The eight tests that count
Automobile Master requires A1 through A8. A9 is a separate elective. The two-year work-experience requirement runs in parallel with your testing, so you can start passing tests immediately and register experience credit as you accumulate it. Do not wait — the tests you pass are valid for five years, and you can retake individual sections without redoing everything.
The order that works
Take the tests in an order that stacks knowledge. A1 Engine Repair, A2 Automatic Transmission, and A3 Manual Drivetrain together build the mechanical foundation. A5 Brakes and A6 Electrical build the systems knowledge that A8 Engine Performance will demand. Save A8 for last — it will pull material from every other test.
The five-year renewal trap
Once you earn Master status, every underlying test needs renewal on a rolling basis. If any one of A1-A8 expires, your Master status suspends. Set calendar reminders 12 months out and never let a certification lapse.