MECP Basic Installer Certification

[matt_martin87 10+ year member]

I just ordered the study guide for an MECP basic installer.

I would like to know what kind of questions are asked and how difficult they are. I have been doing my own installs for about 3 years, and wondered whether the test focuses more on practical knowledge, or technical information. They say on their site that basic is less than one year experience. I hope its not easy to the point that I didn't really need the study guide.

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[jmoreno150 10+ year member]

well the basic is more of the introduction part of mobile electronics so it deals much more on the ohms law parts, and basic stuff for example one of the questions will be if u have 8 4 ohm subs in paralell what ur total ohms. stuff like dat. as for hands on stuff the advanced one is more type hands on knowledge. problem and solution types. the basic mecp is easy bro you should have no problem passin jus know ur wire gauge formulas, ohms law and relays and EACH AND EVERY MARGINAL NOTE IN THE INSTALLER BOOK TRUST ME THEY ARE ALL IN THE TEST. i scored a 90 forgot some of the easiest things lol.. but the good thing is at the end of the test u can look over all your answers b4 u submit.

 

[BIGsherm7272]

do you have to be 18 to take the test?

 

[jmoreno150 10+ year member]

not that i know of. you should be able to take it.

 

[matt_martin87 10+ year member]

Thanks alot bro. I'm glad I ordered that book, if nothing else, for reference material.

 

[BIGsherm7272]

cool, looks like I will be taking this test soon too......what is the most difficult thing you remember?

 

[matt_martin87 10+ year member]

I wish it didn't cost as much as it does. But whatever it takes to get certified. Depending on how easy this test is, I may try the advanced test soon after.

 

[BIGsherm7272]

like, I know all about ohms law and stuff....but what else does it focus on?

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

If you can answer all the practice questions at the end of each chapter, you'll ace the test.

 

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

how much and where did you get your book for?

 

[///M5 10+ year member]

The practice test is a joke and is super easy, of course I think the same of the certification. Every single person who claims they are MECP certified in a thread usually has some dumb way off reply to someone and are trying to justify their answer. You really don't need it, even though I imagine owning a business some of the less than educated customer base may see it as an advantage. How wrong they are, but wtf welcome to life....lots of people **** at it.

 

[matt_martin87 10+ year member]

how much and where did you get your book for?

http://www.mecp.com Look under study guides. 30 dollars + shipping.

The practice test is a joke and is super easy, of course I think the same of the certification. Every single person who claims they are MECP certified in a thread usually has some dumb way off reply to someone and are trying to justify their answer. You really don't need it, even though I imagine owning a business some of the less than educated customer base may see it as an advantage. How wrong they are, but wtf welcome to life....lots of people **** at it.

I realize I probably don't NEED it, but I would like to be able to get a job in the car audio business around early summer. This is just a way to make getting the job easier.

 

[jmoreno150 10+ year member]

lol dude sounds mad at the world. u are right you dont need the certification to install but its more professional dnt you think? with the certficate alone u can easily make more than aninstaller w/o one regardless of the fact if u know more or not. what it all really comes down to is making that money and doing the job right.

 

[spoonraker 10+ year member]

I just passed my basic installer test on the 22nd, it was surprisingly difficult, but I wouldn't say it was hard...I just wasn't expecting it to be quite as challenging as it was.

Basically EVERYTHING in that study guide will be on the test. Especially things with margin notes. The questions are going to be just like the practice exam, only there will be a ton more of them. Some of them are poorly worded so make sure to check you answers before you move on.

Things to definitely know :

Ohms law. Know all the formulas and be prepared for easy actual math. Most of the questions involve the numbers 12, 6, and 2 lol so you will not need a calculator or anything. Just remembering all the formulas is much harder than the actual compuation they ask of you.

Basic electrical components. Know your capacitors, inductors, resistors, relays, etc. Know every single type of each, how they work, and what they all do. Yes you DO need to know what the colored bands mean on the resistors.

Know your basic installation techniques. Lots of stuff about properly wiring power and signal leads. There are a few questions about basic car alarm functions, and a few questions about properly installing GPS.

Basic safety information. Remeber all that "personal dress code" bs and what type of fire extinguisher is proper for an install shop. Remember the vehicle checkout list, and proper ways to store small parts and junk like that.

Know how to use a DMM and VOM very well. There are a lot of questions about these two. How to read them, properly measure certain things, which one is better to use, etc. Know that you should never use a test light stuff like that.

Know your tools and how to properly use them.

There is more, but you get the picture, just memorize the entire book, I mean it.

 

[jmoreno150 10+ year member]

what did you score?