Baker - 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 150 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:
Major Work Activity A – Performs Common Occupational Skills - 23 questions
Major Work Activity B – Prepares Fermented Goods - 41 questions
Major Work Activity C – Prepares Cookies, Bars, Cakes, Pastry and Quick Breads - 33 questions
Major Work Activity D – Prepares Assembly and Finishing - 26 questions
Major Work Activity E – Prepares Chocolate and Confections - 15 questions
Major Work Activity F – Prepares Desserts, Ice Creams and Ices - 12 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 20 and 30% of questions that are this type.
Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:
What ensures an optimal sweet yeast dough product?
- Using eggs and butter.
- Increasing proofing time.
- Decreasing eggs.
- Using a blend of roll-in fat and butter.
Answer: A
Procedural and Application
This type of question tests your ability to apply your knowledge of procedures to a situation.
For this trade, between 55 and 65% of questions are this type.
Example of a Procedural and Application Question:
50 special occasion cakes are to be decorated in two hours. Which techniques are required to meet the time deadline?
- Ice and cover with rolled fondant and decorate with marzipan roses.
- Basket weave entire cake with fresh chocolate dipped strawberries.
- Cornell lace on sides of cake with beaded borders and fresh flowers.
- Comb sides of cakes with shell border and decorate with pre-made sugar flowers.
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 15 and 25% of questions are this type.
Example of a Critical Thinking Question:
What causes shortbread to spread?
- Under mixing.
- Too much flour.
- Not enough flour.
- Too much oven heat.
Answer: C
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.
Math Formulas
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.
Formulas
| Description | Full | Abbreviated |
|---|---|---|
| Desired water temperature | desired dough temperature × number of variables − sum of variables | desired dough temperature × # variables − sum of variables |
Acronyms
The following acronyms used in this trade may be on its Red Seal exam. They will also be provided with the exam sitting.
- °C
- degree Celsius
- °F
- degree Fahrenheit
- FIFO
- first in, first out
- ft.
- foot
- g
- gram
- hr
- hour
- in.
- inch
- kg
- kilogram
- L
- litre
- lb.
- pound
- min
- minute
- ml
- millilitre
- mm
- millimetre
- oz.
- ounce
- pH
- potential of hydrogen
- PPE
- personal protective equipment
- WHMIS
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
For more information about exam preparation materials contact your provincial/territorial apprenticeship office.