ASE study material: buck up and buy the kit?

[Logan Kistler]

Hey all, first post here. I’m a young tech looking to bang out some of ASE tests in the near future, and was wondering what study material you guys have had success with. I am pretty impressed with the info available at FreeAseStudyGuides.com, but I don’t really want to be shocked when I flip open the test booklet and find a bunch of new stuff. There’s a pretty extensive study setup from PassTheAse.com, but its about 280 clams. I know, not much in the realm of getting into the industry, but is there enough free material to pour over to be able to accurately navigate the stupidly weird questions in these tests? I know just memorizing the answers to the 50 question free tests is not going to cut it, but clicking on the explanations to each of the questions usually brings up a lot of related info. From what I’ve heard though, its almost just as much about learning what kind of answers they want, and I’m not sure the free material is very catered to the specific answers found in the tests.

Interested to hear what you guys have to say

Topic

[Mike]

I’ve always been in favor of paying for good information because it has served me well in nearly everything I’ve paid for. There’s tons of free information out there, but the thing to consider is that (respectably) published information is determined to be credible and worth selling by at least a few people whose job it is do decide these things. Forum advice and videos are great, but nobody ever has to sign off on and take responsibility for that. I may think I’m giving you perfect advice right now, but it’s still advice that nobody else has to approve or edit before you get the chance to take it in.

My point being that if you want to actually be competent as a professional, I believe you have to pay for it. Whether a school makes you buy them so they will give you a degree or you’ve decided to voluntarily reduce your ignorance, books are the only place that all the right information is ever lined up in a way that is conducive to comprehensive and effective learning.

I recently bought a few books on OBD 2/emissions theory a couple weeks ago, first time in a while I bought study material like that. I had a car kick my ass with a EGR problem recently and I’m supposed to be this A+ master tech, so I felt really ignorant because I’m paid to have a better understanding of this kind of thing. I spent $140 on 2 ‘hobbyist grade’ books and 1 legitimate school book. If you want to be exceptional and be able to command a top pay grade and back it up, you need to pony up somewhere along the line to acquire your very extensive knowledge base.

[Justin]

I bought the brakes guide off pass the ase. I liked it. Can’t remember if it was brakes or hvac lol. Either way I have my a1 and a2 coming up on Tuesday and haven’t done any studying. Hopefully I can wing it and pass both of them.

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[Jason White]

Some good replies on here. Whatever questions you see on those practice tests won’t be on the actual test, so memorizing answers won’t help you. Learning from the answers might help you, at least get through the test, which all you have to pass is a measly 60% of the actual one’s that are graded to pass. ( I think it should be 80+ to pass) However, the only real way to study so not only can you pass a test, but you can apply your knowledge is to study the material and learn about the systems and the theory of the process. Also, you need 2 years experience verified by a ASE registered employer or you won’t get the cert. If I were you, I’d start out with G1 and then A4, then A5 which will help you in the entry level fields.

Fopeano: It happens to us all where we get stuck on something that doesn’t make sense. You shouldn’t feel ignorant about it, as long as it doesn’t happen too often.

Cammed 05: A1 isn’t that bad but A2 has teeth. I’d say it is the hardest one of the A1-A9 and just a step under L1 unless you work in a transmission shop where transmissions are actually internally repaired and/or rebuilt. I failed A2 the first time I took it. I also failed A5 the first two times I took it. I failed L1 the first time as well but of course I was younger and less experienced at the time. Last time I renewed I missed one or two on each.

[Larry Bible]

I am about to do my recerts. My certs expired in about 2008. The study guides I used at the time were mostly MotorAge paper manual. Since they are about fifteen years old, are they worth studying now, or are they hopelessly outdated? I think I might could make it through all 8 without studying, but I will have to go 100 miles one way to take the tests, so it will basically kill a day. I don’t want the day to be a waste. Any ideas about the old material and any recommendations for new study guides. I plan on A8 through A9 and L1 through L3.

Thanks for your help and recommendations.

[Tyler]

The main thing I used to pass all of my ASEs was a text book called Automotive Technology by James D Halderman. This guy has written a bunch of books but this is the only one I’ve used and it pretty much has everything for A1-A8 and even L1. Amazing read, well worth it too! I have the 4th edition which is very current and pretty cheap on Amazon right now. I read the books and any questions or topics I was confused about I went to online resources.

I learned a TON from this book.

http://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Technology-Edition-James-Halderman/dp/0132542617

[Larry Bible]

Thanks for the recommendation. Unfortunately I jumped too soon on Amazon and ended up ordering the fourth edition which is about four years old. Durn! I don’t know if I should wait and see if it is good enough for this battery of tests or if I should bite the bullet and go ahead and pay for the fifth edition on top of the expense of the first.

Haste makes waste.

Thanks a bunch for the recommendation though.

[Tyler]

I really wouldn’t worry about it. I used the same edition and it was more than enough to easily get my by. The new edition has some updates, but nothing that I think is really going to affect your scores.

On Pearsons website this is what they say is new to the 5th edition. Nothing that is going to make the 4 edition outdated really.

• Electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) content is added to Chapter 91.
• R-1234yf refrigerant information is included in Chapter 62. This new technology is just now entering the market in selected makes and models of vehicle.
• Content covering the Chrysler/Fiat Multi-air system is included to Chapter 81. Just one vehicle manufacturer uses this unique type of fuel injection system.
• D3EA and BEEP aftermarket brake standards content is now included in Chapter 101. This information helps the reader understand the distinctions between original equipment specifications and aftermarket specifications.¿
• Evacuation routes and infection control precautions information is added to Chapter 6.
• Stop/start systems operation information is added to Chapter 52.
• Permanent diagnostic trouble code information is included in Chapter 88.
• Carbon-ceramic brake (CCB) rotor information is added to Chapter 104.
• Inductive heating tool operation and usage information is added to Chapter 117.
• Pull-type release bearing content is included in Chapter 121.
• End play/preload checks is added to Chapter 122.
• New content on pin and rocker-type (rocker joint-type) chains is added to Chapter 126.
• Checking fluid level without a dipstick information is added to Chapter 129.

[Larry Bible]

Thanks Blackflame! As far as the basic knowledge, I feel pretty comfortable with it all, but I want to make sure that the material hasn’t changed a bunch since I took the tests almost fifteen years ago. I am going to take all 8 tests as recert. They recommend that you do only two at a time, but I did three or four at a time, when I did the original certification. Given that it’s a 100 mile drive to the test center, I’m going to try them all in one session. Since there is a $111 cap on the bill for recerts, I think I have very little to lose. If I blow one or two, I’ll take them the next time I go back for my L1.

Thanks again!

[Jason White]

The guides don’t have the answers to the tests, they only cover the material. If the guides are a few years old, it’s not a big deal, but 15, I’d look into something newer. As far as L1, if you do well in engine performance and electrical, actually have hands on experience and can read and follow a wiring diagram and a service manual you should be able to pass L1.

[James O’Hara]

Um $64 http://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Technician-Certification-Preparation-Manual/dp/1428321012/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457309983&sr=8-1&keywords=9781428321014

That is A1-A8 and L1. Delmar is a very good brand and the ones for my T1-T8 have been useful as hell. Now the book is from 2012 but, that is good enough they do not change the tests that often or that much but, any more then like 6 yrs you would want something updated.

Also I agree with Fopeano knowledge is something you will have to pay for and good knowledge is even harder to come by. Be ready to have to invest large amounts of time into this trade and money for education not just for tools.

If you want the more up to date one you are looking at like $230 but, like i said they do not change information that much http://www.ebay.com/itm/291020476903

[Larry Bible]

Thanks a bunch guys!

[Larry Bible]

Passed ’em!!!!

I went this morning and took all 8 and passed them, so my Master is now current. I don’t know if it’s the changing technology or if the tests are harder than they used to be, they weren’t a cake walk like when I took them the first time. Surely that couldn’t be because I’m no longer a young pup.:)

Anyway, next up is A9 & L1. If I can get past those two, then the A9 will qualify me to do L2 which is the one I want most now.

Thanks for the book recommendation and other advice. It helped a lot and is still helping as I get ready for the L1.

[Justin]

That’s awesome MBD! I need to get on my certs and get them done. Hopefully I can roll 2-3 when I go for them

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[Larry Bible]

[quote=”blackflme” post=160604]The main thing I used to pass all of my ASEs was a text book called Automotive Technology by James D Halderman. This guy has written a bunch of books but this is the only one I’ve used and it pretty much has everything for A1-A8 and even L1. Amazing read, well worth it too! I have the 4th edition which is very current and pretty cheap on Amazon right now. I read the books and any questions or topics I was confused about I went to online resources.

I learned a TON from this book.

http://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Technology-Edition-James-Halderman/dp/0132542617%5B/quote%5D

Blackflame,

I just want to thank you for recommending this book. It is so massive that I didn’t do much with it before I went and did my 8 recerts. I just relied on some basic reading and my experience and that worked out. Now, however, I will probably take my L1 and A9 Thursday. The A9 I studied for elsewhere and feel confident about it. I also went through an L1 study guide. The book you recommended, however, is a GREAT read and great background for the L1. Well written, comprehensive and teaches concepts rather than just stuff to memorize.

Thanks again!

[Author]

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