2026 Edition

ASE A1 Practice Test

Take this free ASE A1 Practice Test to study for your ASE A1 certification exam.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) identifies Engine Repair as an individual service area for certification (A1). The diagnosis and repair of the of the following subjects are covered:

• General Engine

• Cylinder Head and Valve Train

• Engine Block

• Lubrication and Cooling Systems

• Fuel, Electrical, Ignition and Exhaust Systems

There are 60 questions on the exam, 50 of which are scored, and 75 minutes is given to complete it.

To prepare for the ASE A1 exam, use Tests.com's ASE A1 Practice Test. It is written by Dr. John Kershaw, an ASE test question developer and ASE Certified Master Technician. Our interactive test platform allows you to simulate the exam. Take as many practice tests as you need. There's no time limit or recurrent charges.

If you are interested in obtaining more than one ASE A certification, use our Complete A1-A8 Practice Test Kit with 800 questions.

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General Engine Diagnosis

1 Which of the following creates a flapping sound near the front of the engine?

a. Timing belt tension too tight

b. Drive belt too tight

c. Drive belt too loose

d. Timing belt tension too loose

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

A loose timing belt will cause a flapping sound near the front of the engine.

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2 An engine noise sounds like a knock at the side of the engine that is louder when the engine is cold and goes away or is reduced when the engine reaches operating temperature. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

a. Cam bearing

b. Main bearing

c. Piston slap

d. Wrist pin

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Piston slap is a knock heard at the side of the engine which is louder when the engine is cold and goes away or is reduced when the engine reaches operating temperature.

3 This question is not like the others. It has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the choice that could NOT cause the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer.

All of the following are reasons why you must disable the fuel injection system and ignition system when conducting an engine compression test, EXCEPT:

a. Prevents damage to the ignition system during the test

b. Prevents fuel injection into the cylinders

c. Prevents a shop engine fire

d. Prevents inaccurate readings

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

The purpose for disconnecting the fuel injection and ignition systems is SAFETY related. Although reading accuracy is very important, the question asked which is not a reason to disable the fuel injection system.

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4 A power balance test is being performed on an engine. Technician A says to note the engine RPM before and during the test for each cylinder. Technician B says to record the RPM drop for each cylinder. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both technicians are correct. Tech A is right because engine RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) is an indicator of when that cylinder is contributing to the engine power and if it is balanced. You note the RPM before and during the test so when the cylinder is shorted out you can tell if it changes. Tech B is right because when the engine speed (RPM) does not drop or change, then that cylinder is not having an effect on engine operation or balance.

Cylinder Head and Valve Train Diagnosis and Repair

5 What engine seal is pictured in the below illustration?

a. Rear main

b. Camshaft plug

c. Throttle valve

d. Valve

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

A valve seal is shown in the picture.

6 Technician A says the closed coil end of a valve spring should go against the cylinder head. Technician B says all valve springs use shims to control free spring height. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Technician A is correct. A closed coil end of a valve spring should go against the cylinder head. Technician B is wrong because all valve springs do not use shims to control assembled height. It is also wrong because it should state assembled height.

7 This question is not like the others. It has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the choice that could NOT fit the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer.

All of the following statements are correct when adjusting valve lash on engines with overhead camshaft cylinder heads, EXCEPT:

a. Shims may be used to make adjustments.

b. Clearance is measured between the camshaft and follower or rocker on most engines.

c. The follower or rocker must be on the base circle of the camshaft when measuring.

d. The engine must be cold for all engine manufacturers

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

You must check the specific OEM procedure for adjusting valves either hot or cold.

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8 The surface of the cylinder head has just been machined. What will have to be done to the valve train?

a. Lengthening the push rods

b. Increasing valve spring tension

c. Grinding the valve stems

d. Shim the head

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Grinding the valve stems will have to be done because the distance has been reduced between the rocker and the pushrod, so you grind the valve stem to compensate.

Engine Block Diagnosis and Repair

9 A technician hears a knock or thumping at the side of the engine block that is louder when the engine is hot and goes away when the affected cylinder is shorted out. Which of the following could be the cause?

a. Main bearing

b. Wrist pin

c. Rod bearing

d. Piston slap

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Rod bearing noise is a thumping noise or knock at the side of the engine block that is louder when the engine is hot and goes away when the affected cylinder is shorted out. A is wrong because main bearing noise is constant and cannot be shorted out. A main bearing noise is generally deeper sounding than a rod bearing. Also, a main bearing makes an evenly spaced single knock while a rod bearing generally makes a double knock. B is wrong. A wrist pin noise can be diagnosed by disconnecting spark plug wires one at a time. Should the noise in the engine immediately double in frequency, then it's a wrist pin. Should the noise merely diminish a bit, then probably a rod knock caused by a loose bearing. D is wrong because piston slap noise disappears once the engine is warm. Piston slap could be caused by the piston skirt deforming under stress.

10 An engine is making a knocking sound that changes with RPM, and the noise disappears while a cylinder is being tested during the cylinder balance test. Which of the following could be the cause?

a. Rod bearing

b. Main bearing

c. Piston Slap

d. Burnt valve

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

A bad rod bearing will make a knocking sound with changes in RPM and disappear when the cylinder is shorted out.

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11 Technician A says old antifreeze may cause corrosion build-up in the cooling system. Technician B says some original equipment manufacturers (OEM) recommend that the coolant be changed at specified intervals. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Both technicians are correct. Antifreeze or engine coolant contains corrosion inhibitor that wears out over time, so this is the reason it is recommended that the coolant be replaced and the system flushed at a service interval. The freeze protection of the coolant never changes.

12 This question has the word LEAST. For this question, look for the choice that would LEAST likely fit the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer.

Which of the following steps is LEAST likely to be necessary when refilling a cooling system?

a. Bleeding the air out of the system

b. Mixing tap water and distilled water

c. Mixing the proper ratio of water to coolant

d. Check the radiator cap for proper fit

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Distilled water is the least likely required in a cooling system because it has no effect on the cooling ability of the solution. Distilled water is not required in a cooling system. It is used with battery electrolyte.

Lubrication and Cooling Systems Diagnosis and Repair

13 A technician is using a laptop computer and manufacturer software to test the ECT (Electronic Controlled Throttle) circuit that has a stored DTC P1121 (Electric Throttle Control Actuator). Which of the following customer concerns could be caused by a defective ECT return spring malfunction?

a. Rough idle

b. Low power

c. High idle

d. Detonation

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

The ECM has a stored DTC P1121 (Electric Throttle Control Actuator). When the malfunction is detected, ECM enters fail-safe mode and the MIL lights up. While the engine is in fail-safe mode and malfunction A of DTC P1121 is detected, the engine speed will not rise more than 2,000 RPM and thus cause a low power complaint. The ECM controls the electric throttle actuator by regulating the throttle opening around the idle position.

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14 Technician A says the voltage required maintaining spark is referred to as the spark line and the duration of the spark line is based on total primary circuit resistance and coil voltage available. Technician B says problems with the burning (called fuel propagation) will show up within the spark line. Who is right?

a. A only

b. B only

c. Both A and B

d. Neither A nor B

Incorrect. Please choose another answer.

Technician B is correct because problems with the fuel/air burning (called fuel propagation) will show up within the spark line. Technician A is wrong because the voltage required maintaining spark is referred to as the spark line and the duration of the spark line is based on total secondary circuit resistance (not primary circuit resistance) and coil voltage available. A typical firing voltage for a DI system is 8-10 kilovolts (kv). The spark line, which indicates the amount of time current flows across the spark plug gap, should also be smooth and level. Normal current flow usually lasts 1.2-2 milliseconds. Short or uneven spark lines, like high-firing voltages, indicate high secondary circuit resistance.