When you schedule your tests, you’ll have a wide choice of daytime, evening, and weekend reserved appointments. An extra half-hour is included in each appointment to allow time for check-in, a pre-test tutorial, and a post-test survey.
To see a video "walk-thru" of what to expect when taking a test, watch the free ASE Testing Demo video here.
Arrival Time. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow enough time to park, find the test center office, and for check-in. Late arrivals may be turned away by the test center staff. If a test cannot be taken because of arriving late, all fees are forfeited.
Bring Your Photo ID with Signature. You are required to present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID in good condition and in its original form that includes your photo and signature. An expired ID or a photo or paper copy of an ID will not be accepted. The name on your ASE record must match the name as it appears on your primary ID. You must present a valid driver's license, passport book, state ID, national ID, or military ID. If you are a student, a current school ID is acceptable. A valid Canadian permanent resident card or health care card is acceptable if you are testing in Canada. If you are testing outside of your country of citizenship, you must present a valid passport book. If either a photo or signature is missing from your primary ID, an additional form of ID that includes the missing element is required. An original social security card is acceptable as a secondary form of ID to confirm your signature only. A valid, original permanent resident card or passport card is acceptable as a secondary ID for the photo requirement only. If you do not bring acceptable and valid forms of ID, or your identity cannot be verified due to an illegible or damaged ID, you will not be allowed to test, and fees are forfeited.
Test Center Security Procedures. To safeguard the test questions and ensure fairness for all candidates, enhanced security procedures are used at the test center. You will be given a copy of all test center regulations when checking in. Please read this carefully. You will be assigned a small locker to store all your personal items (cell phone, electronic devices, watch and other jewelry, keys, wallet, medications, food, drinks, etc.), so please limit what you bring with you to the test center. Water is allowed in the testing room. No other beverages are permitted. All water must be in a clear or transparent container with a lid or cap. All labels must be removed, and the container will be inspected for notes or other test aids. You will need to remove the lid/cap for visual inspection by the test center staff. If the container does not meet requirements, it must be kept in your assigned locker. No jewelry is allowed in the testing room, other than wedding bands and engagement rings. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, headbands, hair clips, neck ties, etc. must be removed and stored in your locker. If you need tissues, the test center will provide them.
You will be asked to pull up your pants legs and sleeves and turn your pockets inside-out. You will be screened with a hand-held metal detector. You will be asked to remove your eyeglasses for visual inspection. Wedding bands and engagement rings are also visually inspected. This screening process is repeated every time you return from a break. Please note that the same security procedures apply to everyone taking tests at Prometric centers, regardless of the type of test - automotive, medical, business, or education. If you do not comply with the directions of the test center staff and Prometric security regulations, you will not be allowed to test and will forfeit your fees.
Why are these security procedures necessary? In short, to ensure your ASE certification retains its value.
- ASE invests a lot of time and resources every year to develop the tests. That also applies to the other professional and admissions testing programs that use Prometric test centers.
- Automotive service professionals like you work hard to honestly pass the tests and become ASE certified.
- If someone cheats, has someone else take the test for them, or the ASE test questions show up on the Internet, your hard work is devalued, and ASE could lose credibility.
- If the integrity of the test is questioned, technicians, employers, and consumers could lose confidence in the ASE credential.
Bottom line: Prometric isn’t targeting auto technicians; they use the same security procedures for everyone who tests there. No one likes security hassles, but they protect the value of your ASE certification.
Breaks. You can take a break between tests but keep it as brief as possible with the recommendation of no more than 10 minutes. If you take a break during a test, the test timer will continue to run, resulting in a loss of time to complete the test. Using your cell phone, accessing study materials, referring to or making notes, discussing test questions, or leaving the building or testing lab floor for any reason during a break is strictly prohibited and subject to the cancellation of incomplete or untaken tests and the forfeiture of fees.
Test Questions. When you arrive for your ASE test, you’ll find the test contains multiple-choice questions that are designed to test specific knowledge needed for competent job performance. Every question has one single right answer, three wrong answers, and enough information to choose the right answer. Each test has a comfortable time limit, usually from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the test. Most recertification tests have fewer questions, with a time limit of 30 or 45 minutes. Advanced Level tests offer time limits between 2 and 2 ½ hours.
During Testing. You will receive scratch paper and pencils which must be returned to the test center staff when you finish your appointment. Once you are seated, the test center administrator will explain how to use the computer and mouse. Each test appointment begins with a short tutorial that will help you become familiar with the operation of the computer-based test. You can also preview the system online before you go to take your test. Click here to view the Free Demo /Test Drive.
Each test has a specific time limit. Click here to view the list of tests and the amount of time allowed for each one. As you take each test, the computer screen will continuously display the test timer and progress bar. If you finish early, you may review your answers or continue to the next test if your appointment includes multiple tests. Once you submit a test for scoring, you cannot go back to review or finish it.
If a question is difficult, mark the answer that you think is correct, flag the question using the on-screen button,then go on to the next question. When you have finished the test, you may have time to go back to those flagged questions. Your score is based on the number of correct answers, so it is to your advantage to answer every question.
When you finish your last test, you will be given a short customer satisfaction survey. Your detailed score report is emailed to you immediately after you finish your appointment. You may also request a printed copy at the test center. Test results can also be viewed and printed in myASE within 24 hours of taking the test in most cases.