ACE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ACE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which option should be used to reduce file size for web use while maintaining quality? → Save for Web (Legacy)
2. When using the "Export As" dialog in Photoshop to resize an image for the web, what is the primary purpose of the "Resample" option? → To specify the interpolation method used when changing the image's pixel dimensions.
3. Which tool is ideal for removing a color cast from a photo? → Curves Adjustment
4. What does the Hue/Saturation adjustment tool control? → Color tone and vibrancy
5. Why would you use a layer mask in Photoshop? → To hide parts of a layer non-destructively
6. How does a layer mask work in Photoshop? → Shows or hides parts of a layer using black and white
7. When editing a layer mask, which colors are fundamental to its operation, and what is their primary function? → Black conceals the layer, and White reveals it.
8. Which of the following actions is a destructive editing process in Photoshop? → Using the Eraser tool on a standard raster layer.
9. What is the widely accepted industry-standard resolution, in Pixels Per Inch (PPI), for images that are intended for high-quality commercial offset printing? → 300 PPI
10. Which adjustment layer is commonly used to correct white balance? → Photo Filter
11. What is the effect of reducing the opacity of a layer? → Increases transparency
12. Which Photoshop tool is best for removing blemishes in portraits? → Spot Healing Brush Tool
13. Why is metadata important in file management? → Provides searchable and copyright data
14. Which tool helps to brighten the whites of eyes in a portrait? → Dodge Tool
15. How can you preserve image quality when resizing in Photoshop? → Convert to Smart Object
16. When working with a layer mask, which of the following statements is true? → White reveals the layer's content, and black conceals it.
17. Which Photoshop feature is best for adjusting overall brightness and contrast? → Levels Adjustment
18. Which of the following is a key capability found in the `Save for Web (Legacy)` dialog that is NOT available in the modern `Export As` dialog? → Creation and fine-tuned optimization of animated GIFs.
19. Which feature allows you to non-destructively adjust exposure and contrast in Photoshop? → Adjustment Layers
20. What is the main advantage of using layers in Photoshop? → Enables non-destructive editing
21. What is the purpose of the Vibrance adjustment? → Adjusts saturation while protecting skin tones
22. What is a common reason to use 'Save As a Copy' in Photoshop? → To save an alternate version without changing the original
23. Which tool allows a user to select and move an entire vector path or shape as a single object within its layer? → The Path Selection Tool (Black Arrow)
24. What is the purpose of using Smart Objects in a Photoshop workflow? → To apply non-destructive edits
25. What does clipping a layer to another layer do? → Limits visibility to the base layer
26. What is the advantage of using layer groups in complex Photoshop projects? → It organizes layers for better workflow
27. Which of the following is the most precise and efficient way to create a horizontal guide at the exact 500-pixel mark on the vertical ruler? → Go to View > New Guide, select 'Horizontal', and enter '500 px' in the position field.
28. Why would you use a vector mask instead of a pixel-based mask? → To maintain sharp edges and scalability
29. Which file format preserves layers and is ideal for continued editing in Photoshop? → PSD
30. Which of the following describes a key advantage of converting a layer to a Smart Object before applying transformations like scaling and rotating? → It allows for non-destructive editing, preserving the original image quality.