Counter professionals
who know vehicles from the ground up are about half-way to a successful
ASE P2 test outcome — 57 percent of the way, to be exact. But there’s
another 43 percent to the test.
Forty-three questions in the
P2’s Vehicle Systems Knowledge portion covers components and systems
such as engine mechanical parts, ignition system, brakes and automatic
transmission. The additional 32 questions cover the topics of customer
relations and sales skills; cataloging skills, inventory management;
merchandising; and general operations.
In the general operations
category, there are 10 questions on topics such as: calculating
discounts; determining the need for special orders; performing money
transactions; performing sales and credit invoicing; assisting with
employee and customer training; and knowing the value of company
policies and procedures.
There are 11 questions that cover
customer relations and sales skills. Test-takers can expect topics such
as: identifying customer needs and skill level; handling customer
complaints; demonstrating proper telephone skills; solving customer
problems; and balancing store and in-store customers.
The
counterpro’s ability to tackle cataloging issues also plays a part in
the P2. Six questions will cover topics such as: locating the proper
catalog and identifying needed parts; catalog terminology and
abbreviations; performing catalog maintenance; and utilizing additional
reference materials, such as technical bulletins, interchange lists,
specification guides, Web site, etc.
Three questions are
allocated to a counterpro’s knowledge of inventory management. These
include issues such as reporting lost sales; verifying incoming and
outgoing merchandise; handling special orders and outside purchases;
knowing the reasons for performing a physical inventory; and accounting
for store-use items.
Finally, there are two questions concerning
merchandising. They can be on topics such as: understanding
display strategy; inspecting and maintaining shelf quantities and
condition; utilizing sales aides; and identifying impulse and seasonal
items.
Here are some sample questions:
1. Paint and body supplies should be rotated:
a. Every six months
b. When stock arrives
c. When doing inventory
d. At least once per year
2. Which battery has a better cost value per month?
a. $39.95 with a 40-month warranty
b. $42.95 with a 50-month warranty
c. $54.95 with a 60-month warranty
d. $59.95 with a 75-month warranty
3.
A customer comes in while a parts specialist is on the telephone with
another customer. Which of these should the parts specialist do?
a. Finish with the telephone customer first
b. Put the telephone customer on hold and wait on the walk-in customer
c. Acknowledge the walk-in customer and finish with the telephone customer
d. Finish with the telephone customer and pull their order
ANSWER KEY
1B, 2D, 3C
Sections covered:
Automatic Transmission
Batteries
Brakes
Cooling System
Drivetrain
Emissions
Engine Mechanical Parts
Exhaust
Fuel System
HVAC
Gaskets
Ignition System
Manual Transmission
Suspension and Steering
Management