Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Practice Test 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Excellence!

The term for the mark on a changeable safe combination lock that is slightly left or right of the 12 o'clock position is known as the change index. This mark is crucial for correctly setting and understanding the lock's combination because it denotes a reference point that helps the user align the dial accurately during the process of entering the combination.

Accurate alignment with the change index ensures that the correct number is selected when turning the dial, making it essential for the functionality of the combination lock. Understanding the significance of the change index allows locksmiths and users familiar with safe operations to manipulate the lock with precision, reducing the possibility of errors during combination entry.

The other options, while related to the workings of locks, do not specifically refer to this mark. For instance, a lock indicator might refer to a feature signaling whether the lock is engaged or disengaged, a dial mark could generically refer to any mark on the dial, and a position marker is too vague. Only the change index accurately describes the specific function and positioning related to setting a safe's combination.