How to Use the ASE Test Catalogs
ASE publishes a series of preparation guides, titled as The Official ASE Catalog of Tests. There are separate catalogs for each test series, containing detailed information about the specific tests in that series. The whole idea behind these catalogs is to answer the popular question, "What do I need to study to pass an ASE test?"
Since ASE tests are designed to measure knowledge of job-specific skills, there isn’t a single magic book that will serve every professional’s needs for knowledge. With that in mind, study materials have to be carefully selected. To make the right choices, it’s important to first understand that there are many different types of study materials available to you as a service professional. The level of success you achieve as a professional largely depends on: 1) the level of knowledge you currently possess in a specific area, and 2) the level of knowledge contained in the material being considered. For example, let’s say you’re an entry-level engine performance technician. If you were to choose a book about advanced-level diagnostic strategies containing advanced scan tool and oscilloscope diagnostic routines, it probably wouldn’t be a good fit. You would probably benefit more by choosing study materials with more basic information like ignition system operation and diagnosis, general engine diagnosis, and so on. The bottom line: Make sure you’re matched up with the type of material that best fits your current knowledge needs. Here's how to do it:
Start with a self-evaluation of your knowledge in your desired certification areas using The Official ASE Catalog of Tests. Remember, there are different test catalogs for the different test series. Here you will find the Test Specifications, including the Content Areas and Task Lists for each different test. The Test Specifications outline the test, and tell you exactly how many questions you need to answer when you take the test. The associated Task List will give you a complete run-down of what the test will cover, because the Task List reflects the knowledge of the skills needed by a service professional in that specialty area. Why is this so important? Because all of the questions on an ASE test relate directly to the identified skills.
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Important Tip!
The “first step in test prep” begins with a complete review of the Task Lists found in The Official ASE Catalog of Tests. This is the only way you can determine exactly what you need to study to help you achieve your professional certification goals.
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Begin the self-evaluation by reading through each test’s Task List separately and determine whether or not you know what is involved in performing each skill. If you don't have a clear understanding of a specific skill, put a check mark next to it. This type of evaluation requires you to be honest with yourself about what you know and don't know, and you must also understand what’s involved in performing the full scope of each task. When you’re done, the check marks you made along the way represent areas that you will need to focus on for preparation. You now know exactly what you need to study. For the tasks that do not have check marks, you will probably only have to perform a minor review.
Through this evaluation, you should also be able to determine the level and type of study material needed for each skill area. For instance, if you do not know anything about a certain skill, then that skill may require a more basic fundamentals approach. This may include material that starts with an explanation of basic system operation. On the other hand, if a skill requires very specific education, then maybe a shop manual would be helpful. Regardless of what you determine through your evaluation, selecting study materials should now be much easier.
The Official ASE Catalog of Tests series can be downloaded right here in Adobe Acrobat pdf format. Make sure you have Adobe Acrobat installed before you download the catalogs. If you need the Acrobat reader, click here. Then, just click on the name below of the Test Catalog you need. If you would rather receive printed copies, click here to go the ASE Information Request Form.
The ASE Catalog of Tests:
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