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Red Seal Exam
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GET READY FOR YOUR RED SEAL EXAM
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This exam preparation guide is designed to inform The exam preparation guide also provides strategies
you about the Red Seal exam process. The guide for test preparation and study habits. It contains
provides you information about what to do before examples of: multiple choice questions, study plan,
taking your Red Seal exam, the exam itself and what assessment checklist, and other useful tips to help
happens after you write your exam. The Red Seal you prepare for the Red Seal exam.
exams are developed in collaboration with provinces
and territories across the country. However, provincial Contact your local apprenticeship office for further
and territorial apprenticeship authorities are responsible information and assistance in preparing for your
for managing and administering the exams for Red Seal Red Seal exam.
trades (Appendix A). If you meet all the requirements
to write the Red Seal exam for your trade, please
contact your provincial or territorial office
(Appendix B) to register.
The Red Seal represents the interprovincial Most provinces and territories have application forms
standard of excellence. The Red Seal endorsement available on their website. If you have questions or
provides recognition that your certificate meets cannot find the Red Seal exam application form, contact
an interprovincial standard that is recognized in your provincial or territorial apprenticeship office (see
each province and territory. Appendix B for addresses and contact information).
STEPS TO GETTING YOUR When registering, you may also ask about the following:
RED SEAL ENDORSEMENT
• Exam language
1. Determine your eligibility Choose whether you want to write the exam in
To write the Red Seal exam for your trade, you must English or in French. Confirm with your provincial
meet the requirements of your province or territory. or territorial office that your copy will be in the
If you are an apprentice or a trade qualifier, eligibility language of your choice.
criteria to the Red Seal exam may be different.
• Special needs
• Apprentice: You are completing an apprenticeship If you have special needs, ask about accommodations
program that has been registered with your provincial you may be entitled to when writing the exam.
or territorial apprenticeship office. Keep in mind that the request for accommodation
has to be made well in advance.
• Trade qualifier or “challenger”: You are
experienced in your trade but you have not 3. Pay your exam fee
completed an apprenticeship program and you The cost of the exam varies by province and territory.
are not certified as a journeyperson. Your apprenticeship office will let you know the cost
when you register for your exam.
• Journeyperson: You hold a Provincial
or Territorial Certificate of Qualification 4. Plan ahead
or the equivalent. • Book time off
Schedule enough time off with your employer
Requirements may also vary by trade. Check your to avoid being rushed.
provincial or territorial apprenticeship and certification
website (Appendix B) for more information on the • Getting to the exam
criteria that applies to your situation. Make sure you know exactly where and when the
exam will take place. Plan ahead and allow yourself
2. Register for your Red Seal exam plenty of time for traffic, parking, late buses, etc.
The Red Seal exams are administered by the
provincial and territorial apprenticeship and certification 5. If you miss the exam
authorities. You must register at one of their offices Contact your provincial or territorial apprenticeship
in order to write the Red Seal exam. office to reschedule your exam.
To earn your Red Seal endorsement, you will be tested BLOCKS: The NOA is divided into major content
on the knowledge, skills and abilities that are outlined in areas called BLOCKS. Each block includes the trends
the National Occupation Analysis (NOA) for your trade. that impact the trade related to the block, the
components (products, items, materials) relevant
Your trade’s NOA is your best study guide. The Red to the block, and the tools and equipment used
Seal exam questions are based on the NOA sub-tasks. to perform all tasks in the block.
THE NOA OUTLINES IMPORTANT TASKS: The Blocks are then divided into TASKS. Each
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TRADE: task gives the context to clarify the intent and meaning
• Trade activities (tasks and sub-tasks) of the task. It also lists the required knowledge that an
• Trends individual must acquire to adequately perform the task.
• Essential skills
• Safety measures SUB-TASKS: The SUB-TASKS are the specific
• Technical terms functions you perform in relation to a task. Key
• Glossary competencies appear under each sub-task that
• Tools and equipment describe the activities you should be able to do
• Acronyms to be considered competent in your trade.
G – Renovations 10
C Total 100
D 15%
17%
In this case, if the exam has 100 questions, 14 questions
would be on Block A, 18 on Block B, etc.
Source: Carpenter NOA 2013
The Block and Task Weighting tables, available in all
TITLES OF BLOCKS
NOAs, will give you more precise information related to
BLOCK A – Common Occupational Skills
BLOCK B – Planning and Layout the percentage of questions for each task in each block.
BLOCK C – Concrete
BLOCK D – Framing
BLOCK E – Exterior Finish NOTE: The number of questions on an exam vary
BLOCK F – Interior Finish between 100 and 150, depending on the trade.
BLOCK G – Renovations
The first table shows the percentage that each province The second table shows the percentage of questions
and territory recommended for this specific block in assigned to a specific task in the block. This means,
the NOA. The number you need to focus on is the 28% of the questions from Block D are on Task 10.
National Average, which is the actual percentage of Therefore, on a 100-question exam, about 5 questions
questions for each block on the exam. In this example, are on Constructs Floor Systems (100 x 17% x 28%).
17% of the questions are on Block D. Therefore, if
the exam has 100 questions, 17 questions (100 X 17%) The exam breakdown will help you focus on the
are on Framing. blocks and tasks that make up most of your trade exam.
Make sure that you cover each block and all tasks and
sub-tasks when you prepare for your Red Seal exam.
2. ANSWER SAMPLE QUESTIONS Take note that the Red Seal Program is not responsible
Red Seal exams are made up of multiple choice for the development of the questions and tools on any
questions. Familiarize yourself with the format by other websites and does not endorse them.
testing yourself with sample questions.You’ll find
these on the www.red-seal.ca website.
A. Unfused.
B. Identified.
C. Grounded.
D. Ungrounded.
Source: Construction Electrician trade sample question
Some questions test your ability to apply mathematical formulas to a trade-related situation.
The shaft is 23.029 in. long and the gear assembly length is 23.015 in. What thickness of shims is required
if the gear assembly requires a 0.005 in. preload?
A. 0.005 in.
B. 0.009 in.
C. 0.014 in.
D. 0.019 in.
Source: Agricultural Equipment Technician trade sample question
Some questions are used to check problem solving skills related to your trade.
How is a compressed air line installed to allow draining of condensation from the piping system?
Some questions may use metric and/or imperial systems. Depending on your trade, one or two
systems may be used. Make sure you understand both.
A roof has a 1 in 3 (4 in 12) slope and a 750 mm (30 in.) overhang. The exterior walls measure 150 mm (6 in.)
thick overall. Which width of eave protection is required?
Metric Imperial
A. 900 mm 36 in.
B. 1,050 mm 42 in.
C. 1,200 mm 48 in.
D. 1,350 mm 54 in.
Source: Roofer trade sample question
Note: Other types of questions, such as interpretation of diagrams, can also be found on the Red Seal exam.
Reading Understanding materials written The following website also contains advice on preparing
in sentences or paragraph for you Red Seal Exam: www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/les/
(e.g. letters, manuals)
tools/support/preparing_irse.shtml.
Writing Writing texts and writing in
documents (for example, filling
3. Dealing with Stress and Exam Anxiety
in forms)
Non-paper-based writing (for
The Red Seal exam is an important step to becoming
example, typing on a computer) certified. Even with adequate preparation, you may
feel stressed and anxious. A bit of stress might be
Document Use Use of a variety of information displays
(e.g. graphs, lists, tables, beneficial as it keeps you alert. However, if you feel
blueprints, schematics, drawings, signs too anxious before or during your exam, you may
and labels) make some mistakes that could be avoided by
Numeracy Use of numbers and capability to think following these simple tips:
in quantitative terms
Computer Use Use computers and other forms • Plan your time: Allow yourself enough time to
of technology learn and study before your exam. It might be a good
idea to schedule your exam a few weeks later if it
Thinking Problem solving
Decision making
helps you to succeed on your first attempt.
Critical thinking
Job task planning and organizing • Breathe: Calm and deep breathing may help
Significant use of memory you to re-focus on your goals and to find the
Finding information answers more easily.
Oral Communication Use of speech to give and exchange • Talk to yourself: Remind yourself of why you are
thoughts and information
taking the exam, remember the time and effort you
Working with Others Work independently, alongside have put into your training and exam preparation.
others or as a member of a team
Continuous Learning Knowing how to learn • One step at a time: Concentrate on one task at
Understanding one’s own a time, and on one question at a time. If you can’t
learning style answer a question, note the number and come
Knowing how to gain access to a back to it at the end. Answer every question to the
variety of materials, resources and
learning opportunities best of your abilities.
• Physical activity helps to deal with stressful • Create a study plan. Try using a blank weekly or
situations like exams. Enough rest and proper monthly calendar, depending on the time you have
nutrition are also key to dealing with anxiety. before your exam. Highlight the times of each day
to plan for your study. It’s more efficient to plan
• I f these strategies don’t work for you, you regular periods each day than to condense all the
may develop other methods to reduce anxiety study for one long time period at the last minute.
or consider consulting a specialist.
• Don’t procrastinate!
4. Study Strategies
• Prepare a summary or create flashcards, flowcharts • Once you have a study plan, stick to it.
and diagrams of key information, including:
– formulas
– definitions Your study plan should include time for:
– key concepts. • Self-assessment (sub-tasks, essential skills,
language skills, etc.)
• Ask your employer and your co-workers for help • Studying
in the areas where you feel less confident. • Answering sample questions
• Reviewing
• Take an exam preparation course (if available — • Resting
contact your local apprenticeship office).
6pm to 7pm 5pm to 6pm 5pm to 6pm 5pm to 6pm 5pm to 6pm 5pm to 6pm Go to bed
Assess essential Gym Review C Review D Gym Gym early: exam
skills is tomorrow!
6:30pm to 9pm 6:30pm to 9pm 6:30pm to 9pm 6:30pm to 9pm 6:30pm to
7pm to 9pm Review Blocks Study Block D Study Blocks Review Blocks 8:30pm
Study Blocks A and B E and F E and F
A and B Study Block C
You could also base your study plan on the Task Profile Chart of your trade. For example:
• Any other materials listed in your exam • All questions are multiple choice and
confirmation letter of equal value.
2. What to expect during the exam? • Each question has four possible choices
(A, B, C and D). Only one answer is correct.
• You will not be allowed to talk to
other candidates. • The pass mark is 70%.
Red Seal exams are written exclusively in a If the answer to question one is D, go to line 1 on the
multiple choice format. There are no trick questions. answer sheet and completely fill in the D circle.
Each question has four possible choices. The three
incorrect answers are called ‘distracters’ because they
are intended to look believable and distract you from the
correct answer if you don’t know your trade adequately.
1 A B C
You will need to read the question carefully as a single
word can change the meaning of the answer. 2 A B C D
Example:
1. Which trade is a designated Red Seal trade? The exam is graded by a computer, so when marking
your answers:
A. Florist • use an HB pencil only.
B. Locksmith • press firmly with the pencil to ensure the circle is filled
C. Shipwright in completely.
D. Boilermaker • to change an answer, erase cleanly.
• do not make stray marks on the answer sheet.
In this example, the correct answer is D. The other • check regularly to ensure your mark is on the correct
three possible answers are the distracters. Although line, especially if you have skipped any questions.
believable, as they are all trades, all three are incorrect
because they are not Red Seal trades.
Once you have chosen your answer, completely fill the
appropriate circle on your answer sheet. The answer
sheet is separate from your exam booklet.
EXAMPLE of the answer sheet you will receive for your exam.
What happens after you take the Red Seal exam? What if you do not pass your exam?
The Red Seal is the standard of excellence in your
Red Seal exam results trade. As such, Red Seal exams are designed to test
Your provincial or territorial apprenticeship and the national scope of the trade. If you have less
certification office will send you your exam results. experience in some of the tasks and sub-tasks,
This can take up to four weeks. Refer to your exam you may not pass on your first attempt.
confirmation letter for more information.
If you do not achieve the 70% pass mark, the number
Results are not released over the phone. of times you can attempt the exam and the waiting
period between attempts are determined by each
Receiving your Red Seal province and territory. A course of study, approved
If you are completing your provincial or territorial by the jurisdictional certification authority, must be
certification at the same time as your Red Seal exam, successfully completed before the third and every
the Red Seal may be affixed to your provincial or subsequent attempt. Contact your local apprenticeship
territorial certificate. and certification office for clarification.
The following trades are designated as Red Seal trades. Note that your province/territory
may have a different name for the trade.
For information on apprenticeship training and certification, you are encouraged to contact your
provincial or territorial apprenticeship office. A representative will be able to guide you through
the process.