Instrumentation and Control Technician - Red Seal Exam Breakdown

A Red Seal exam is based on the standard, called the National Occupational Analysis for the trade. The standard describes the skills and knowledge required to perform the duties of the trade. Each standard is divided into Blocks, which are divided into Tasks, which are divided into sub-tasks.

The Red Seal exam has a certain number of questions assigned to these sections. The number of questions are provided below.

For more information, see the full National Occupational Analysis, and Self-Assessment Guide (PDF, 1.3 MB) for this trade. Also, check out this trade’s Sample Questions.

Total number of questions on Red Seal exam - 125 questions

Block A - Common occupational skills - 7 questions
Task 1 Performs safety-related functions
2 questions
Task 2 Organizes work
2 questions
Task 3 Performs routine trade activities
3 questions

Block B - Process measuring and indicating devices - 35 questions
Task 4 Installs and services pressure, temperature, level and flow devices
14 questions
Task 5 Installs and services motion, speed, position and vibration devices
5 questions
Task 6 Installs and services mass, density and consistency devices
5 questions
Task 7 Installs and services process analyzers
7 questions
Task 8 Installs and services multiple variable computing devices
4 questions

Block C - Safety and security systems and devices - 9 questions
Task 9 Installs and services safety systems and devices
4 questions
Task 10 Installs and services facility security systems (NOT COMMON CORE)
0 questions
Task 11 Installs and services safety instrumented systems (SISs)
5 questions

Block D - Hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems - 10 questions
Task 12 Installs and services control devices for hydraulic systems
2 questions
Task 13 Installs and services pneumatic equipment
4 questions
Task 14 Installs and services electrical and electronic equipment
4 questions

Block E - Final control devices - 24 questions
Task 15 Installs and services valves
7 questions
Task 16 Installs and services actuators
7 questions
Task 17 Installs and services positioners
7 questions
Task 18 Configures and services variable speed drives (VSDs)
3 questions

Block F - Communication systems and devices - 14 questions
Task 19 Installs and services control network systems
5 questions
Task 20 Installs and services signal converters
6 questions
Task 21 Installs and services gateways, bridges and media converters
3 questions

Block G - Control systems and process control - 26 questions
Task 22 Establishes and optimizes process control strategies
6 questions
Task 23 Installs and services stand-alone controllers (SACs)
3 questions
Task 24 Installs and services programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
6 questions
Task 25 Installs and services distributed control systems (DCSs)
5 questions
Task 26 Installs and services human machine interfaces (HMIs)
3 questions
Task 27 Installs and services Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems
3 questions

For more information about exam preparation materials (textbooks, modules, etc.) contact your provincial/territorial apprenticeship office.

*Number of questions assigned are derived from the input from people in this trade from across Canada.