As far as I know the basic exam is still the same. There are 3 different versions(plus one in spanish) with the same exact questions but in different order. This is done so if you are taking it with other people it will discourage cheating and copying answers... and for no other reason. You can also take the test online now which the main advantage is you get your test results back right after. You need to go to MECP's website for locations, usually a place like a local library but it still needs to be proctored so don't get the idea you can take the test at home..ain't gonna happen.
You will not get to see which questions you got wrong specifically, however you will get a seperate score for each of 3 sections so you will have an idea of which areas you are weaker and stronger in.
The master test if very different from the basic. The first class or I think they call it "silver" now (which you need to pass and score 80% or better in order to qualify to take the master) is like a more in depth basic. Some of the questions on the master require a calculator which is supplyed by MECP at the test sight since no one is allowed to bring one.
Covered on the master from what I remember is series/parallel circuits and solving circuits containing various components, bridged rectifiers etc. where on the basic they only use simple resistors and a power supply as well as nice small even numbers. Acoustics and advanced cross-overs (zobels etc), audio system design and troubleshooting, solving for capacitance and wonderful stuff like that which is never really used or needed in a typical install bay, but still it is covered on the test. Also reading schematics being able to tell an alternator from a zener diode from a 4th order bandpass network..well fun stuff like that. Understanding advanced terminology in audio and electrical theory is a must.
I also remember a few questions about power windows, advanced relay circuits (well compared to the basic which only asks very simple questions) and even one or two that asked the color codes of vehicle wiring..but it will ask about a "GM import", kind of vague IMO as what really is a GM import???... that covers quite a spectrum.
Some tricky troubleshooting questions on problems that might not even exist anymore, but the "engineers" that wrote many of the questions have probably encountered at one time or another.
Now keep in mind when I took the test there was no study guide for it, from checking the www.cea.org website it seems a master study guide is now available, which leads me to think the test should have been updated. That should make my renewal quite a bit easier, especially if it now asks questions that deal with everyday problems and installations of today, not weird abstact "conditions" engineers encountered in the 1970's-1980's.
Hope my reply helped.
Custom Audio
Lynbrook NY
ASE/MECP master certified