NCE PRACTICE EXAM

2023 Edition

Take one of our 13 free 2023 ASE Practice Tests below to see what type of questions appear on an ASE auto mechanic certification exam. The 13 free tests are specific to an ASE series. The free test below is general to all areas. An auto mechanic can get certified by taking the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) exams, covering different subject areas, such as diesel and gas engines, trucks, buses, damage repair, auto components and much more.

These practice exams were written by Dr. John Kershaw, ASE Test Prep Expert, ASE Test Question Developer, ASE Certified Master Technician, ASE Master Truck Technician and Auto Industry Technical Instructor.

For complete A Series practice, go to the A1 - A8 Practice Test Set with 800 Questions.
For more free practice questions, see the following tests geared toward specific ASE subject areas:
ASE A1 - Engine Repair Practice Test
ASE A2 - Automatic Transmission Practice Test
ASE A3 - Manual Drive Train and Final Drive Practice Test
ASE A4 - Suspension and Steering Practice Test
ASE A5 - Brakes Practice Test
ASE A6 - Electrical / Electronics Practice Test
ASE A7 - Heating and Air Conditioning Practice Test
ASE A8 - Engine Performance
ASE A9 - Light Vehicle Diesel Engines
ASE G1 - Auto Maintenance and Light Repair
ASE L1 - Advanced Engine Performance Specialist
ASE L2 - Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist
ASE L3 - Light Duty Hybrid / Electric Vehicle Specialist

Our ASE practice test materials were written by Dr. John Kershaw, an ASE test prep expert. Dr. Kershaw has been an ASE test question developer, ASE Certified Master Technician, ASE Master Truck Technician, auto industry technical instructor and was among the first candidates certified by the ASE in 1972.



1.	You are replacing brake pads. You've already removed the wheels. What is the appropriate next step for most vehicles?
		a. Remove the old brake pads
		b. Unbolt the caliper
		c. Break the lugs
		d. None of the above
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



2.	A low-mileage vehicle is running hot. Assuming the radiator has enough coolant, what is the most likely problem?
		a. The block has a partial restriction.
		b. The water pump has broken down.
		c. The thermostat has stopped working.
		d. All of the above
		e. Either b or c
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



3.	A car is pulling to one side as it drives. The most common causes of this problem are listed below. Which one should you check first?
		a. Uneven tire wear
		b. Bad alignment
		c. Low or uneven tire pressure
		d. A sticking brake caliper
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



4.	When you replace an oil drain plug, you should retighten it according to the old maxim "snug, but not too hard."
		True
		False
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



5.	In what order should you replace spark plugs?
		a. All at once
		b. An entire row at once
		c. One at a time, starting at the bottom of the row
		d. One at a time, starting at the top of the row
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



6.	You are replacing a fuel tank. You've drained and stored all the gas in the vehicle. What is the next step?
		a. Take the straps off the tank and drop it.
		b. Disconnect the fuel lines.
		c. Drop the rear suspension.
		d. None of the above
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



7.	A vehicle comes into your shop with a transmission problem. What is the FIRST thing you should do?
		a. Check the fluid level
		b. Check for leaks
		c. Look at the filter
		d. Disassemble the transmission and check the gears.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



8.	Problems with spark plug wires are almost always caused by cracks in the insulation.
		True
		False
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



9.	You are completing a radiator flush. You have drained the old coolant and added the flush solution. What is the next step?
		a. Turn the vehicle on and let it run until it reaches its normal operating temperature.
		b. Turn the heater on and let it run at the highest setting for 10 minutes.
		c. Drain the solution and add fresh radiator coolant.
		d. None of the above
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



10.	An engine is misfiring. Which of the following is NOT a likely cause?
		a. The ignition timing may be set wrong.
		b. The cooling system may be malfunctioning.
		c. The fuel filter may be clogged.
		d. The vehicle may have a vacuum leak.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



11.	What is the last step in a brake job?
		a. Replace the caliper assembly
		b. Replace and tighten the nuts
		c. Press the brake pedal to make sure the brake pressure is satisfactory.
		d. None of the above
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



12.	An air filter should not be replaced until it shows visible signs of accumulated particles.
		True
		False
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



13.	Black smoke is mixed into the exhaust of a vehicle you have been tasked to repair. Which of the following is a likely cause?
		a. Leaking fuel injectors
		b. A closed carburetor choke
		c. A dirty air filter
		d. Any of the above
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



14.	Which of the following is NOT a possible cause of an engine hesitating?
		a. The air filter needs to be replaced.
		b. The ignition wires need to be replaced.
		c. The fuel filter is clogged.
		d. The engine has a vacuum leak.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



15.	A vehicle is knocking when it goes over bumps or cracks in the road. Which of the following is a likely cause of the problem?
		a. Low power steering fluid
		b. Shocks or struts that need to be replaced.
		c. A broken tie rod
		d. A worn power steering belt
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



16.	It is recommended that a timing belt be replaced at the manufacturer's suggested interval if a visual inspection reveals only minor fraying.
		True
		False
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



17.	A brake pedal has to go down too far to stop. Which of the following is not likely to be a cause of this problem?
		a. Low brake fluid
		b. Worn brake pads
		c. Contaminated brake fluid
		d. A brake line obstruction
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



18.	What type of fuse is a car made before 1980 likely to have?
		a. Blade
		b. Ceramic
		c. Glass Tube
		d. Any of the above
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



19.	What is the most common reason a car will not start?
		a. A bad fuse
		b. A dead battery
		c. A bad starter
		d. A bad ignition switch
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



20.	The water pump is the most important part of any vehicle's cooling system.
		True
		False
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



21.	An engine has recently begun using a lot of oil and the coolant is foamy and brown. Which of the following is likely to have caused this problem?
		a. A cylinder head has been cracked.
		b. A head gasket has blown.
		c. The oil-to-water cooler is leaking.
		d. Any of the above
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



22.	Transmissions have a tendency to start leaking over time. Which of the following is NOT a common spot for a leak to occur?
		a. The drain hole beneath the transmission
		b. The base of the filler tube
		c. The filter housing
		d. The mounting point of the speed sensor
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



23.	When a car battery develops problems, it is most often because of dirty posts.
		True
		False
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



24.	A vehicle is having difficulty with steering. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
		a. The power steering belt needs to be adjusted or replaced.
		b. The vehicle is low on power steering fluid.
		c. The power steering pump needs to be replaced.
		d. The power steering rack is leaking.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



25.	Which of the following is NOT a common reason the CHECK ENGINE light comes on in most vehicles?
		a. The battery is dying.
		b. The gas cap is loose.
		c. The spark plug wires need to be replaced.
		d. The engine has somehow gotten wet.
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

NCE PRACTICE EXAM

Free ASE Practice Test



26.	Which of the following is a common cause of an engine consuming too much oil? Assume there is no oil in the exhaust.
		a. A leaking air-to-water cooler
		b. A cracked cylinder
		c. Leaking gaskets and/or seals
		d. Worn piston rings
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



27.	The most efficient bank angle for a six cylinder engine is 60 degrees.
		True
		False
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



28.	A brake pedal has no or little air pressure. Which of the following is not likely to be the cause?
		a. A bad master cylinder
		b. Air in the brake fluid
		c. Vacuum problems
		d. Low brake fluid
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.



29.	A vehicle comes into the shop with gray or blue smoke in the exhaust. Which of the following is likely to be the cause?
		a. Worn valve seals
		b. The PCV valve needs to be replaced.
		c. The engine has a mechanical problem
		d. Any of the above
Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.