Newest NATE Industry Competency Exam: Air
conditioning practice exam questions and
answers with 100% complete solutions 2026.
After a vacuum pump has been used, a continuous pressure rise in the
system most likely indicates the:
a. Presence of moisture.
b. Existence of a leak.
c. Presence of residual refrigerant.
d. Presence of non-condensable gasses. - ANSWER: B
After a vacuum has been pulled to 500 microns, a pressure rise in a
system, followed by a leveling off at 1500 microns, most likely indicates
the:
a. Existence of a leak.
b. Presence of moisture.
c. Existence of a good vacuum.
d. Presence of non-condensable gases. - ANSWER: B
On initial start-up of an air conditioning system, the temperature drop
measured across the evaporator coil exceeds manufacturer's
specifications. this condition most likely indicates a/an:
a. Excessive airflow.
b. Insufficient airflow.
c. Lack of refrigerant charge.
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,d. Refrigerant overcharge. - ANSWER: B
The technician is on a spring maintenance check of an air conditioning
system.
They find the following:
• Head pressure is higher than normal.
• Suction pressure is higher than normal.
• Superheat is 0°F.
• Condenser is clean.
• Outdoor fan operation is normal.
• Sub-cooling is 25°F.
Which of the following is most likely the problem?
a. Capillary tube partially blocked.
b. Non-condensables in the system.
c. Overcharge of refrigerant.
d. Lack of air across the indoor coil. - ANSWER: C
Which one of the following can be caused by a restricted air filter?
a. High evaporator pressure.
b. High evaporator temperature.
c. High superheat.
d. Low superheat. - ANSWER: D
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, Which of the following would most likely occur if a crankcase heater
fails?
a. The oil may not be driven out of the refrigerant.
b. The compressor oil may freeze up.
c. Oil may become trapped in the system.
d. Excess refrigerant may migrate to the crankcase. - ANSWER: D
Across an r-22 suction line drier, how much pressure drop indicates
changing the drier?
a. 1 psig.
b. 3 psig.
c. 6 psig.
d. 8 psig. - ANSWER: B
In a fixed orifice air conditioning system, the presence of non-
condensable in the system will cause:
a. Low head and low suction pressure.
b. Low head and high suction pressure.
c. High head and high suction pressure.
d. High head and low suction pressure. - ANSWER: C
A compressor with tight bearings will cause the amperage draw to:
a. Fall below normal.
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conditioning practice exam questions and
answers with 100% complete solutions 2026.
After a vacuum pump has been used, a continuous pressure rise in the
system most likely indicates the:
a. Presence of moisture.
b. Existence of a leak.
c. Presence of residual refrigerant.
d. Presence of non-condensable gasses. - ANSWER: B
After a vacuum has been pulled to 500 microns, a pressure rise in a
system, followed by a leveling off at 1500 microns, most likely indicates
the:
a. Existence of a leak.
b. Presence of moisture.
c. Existence of a good vacuum.
d. Presence of non-condensable gases. - ANSWER: B
On initial start-up of an air conditioning system, the temperature drop
measured across the evaporator coil exceeds manufacturer's
specifications. this condition most likely indicates a/an:
a. Excessive airflow.
b. Insufficient airflow.
c. Lack of refrigerant charge.
1|Page
,d. Refrigerant overcharge. - ANSWER: B
The technician is on a spring maintenance check of an air conditioning
system.
They find the following:
• Head pressure is higher than normal.
• Suction pressure is higher than normal.
• Superheat is 0°F.
• Condenser is clean.
• Outdoor fan operation is normal.
• Sub-cooling is 25°F.
Which of the following is most likely the problem?
a. Capillary tube partially blocked.
b. Non-condensables in the system.
c. Overcharge of refrigerant.
d. Lack of air across the indoor coil. - ANSWER: C
Which one of the following can be caused by a restricted air filter?
a. High evaporator pressure.
b. High evaporator temperature.
c. High superheat.
d. Low superheat. - ANSWER: D
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, Which of the following would most likely occur if a crankcase heater
fails?
a. The oil may not be driven out of the refrigerant.
b. The compressor oil may freeze up.
c. Oil may become trapped in the system.
d. Excess refrigerant may migrate to the crankcase. - ANSWER: D
Across an r-22 suction line drier, how much pressure drop indicates
changing the drier?
a. 1 psig.
b. 3 psig.
c. 6 psig.
d. 8 psig. - ANSWER: B
In a fixed orifice air conditioning system, the presence of non-
condensable in the system will cause:
a. Low head and low suction pressure.
b. Low head and high suction pressure.
c. High head and high suction pressure.
d. High head and low suction pressure. - ANSWER: C
A compressor with tight bearings will cause the amperage draw to:
a. Fall below normal.
3|Page
