Painter and Decorator - Exam Information
Table of Contents
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 130 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:
Major Work Activity A - Performs common occupational skills - 20 questions
Major Work Activity B - Prepares surfaces - 30 questions
Major Work Activity C - Prepares and applies residential, institutional and commercial paints, coatings and finishes - 31 questions
Major Work Activity D - Prepares and applies wall coverings - 9 questions
Major Work Activity E - Prepares and applies wood finishes - 11 questions
Major Work Activity F - Prepares and applies industrial paints and coatings - 29 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 40 and 50% of questions that are this type.
Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:
What kind of water is used on the wick of the wet-bulb thermometer of a sling psychrometer?
- Hot.
- Cold.
- Sweet.
- Distilled.
Answer: D
Procedural and Application
This type of question tests your ability to apply your knowledge of procedures to a situation.
For this trade, between 45 and 55% of questions are this type.
Example of a Procedural and Application Question:
What is done before using a new roller sleeve to apply an oil-based coating?
- Rinse sleeve in solvent, then spin.
- Work coating into sleeve, then spin.
- Soak sleeve in coating, then wash.
- Work coating into sleeve, then scrape.
Answer: A
Critical Thinking
This type of question tests your ability to interpret data, solve problems and arrive at valid conclusions.
For this trade, less than 10% of questions are this type.
Example of a Critical Thinking Question:
Too much pressure is applied to a wallpaper-perforating tool on a drywall surface. What is the result?
- Scored wallpaper
- Damaged drywall.
- Loose drywall tape.
- Bubbles.
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.
For more information about exam preparation materials contact your provincial/territorial apprenticeship office.