CAADE Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CAADE exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 CAADE Exam Format at a Glance

100
Questions
120 min
Time Limit
70.00%
Passing Score

📚 CAADE Topics to Study (69)

✍️ Sample CAADE Questions & Answers

1. A vehicle's unibody frame shows a 'diamond' distortion. What does this indicate?
A twisting force applied diagonally across the structure

Diamond distortion results from a diagonal force that causes the body to twist so that one corner is pushed forward or backward relative to the opposite corner.

2. When estimating paint refinish time for a bumper cover that has been removed for repair, which step should NOT be included in the R&I labor?
Spraying the complete bumper cover with color and clear

Refinish (paint) labor is a separate line item from R&I (remove and install); applying color and clear is charged under refinish, not removal labor.

3. In a standard auto damage appraisal, what does 'R&I' stand for?
Remove and Install

R&I (Remove and Install) refers to removing an undamaged part to access a damaged area and then reinstalling the same part after repair — no replacement occurs.

4. What does 'A/M' stand for when it appears next to a part on a damage estimate?
Aftermarket — a non-OEM part manufactured by a third party

A/M denotes an aftermarket part, meaning it was produced by a manufacturer other than the original vehicle maker.

5. When estimating repairs to a vehicle with a damaged seat belt pretensioner, why must a new pretensioner be included regardless of visible damage?
Because a triggered pretensioner is a single-use device that cannot be reset

Seat belt pretensioners are pyrotechnic single-use devices that fire during a collision and cannot be reused or reset once triggered.

6. When estimating the cost of refinishing a door jamb during a full door replacement, the estimator should:
Always include jamb refinishing as a separate line item

Door jamb refinishing is typically a separate, billable operation because it requires masking and additional labor beyond the outer panel.

🎯 Free CAADE Practice Tests

📖 CAADE Guides & Articles

Your CAADE Study Path
1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation
Was this helpful?
CAADE Study Guide 2026 — Exam Format, Topics & Practice Questions