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:
