Quick Facts

  • The Industry Competency Exam (ICE) is an entry-level exam that is supported and validated by the major industry associations.

  • There are three exams: Residential A/C and Heating, Light Commercial A/C and Heating, and Commercial Refrigeration.

  • Candidates taking the Commercial Refrigeration exam are also encouraged to take the Residential or Light Commercial A/C and Heating exam because the same applications are covered, but with different equipment.

  • Each test has 100 multiple-choice questions, and you must score a 60% or above to pass.

  • Over 300 schools require students to take the exam before graduation.

  • Each test costs $30 to take.

  • If a candidate fails the exam, s/he may take it again.



    • Benefits

    Those who pass the exam will receive an individual score report and a certificate/wallet card of competency. They will also have their names published in a major trade magazine, and if desired, their names will be placed in a national job bank. Those passing the test also have the opportunity to purchase shoulder patches that say they are ICE certified.

    Why Should You Take The ICE Exam?

    Because the ICE exam is industry recognized, it will give you a boost in job placement. Individuals who pass the ICE test will have an edge in the job market because it shows that they know what the industry says entry-level technicians should know.

    Taking the exam will also give you the opportunity to measure your skill level. You can determine what you have mastered and what you need to work on.

    RESIDENTIAL HEATING & A/C

    1. For proper burner operation, the manifold pressure on an LP gas-fired furnace should be approximately:

    a. 3 inches of water column.

    b. 4 inches of water column.

    c. 9 inches of water column.

    d. 11 inches of water column.

    2. Which of the following is most likely to cause evaporator frosting?

    a. Low condenser air temperature.

    b. High suction pressure.

    c. A seized compressor.

    d. A dirty blower or filter.

    3. In comparison to the ON cycles of conventional hot air heating equipment, the ON cycles of heat pumps during the heating mode are:

    a. Shorter.

    b. Longer.

    c. About the same.

    d. Exactly equal.

    4. Across a suction line drier, how much pressure drop dictates changing the drier?

    a. 1 psig.

    b. 3 psig.

    c. 6 psig.

    d. 8 psig.

    5. In a refrigeration system, the pressure of air is indicated by:

    a. Low head and suction pressures.

    b. Low head and high suction pressures.

    c. High head and normal suction pressures.

    d. Equal head and suction pressures.



    LIGHT COMMERCIAL HEATING AND A/C

    6. A three-way valve that has two inlets and one outlet is classified as a:

    a. Diverting valve.

    b. Mixing valve.

    c. Pilot-operated valve.

    d. Two-position valve.

    7. The purpose of taking a pressure-drop reading across the suction line filter-drier is to determine the:

    a. Contaminant loading of the filter-drier.

    b. Proper size and charge.

    c. Superheat readings.

    d. Temperature and pressure of the gas.

    8. On a liquid line, insulation may be necessary when:

    a. Discharge temperatures are low.

    b. Low suction pressures are required.

    c. Line routes are short.

    d. Subcooling is not available.

    9. The temperature rise of an electric furnace should be approximately:

    a. 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

    b. 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

    c. 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

    d. 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

    10. An open circuit leading to the thermostat will most likely result in:

    a. Intermittent operation of a gas furnace.

    b. Continuous operation of an air conditioner.

    c. Lack of operation of a gas furnace.

    d. Continuous operation of a gas furnace.



    COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION

    11. The holding coil of the potential start relay is connected across the:

    a. Run winding.

    b. Start winding.

    c. PSR coil.

    d. Control Thermostat.

    12. In an automatic ice maker, when an ice-thickness control is satisfied, it stops the water pump and:

    a.Starts the condenser fan motor.

    b. Opens the defrost solenoid.

    c. Stops the evaporator fan.

    d. Turns on the compressor.

    13. Which one of the following types of failure would result in a low pressure condition?

    a. Insufficient cooling water in condenser.

    b. Dirty condenser.

    c. Low condenser airflow.

    d. Low refrigerant charge.

    14. When a reading is taken of unknown voltages on the voltmeter, the meter should be set on:

    a. The highest voltage scale.

    b. The lowest voltage scale.

    c. A mid-scale voltage reading.

    d. The scale believed to be the closest to the desired reading.

    15. Suction gas returning to the compressor with too much superheat will result in:

    a. Excessive refrigerant flooding to the compressor.

    b. Excessive discharge temperatures.

    c. Oil migration from the compressor.

    d. Low head pressure.



    Answers:

    1)d; 2)d; 3)b; 4)b; 5)c; 6)b; 7)a; 8)d 9)b; 10) c; 11)b; 12)b; 13)d; 14)a; 15)b.

    Publication date: 04/16/2001