options are in-person testing at a Prometric test center, online remote testing at home or work for those eligible, and — for recertifying A-Series certifications — the ASE Renewal App. Purchasing and scheduling are done by logging in to your myASE account.
Are these the actual ASE test questions? No. PassProfessor practice questions are written independently, from scratch, to the test structure and task areas ASE publishes. We never use actual ASE test questions or another provider’s material. ASE’s own tests are written in workshops by a national panel of working technicians, manufacturers, and educators — no legitimate preparation product contains them.
When will the PassProfessor ASE program be available? It is in development now. Join the notify list on this page and we will email you when it opens. No enrollment is being taken yet, and we are not publishing a launch date we cannot keep.
Disclaimer
PassProfessor is an independent exam-preparation provider and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. ASE® and Automotive Service Excellence are marks of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. This program is exam preparation only and provides no certification; ASE certification is granted solely by ASE to candidates who pass its tests and meet its work-experience requirements. Exam details on this page are general information current as of October 2026 — ASE’s official publications govern if anything here differs from them.