Machinist - Exam Information

Self-Assessment
Exam Breakdown
Types of Exam Questions
Mathematical Formulas
Acronyms

Self-Assessment

This tool can be used to reflect on your own experience and knowledge in the trade compared with what is on the exam.

Exam Breakdown

Each Red Seal exam's questions are developed to assess the activities laid out in the Red Seal Occupational Standard. This trade's Red Seal exam has 135 questions^{Footnote *}, which are distributed as follows:

Major Work Activity A - Performs common occupational skills - 13 questions

Task A-1 Performs safety-related tasks

2 questions

Task A-2 Organizes work

3 questions

Task A-3 Uses communication and mentoring techniques

2 questions

Task A-4 Processes workpiece material

4 questions

Task A-5 Maintains machines, tooling and inspection equipment

2 questions

Major Work Activity B - Performs benchwork - 11 questions

Task B-6 Performs hand processes

8 questions

Task B-7 Refurbishes components

3 questions

Major Work Activity C – Machines using power saws - 8 questions

Task C-8 Sets up power saws

5 questions

Task C-9 Operates power saws

3 questions

Major Work Activity D – Machines using drill presses - 9 questions

Task D-10 Sets up drill presses

5 questions

Task D-11 Operates drill presses

4 questions

Major Work Activity E – Machines using conventional lathes - 28 questions

Task E-12 Sets up conventional lathes

14 questions

Task E-13 Operates conventional lathes

14 questions

Major Work Activity F – Machines using conventional milling machines - 28 questions

Task F-14 Sets up conventional milling machines

15 questions

Task F-15 Operates conventional milling machines

13 questions

Major Work Activity G – Machines using precision grinding machines - 11 questions

Task G-16 Sets up precision grinding machines

6 questions

Task G-17 Operates precision grinding machines

5 questions

Major Work Activity H – Machines using computer numerical control (cnc) machines - 27 questions

Task H-18 Performs CNC programming

12 questions

Task H-19 Sets up CNC machines

8 questions

Task H-20 Operates CNC machines

7 questions

Types of Exam Questions

All Red Seal exam questions are written in multiple-choice format. A multiple-choice question consists of question followed by four possible responses (A, B, C, D). Every question has exactly one correct answer and three incorrect options. They are not misleading or trick questions, but the incorrect options are not always obvious.

There are three types of questions that you will see on Red Seal Exams:

Knowledge and Recall
Procedural and Application
Critical Thinking

Knowledge and Recall

This type of question tests your ability to recall and understand definitions, facts and principles.

For this trade, between 10 and 20% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

Which product is used to check the final fit of mating tapers?

Layout dye.
Prussian blue.
Penetrating dye.
Permanent ink.

Answer: B

Procedural and Application

This type of question tests your ability to apply your knowledge of procedures to a situation.

For this trade, between 50 and 60% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

What process is used to achieve a spot-face?

Machining a cone-shaped enlargement at the end of a hole.
Machining a pilot hole larger than the web of the finish drill.
Machining a flat surface that is perpendicular to the axis of a hole.
Machining a hole to accommodate the head of a bolt or cap screw.

Answer: C

Critical Thinking

This type of question tests your ability to interpret data, solve problems and arrive at valid conclusions.

For this trade, between 25 and 35% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

What size is the gauge block build-up used with a 5 in. sine bar to check a workpiece that has a 3/4 in. TPF?

0.1561 in.
0.3121 in.
0.4682 in.
0.6242 in.

Answer: B

Try more sample questions for this trade and check out the Exam Preparation Guide. It will give you practical insights on what goes into Red Seal exams, and how you can best prepare yourself to do well.

Mathematical Formulas

Formulas [PDF, 143 KB]

The following formulas used in this trade may be needed to answer some questions on its Red Seal exam. They will also be provided with the exam sitting.

Measurement unit abbreviations

fpr: feed per revolution
fpt: feed per tooth
rpm: revolutions per minute
tpi: threads per inch

Constants

π: 3.1416

Formulas

Formulas
Descriptions	Full	Abbreviated
Bend allowance (for 90° bend)	$(radius + (0.4 \times thickness)) \times 1.5708$	$(r + (0.4 \times T)) \times 1.5708$
Cutting force	$length \times thickness \times shear strength$	$L \times T \times S$
External thread depth (imperial)	$0.6134 \times pitch$	$0.6134 \times P$
Feed rate per minute	$feed per tooth \times # teeth \times revolutions per minute$	$fpt \times N \times rpm$
Internal thread depth (imperial)	$0.5413 \times pitch$	$0.5413 \times P$
Measurement over wires	$major diameter + (3 \times wire diameter) - (\frac{1.5155}{threads per inch})$	$MD + (3 \times WD) - (\frac{1.5155}{tpi})$
Measurement over wires	$pitch diameter - (0.866025 \times pitch) + (3 \times wire diameter)$	$PD - (0.866025 \times P) + (3 \times WD)$
Pitch diameter (metric)	$major diameter - (0.6495 \times pitch)$	$MD - (0.6495 \times P)$
Revolutions per minute (imperial)	$\frac{12 \times cutting speed}{π \times diameter}$	$\frac{12 \times CS}{π D}$
Revolutions per minute (metric)	$\frac{1000 \times cutting speed}{π \times diameter}$	$\frac{1000 \times CS}{π D}$
Tap drill size	$major diameter - pitch$	$MD - P$
Time (for lathe)	$\frac{length}{feed per revolution \times revolutions per minute}$	$\frac{L}{fpr \times rpm}$
Time (for mill)	$\frac{length}{feed per tooth \times # teeth \times revolutions per minute}$	$\frac{L}{fpt \times N \times rpm}$
Wire size	$0.57735 \times pitch$	$0.57735 \times P$

Acronyms

Acronyms [PDF, 55 KB]

The following acronyms used in this trade may be on its Red Seal exam. They will also be provided with the exam sitting.

2D: 2 dimensions
3D: 3 dimensions
µin: micro inch
BHC: bolt hole circle
CAM: computer-aided manufacturing
CNC: computer numerical control
CRC: cutter radius compensation
CSA: Canadian Standards Association
dBA: A-weighted decibel
E: pitch diameter
FPT: feed per tooth
ft.: foot
HSS: high speed steel
ID: inside diameter
in.: inch
ipm: inches per minute
lb.: pound
m/min: metre per minute
min: minute
mm: millimetre
mm/min: millimetres per minute
N: number of teeth
NPT: National Pipe Thread
OD: outside diameter
P: pitch
PPE: personal protective equipment
rpm: revolutions per minute
sfpm: surface feet per minute
SAE: Society of Automotive Engineers
SHCS: socket-head-cap screw
TiN: titanium nitride
TPI: threads per inch
UNC: Unified National Coarse (thread system for coarse threads)
UNF: Unified National Fine (thread system for fine threads)
UNS: Unified National Special
W: thread wire diameter
WCS: Work Coordinate System

For more information about exam preparation materials contact your provincial/territorial apprenticeship office.

Machinist - Exam Information

Table of Contents

Knowledge and Recall

Procedural and Application

Critical Thinking

Measurement unit abbreviations

Constants

Formulas