Tool and Die Maker - 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 135 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Major Work Activity A – Performs common occupational skills - 20 questions
Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions
5 questions
Task A-2 Maintains machine-tools, accessories and cutting tools
3 questions
Task A-3 Organizes work
5 questions
Task A-4 Performs benchwork
5 questions
Task A-5 Uses communication and mentoring techniques
2 questions
Major Work Activity B – Operates machine-tools - 45 questions
Task B-6 Operates power saws
4 questions
Task B-7 Operates drill presses
4 questions
Task B-8 Operates conventional lathes
9 questions
Task B-9 Operates conventional milling machines
9 questions
Task B-10 Operates grinding machines
9 questions
Task B-11 Operates computer numerical control (CNC) machines
6 questions
Task B-12 Operates electrical discharge machines (EDM)
4 questions
Major Work Activity C – Performs heat treatment - 13 questions
Task C-13 Heat treats materials
10 questions
Task C-14 Tests heat treated materials
3 questions
Major Work Activity D – Performs design and development of prototypes and production tools - 57 questions
Task D-15 Performs production tool design
9 questions
Task D-16 Develops prototype
6 questions
Task D-17 Fits and assembles production tools
15 questions
Task D-18 Proves out production tools
14 questions
Task D-19 Repairs and maintains production tools
13 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 25 and 35% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

What is used to check the angles of two adjoining 90° surfaces on a workpiece?

  1. Vernier calliper.
  2. Spirit level.
  3. Straight edge.
  4. Solid square.

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 40 and 50% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

When producing a part in a blanking die, what is done to reduce the required tonnage?

  1. Increase the cutting clearance.
  2. Decrease the cutting clearance.
  3. Decrease the spring pressure.
  4. Increase the shear angle.

Answer: D

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 is the result of unrestricted material flow in a shallow draw die?

  1. Fracturing.
  2. Wall thinning.
  3. Side wall burnishing.
  4. Wrinkling.

Answer: D

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, 104 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

Constants

π
3.1416

Formulas

Formulas
Descriptions Full Abbreviated
Bend allowance ( radius + C variable ) × ( 2 × π × angle 360 ) ( r + C ) × ( 2 π × angle 360 )
Cutting force length × thickness × shear strength L × T × S
Feed rate per minute feed per tooth × # teeth × revolutions per minute fpt × N × rpm
Revolutions per minute (imperial) 12 × cutting speed π × diameter 12 × CS π D
Revolutions per minute (metric) 1000 × cutting speed π × diameter 1000 × CS π D
Tap drill size major diameter − pitch MD − P
Time (for lathe) length feed per revolution × revolutions per minute L fpr × rpm
Time (for mill) length feed per tooth × # teeth × revolutions per minute L fpt × N × rpm

Acronyms

Acronyms [PDF, 93 KB]

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

°F
degree Fahrenheit
µm
micrometre
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
CAD
computer-aded design
CAM
computer-aided manufacturing
CMM
coordinate measuring machine
CNC
computer numerical control
CRC
cutter radius compensation
CRS
cold rolled steel
CSA
Canadian Standards Association
E
pitch diameter
EDM
electrical discharge machine
FPT
feed per tooth
ft.
foot
GD&T
geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
HRPO
hot rolled pickled and oiled
HSS
high speed steel
ID
inside diameter
in.
inch
ipm
inches per minute
ISO
International Organization for Standardization
kg
kilogram
lb.
pound
lb./cu. ft.
pounds per cubic foot
mm
millimetre
N
number of teeth
NC
numbered connection
OD
outside diameter
OH&S
Occupational Health and Safety
P
pitch
PPE
personal protective equipment

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