- G1 has 55 scored questions plus 10 unscored research items, 65 total, in 90 minutes.
- Suspension and Steering (24%) and Brakes (20%) are worth 44% of the exam combined.
- Fee is $62 plus a $34 registration fee, or $96 total if G1 is your only test order.
- Certification needs a passing score plus one year of hands-on experience (or an approved equivalent).
Exam Snapshot: The Numbers You Need
Before you memorize a single torque spec, lock in the structural facts of the ASE G1 Auto Maintenance and Light Repair test. These are the numbers Prometric's proctors and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) actually use, and they're the backbone of every scheduling and study decision you'll make. If you want the long-form version of everything below, the ASE G1 Study Guide 2026 walks through each piece in depth - this page is the condensed, print-and-tape-to-your-wall version.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 65 (55 scored multiple-choice + 10 unscored research) |
| Time allowed | 90 minutes |
| Languages | English and Spanish |
| Delivery | Prometric test centers |
| Certification validity | 5 years |
| Recertification test | G1R - 28 questions, 45 minutes |
Domain-by-Domain Cheat Sheet
The G1 test is built from seven content areas, each weighted differently. Knowing the weight tells you where to spend your limited study hours. For a deeper breakdown of tasks inside each area, see the ASE G1 Exam Domains 2026 guide.
Domain 4: Suspension and Steering - 24%
The single largest domain on the test. Expect questions on strut and shock inspection, alignment symptoms, steering linkage wear, power steering fluid service, and tire wear patterns tied to suspension faults.
- Know the difference between a worn ball joint and a worn tie rod end by symptom
- Understand power steering fluid checks and leak diagnosis
Domain 5: Brakes - 20%
The second-largest area. Covers hydraulic system inspection, pad and rotor wear measurement, brake fluid service, and ABS warning light basics.
- Master brake fluid types and contamination symptoms
- Know when a rotor needs resurfacing versus replacement
Domain 1: Engine Systems - 16%
Oil and filter service, cooling system inspection, belt and hose checks, and basic engine performance symptoms.
- Understand coolant type compatibility and mixing risks
- Know oil viscosity selection basics
Domain 6: Electrical - 15%
Battery inspection and service, charging system basics, and light/fuse diagnosis.
- Know battery load test indicators
- Understand fuse versus relay troubleshooting order
Domain 3: Manual Drive Train and Axles - 11%
Covers clutch inspection, driveshaft and CV joint checks, and differential fluid service.
- Know CV joint boot inspection signs
- Understand differential fluid change intervals and symptoms of low fluid
Domain 2: Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - 7%
Fluid level and condition checks, basic shift-quality symptoms, and cooler line inspection.
- Know how to read transmission fluid color and smell for contamination
Domain 7: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning - 7%
Cabin air filter service, basic A/C system inspection, and blower motor troubleshooting.
- Know refrigerant handling safety basics and system leak symptoms
Key Takeaway
Suspension/Steering and Brakes together make up 44% of your scored questions. If your review time is limited, these two domains deserve the first and largest blocks on your calendar.
Registration and Fee Facts
Registration mechanics trip up more candidates than the actual content does. Here's exactly what you'll pay and how the fee structure works, based on the current official pricing.
- The G1 test itself costs $62.
- A $34 registration fee is charged per order.
- If G1 is the only test you're purchasing, your total comes to $96.
- Ordering multiple tests at once spreads the registration fee across your order, so plan your testing bundle before you check out.
For a full walkthrough of how these fees stack, plus what happens if you need to retest, read the ASE G1 Certification Cost 2026 breakdown. Before you pay anything, double check the current windows on the ASE G1 Exam Dates 2026 page so your registration lines up with an available Prometric slot near you.
Eligibility and Experience Rules
Passing the test is only half of certification. ASE also requires one year of full-time relevant hands-on repair experience, or an approved combination of formal training and experience, before the credential is officially awarded.
- You are allowed to sit for the test before your experience requirement is complete.
- Certification itself is withheld until ASE verifies your qualifying experience.
- This means students and career-changers can take the exam early and lock in a passing score while they finish accumulating hours.
The full eligibility rules, including how training hours can substitute for shop experience, are detailed in the ASE G1 Requirements 2026 guide. If you're weighing whether the credential is worth pursuing at all given the experience commitment, the Is the ASE G1 Certification Worth It? ROI analysis is worth reading before you register.
Key Takeaway
Don't wait for a full year of shop experience before testing. Take the G1 exam as soon as you're prepared - certification simply gets held until your experience clears, so early testing costs you nothing.
Recertification: The G1R
ASE G1 certification is valid for five years. When it's time to renew, you don't retake the full 65-question exam - you take the G1R recertification test, a shorter 28-question exam with a 45-minute time limit.
| Feature | Initial G1 | Recert G1R |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 55 scored + 10 unscored | 28 |
| Time | 90 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Validity gained | 5 years | 5 years |
Set a calendar reminder well before your five-year window closes - letting certification lapse means starting over with the longer original exam instead of the shorter renewal path.
Last-Week Priority Schedule
If your test date is close, don't spread review evenly across all seven domains. Weight your remaining hours the same way ASE weights the exam. This isn't a generic study calendar - it's built around the exact G1 domain percentages.
Suspension and Steering + Brakes
- Drill alignment symptoms, strut/shock inspection, and steering linkage wear (24% of the test)
- Review hydraulic brake systems, pad/rotor measurement, and fluid contamination signs (20% of the test)
Engine Systems + Electrical
- Cover oil/coolant service, belt and hose inspection (16%)
- Review battery, charging system, and fuse/relay logic (15%)
Manual Drive Train, Transmission, HVAC
- Clutch, driveshaft, and CV joint inspection (11%)
- Transmission fluid checks (7%) and A/C/cabin filter basics (7%)
Full-Length Review
- Run through practice questions covering all seven domains
- Re-check registration confirmation and Prometric appointment details
For candidates who prefer a full-length, multi-week structure rather than a compressed final push, the ASE G1 Study Guide 2026 lays out a longer plan. And if you're still unsure how demanding the exam actually is relative to your current shop experience, the How Hard Is the ASE G1 Exam? difficulty guide gives an honest assessment.
Common Last-Minute Mistakes
- Ignoring the passing score target. Know exactly what score you need before test day rather than guessing - see the ASE G1 Passing Score 2026 breakdown for specifics.
- Under-preparing for the largest domains. Suspension/Steering and Brakes are 44% of the test combined - treat them as non-negotiable review priorities.
- Forgetting the registration fee math. Budget for $96 if G1 is a standalone purchase, not just the $62 test fee.
- Assuming experience must be finished first. You can test before your one year of hands-on work is complete; certification is simply held.
- Skipping practice exams. Running full-length practice questions on our ASE G1 practice test platform before test day builds the pacing needed to finish 65 questions in 90 minutes.
If you're still building foundational understanding of what this credential actually covers before diving into memorization, start with What Is ASE G1?, ASE G1 Meaning, or What Does ASE G1 Stand For?. Formal preparation programs are covered in ASE G1 Training, and career-earnings context is in the ASE G1 Salary Guide 2026. You can also run a full practice session on the main practice test site to see how your recall holds up under the 90-minute clock, or check ASE G1 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows for context on outcomes.
FAQ
There are 65 total questions: 55 scored multiple-choice items plus 10 unscored research questions, all within a 90-minute time limit.
The test fee is $62 plus a $34 registration fee per order, totaling $96 if G1 is the only test in your order.
Suspension and Steering (24%) and Brakes (20%) together make up 44% of the exam and should get the largest share of remaining study time.
Yes. You can sit for the exam before completing the one year of hands-on experience, but actual certification is withheld until ASE verifies that experience.
Certification is valid for five years and is renewed by passing the G1R recertification test, which has 28 questions and a 45-minute time limit.