Comments on: Taking ASE Tests

By: Daniel Toney

Daniel Toney — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 01:17:10 +0000

I agree with you about the costs of taking ASE tests. I am ASE Master with L1 and passed tests on the first try. Spending almost $500 to take all 9 tests was expensive, but in the end, if you pass, your employer will reimburse you for the expense which makes it all worthwhile. At least the recerts are not as long and you can be in and out in a short amount of time.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 07:22:54 +0000

I am a recent ASE certified technician in 2 areas. It cost me about $80 to take these tests with their registration fees included. I agree that our career field changes dramatically in a short period of time and I could understand and would have no problem with having to recertify every 2 or 3 years BUT… the cost involved is out of control and there’s no excuse for it. With the advent of computer based testing these tests should be offered for $10 each with the ability to know if you passed immediately after taking the test. They seem to be over complicating this system for no reason. I also see no reason that the tests can’t be administered orally to those that have trouble with test taking or have learning disabilities. I agree that there are great tech’s that do not have the reading aptitude to pass the tests, and this discourages them from attaining certification.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:37:57 +0000

Keith: My hats off to you for taking all 8 at the same time. I have done this before and for me it was a long night and a painful memory. I now break them up and will not take more then 4 at a time to preserve my sanity.

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 03:39:00 +0000

Mark,

I am an ASE certified Master Tech, with L1, P2 and C1 certifications also. I stopped “turning wrenches” in 1992, but have always worked in the automotive industry. I never really considered ASE certification until I took a desk job with General Motors in 2000, and they required that the person in my position be at least “working towards” ASE Master Technician status. I took the A1- A8 tests and passed them all the first time around. Shortly thereafter I left that job for family reasons, moved to a different state and took a “temporary” job to make ends meet. In 2005 when it came time to re-certify, I missed the registration deadline by a couple of days.

Guess what? In the spring of 2005 I received a great offer for a new job, but it required that I be a currently certified Master Technician. I missed out on that opportunity because I had let my certification expire. I registered for the tests in May, purchased the MOTOR AGE Study Guides, and spent all my spare time for the next couple of months studying them. I passed all 8 recertification tests.

I thought that even more certifications might help my job search, so in the summer I signed up for the L1, P2 and C1 tests in the fall. I passed all of those on my first try also.

I had not been an actual technician for 13 years, but by studying the Motor Age study guides, I was able to pass ALL the tests on the first try. The study guides really help.

My thoughts on the ASE Tests? I know EXCELLENT technicians that would not be able to pass any of the tests due to poor reading skills. I have always been good at taking tests, and reading comprehension is one of my strong points. Yes, you have to understand how a car works in order to pass the tests, but you also have to have good reading skills.

The cost of the tests should really be insignificant for a good technician making decent money, but it still hurts me when I look at the $130 I ponied up last month to register for the recertification tests. Now I am getting ready to spend another $205 on Motor Age study guides. The good news is that I can sell the study guides on Ebay after I pass the tests and get a good chunk of that money back.

The bottom line for me is that having the certification can open doors that wouldn’t be open otherwise. I don’t plan on ever letting them expire again. I strongly recommend the Motor Age study guides, I doubt I would have passed all the tests without them.

- Keith F., Knoxville TN

By: Torey Fleetwood

Torey Fleetwood — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 03:34:22 +0000

keep just the minimum amount of certifications,just enough to make senior tech or even service management income.

By: Mark B

Mark B — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 22:57:55 +0000

I am an ASE certified Master Tech. And I can tell you this. The technology changes so fast in out industry that if you only recertified every 10 years you probably would not pass the recerts. I don’t like the cost but it is a matter of pride to me to keep them current. I have never been out of work and the Certifications are not what keep s me employed but it does show that you take pride in your skills and the field with which you work.

Great thread Mark!

Mark B

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:47:03 +0000

Josh: Keep in mind that formal training does count towards experience. If you graduated from a 2 year program and have done six months hands on that should meet the requirements. Best thing would be to call the ASE registration 800 number and talk to a representative. ASE is motivated to get you in and start your testing as soon as possible!

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:19:48 +0000

hey guys i got a quick question. can i take the ase tests even though i dont have 2 years experience yet? i graduated college in the auto tech program and have 6 months at my current place of employment. can i take the test now and just get the certification in 6 months when my 2 years are complete or does it not work that way?

By: ASE Test Results : Auto Repair Information Blog

ASE Test Results : Auto Repair Information Blog — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:01:14 +0000

[...] puts me firmly on a rotation that seems to never end. Some good comments were left on the taking ASE tests post. Some of the more interesting ones pointed out that it is almost unheard of to have to [...]

By: Andrew Haga

Andrew Haga — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:08:55 +0000

I can tell you one thing about ASE I needed them to get the job, (the first time) but since have found that my experience has the most impact on whether or not I get the job, raise or other major changes in my career.

I don’t mind retaking the tests every 5 years but the one thing I do mind is the cost and my current employer doesn’t really seem to care whether or not I remain certified and won’t pay for me to take them either.

In fact I am the only technician who has any ASE certification at work, but that is because I keep hoping that some day it will matter that I take these costly tests.

By: meshal youssef

meshal youssef — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:18:49 +0000

i want to take the test what i have to do

By: adrian

adrian — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:26:26 +0000

hey my boss work as mechanic 15 years now ,own a shop never ever has done any ase test he belive this is just wasting money,his customers list in computer is now over 1000 nobody ever ask for ase credential

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:43:22 +0000

Mark
who wants to look like Brad Pitt anyway. I don’t look for certs. I go with the guy who shows me he/she knows what they are talking about and has updated equipment to keep up with all the changes. keep up the good work

By: Steve Stromwell

Steve Stromwell — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:35:53 +0000

Hi Mark, I am a DIY guy and when I can’t fix it I look to find the very best. And ASE says a lot of who you are. I do not want to spend my money on the education of the inexperienced and uneducated tech.
If ASE is doing it’s job it should be a good source of what’s new and important. Thanks for the Great Newsletter. -Steve

By: RayF

RayF — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:50:27 +0000

I think that a mechanic needs to be certified. Every 5 years seems excessive to me. Follow the money. ASE wants your money, that’s all they care about. I just recerted and there were at least 200 participants there with me. Hmmmm, 200 x approx $100 cha ching 20 grand and that was just at 1 test center. I say 10 year recetification is sufficient.
By the way, I have asked many family members and friends if they know what ASE is and none have known.