I just landed my first job at an independent shop and my boss is pushing me to get ASE certified within the year. There are so many different ASE certification exams — A1 through A9, plus L1, L2, and the specialty tests — and it feels overwhelming trying to figure out where to begin.
A few techs at the shop say I should start with A4 (Suspension and Steering) because it's one of the more approachable exams, while others swear the ase a1 test (Engine Repair) is the gold standard and you should tackle it first to prove yourself. I've been using the ASE practice tests on PracticeTestGeeks to gauge the content, but I'm still not sure what order makes sense.
Does anyone have advice from personal experience? Did you pass on the first try? What prep resources helped most? I came from a tire shop background so I'm worried about the diagnostic reasoning sections. I want a solid plan, not just the fastest route.
Start with A4 or A5 (Brakes). Both are manageable if you've done service work at a tire shop. The ase brakes test covers hydraulics, disc, and drum — nothing too exotic. I passed A5 on my first attempt with about three weeks of prep. Once you have one cert under your belt the process feels way less intimidating, and you'll know how to pace yourself for harder exams like A8 Electrical.
Go in order if you want to be thorough, but practically A5 and A4 have the highest pass rates. Use the practice exams on PracticeTestGeeks — the question format mirrors the real thing closely. Track your weak spots by section and drill those specifically. Give yourself at least four weeks per exam and don't cram; spaced review works far better.
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