Cabinetmaker - 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 120 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:
Major Work Activity A – Performs common occupational skills - 16 questions
Major Work Activity B – Performs machining - 19 questions
Major Work Activity C – Performs forming and laminating - 13 questions
Major Work Activity D – Installs veneers and laminates - 14 questions
Major Work Activity E – Performs shop assembly - 20 questions
Major Work Activity F – Performs finishing - 14 questions
Major Work Activity G – Performs on-site assembly and installation - 15 questions
Major Work Activity H – Performs specialized operations - 9 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 5 and 15% of questions that are this type.
Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:
What is used to prevent mitre joints from opening?
- Air-dried lumber and biscuits.
- Kiln-dried lumber, biscuits and silicone.
- Air-dried lumber and sufficient glue.
- Kiln-dried lumber and sufficient glue.
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 80 and 90% of questions are this type.
Example of a Procedural and Application Question:
A large production run is performed on CNC equipment. What is the procedure?
- Double-check the X coordinate, then recalibrate the zero stops.
- Regularly check the dimensions of the finished products, then make adjustments.
- Regularly check the finished pieces for defects, then change tooling as they wear out.
- Back up the computer files, then adjust the speed potentiometer.
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 less than 10% of questions are this type.
Example of a Critical Thinking Question:
When contact cementing plastic laminate to the face of a fir plywood core, excessive pressure is applied. What is the result?
- The core fractures on the face.
- The glue is starved and delaminates.
- Telegraphing occurs across the face.
- Delamination occurs at the edges.
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.
For more information about exam preparation materials contact your provincial/territorial apprenticeship office.