Construction Craft Worker - 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 National Occupational Analysis. This trade's Red Seal exam has 100 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Block A – Common Occupational Skills - 23 questions
Task 1 - Performs safety-related functions.
6 questions
Task 2 - Uses and maintains tools and equipment
6 questions
Task 3 - Organizes work
4 questions
Task 4 - Performs routine trade activities
7 questions
Block B – Site Work - 19 questions
Task 5 - Prepares site
4 questions
Task 6 - Performs ground work
4 questions
Task 7 - Services site
6 questions
Task 8 - Performs basic demolition
2 questions
Task 9 - Performs safety watches
3 questions
Block C – Scaffolding and Access Equipment - 9 questions
Task 10 - Uses scaffolding
5 questions
Task 11 - Uses access equipment
4 questions
Block D – Concrete Work - 18 questions
Task 12 - Forms concrete
5 questions
Task 13 - Places and finishes concrete
7 questions
Task 14 - Modifies concrete
3 questions
Task 15 - Places/Applies grout, epoxies and caulking
3 questions
Block E – Masonry Work - 10 questions
Task 16 - Prepares for masonry work
5 questions
Task 17 - Tends to bricklayers
5 questions
Block F – Utilities and Pipeline - 11 questions
Task 18 - Installs utility piping for water and sewer installations
5 questions
Task 19 - Performs pipeline activities
6 questions
Block G – Roadwork - 10 questions
Task 20 - Installs road surface material
4 questions
Task 21 - Installs roadwork components
6 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 50 and 60% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

Where is a combustible, corrosive or toxic substance stored?

  1. Inside the tool-crib.
  2. Inside an isolated room in the building.
  3. In an approved container inside a locked room.
  4. In an approved container secured in an outside area.

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:

A worksite in an urban area is muddy and waterlogged. What is the procedure to drain the site?

  1. Dig drainage trenches, dig a catch basin in the area with the least moisture, set up pumps, then run the hose to the sanitary sewer.
  2. Dig drainage trenches, dig a catch basin in the area with the most moisture, set up pumps, then run the hose to the storm sewer.
  3. Set up pumps, dig a catch basin beside the pump, dig drainage trenches, then run the hose to the storm sewer.
  4. Set up pumps, dig drainage trenches, dig a catch basin in the area with the least moisture, then run the hose to the sanitary sewer.

Answer: B

Critical Thinking

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

For this trade, less than 5% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

When taking a shot from the builder's level to the story rod on benchmark, the reading height is 1.425 m and the depth of excavation from the drawing is 170.025 m. If the known elevation of benchmark is 172.025 m, what is the reading obtained when sighting the rod for depth excavation?

  1. 2.425 m
  2. 3.425 m
  3. 4.425 m
  4. 5.415 m

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.