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2026 Edition

ASE A1 Practice Test

Take this free ASE A1 Practice Test to study for your ASE A1 certification exam. Our ASE A1 test prep is written by John Kershaw, an ASE test question developer and ASE Certified Master Technician. To prepare for the ASE A1 exam, use our  ASE A1 Practice Test.  See the links below for free ASE A1 flash cards. To prepare for additional ASE A Series certifications, use our Complete A1-A8 Practice Test Kit with 800 questions.

General Engine Diagnosis 

1 Which of the following creates a flapping sound near the front of the engine?
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?
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 has the word EXCEPT. Read the 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:
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?
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?
 
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?
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 has the word EXCEPT. Read the 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:
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?
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?
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?
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?
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 EXCEPT. Read the question carefully before choosing your answer.

All of the following steps are necessary when refilling a cooling system, EXCEPT:
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.

Fuel, Electrical, Ignition and Exhaust Systems Inspection and Service 

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?
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?
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.
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Quality starts with who wrote the material. Our writers:

John Kershaw, ASE Test Prep Expert, is an ASE Certified Master Technician, an auto industry technical instructor and is an ASE Test Question Developer. He is among the first certified by the ASE in 1972.

How should I study for the ASE A1 exam?

Practice tests and flash cards are an effective way to study for the ASE A1 exam. They help you learn the subject matter and practice your test taking skills. The ASE A1 exam is taken on a computer, so practicing with online practice tests can boost your chance of success.

What is on the ASE A1 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.
 
 
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