Varsity Tutors is a powerful educational resource that can match you with formal ASE certification training in a timely fashion. The ASE, or National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, offers more than 40 voluntary professional certifications to automotive mechanics in an effort to promote distinction in vehicle repair and parts distribution throughout the United States.
Earning one of these professional certifications demonstrates to both potential employers and prospective clients that you have the expertise needed to excel as a professional mechanic. As such, you could be able to negotiate a higher salary or pursue exciting new career opportunities once you are certified. Pursuing professional certification also ensures that your skills remain current, preparing you to work with new technologies as they become available.
Of course, you need to pass a challenging standardized test before you can realize any of the potential benefits described above. If you're looking for a little assistance with your test prep, keep reading to learn more about the benefits of taking one of our ASE certification course offerings.
Are There Any Prerequisites I Should Be Aware of Before Investing in Professional ASE Certification Training?
All ASE certifications are associated with prerequisites, though the exact qualifications differ according to the exam you plan to take. In addition to passing an exam, you always need either full-time, hands-on work experience or a combination of formal training and practical experience. Most exams require a minimum of two years experience, so this isn't a cert you can pursue immediately out of school.
However, you can sit for the test whenever you feel like you have the knowledge to pass it. If you pass it before meeting the experience qualification, you will become ASE-certified as soon as you gain the experience you need.
ASE also offers "Master Technician" status to individuals who pass a specified group of exams within a series of tests. For example, you need to pass eight different exams in the Automobile & Light Truck test series (coded A1-A8) in order to earn Master Status.
Most ASE certifications are only valid for five years, after which you need to take a Recertification exam in order to demonstrate that your skills are keeping up with automotive advances. You qualify for a Recertification exam in every specialty you have ever been certified in, regardless of how long it's been since your certification lapsed.
What Material Can I Review in My ASE Certification Class?
Since each individual exam covers a different specialization, the content you cover depends on the specific test you're prepping for. If you're studying for Test H-5 (Transit Bus: Suspension and Steering), your instructor can review topics such as how to properly diagnose steering column issues, how to purge air from the power steering system, how to check rear axle alignment and tracking, and how to handle toe-out-on-turns.
If you're preparing for a different test such as Test X1 (Exhaust Systems), you can instead review how to inspect for leaks and overheating by utilizing a variety of different tests, how to work with the electrical exhaust system components, and how to repair and replace exhaust manifolds. We provide specialized ASE certification training for every exam you might consider taking, ensuring that your test prep is focused on the concepts you need to understand.
Your instructor also has a variety of proven teaching techniques at their disposal to help you understand anything you're having a hard time with. If you're unsure when it's appropriate to use different cooling system pressure tests to diagnose an engine issue for Test A1 (Automobile & Light Truck: Engine Repair), your instructor can provide a helpful graphical representation of the material to make it easier to study. Likewise, your instructor can teach you memorization tricks to make it easier to remember automotive terminology.
Similarly, your instructor can provide a step by step tutorial on how to isolate engine noises and determine the needed action. If you're a kinesthetic learner who studies best by doing, working with models could also be a focal point of your ASE certification training.
Studying also gets easier when you are engaged with the material, so your instructor can work to make your class sessions as engaging as possible. For example, a humorous story about an oil pump that wasn't disassembled properly can help you remember the proper procedure if you find yourself in a comparable situation.
While you could try to study these topics on your own, working with an expert instructor ensures that your questions are answered promptly and correctly. In fact, your instructor is likely to foster a learning environment in which questions are encouraged to help you nip any learning obstacles in the bud. Your instructor can also break down the information you're studying into more digestible bites, making ASE certification training feel less overwhelming than trying to decipher the test's entire syllabus at once.
Unlike many competing "ASE certification course" products, all of our courses consist of 100 percent live instruction. Your instructor can react to the needs of you and your classmates in real time, so you don't spend any valuable study time on concepts you already understand. In contrast, a pre-recorded lecture must follow its scripted curriculum whether you find it helpful or not. Your course can also produce intriguing group discussions that a recording could never replicate.
What Are ASE Exams Like?
ASE offers a variety of different tests each centered on a different specialization in the field of automotive repair, so there is some variation in formatting. All ASE tests utilize multiple-choice formats, with anywhere from 40-75 scored questions per exam. You will have a comfortable amount of time to finish (generally 1-2 hours), but you should still be aware of the clock as you work. For instance, Test B2 (Painting & Refinishing) contains 55 scored questions (65 items total) over a testing session lasting an hour and a half.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence administers all of its exams in an electronic format at Prometric testing centers nationwide. If you have no prior experience taking standardized assessments in a test center environment, your instructor can help you understand what you should expect.
Can My Instructor Cover Test-Taking Strategies During My ASE Certification Training?
Absolutely. For example, ASE multiple-choice items generally contain four possible answer choices. A blind guess, therefore, has a 25 percent chance of proving correct, but your instructor can teach you how to eliminate some of the incorrect responses to improve those odds. Getting rid of one raises your odds to 33 percent, while it goes to 50 percent if you can eliminate two. You might even be able to eliminate three answer choices and deduce the correct answer even if you don't actually know it.
Your instructor can also share valuable time management tips to help ensure that you have an opportunity to read every question. For example, it is rarely to your benefit to spend a great deal of time on any single item. The test's electronic interface offers flag functionality, meaning that you can take a guess and move on knowing that you can return to that item promptly if time allows at the end of the exam.
Another great way to make the most of the time available to you is to take practice exams under realistic test-taking conditions during your ASE certification training. After all, what better way could there be to learn how to budget your time than actually doing so?
You can also review your practice test answers with your instructor to develop a sense of what you are doing well and any areas where you could still improve. If you're having a hard time with some of the questions on Test P4 (General Motors Parts Consultant), you know that you should ask your instructor to go over them again prior to your testing date. Any items you tend to answer correctly on practice exams could provide you with a jolt of self-confidence when you see similar questions on your actual test.
Taking practice tests can also prepare you for any tricks your exam uses to stump test-takers. For instance, some ASE tests change their directions midway through with little indication. It would be a shame to get something wrong because you didn't read the directions properly, so your instructor can show you what to look out for. Similarly, your instructor can teach you how to spot question-altering words such as "not" and "except" so that you understand exactly what an item is asking of you.
If you deal with test anxiety, your instructor can show you various methods of managing it as well. Sometimes, simply knowing that your ASE certification training covered everything on the exam can be enough to help you calm down. If you need to be a little bit more proactive to reach for your goals, you can study meditation techniques to make it easier to soothe your nerves and concentrate on the item in front of you.
What Are the Advantages of Studying in the Collaborative Learning Environment Provided by A Formal ASE Certification Class?
You might not want to share your instructor with your fellow students at first, and that's completely understandable. That said, your peers can also prove valuable in your quest to attain a greater understanding of ASE concepts.
For example, some of your classmates might have more professional experience than you do. If you listen to the stories they have to tell, you may be able to benefit from the mistakes they've made along the way. Similarly, one of your new friends may be able to offer a unique perspective that you never would have come up with on your own. Your instructor can even assign group projects to promote a free exchange of ideas.
The inverse is also true. If some of your classmates are struggling with concepts on the Automobile Service Consultant Certification Test (C1), you can also try teaching them to help out while also developing a superior understanding of the material yourself.
Automotive mechanics need effective communication skills to work with the public, especially since most people don't understand exactly how their vehicles work. Sadly, this aspect of the job is often neglected during ASE certification training. Your instructor can break your class into pairs, giving you an opportunity to role-play customer interactions. Not only can this give you valuable experience explaining complicated concepts in layman's terms, but it can also help you understand exactly what customers want from their mechanic.
Are There Any Additional Benefits Associated With Formal ASE Certification Training?
One of the most challenging aspects of standardized test prep is setting aside enough time to adequately prepare. There are plenty of things you'd rather be doing, and procrastination can prove to be a slippery slope. Enrolling in an ASE certification course devotes some time to test preparation, getting you moving in the right direction.
If you decide to supplement your professional instruction on your own time, your teacher can point you toward up to date resources to ensure that you're working with accurate information. Automotive repair is a dynamic field, so something written a few short years ago could already be obsolete.
Your instructor can also provide guidance on how to approach exam day for best results. For example, eating a balanced meal before your exam can ensure that you have the mental energy you need to do your best. Arriving at the testing center early gives you a chance to settle in instead of rushing, and wearing your favorite outfit can put you in a positive frame of mind. You can even take an unscheduled break if you really need to. Many students don't think of things like this until it's too late, but having these tips in advance can really set you up for success.
Your teacher can also help you make the most of the materials available to you. For instance, you can't bring notes or books with you to the testing center, so you can't cram in the minutes before the exam starts. However, you are provided with scrap paper and pencils. If you're concerned that you might forget something, making a note of it as soon as you receive your paper gives you a convenient resource you can reference during the exam.
Are You Sure ASE Certification Training Can Fit Into My Busy Schedule?
While our competitors frequently expect you to travel out of your way to attend their courses, we offer a proprietary Live Learning Platform that lets you study on your terms. If you want to attend courses without leaving home, our exclusive platform facilitates that. Our mobile-friendly platform also allows you to study in a local cafe or library, giving you near-total control of your learning environment.
Some students are leery of online sessions because they're concerned that they aren't as effective as the "real thing," but our platform offers powerful features such as video chat functionality and a virtual whiteboard to provide a face-to-face study experience. Your instructor can see and hear you at all times, so asking for help is as simple as raising your hand. Likewise, studying remotely allows you to work with the best instructor possible, no matter where you live.
We also provide several course options concurrently to make it easier to find something that works for you. If you'd like to finish as quickly as possible, taking a two-week course may prove conducive to your goals. If you're already overwhelmed by professional and personal responsibilities, spreading your course over four weeks may make more sense for you. You get the same quality of instruction and number of contact hours either way, so go with whichever option makes the most sense for you.
We start new classes every month, so it's always a good time to get started. You also have the right to arrange private study time with your teacher if you feel like you could use extra support to understand a particular concept. In short, we do everything in our power to take the logistical headache out of ASE certification training.
Can Somebody Help Me Sign Up For These Courses?
If you were to try to find a qualified instructor on your own, you would need to verify that any candidate could accommodate your unique scheduling needs. You would also need to look into their communication skills, as teachers need to be able to convey information effectively to act as effective educators. Most importantly, your instructor needs to be up to date on everything pertaining to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Who has time to do all of that?
Instead, let Varsity Tutors enroll you in an ASE certification class that meets all of your scheduling needs. We strive to make our sign-up process as accessible as possible, and knowledgeable Educational Consultants are standing by to answer any questions you have. Reach out either by phone or online to get started today! You'll be glad you did, and we look forward to getting you started on your ASE certification journey.
ASE Certifications
- A1 – Engine Repair
- A2 – Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
- A3 – Manual Drive Train & Axles
- A4 – Suspension & Steering
- A5 – Brakes
- A6 – Electrical/Electronic Systems
- A7 – Heating & Air Conditioning
- A8 – Engine Performance
- A9 – Light Vehicle Diesel Engines
- B2 – Painting & Refinishing
- B3 – Non-Structural Analysis & Damage Repair
- B4 – Structural Analysis & Damage Repair
- B5 – Mechanical & Electrical Components
- B6 – Damage Analysis & Estimating
- C1 – Automobile Service Consultant
- E1 – Truck Equipment Installation & Repair
- E2 – Electrical/Electronic Systems Installation & Repair
- E3 – Auxiliary Power Systems Installation & Repair
- F1 – Alternate Fuels
- G1 – Auto Maintenance and Light Repair
- H1 – Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Engines
- H2 – Diesel Engines
- H3 – Drive Train
- H4 – Brakes
- H5 – Suspension & Steering
- H6 – Electrical/Electronic Systems
- H7 – Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- H8 – Preventive Maintenance & Inspection (PMI)
- L1 – Advanced Engine Performance Specialist
- L2 – Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist
- L3 – Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist
- P1 – Medium-Heavy Truck Parts Specialist
- P2 – Automobile Parts Specialist
- P4 – General Motors Parts Consultant
- S1 – Body Systems & Special Equipment
- S2 – Diesel Engines
- S3 – Drive Train
- S4 – Brakes
- S5 – Suspension & Steering
- S6 – Electrical/Electronic Systems
- S7 – Air Conditioning Systems & Controls
- T1 – Gasoline Engines
- T2 – Diesel Engines
- T3 – Drive Train
- T4 – Brakes
- T5 – Suspension & Steering
- T6 – Electrical/ Electronic Systems
- T7 – Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- T8 – Preventive Maintenance Inspection
- X1 – Undercar Specialist Exhaust Systems